As I dive into the world of Elden Ring Nightreign in 2025, I find myself both exhilarated and frustrated by what is undoubtedly one of the most ambitious genre crossovers in recent gaming history. FromSoftware's bold experiment of melding their established Soulslike IP with Roguelike elements has created something truly special—when it works, that is. The translation of FromSoftware's punishing yet rewarding formula into this new framework feels natural and inspired, maintaining that distinctive essence that has captivated millions of players worldwide.

The Brilliant Experiment That Almost Works

I've spent countless hours in Nightreign's hauntingly beautiful world, and I can confidently say that when everything aligns, it delivers some of the most heart-pounding multiplayer experiences I've had in years. The improved hit detection compared to previous FromSoftware titles is immediately noticeable, and when matchmaking works as intended, the cooperative gameplay creates moments of genuine camaraderie amid the brutality.

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But herein lies the frustrating paradox of Nightreign—a game that simultaneously represents both the best and worst of what FromSoftware can deliver. While their artistic vision and game design continue to set industry standards, their technical execution remains stubbornly rooted in the past. How is it possible that a studio with such creative brilliance continues to struggle with fundamental networking issues in 2025?

The Networking Nightmare

The truth is, FromSoftware's technical limitations have never been more exposed than in Nightreign. By placing multiplayer at the core of the experience, the studio has inadvertently amplified its longest-standing weakness. I've experienced this firsthand during numerous remembrance quests, where I've waited upwards of 45 minutes for a third player to join—despite the game boasting hundreds of thousands of concurrent players!

The hybrid peer-to-peer and server infrastructure creates multiple points of failure, resulting in an experience that feels archaic compared to contemporary multiplayer titles. One particularly frustrating evening, I experienced three disconnections during a crucial boss encounter, each time losing valuable progress and rare items. Is this really acceptable for a major release in 2025?

Consider these common networking issues I've encountered:

  • 🔄 Random disconnections during critical moments

  • ⏱️ Excessive matchmaking times despite high player counts

  • 🔌 Inability to rejoin certain disconnected sessions

  • 👥 Lack of duo play options

  • 🏆 Progress loss during server instability

The Solo Dilemma

The debate around Nightreign's solo experience has been particularly heated in recent days. While I personally enjoy the added challenge of tackling content alone—it reminds me of the pure, unforgiving nature of earlier Souls games—I recognize that this isn't for everyone. The matchmaking issues have effectively forced many players into solo play against their will.

"I didn't buy a multiplayer-focused game to play it solo because the matchmaking doesn't work," one frustrated player told me during a rare successful cooperative session. And honestly, I couldn't argue with their logic.

The Community Response

It's telling that Nightreign now holds the dubious honor of being the lowest-reviewed FromSoftware game on Steam. The community's frustration is palpable, with technical issues dominating discussion forums and social media. During a recent livestream, I witnessed my chat fill with comments about connection problems rather than gameplay strategies or lore theories—a sad state of affairs for a game with such rich content beneath its technical troubles.

Yet despite these issues, I find myself returning to Nightreign night after night. Why? Because when it works, there's simply nothing else like it. The fusion of punishing combat, atmospheric worldbuilding, and cooperative triumph creates gaming moments that transcend the frustrations. But how much longer can FromSoftware rely on their creative genius to compensate for technical shortcomings?

Hope on the Horizon?

FromSoftware has acknowledged these issues and promised patches, which offers some hope. However, the more significant question is whether this experience will finally push the studio to modernize their approach to networking and technical infrastructure for future releases. Could Nightreign's struggles become the catalyst for a more technically robust Elden Ring 2 or other future titles?

I certainly hope so, because the gap between FromSoftware's creative vision and technical execution has never been more apparent. The studio has revolutionized game design multiple times—isn't it time they revolutionized their technical approach as well?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Elden Ring Nightreign worth playing despite the technical issues?

In my experience, absolutely yes—if you have patience. The core gameplay loop remains incredibly satisfying, and when the multiplayer works, it delivers some of the most rewarding cooperative experiences in gaming. However, if you're easily frustrated by technical hiccups or long wait times, you might want to wait for more patches.

How does Nightreign compare to the original Elden Ring?

Nightreign successfully translates the combat and atmosphere of Elden Ring into a more condensed, repeatable format. The roguelike elements add a fresh dimension to the formula, though the original's open-world exploration is unmatched. They're complementary experiences rather than direct competitors.

Can you play Nightreign entirely solo?

Yes, but it's significantly more challenging, and some content feels clearly designed with multiple players in mind. I've completed several runs solo, but the difficulty spike compared to multiplayer is substantial. Think of solo play as the 'hard mode' option.

Are FromSoftware's networking issues fixable with patches?

Some issues can likely be addressed through patches, particularly matchmaking times and certain connection stability problems. However, the fundamental architecture of their networking approach may limit how much improvement we can realistically expect without a complete overhaul.

What's the best way to enjoy Nightreign currently?

Find a dedicated group of friends to play with rather than relying on random matchmaking. Use external communication tools rather than in-game options, and be prepared for occasional disconnections. Approaching the game with realistic expectations about its technical limitations will help you appreciate its many strengths.

As we look toward the future of FromSoftware's offerings, one question remains: will the studio finally address the technical elephant in the room, or will we continue to accept brilliant games hampered by outdated infrastructure? Only time will tell, but Nightreign has certainly brought this conversation to the forefront like never before.