Summary

  • Elden Ring: Nightreign allows solo play or groups of three only, no duo option available.
  • The restriction is for game balancing reasons.
  • Elden Ring fans are likely going to be disappointed to learn this.

It's been confirmed that the upcoming Elden Ring: Nightreign co-op game can only be played solo or in a group of three, with duos not possible. Elden Ring: Nightreign was one of the most shocking announcements at The Game Awards 2024. A co-op centric spin-off of Elden Ring, Nightreign is set to launch at some point in 2025.

The Elden Ring: Nightreign reveal trailer showed off a lot of the game's enemies and new features, but was surprisingly light on details that properly explained exactly what the game would be about. Some more information has since come to light, revealing that Elden Ring: Nightreign is not a massive open world adventure like the base game. Instead, it's basically an Elden Ring roguelite, with eight playable characters, eight main bosses, and a three-day structure that encourages repeat runs.

Elden Ring Nightreign Spin Off The Game Awards 2024 Reveal Trailer Screenshot
Every Elden Ring Enemy Featured in the Nightreign Reveal

Elden Ring’s recently announced spin-off will feature many returning enemies, providing a fresh twist on familiar battles from past Souls games.

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Fan reaction to this revelation has been mixed, to say the least. And now Elden Ring fans have some more unfortunate news when it comes to Nightreign. In an interview with IGN, Elden Ring: Nightreign game director Junya Ishizaki confirmed an unfortunate restriction when it comes to the game's co-op. It was confirmed that Elden Ring: Nightreign co-op can only be played solo or in a group of three. There is no option for two people to play together as a duo in Elden Ring: Nightreign.

Elden Ring: Nightreign - How Many Players?

  • Elden Ring: Nightreign can be played solo or in a group of three.

IGN asked Ishizaki why three was the "magic number" for Elden Ring: Nightreign, with the director saying that it was "largely a game balancing decision, rather than a game design decision." Ishizaki said that three players was the "sweet spot" without the game feeling "too overwhelming or busy." It was also explained that Elden Ring: Nightreign boss and enemy health scale if one is playing solo, so why that same logic couldn't apply to duos is unclear. Regardless, this revelation is no doubt going to disappoint some Elden Ring fans, especially when it has yet to be clarified how matchmaking will work in the game.

Elden Ring: Nightreign wouldn't be the first game to have this frustrating restriction for co-op. As some may recall, The Legend of Zelda: Tri-Force Heroes only allowed for 3-player co-op or solo play. That decision proved unpopular with Zelda fans, just like this decision will likely prove unpopular with Elden Ring fans.

Still, FromSoftware has a proven track record, and it would be best to wait to play the game before jumping to conclusions. While Elden Ring: Nightreign is currently without a release date, we do know that a network test will take place at some point before launch. Registrations for the Elden Ring: Nightreign network test will open on January 10, and fans should stay tuned for more details.

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9 /10

Elden Ring Nightreign
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Action RPG
Soulslike
Roguelite
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Systems
PlayStation-1 Xbox-1 PC-1
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Top Critic Avg: 80 /100 Critics Rec: 78%
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Released
May 30, 2025
Developer(s)
From Software
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
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"ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN is a standalone adventure within the ELDEN RING universe, crafted to offer players a new gaming experience by reimagining the game’s core design.

Join forces with other players to take on the creeping night and the dangers within featuring 3-player co-op.

Take command of uniquely skilled heroes, each possessing their own abilities and distinct flair.

While individually formidable, their skills create powerful synergies when they unite as a team.

Overcome a relentless environmental threat that sweeps through a land that changes between each game session and defeat the magnificent boss of that night!"

Multiplayer
Online Co-Op
Number of Players
1-3
Steam Deck Compatibility
Unknown
Genre(s)
Action RPG, Soulslike, Roguelite