Elden Ring: Nightreign Review: Brutal, Brilliant, and Built for Co-Op Veterans

Elden Ring: Nightreign is not a traditional expansion. It is a bold side-step into something faster, leaner, and more intense. Rather than sending you across another sprawling open world, FromSoftware has delivered a roguelike-infused, boss-hunting gauntlet that dials in on pure combat. The result is an experience that will delight hardened players looking for short bursts of pain and triumph, but may alienate those hoping for another deep narrative journey or solo-friendly trek.

At its core, Nightreign trims the fat. Sessions are designed to be completed in under an hour, each one leading you through increasingly dangerous encounters across dynamically shifting zones. Instead of exploring every corner of the Lands Between, you are racing against a shrinking perimeter, managing your build in real time, and prepping for a final confrontation against one of eight new Nightlord bosses.

And those bosses are the star of the show. Each one is a masterclass in FromSoft design: grotesque, intimidating, and merciless. These are not recycled foes. They are finely tuned enemies that test not just timing and stamina, but coordination and adaptability, especially in co-op. The Nightlords push the boundaries of boss design, sometimes veering into spectacle, but never losing the mechanical bite that makes the Soulsborne formula so addictive.

Combat itself remains as tight and punishing as ever. Every dodge, parry, and spell must be earned. But Nightreign tweaks the formula by throwing players into a roguelike structure. You begin each run with limited gear and gradually build out your character using randomized loot and stat choices. This creates a sense of urgency and experimentation that gives the expansion its own identity. It is not just about surviving, it is about adapting, and doing it fast.

Multiplayer is clearly the focus here. Co-op is easier to jump into and more central than ever. The shrinking zone mechanic pushes teams to stick together and communicate. When everything clicks, it feels incredible. However, solo players will face an uphill battle. Some boss encounters feel borderline unfair without backup, and matchmaking can be unreliable at times. There are also moments when glitches disrupt the flow, such as players getting stuck outside of areas or soft-locked behind doors. These bugs are not constant, but when they happen, they are frustrating.

Visually, Nightreign continues FromSoftware’s trend of dark, decaying beauty. The arenas are eerie, fog-laced, and brimming with death. But some environments do show signs of asset reuse, and a few layouts lack the vertical grandeur of the base game. The narrative, what little there is, plays second fiddle to the action. Lore fans will find crumbs to chew on, but this is not the place for deep storytelling.

Elden Ring: Nightreign is a daring experiment that mostly works. It sharpens the franchise’s most beloved elements into an intense, bite-sized format that rewards skill and coordination. The bosses are spectacular, the combat is as good as ever, and the roguelike pacing brings something fresh. Still, its focus on multiplayer and a few rough edges may leave some players behind. For co-op fans and Souls veterans, though, this is a brutal treat worth returning to again and again.

RATING: 4.0 out of 5

Elden Ring: Nightreign is now available for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X.

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