Elden Ring Nightreign: release date window, gameplay and more

It’s time to rise again, The Extinguished. If you thought your adventures in the world of Elden Ring were over after the release of the latest DLC, FromSoftware has a surprise in store for you in the form of an upcoming video game. Elden Ring Nightreign caused shock and delight when it debuted at The Game Awards 2024, and has since rivaled Ghost of Yotei and GTA 6 for the title of most anticipated PlayStation 5 game. However, it’s not quite Elden Ring 2. Elden Ring Nightreign will be the studio’s most unique game yet, despite the familiar name.

And it’s not exactly Elden Ring 2.

Release Date Window

Elden Ring Nightreign is currently scheduled for release in 2025. FromSoftware is surprisingly quick to get busy developing a new game, but considering it only released the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC in the summer of 2024, we expect at least a year between releases.

Software’s new game will be released in the summer of 2024.

Platforms

Since the game is built on the same powerhouses as the original Elden Ring, Elden Ring Nightreign will be available on all the same platforms. These include PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Trailers

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We were introduced to Elden Ring Nightreign during The Game Awards 2024 when FromSoftware showed off a trailer with full gameplay. We see the game’s familiar but unique landscape, called Limveld, which is a parallel world to Limgrave from the base game. We follow a character running away from a closing blue magic circle. We are informed that our “seekers of redemption” have been brought together by some unknown force.

Here we are told that our “seekers of redemption” have been brought together by some unknown force.

The narrative continues with multiple narrators, but it’s so cryptic and defies full interpretation and explanation, as you’d expect from a FromSoftware game. However, given the nature of the game, one would assume that the story will play an even smaller role in Elden Ring Nightreign than it usually does.

So it’s a good bet that the story will play an even smaller role than usual.

Gameplay

This is where Elden Ring Nightreign may alienate some hardcore fans. Rather than being a traditional action-RPG like Elden Ring or Dark Souls, this game is a cooperative RPG for three players. Each of you will choose one character class and venture into a world filled with random enemies, locations, bosses, and loot. In addition, the game features a looming barrier that looks like a battle royal. However, don’t let that fool you. Nightreign completely lacks PvP elements and has only PvE. If you and your team manage to make it to the end of the zone, the final boss awaits you, which you chose before the start and must defeat.

There are currently four known classes:

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• Wilder: a balanced all-purpose class that combines high speed and attack power for all-around combat.
• Duchess: a fast and agile class that excels at fast attacks and uses quick-step ability for evasion and speed.
• The Sentinel: a hardy class with powerful attacks and increased damage resistance, ideal for absorbing damage and protecting allies.
• The Hermit: a ranged mage class specializing in powerful magical attacks to deal damage at a distance.

The game is rumored to have eight classes to choose from, but that’s all that’s known for sure for now. That means you won’t be creating your own character and pumping at will. Instead, each will have their own set of weapons, abilities, and ultimates. For example, we see Wilder using a grappling hook to grab enemies or drag himself around the environment. It looks like all the characters will be able to glide on magical birds to get around, and there’s even a bit of parkour as the characters climb walls.

All the characters will be able to glide on magical birds to get around, and there’s even a bit of parkour as the characters climb walls.

When it comes to the actual combat, everything in Elden Ring Nightreign looks the same as in Elden Ring so far. You’ll still need to manage your stamina, dodge, and use heavy and light attacks. Movement speed has been significantly increased, but Torrent and fall damage have disappeared.

The trailer showed off plenty of returning enemies and bosses, but not just from Elden Ring. Fans of previous FromSoftware games may notice some interesting bosses that seem to have been taken straight from those games.

Fans of previous FromSoftware games may notice some interesting bosses that seem to have been taken straight from those games.

Pre-order

Pre-orders for Elden Ring Nightreign are not yet available, but you can add the game to your wishlist. The game will also be available for online testing on PS5 and Xbox Series X in February, which you can sign up for starting January 10.

The game will be available for pre-order on PS5 and Xbox Series X in February.