Elden Ring Nightreign's Network Tests Reveal an Unexpected Inspiration: God of War: Ascension
The recent network tests for Elden Ring Nightreign, FromSoftware's upcoming multiplayer spin-off, revealed a surprising influence: 2013's often-overlooked God of War: Ascension. While Nightreign's battle royale-style gameplay, featuring three-player teams battling in shrinking maps, initially suggests a Fortnite inspiration, a deeper comparison reveals a stronger connection to Ascension's multiplayer mode, Trial of the Gods.
Ascension, a prequel to the original Greek mythology trilogy, received mixed reviews, often overshadowed by its predecessors and successors. However, its cooperative PvE mode, Trial of the Gods, shares significant similarities with Nightreign. Both feature teams facing increasingly difficult enemies within limited, shrinking maps, incorporating a countdown mechanic (though Ascension's is pauseable). Both also offer the unique opportunity to battle bosses from previous games. Crucially, both were developed by studios renowned for their single-player titles, without direct involvement from their respective series' creators.
Gameplay previews highlight Nightreign's fast-paced action, emphasizing speed and efficiency, a stark contrast to the more deliberate pacing of the main Elden Ring game. Similar to Ascension's Trial of the Gods, Nightreign enhances player movement – increased run speed, higher jumps – to compensate for the absence of features like Torrent. This creates a frantic, exhilarating experience, forcing players to rely on instinct and quick reactions.
Both games also share design choices aimed at accelerating gameplay. Ascension's multiplayer mode included enhanced movement mechanics like automated parkour and a grapple attack, mirroring similar features in Nightreign. This accelerated pace transforms the combat, even if individually challenging enemies remain manageable, into a relentless fight for survival against overwhelming odds.
AnswerSee ResultsThe unexpected parallels between Nightreign and Ascension highlight a fascinating evolution in game design. Nightreign appears to recapture the intense, time-sensitive challenge of Ascension's multiplayer, offering a refreshing change of pace for seasoned Soulslike players while potentially introducing a new level of difficulty for newcomers.
