Elden Ring: Nightreign turned The Game Awards upside down, shocking gamers across the globe. Among a long list of major announcements, Elden Ring: Nightreign was one of the most surprising reveals of the night. Not only is it foregoing Elden Ring's established single-player approach in favor of a three-person co-op experience, but it's also leaning into the survival genre.

The original Elden Ring is purely an open-world action adventure title with practically no survival elements. Based on the little information FromSoftware has confirmed about Nightreign, survival seems to be a key component in the game, which is a compelling change of form. While Elden Ring may not be a survival title, the game boasts one mechanic of the genre that may flourish in Nightreign: crafting.

Elden Ring: Nightreign Could Bring Crafting Mechanics to Even Greater Heights

What We Know About Nightreign's Survival Gameplay

  • Squads of three are ideal.
  • Players have to survive a three-day and night cycle.
  • Maps are constantly changing, with night cycles shrinking the map.
  • Players fight a "powerful boss" at the end of each night, with the third night bringing forth "Nightlords", which serve as big bosses.

As of now, it's unclear just how deep Nightreign's survival mechanics will go, but early information has made it clear that the co-op experience promises harrowing encounters. Nightreign's three-day cycle is a fascinating concept that will be exciting to see further showcased. Surviving this three-day and night cycle is the main goal, and it's highly possible that players will need to craft items and weapons in order to be as successful as possible. Fast thinking will be crucial for players, as FromSoftware's press release states, "they will have to make split-second decisions when it comes to combat and exploration."

Crafting on the fly as Nightreign's major bosses draw closer feels like a very possible scenario. Elden Ring itself is no walk in the park, and Nightreign could bring even greater challenges to players. While Nightreign opts for a different genre than Elden Ring, it's likely that the general gameplay mechanics will be the same, or mostly similar. Otherwise, it would run the risk of not feeling like Elden Ring at all. So, crafting mechanics almost feels like a given, and if that's the case, then Nightreign could make Elden Ring's crafting system that much stronger.

Even if players lose in Nightreign, they are still given relics that allow for character upgrades and customization.

Nightreign Seems Primed For Crafting Mechanics

FromSoftware may have yet to offer a deep dive into how Nightreign chooses to implement Elden Ring's mechanics. However, based on the survival approach, crafting seems likely to be front and center. Whether crafting remains the same or gets upgraded remains to be seen, but Nightreign's push for a more survival-focused approach lends itself to a strong crafting system. Elden Ring's crafting is pretty straight-forward, which would work well for these teased "split-second decisions."

They will have to make split-second decisions when it comes to combat and exploration.

Elden Ring: Nightreign Adds to an Already Busy Year For Gaming

There has yet to be an official release date revealed by FromSoftware, but it has at least been confirmed for sometime in 2025. The upcoming new year was already looking like one of the biggest years in gaming yet, and Nightreign further proves what a busy release schedule it could be. Nightreign's bold changes from Elden Ring make it an exciting prospect, and FromSoftware will hopefully reveal more soon.

Nightreign was made without George R. R. Martin's assistance.

Since the 2025 gaming landscape has expanded even more, it will be fascinating to see how Nightreign stacks up against the competition. A survival-focused co-op experience may not have the same reach as a single-player open-world game, but FromSoftware's ability to surprise fans has continued to bring the studio great success.

Rating block community and brand ratings Image
Elden Ring Nightreign Tag Page Cover Art
9 /10

Elden Ring Nightreign
Display card tags widget
Action RPG
Soulslike
Roguelite
Display card system widget
Systems
PlayStation-1 Xbox-1 PC-1
Display card community and brand rating widget Display card open critics widget
Top Critic Avg: 80 /100 Critics Rec: 78%
Display card main info widget
Released
May 30, 2025
Developer(s)
From Software
Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start
Elden Ring Nightreign Press Image 6
8 Images
Elden Ring Nightreign Press Image 6
Elden Ring Nightreign Press Image 8
Elden Ring Nightreign Press Image 1
Elden Ring Nightreign Press Image 5
Elden Ring Nightreign Press Image 7
Elden Ring Nightreign Press Image 4
Elden Ring Nightreign Press Image 3
Elden Ring Nightreign Press Image 2
Display card media widget end

WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

"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