Elden Ring Nightreign: Release Date, Gameplay, Co-op & Dark Souls Crossover
FromSoftware unveils Elden Ring Nightreign, a standalone co-op spin-off launching May 30, 2025. Discover its new gameplay mechanics, character classes, and the shocking Dark Souls crossover!
FromSoftware’s Elden Ring took the gaming world by storm in 2022, snagging Game of the Year and keeping players hooked ever since. After dropping the massive Shadow of the Erdtree DLC in 2024, many assumed the studio was done with the IP for now.
Turns out, they had something totally unexpected up their sleeve—Elden Ring Nightreign, a standalone co-op spin-off that changes everything we thought we knew about the Lands Between. Let’s break it down!
What is Elden Ring Nightreign?
Unlike the original’s vast, open-ended RPG experience, Nightreign is a faster, more condensed take on Elden Ring, designed for co-op play.
Game Director Junya Ishizaki explained that the goal was to keep the best parts of Elden Ring—exploration, character building, tough boss fights, and discovery—but pack them into short, intense play sessions.
It’s still a dark fantasy adventure with punishing combat, but this time, it’s all about teamwork.
How Does the Co-op Gameplay Work?
Instead of roaming solo through the Lands Between, Nightreign throws players into teams of three. Each session plays out in a shrinking world, similar to a battle royale but with Soulslike intensity.
Choose Your Fighter: Character Archetypes
Players pick from eight character classes, four of which have been revealed so far:
- Wylder – A balanced, attack-focused hero with solid speed.
- Guardian – A tanky, heavy-hitting warrior with high defense.
- Duchess – A nimble, agile fighter built for quick movements.
- Recluse – A classic mage with devastating ranged magic.
Once your team is locked in, you’ll be dropped into Limveld, a reimagined section of the Lands Between where enemy placements and locations shuffle each session.
The Gameplay Loop
- Explore & Fight – Defeat enemies, gather loot, and level up.
- Adapt to the Map – The world shrinks over 15 minutes, forcing players into tighter areas.
- Face the Boss – At the end of each phase, teams must battle a boss.
- Survive 3 Rounds – Each session has three boss fights, with difficulty ramping up each time.
To help with movement, FromSoftware has added vaulting and gliding mechanics, making traversal faster and more fluid than in traditional Soulsborne games.
Dark Souls Crossover?!
The biggest surprise? Elden Ring Nightreign confirms a Soulsborne multiverse, bringing Dark Souls enemies into the Lands Between.
In an interview with Famitsu, Ishizaki revealed that Nightreign exists in a parallel world to Elden Ring, fractured by the Shattering War. This split reality caused characters from Lordran (Dark Souls) to invade the Lands Between, marking the first official crossover between FromSoftware’s universes.
When Can You Play?
Release Date
Elden Ring Nightreign launches May 30, 2025 on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
Network Test
Want to try it early? The first Network Test kicks off on January 10, 2025.
Final Thoughts: A Game-Changer for Elden Ring Fans?
FromSoftware is taking a huge leap with Nightreign, blending Soulsborne combat, RPG elements, and battle royale mechanics into a fast-paced co-op experience. Whether you’re a hardcore Elden Ring veteran or just love challenging multiplayer games, this one’s shaping up to be something special.
