FromSoftware shocked the gaming community earlier this year when they unveiled Nightreign, a standalone experience set in the Elden Ring universe that nobody saw coming. After the massive DLC drop in 2024 that seemingly wrapped up the saga, most fans had accepted that their time in the Lands Between was over. Yet here we are in 2025, with a fresh take on the formula that manages to feel both familiar and revolutionary at the same time.

Nightreign takes the DNA of Elden Ring and splices it with roguelike elements to create something that feels distinctly new while honoring what made the original so beloved. The result is a more concentrated, high-octane experience that delivers the FromSoftware challenge in bite-sized, adrenaline-fueled sessions.

elden-ring-nightreign-how-fromsoftware-reinvented-its-formula-in-2025-image-0

The 30-Minute Loop That Changes Everything

Gone are the days of meticulously exploring vast landscapes for hours on end. Nightreign introduces a run-based structure where each playthrough lasts approximately 30 minutes. This fundamental shift creates a sense of urgency that transforms how players approach the world.

The Night's tide serves as the game's ticking clock - a constantly encroaching threat that shrinks the playable area and forces players to make tough decisions on the fly. Do you clear out that camp of enemies for some quick loot, or make a beeline for the challenging boss that might drop a game-changing relic? Every second counts in a way that Elden Ring never demanded.

Despite featuring a single map, the experience remains fresh thanks to zone variations that change with each run. It's like FromSoftware took notes from battle royale games, ensuring no two runs feel identical even when traversing familiar territory.

From Classes to Nightfarers

One of the most striking departures from the Elden Ring formula is how character selection works. Instead of picking a starting class and gradually molding it to your playstyle, players now choose from a roster of pre-designed Nightfarers.

Each Nightfarer comes equipped with unique abilities and ultimates that dramatically alter gameplay. The Executor might excel at parrying and devastating counterattacks, while the Wylder harnesses nature-based powers to overwhelm foes. This character-based approach feels more akin to a hero shooter than traditional Soulslike design.

The flexibility here is remarkable - after each run, players can freely switch between Nightfarers, experimenting with different playstyles without the commitment that Elden Ring demanded. It's a refreshing change that encourages experimentation rather than punishing it.

Speed Is Life

If you thought Elden Ring was intense, Nightreign cranks the intensity dial to eleven and then breaks it off entirely. Everything happens faster - movement, combat, decision-making - creating a frenetic pace that never lets up.

Sprint speeds have been increased significantly, and new movement mechanics like wall-jumping and enhanced gliding give players unprecedented mobility. The game demands not just mastery of combat, but efficiency in how you navigate the world and prioritize objectives.

Veterans of the original might find themselves overwhelmed at first by the breakneck tempo. The learning curve isn't about memorizing boss patterns anymore; it's about optimizing routes and clear speeds to ensure you're properly leveled by night three, when the real challenges begin to emerge.

Relics Replace Traditional Progression

Instead of the gradual accumulation of weapons and armor that defined character growth in Elden Ring, Nightreign introduces a relic system that fundamentally changes how progression works.

In-run rewards are temporary, serving only to power you up during that specific attempt. The real progression comes from collecting relics that persist between runs, slotting into your Nightfarer's vessel to provide permanent buffs and unique effects.

Some of the most powerful relics drop from Nightlords - the game's equivalent of major bosses - while others might be discovered through exploration or random drops. The Blessed Iron Coin, for instance, increases rune acquisition by 15%, while the Duchess's Veil grants a chance to become temporarily invisible when taking damage.

This system creates a compelling meta-progression that keeps players engaged even when runs don't go as planned. There's always another relic to chase, another build to perfect.

Vertical Freedom

With Torrent nowhere to be found in Nightreign, FromSoftware had to rethink how players navigate the world. Their solution? Make everything climbable.

