Perhaps the most surprising high-profile reveal at 2024’s The Game Awards wasElden Ring Nightreign, a standalone, co-op roguelike set in an alternate version of theElden Ringuniverse. But it’s not just based on theElden Ringuniverse, apparently, as creatures and characters fromDark Soulshave also cropped up inNightreigntrailer, raising major questions about the nature of both IPs' lore.
Needless to say,Elden Ring Nightreignis a bit of a risky project for FromSoftware, but the developer is no stranger to that: most of what FromSoftware has done sinceDemon’s Soulshas been risky in some way. What is interesting, however, is just how broad an impact this could have on FromSoftware and the game industry as a whole, as this cooperative adventure spin-off injected with crossover content has a lot of potential. Assuming this potential is realized and that this gamble doesn’t go south, which is definitely a possibility, FromSoftware’s next steps could be obvious ones.
FromSoftware Could Apply Elden Ring Nightreign’s Concept to Other IP
A big part of whyElden Ring Nightreignhas promiseis the sheer popularity of the base IP:Elden Ringis FromSoftware’s most successful game by a country mile. That’s not to say that older games, likeBloodborneor the originalDark Soulstrilogy, are niche or underground titles—they are still wildly popular—but they are nowhere near as mainstream asElden Ring.
But with these older titles garnering more attention inElden Ring’s wake, there might be potential in similar spin-off games based around their worlds. For instance,Armored Core, which has enjoyed aresurgence in popularity thanks toArmored Core 6, could perhaps receive a co-op title in the vein ofNightreign. Such a game could incorporate disparate elements from previousArmored Coreentries, firmly tying them together through some semi-plausible narrative means and thus forming a more cohesive canon.
TheArmored Coregames share the same universe, but most of them aren’t directly connected in terms of plot.
Demon’s SoulsandBloodborneare other possible candidates for theNightreigntreatment. Though the former’s gameplay is essentially a more rudimentary version of what would later be developed forDark SoulsandElden Ring, its unique world still stands out as one of FromSoftware’s best all these years later, and a return to that world through a fundamentally altered experience could be worthwhile. Then there’sBloodborne, the ever-neglected FromSoftware child, which has a combat sandbox that is just different enough fromDark SoulsandElden Ringto serviceradically different gameplay within theNightreignframework.
The Risks of Spreading Elden Ring Nightreign’s Concept to Other FromSoftware IP
The above possibilities are definitely interesting, but that doesn’t mean that they would necessarily be good. One of the biggest concerns surroundingElden RingNightreignis itsDark Soulscrossover content, which will probably be one of its most contentious factors. Unless FromSoftware is able to justify these fourth-wall-breaking narrative elements through each IP’s respective lore,Nightreigncould undermine their narratives, which would be disappointing indeed. Were other FromSoftware co-op games to follow suit in this regard, they could face similar issues.
Even without the crossover content,Nightreign’s co-op concept could pose some unforeseen narrative or technical problems. This addendum toElden Ring’s story could feel long in the tooth, for instance, or perhaps the proposed multiplayer formula just won’t take off in the way it hopes to. All of this is to say that, for as consistent as FromSoftware’s output has been,Nightreign’s success isn’t guaranteed. Thus, pasting its formula to other FromSoftware IP likeArmored CoreorBloodbornemay not be a surefire victory, no matter how “obvious” it may seem. Even ifNightreignis a masterpiece, it doesn’t mean that its ideas will work on another IP’s soil.
Elden Ring Nightreign
WHERE TO PLAY
“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!”
