Unleashing the Ultimate Multiplayer Souls Experience: Why 8 Hours with Elden Ring’s Nightreign Left Me Breathless

The Soul of Co-op: How Nightreign Brought Me Back to the Souls Series

As I finally relented, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions. After hundreds of hours in the world of Elden Ring, I had reached my breaking point. It was time to call in some help for the final boss, and with a reluctant "thank you," I conceded defeat. With a sigh of relief, I stepped back, letting others take the reins, while I continued to support from a distance, exhausted.

This experience wasn’t unique to me; I’ve had similar struggles with other Souls games, like Bloodborne. The infamous Orphan of Kos, in particular, had pushed me to the brink of madness. I recall muttering to myself, "Why am I doing this?" As I trudged back to the nearest lamp, summoning assistance was the only option left.

You might wonder why I, someone who prefers solo play, would mention this. It’s not to brag about my conquests; instead, it’s about my personal preference for solo gameplay. I enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes from overcoming challenges on my own terms.

That’s where Nightreign, the co-op spin-off of Elden Ring, came into the picture. FromSoftware’s announcement intrigued me, but it also raised concerns. Would I enjoy this new take on the Souls series? The answer is a resounding "yes."

Nightreign: A Soulful Delight

Nightreign is, in essence, Elden Ring as a roguelike, with a dash of Fortnite-style gameplay. In a group of three, players embark on a 15-minute day, gathering resources, fighting enemies, and preparing for the boss battle. As the day progresses, a blue-storm closes in, draining player health, forcing the team to band together.

The Three Nightlords

Each run begins with the choice of a Nightlord, which determines which bosses you’ll face at the end of each day. These bosses hail from across the Souls series, with tweaked movesets and mechanics, ensuring a new challenge with each playthrough.

Teamwork and Strategy

In Nightreign, teamwork is crucial. Instead of balancing skills, it’s about playing to your strengths and coordinating attacks. During our last run, we chose The Duchess, a sly character with an invisibility spell and the ability to repeat the last few seconds of combat against an enemy’s ghostly illusion. With all three of us wielding bleed weapons, we used her Restage skill to stack status effects and take down bosses.

The Future of Nightreign

As I approach the game’s end, I still have questions. Will the map change based on our Nightlord selection? What’s the endgame plan for Nightreign? While I’m excited about the potential for more maps, bosses, and Nightfarers, it’s unclear if FromSoftware will continue to support the game.

For now, Nightreign offers a delectable, speedier, and more intense take on the Souls series, where overcoming odds and sharing victories is exhilarating. As I discovered, a win shared is, indeed, just as sweet.