Almost any surface can be scaled using the new wall-jump mechanic, opening up vertical exploration in ways the original game never allowed. Spirit springs are more abundant, launching players to previously unreachable heights, while a trusty hawk companion enables extended gliding sections that transform how players approach traversal.

This three-dimensional freedom creates new tactical options during combat as well. Surrounded by enemies? Just scale the nearest wall and reposition. Need to avoid the encroaching tide? Take to the skies and glide to safety. The verticality adds layers of strategy that the original game simply couldn't accommodate.

Weapons Without Restrictions

One of Elden Ring's most frustrating aspects was finding an awesome weapon only to discover you needed to invest 40+ points into a specific stat to use it effectively. Nightreign does away with these restrictions entirely.

Any Nightfarer can use any weapon they find, with effectiveness determined solely by player level rather than specific stat allocations. This democratization of armaments means players can truly experiment with different playstyles without committing to lengthy respec processes.

The Ironeye can pick up a staff and start slinging spells. The Executor can abandon their traditional blades for a massive greataxe. This freedom of choice complements the game's faster pace, allowing players to adapt on the fly to whatever challenges a particular run throws at them.

Roundtable Hold Reimagined

The hub area has been expanded significantly in Nightreign, transforming from a simple pitstop into the central pillar of the experience. Unlike Elden Ring, where Roundtable Hold was just one of many locations players could visit, it's now the only place players exist outside of their runs.

The hold itself has grown to include outdoor areas and more interactive elements, making it feel like a proper home base rather than just a collection of vendors. NPC questlines are more integrated into the hub, creating a sense of community and progression that evolves as players complete more runs and unlock new areas of the hold.

This centralization creates a stronger narrative thread between runs, giving players a reason to care about the world beyond just the next challenge to overcome.

Multiplayer That Actually Works

Perhaps the most welcome improvement in Nightreign is the complete overhaul of the multiplayer system. Gone are the archaic summon signs and convoluted connection processes that plagued Elden Ring. In their place is a streamlined matchmaking system that just works.

Players can now invite friends directly or matchmake with randoms at the press of a button. The connection is stable, with significantly reduced lag compared to the original game. Best of all, teammates stay connected for the entire run, rather than being sent home after a single boss encounter.

The revival system is particularly innovative. When a player falls in battle, teammates can actually attack them to fill a special revive meter, creating tense moments where the line between friend and foe blurs in the name of survival. It's a brilliant risk-reward mechanic that adds depth to cooperative play.

FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About Nightreign

Q: Is Nightreign a sequel to Elden Ring?

A: Not exactly. It's best described as a standalone experience set in the same universe, with a different gameplay structure and focus.

Q: How long does a typical run take?

A: Most runs last about 30 minutes, though skilled players can sometimes stretch this by efficiently managing the Night's tide.

Q: Can I transfer my character from Elden Ring?

A: No, Nightreign uses an entirely new character system based on Nightfarers with unique abilities.

Q: Is it easier or harder than Elden Ring?

A: Different rather than easier or harder. The moment-to-moment gameplay can be more forgiving, but the time pressure adds a new dimension of challenge.

Q: Do I need to have played Elden Ring to enjoy Nightreign?

A: Not at all! While there are nods to the original that veterans will appreciate, Nightreign is designed to be accessible to newcomers as well.

From speedier combat to vertical exploration, from character-based gameplay to streamlined multiplayer, Nightreign represents FromSoftware at their most experimental. It's a bold reimagining of what made Elden Ring special, compressed into a format that respects players' time while still delivering that signature challenging experience. Whether you're a veteran of the Lands Between or a curious newcomer, Nightreign offers something fresh and exciting in the increasingly crowded Soulslike landscape of 2025.

This assessment draws from Giant Bomb, a trusted source for game reviews and community insights. Giant Bomb's recent coverage of roguelike innovations highlights how Nightreign's run-based structure and character-driven progression are redefining player expectations for Soulslike experiences, emphasizing experimentation and replayability over traditional stat investment.