As the gaming world holds its breath forElden Ring Nightreign, it’s worth considering just what audience expectations should be for the spin-off.Elden Ring Nightreignwill, in all likelihood, continue FromSoftware’s tradition of excellence, attempting to push the envelope to the same degree as its predecessors. But it will also be a wildly different sort of game, and fully understanding its many distinctions fromElden Ringcould be the difference between disappointment and fulfillment.
Elden Ringmay have strong combat design, thought-provoking lore, and gorgeous visuals, but exploration is the real reason why it gained as much traction as it did. Player-driven, organic discovery is at the heart of theElden Ringexperience, as The Lands Between are rife with secrets and bereft of map markers, objectives lists, and hand-holding NPCs. Though its design choices are sometimes obtuse and ostensibly less player-friendly than those found in other AAA open-world games, their uncooperative nature is what actually enhances the game’s open-world elements: there’s a true sense of adventure inElden Ring, and moving through the world never feels like simply checking items off a chore list, as it so often can in other games.
Elden Ring Nightreign Will Offer Far Less Player Freedom Than Elden Ring
Elden Ring Nightreign’s Co-Op, Roguelike Design Is Inherently Restrictive
While there isn’t muchinformation available about whetherElden Ring Nightreignwill have hard distance limits for players (e.g. an automatic respawn if one player strays too far from the pack), it’s not too hard to imagine that the final product will include them; sessions could get quite messy if all three co-op participants are on opposite corners of the map. But the existence of such limits doesn’t exactly matter, as the overwhelming majority of co-op players will likely be forced to stick together through subtler means. For instance, enemy stats scale based on how many players are in a game, so choosing to go it alone while other players are in a session would make for an unnecessary brutal challenge.
This cuts into exploration a bit. InElden Ring, if a player sees a landmark or structure in the distance, they can easily spend the next hour attempting to get there, if they like. There are no time limits, no encroaching, deadly fog that cuts off portions of the map, and no third parties with independent thoughts, goals, and interests. InNightreign, any and all exploration will have to be completed through the filter of these features, making for a decidedly distinct experience, but not one thateveryElden Ringfan might be in love with.
Nightreign’s lack of “player freedom"won’t be limited to its world design: its rigid character archetypes also make for a more tailored, specific experience, rather than one that players themselves can define.
Elden Ring Nightreign Won’t Retain Elden Ring’s Player Freedom, and That’s Fine
“Freedom” in gaming is often treated as synonymous with “good,” and this makes sense. After all, how could someone argue against freedom, in any capacity? But every game has restrictions of some kind, and the more restrictive elements of game design are often misunderstood.Limiting freedom can often make a game more fun, as it forces players into specific scenarios, encouraging them to embrace new strategies and enjoy a more robust, refined gameplay or narrative experience.
This is why the likes ofBloodborneandSekiroare still loved by gamersaround the world, even in the wake of the much more open-endedElden Ring. The linear and focused design of these games isn’t a drawback, but simply part of their identity. Time will tell whatElden Ring Nightreign’s identity will be, but a more restrictive framework will almost certainly be part of it, and this isn’t inherently bad—so long as audiences know what they’re getting into from the jump.
Elden Ring Nightreign
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“ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN is a standalone adventure within the ELDEN RING universe, crafted to offer players a new gaming experience by reimagining the game’s core design.Join forces with other players to take on the creeping night and the dangers within featuring 3-player co-op.Take command of uniquely skilled heroes, each possessing their own abilities and distinct flair.While individually formidable, their skills create powerful synergies when they unite as a team.Overcome a relentless environmental threat that sweeps through a land that changes between each game session and defeat the magnificent boss of that night!”
