Gab Hernandez 
FromSoftware has just announced Elden Ring: Nightreign, and soulslike fans are either ecstatic or raging over the reveal; but what is the game, really?
Elden Ring is by far FromSoftware’s most successful title. With over 25 million units sold as of 2024, Elden Ring and its Shadow of the Erdtree DLC showcased the very best that the company had to offer. After, it seemed like the game would be up on the shelf for a time as FromSoftware turned its attention to other projects.
That’s not the case, though. Despite Miyazaki’s claims to expand the company’s focus to other projects, Elden Ring’s story isn’t over. During The Game Awards 2024, gamers got their first glimpse at Elden Right: Nightreign.
Is Elden Ring: Nightreign actually like Fortnite?
Elden Ring: Nightreign is a battle royale-style action game set in the Elden Ring universe that can be played multiplayer or solo. It features familiar enemies, weapons, and locales, but radically changes the gameplay by increasing the player character’s mobility and folding in Fortnite-style elements.
While FromSoftware’s Soulsborne games have always included some multiplayer elements, Nightreign takes things in a very different direction. Similar to the battle royale staples, players drop the world, but are forced to run away from a slowly closing circle. Players are forced to scramble their way through the environment, kill enemies, and defeat a boss once the circle starts closing. Helping players achieve this is significantly improved mobility, including a higher run speed and the removal of fall damage.
Similar to Fortnite, the gameplay loop of Elden Ring: Nightreign is about playing, surviving, then doing the whole process over again. The core gameplay isn’t standard RPG progression held together by leveling up and story beats. Players make their way through the game in 30-minute runs, then start again after.
That said, there’s one key area where Elden Ring: Nieghtreign sets itself apart from other battle royales. For better or worse, it’s not being designed as a live-service game, so don’t expect battle passes and an ever-growing assortment of skins.
Dark Souls characters live on in Nightreign
Elden Ring: Nightreign doesn’t just borrow from Fortnite; it’s also borrowing from its sister series, Dark Souls.
Notable for “FromSoftware games take place in a shared universe” believers, the reveal trailer featured the Nameless King. The optional Dark Souls 3 endgame boss appears in the trailer, despite Elden Ring supposedly taking place in its own universe. A Dark Souls character in Elden Ring has fans speculating about the lore implications. Alongside this, the finger maiden of the game has a strong resemblance to Dark Souls 3’s Fire Keeper.
This carries some notable lore implications. After all, Elden Ring is set in the Lands Between. It’s possible that the places it’s “between” could be iconic locales from Dark Souls. The game will reportedly be a standalone title, though hardcore fans will appreciate it the most.
It’s unknown how much of this will pop up in the game. The majority of enemies shown were plucked from Elden Ring’s base game, with some original designs popping up alongside them.
When is the release date of Elden Ring: Nightreign?
Elden Ring: Nightreign is set for a 2025 release.
FromSoftware was once known for how absurdly quick it was at turning out exceptionally good games. That reputation faded away to some degree in the long wait for Elden Ring, but it’s getting that groove back to some degree.
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon dropped in 2023, with Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree arriving less than a year later. Both garnered strong critical praise and now the company is set for another quick turnaround with Elden Ring: Nightreign.
FromSoftware’s future looks bright with multiple projects
In addition to Elden Ring: Nightreign, FromSoftware has confirmed multiple new projects are in the works.
The company expanded its workforce to over 400 employees with plans to ramp up productions. Job listings confirm some of those roles are being shifted to non-Soulslike projects. One such job listing confirms the existence of a mech-themed video game project.
Whether the project is Armored Core 6 or a new game altogether is unknown. Miyazaki will also be directing a new game outside of the Elden Ring IP. Miyazaki has discussed the project vaguely, hinting at anime like Aura Battler Dunbine and The Vision of Escaflowne as inspirations.
