Elden Ring: Nightreign has already generated a massive amount of hype, along with all the speculation and intrigue that brings. Little is yet officially confirmed about Elden Ring: Nightreign, but the known premise so far is enticing enough. With elements crossing over from games like Dark Souls 3, it almost stands out more to see what hasn't made the jump yet.
Nightreign only has one trailer at the moment, but judging from this alone, there is one absence that is perhaps the most noticeable. Elden Ring: Nightreign seems to have left the world of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, despite the latter being released as recently as June 2024. This begs a simple question: Where is the Erdtree in the world of Elden Ring: Nightreign?
Elden Ring: Nightreign Breaks a Massive FromSoftware Tradition
Elden Ring: Nightreign stands out not only because of its focus on three-player co-op and survival, but also for a surprising FromSoftware decision.
The Missing Erdtree in Elden Ring: Nightreign Explained
The relative absence of the Erdtree in Elden Ring: Nighteign is a simple question with a relatively complicated answer. Depending on one's perspective, there are actually two different answers that can be garnered on this issue. One is a matter-of-fact discussion of the overall structure of Elden Ring: Nightreign, while the other requires paying close attention to one image revealed in the game's trailer.
Elden Ring: Nightreign's Setting is Familiar But Fresh
Elden Ring: Nightreign, same as its predecessor, takes place in The Lands Between. This is a pretty bold direction for FromSoftware to take, seeing as its games rarely revisit previous settings, or even share continuity in general. However, even with Nightreign set to explore a setting players have already visited in Elden Ring, it wouldn't be accurate to say the games feature the exact same setting.
In fact, Nightreign's version of The Lands Between is reportedly set in an alternate universe of sorts. The Lands Between was fractured into multiple timelines at one point in its history, which may even relate to the apparent time loop players will battle against in Nightreign. This means players can expect several differences in Elden Ring: Nightreign's timeline, and developers have explicitly stated that it is meant to be a standalone game, not a full-blown sequel.
Of course, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Tree introduced yet another expansive world to explore. Despite being a DLC release, Shadow of the Erdtree was ambitious enough to earn a nomination for Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2024. The Land of Shadow is physically disconnected from the rest of The Lands Between, obscured by the Erdtree itself thanks to the actions of Queen Marika. One might assume that, being set in an alternate universe entirely, Nightreign's version of The Lands Between simply doesn't have an Erdtree. However, there is one major piece of evidence that seems to contradict this theory.
Elden Ring: Nightreign's Gameplay Trailer May Have Revealed the Fate of the Erdtree
Elden Ring's lore is beyond dense, even for a FromSoftware game. The Erdtree was a pretty major function of the game's world and its lore, so it's only natural to wonder how it may affect the story and world players will explore in Nightreign. Thankfully, developers may have already given players just enough information to assume the true fate of the Erdtree.
The first thing players may notice is that the Erdtree seems entirely absent from most images of the overworld landscape. This is a remarkable departure from Elden Ring, in which players can spot it from almost anywhere. While the Erdtree is seemingly missing from the wider world of Nightreign, it wasn't entirely absent from Elden Ring: Nightreign's gameplay reveal trailer.
On the contrary, in the final moments of the trailer, players prepare to enter a gate together. Outside this gate, one can spot what appears to be a small glimpse of one of the Erdtree's branches. However, the Erdtree is silver in this depiction, in contrast to its original golden glow. This heavily supports the theory that the Night Lord has overthrown the Golden Order in this version of The Lands Between, and seems to confirm that the Erdtree will still play a role of some kind in Elden Ring: Nightreign.
Elden Ring Nightreign
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 80 /100 Critics Rec: 78%
- Released
- May 30, 2025
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Entertainment, From Software
WHERE TO PLAY
"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
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Soulslike, Roguelite
