1 
1 ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN is an Action, RPG, and Roguelite game made by FromSoftware. It takes place in the ELDEN RING universe, but it exists on its own two legs. I have been noticing that lately, we’ve had a few roguelikes that choose to have a three-person team, like Windblown, which is my strongest memory of this example. With it being a game from FromSoftware, the difficulty of the game is only in one mode.
Which, for some new people coming into the game, would think it’s a very difficult game. However, for people who understand FromSoftware’s history and roguelites, this is what makes it fun. “How hard?” You may be asking. Oh ho ho ho. Just keep reading to see if I can let you understand what to expect.
Yes! Old enemies to face and *someone whispering in my ear* WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE NAMELESS KING IS IN THIS TOO?!
Gameplay
ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN starts you out like every other Souls-like. You learn how the mechanics work and how the normal tip windows appear. Learning about how to save your teammate when they’re down and fighting your first, what I call a Mini-boss. You either lose to the mini-boss or beat him, which I’ve lost to. Meanwhile, we wake up in a strange place and are later introduced to the Roundtable Hold. Our new base and home until we find and defeat the main Nightlord behind our revival.
You’ll have your way of the land and get to explore the hold until you commence an expedition. Although the area is a bit small, you will discover the other heroes you can choose from to go on expeditions. You can even visit a shop nearby to unlock emotes, buy stone or do the gacha stone in the shop for something weak or amazing. The only way to unlock more at the shop will be by beating the bosses on the expeditions. There’s even a training ground for you to change heroes and try to understand their skills.
Heads up, if you don’t have two friends to try and get through the game with, you’ll be assigned two random players. And just like how Gatchas and roguelites have RNG, even the people you get could make or break a run. You don’t have to stick to needing one tank and two DPS dealers. Although most of my attempts were playing the ranger, Ironeyes. I was mostly taking aggro to help in certain situations. Mostly did that job during either Nightlord fights or boss fights.
You’ll only have access to the expedition to fight Nightlord Gladius. Albeit that if you have two friends who know what they’re doing, it could take you up to three hours to defeat him…It took me about 10 hours and 10 attempts to get a team to finally defeat that Cerberus with extra legs. Oh! Did I forget to mention the fact that THE BLOODY MAP GETS ENCLOSED IN A BLUE DEATHLY FIRE OVER TIME!
I should also mention before I move on to the next section that while planning your path, just know the land changes a lot. Although we’re avoiding the blue fire of death like it’s Fortnite, you’re killing these mini bosses to get their Dormant Power. Which includes, but is not limited to, getting weapons, buffs, runes and even passive skills. So, build how you like, map and pin your route, but don’t travel alone when doing so.
Graphics & Audio
Now, if you’ve played ELDEN RING or anything from FromSoftware, then you understand the immaculate look of their UI, maps and models. If it wasn’t for the blue flame ring closing in on us, I would gaze at the scenery all day if I could. The meticulous details from the ruins show that enemies are making their base and home. To the sfx we see when performing skills, spells or using items never stops making me grin from ear to ear. However, when it comes to enemies like Gladius, when I see their sfx for their moves, I immediately go. “Amazing” with seconds later being “Oh no.”
There’s even the Demi-human Swordmaster that makes me think they’re really an old Vergil from the DMC series. Like, no joke, I can easily dodge his first few slashes, but when he stays still. I start hearing “I AM THE STORM THAT IS APPROACHING” out of nowhere. Hopefully that’s not just me. The other thing that I loved that caught me off guard is the Earth Shifts. Getting to have a chance to really change the map and see what it does is great in my book. Most things like lava being housed where the mines are, or there’ll be more highlands as well.
Moving on to the audio, the OST made in-house by FromSoftware is always amazing to listen to. Though the music isn’t connecting to the attack and movements of the bosses like the old days, it motivates nonetheless. Getting to hit the nice crisp sounds of my attacks making contact on the enemy, and hearing their voice lines will forever give me a dopamine rush. Like the ping sound you get from a M1-Garand when clip is ejected.
Longevity
If you’re fully committed to playing by yourself and going through those expeditions by yourself, well, you’re in luck. You could choose to change it in settings when setting up an expedition to place it for single player. While going the solo route, depending on your skills and patience, it’ll take between 24-55 hours to beat completely. Meanwhile, if you stick with going with the multiplayer route, having your team will take a good 31 hours. Yet, getting to unlock the other 2 character choices in the game will take you some time to make sure it happens.
Moreover, if you play with strangers thanks to matchmaking, your estimated time of completion will vary. And with the DLC coming down the line for the game, we might have a lot to look forward to.
Final Thoughts
At first, I thought that ELDEN RING with roguelite elements sounds like a huge drag. But getting to try the playtest events and getting to play the full game completely proved me wrong. The way FromSoftware thought up this idea to mix these two different genres to make such an excellent game was quite a gamble. Yet, it was honestly the best gamble I have seen a company make that goes from just making one genre of games.
Adding just one thing and making a new roguelite that I have the biggest grin when either failing or succeeding a battle, makes it worth it. This game is a great collection for those who love either Souls-like or Roguelites. And it’s a game that I don’t feel like I can put down if friends want to raid a Nightlord.
I give ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN the Thumb Culture Platinum Award
Disclaimer: A code was received to write this review.
YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Discord | Podcast
About Author
