Elden Ring Nightreign, a standalone cooperative spin-off from FromSoftware, launches May 30, 2025, priced at $40 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam. This announcement precedes a network test exclusively on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, running February 14-17, 2024. The test isn't continuous; access is limited to five three-hour sessions.
Elden Ring Nightreign Network Test Session Times (PT/ET):
- February 14: 3am-6am / 6am-9am
- February 14: 7pm-10pm / 10pm-1am
- February 15: 11am-2pm / 2pm-5pm
- February 16: 3am-6am / 6am-9am
- February 16: 7pm-10pm / 10pm-1am
Bandai Namco describes the test as a "preliminary verification" to assess online functionality and performance.
Set in a parallel universe to the original Elden Ring, Nightreign features three-player cooperative gameplay. Players, as Nightfarers, battle new threats across a dynamic map, culminating in a confrontation with the Nightlord. The game incorporates a three-day-and-night cycle that significantly alters gameplay.
Here's an overview:
Elden Ring Nightreign begins at the Roundtable Hold. Choose from eight unique characters, each with distinct abilities and Ultimates. Explore the ever-changing Limveld, adapting to a night cycle that shrinks the playable area. Confront powerful bosses at the end of each night, with the Nightlord as the final challenge. Failure yields relics for character customization. Gameplay is session-based, offering unique experiences each time. Defeating enemies unlocks powerful weapons and Runes, while Sites of Grace provide opportunities for character progression. Each run contributes to lasting stat bonuses.
IGN's hands-on preview described Nightreign as a "turbocharged" version of Elden Ring's dungeon crawls, emphasizing its fast-paced, action-oriented gameplay. Further details are available in IGN's interview with game director Junya Ishizaki. [Link to IGN's interview with Junya Ishizaki] [Link to IGN's hands-on preview]
