After over a hundred hours inElden RingI wanted it over with.
So I summoned help for the final boss after a long struggle.
As the credits rolled, the win fell flat.
It happened again with Bloodborne.
I expected a long, arduous battle where we’d overcome the odds together in beautiful partnership.
Instead they stormed in with a bugged weapon to kill the boss in one hit.
I felt cheated and deflated.
I tell you this not as some humble brag that I prefer playing Souls games alone.
It’s just a personal preference after being burned in the past.
Hey, I’m the guy who playsFinal Fantasy 14with NPCs!
I like to play at my own pace, without distraction, where others prefer companionship.
Both methods are valid.
So when FromSoftware announced the multiplayer Elden Ring co-op spin-offNightreign, I was intrigued but also concerned.
Would this new flavour of Souls game be for me?
I’m happy to report Nighreign is in fact very much for me.
My eyes have been opened and I’ve seen the light.
Playing with others is fun!
So how does Nightreign play?
That might sound weird, but it absolutely works.
Further, solo players can play offline completely alone - there are no AI companions.)
The third day - if you make it - is solely a boss fight in a separate location.
The biggest difference to Elden Ring, though, is the sense of speed.
See a boss in the distance, or want to escape the incoming storm?
Just leap off a cliff, jump up the other side, and sprint into the distance.
If you’re not fast enough, you won’t stand a chance.
Repeat play does lead to greater strategy as players coordinate their efforts and prioritise.
Effectively using those unique skills is imperative and they’re a lot of fun to use.
Whoever said magic was easy mode was lying.
Interestingly, players can choose the same character if they wish.
Teamwork is needed to assist with death, too.
With Nightreign, Elden Ring remains as punishing as ever.
There’s something of a safety net, though, in the form of Relics.
The only question mark I have with Nightreign is with its endgame.
At the least, I’m intrigued by the giants who are seemingly the source of the fire storm.
But I don’t think that’s FromSoftware’s intention here.
As it stands, though, Nightreign provides a delectable hit of Elden Ring in a repeatable microcosm.
Above all, it forced a solo player to swallow his pride and play with others.
Souls games have always been about overcoming the odds to leave your hands shaking and your heart pounding.
As it turns out, a win shared can be just as exhilarating.
