After a massive 2024 that saw the release of Shadow of the Erdtree,Elden Ringfans have an even brighter future to look forward to in the coming year thanks to the recent announcement ofElden Ring: Nightreignat The Game Awards.Elden Ring: Nightreignseems to be elevating the multiplayer aspects of the original FromSoftware title with a heavy emphasis on co-op play with a party of three players. However, whereElden Ring: Nightreignreally differs from its predecessor is in its approach to loot, following in the footsteps of a game likePath of Exile 2more than its predecessor.
Part of what makesElden Ringa dream for RPG enthusiasts is the wide variety of builds available in the game. Between the numerous weapon and armor types, various incarnations and sorceries, and the relative ease of respeccing a character,Elden Ringoffers players a lot of freedom to experiment with their playstyle. WithElden Ring: Nightreign, players will likely have to take an entirely different approach to building their character, as the combination of pre-made classes and randomized loot drops could make for a widelydifferent FromSoftware experience.
Elden Ring: Nightreign’s Approach to Loot Sounds a Lot Like Path of Exile 2, Diablo
Randomized Loot Could Fit Elden Ring: Nightreign’s Gameplay Perfectly
Elden Ring: Nightreign’s roguelike nature means players are going to be tackling different foes across a three-day cycle for each run they embark on. Part of the randomization included in the game’s roguelike elements is the loot that players will find when defeating an enemy or even breaking items like crates around the game’s map. In contrast to the originalElden Ring, which featured static locations for the majority of its gear,Elden Ring: Nightreign’s randomized loot is far more reminiscent ofgames likePath of Exile 2andDiablo 4.
Players familiar with ARPGs likePath of Exile 2will likely be accustomed to the color-coded loot system thatElden Ring: Nightreignfeatures to denote the levels of rarity of an item. However,Elden Ring: Nightreignthrows a twist on this traditional ARPG loot system by having requirements to wield a piece of gear based on the player’s level, rather than class or other stats. Combine this with the classic soulslike combat system andElden Ring: Nightreignshould serve as the perfect counterpart toPath of Exile 2in 2025.
Elden Ring: Nightreignis set to feature eight playable classes for players to choose from, including the revealed Wylder, Duchess, Guardian, and Recluse.
What Elden Ring: Nightreign Should and Shouldn’t Take from a Path of Exile 2-Style Loot System
While including a randomized loot system should help keepElden Ring: Nightreignfeeling fresh on each run, this approach to loot can be a double-edged sword if handled incorrectly. One of the biggest draws of anARPG likePath of Exile 2is the rewarding feeling of having a rare piece of loot drop from a tough boss, andElden Ring: Nightreignseems primed to replicate this feeling. Finding pieces of gear with modifiers that synergize well together could be what hooksElden Ring: Nightreignplayers in.
However, there are some pitfalls this type of loot system tends to fall into thatElden Ring: Nightreignshould avoid. One of the biggest problems many ARPGs with randomized loot systems face is the overabundance of useless loot that ends up clogging the player’s inventory, forcing them to constantly drop or scrap unwanted items.Elden Ring: Nightreignwill give players a limit of six total weapons—three for each hand—that they can carry at a time, so it’s possible that players could run into this problem depending on how frequently they are finding new loot.
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!”
