Elden Ring Nightreign, a standalone cooperative spin-off from FromSoftware, is set to launch on May 30, 2025, priced at $40 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam. This announcement precedes a network test exclusively on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, running from February 14th to 17th. The test, however, isn't continuous; it's divided into five three-hour sessions.
Elden Ring Nightreign Network Test Session Times:
- February 14: 3am-6am PT / 6am-9am ET
- February 14: 7pm-10pm PT / 10pm-1am ET
- February 15: 11am-2pm PT / 2pm-5pm ET
- February 16: 3am-6am PT / 6am-9am ET
- February 16: 7pm-10pm PT / 10pm-1am ET
Bandai Namco describes the test as a "preliminary verification test" focusing on online system functionality and performance.
Set in a parallel universe to the original Elden Ring, Nightreign allows three players to team up as Nightfarers, battling new enemies and bosses across a dynamic, ever-changing map, Limveld, within a three-day-and-night cycle. The game culminates in a final confrontation with the Nightlord on the third night.
The official description highlights:
Elden Ring Nightreign begins at the Roundtable Hold. Players choose from eight unique characters, each with distinct abilities and Ultimates. Limveld's ever-shifting environment demands quick decisions in combat and exploration, impacted by the Night’s Tide which shrinks the playable area. Victories over nightly bosses unlock greater challenges, culminating in the Nightlord encounter. Defeat provides relics for character customization and upgrades. Each session offers a unique experience, with changing enemies, rewards, and map layouts. Sites of Grace provide opportunities for leveling up, and successful runs grant lasting stat bonuses.
IGN's hands-on preview praised Nightreign for transforming Elden Ring's cautious exploration into fast-paced, action-oriented gameplay. Further details can be found in IGN's interview with game director Junya Ishizaki. [Link to IGN's interview with Junya Ishizaki](Link to be inserted here) [Link to IGN's hands-on preview](Link to be inserted here)
