Summary
According to what has been revealed so far, the worlds ofElden Ring: NightreignandMonster Hunter Wildsare aiming to redefine the gameplay of their associated franchises with mechanics that make their environments just as threatening as the enemies who inhabit them. At this point, much more has been disclosed aboutMonster Hunter Wilds' environmental gameplay thanElden Ring: Nightreign’s, but it seems as though the latter may be following in the footsteps of the former for an unlikely parallel.
While not too much has been unveiled yet aboutElden Ring: Nightreign’s contribution to this arena, the little that has been revealed bears a striking similarity to howMonster Hunter Wildsapproaches environmental hazards that attempt to interrupt players' focus as they pursue other, more grounded threats. Whether it’s the cyclical weather patterns ofMonster Hunter Wildsor the looming environmental threats that help shapeElden Ring:Nightreign’s co-op sessions, both of these systems look poised to keep players on their toes for a dynamic and unprecedented experience.
Elden Ring: Nightreign Might Have a Mechanic Similar to Monster Hunter Wilds
One of Monster Hunter Wilds' Defining Features Is Its Weather System
WhileMonster Hunter Wildsappears to be offering a host of new features that aretradition-breaking for aMonster Huntergame, one of its most defining features is its Inclemency system.Monster Hunter Wilds' Inclemency system is a major part of the game’s dynamic weather system, which cycles through three distinct weather conditions: Fallow, Inclemency, and Plenty. Each of these unique weather states changes the behavior of the monsters in a particular region, as well as the availability of resources.
As its name suggests, the Plenty phase includes abundant flora and fauna, with clear, worriless skies and calmer, less aggressive monsters coming out to graze on the plentiful fields. During the Fallow period, resources are scarce, which naturally results in monsters acting more aggressively as they compete for food. The Inclemency phase, however, is where the true potential ofMonster Hunter Wilds' weather systemis realized, as dangerous and intense weather events like thunderstorms or heavy rain can occur. During these events, players not only need to worry about dodging environmental hazards like lightning strikes, but they also might witness the appearance of powerful apex monsters.
While the Inclemency phase ofMonster Hunter Wilds' weather system certainly presents challenges, players will nonetheless be required to endure it if they hope to encounter the game’s rarest monsters and obtain the crafting materials they drop.
Elden Ring: Nightreign May Have a Similar System Built Into Its Gameplay
While not many specifics have been revealed about it just yet, it appearsElden Ring: Nightreignmight have adynamic weather systemof its own similar to that ofMonster Hunter Wilds. According to the game’s official description on Bandai Namco’s website,Elden Ring: Nightreignintroduces a “relentless environmental threat” that will make each game session a unique experience. While it isn’t explicitly referred to as a “weather system” per se,Elden Ring: Nightreign’s environmental threats are central to the game’s design, much likeMonster Hunter Wilds' Inclemency system is to its own.
To ensure each game session provides players with a unique and unpredictable experience,Elden Ring: Nightreign’s environmental threats pose a persistent hazard for players to navigate, and it’s possible this threat will go so far as to alter the landscape of each session and influence the behavior of enemies, much like withMonster Hunter Wilds' Inclemency phase. SinceElden Ring: Nightreignis already going in a different direction, being an experience designed around cooperative play, features like its environmental threats are a good sign of what else the game may be holding in store, even for fans who feel they are already overly familiar with theworld ofElden Ring.
