The upcomingElden Ring Nightreignmarks an unexpected direction for FromSoftware through how it builds upon the legacy of the first game, firmly set apart as a spin-off entry centered around multiplayer. Helmed by a new director with the blessing of Hidetaka Miyazaki, the degree of connections between this title andElden Ringproper is still unknown. As speculation builds regarding how the timeline of eventsElden Ring Nightreignis based on could be tied to or diverge from its predecessor, one fringe theory has suddenly earned more merit than ever.
New enemies debuted inElden Ring Nightreign’s reveal traileralongside preset player characters and a map known as Limveld in a match for the game’s unique identity as a survival-oriented roguelike. What stuck out even more were clear cameos fromDark Soulsbosses of the past, raising questions about the larger FromSoftware universe if their inclusions are canon. It may be a separate story intended not to infringe on the enjoyment of the original, but there are some hints as to when it is actually set.
Elden Ring Nightreign Has Been Stated to Be Set Concurrently with the First Game’s Events
A Distinct World Still Affected by the Same Inciting Incident
It’s been suggested thatElden Ring Nightreigntakes place within a sort of alternate timeline, explaining why its main scenario and focus on an entity known as the Night Lord seem completely disconnected from the arc of the Tarnished. In aninterview with IGN, director Junya Ishizaki described the ties betweenNightreignand the first game’s narrative:
The story is completely separate and parallel to the world of Elden Ring’s. If you had to tie it in some way, we had the events of the shattering in the original game. After the events of the shattering, this is a completely separate branch of the Elden Ring story.
It’s not specifically clear if this is referring to the literalshattering of the Elden Ringor the large-scale conflict that later became known as the Shattering, but being set within their aftermath is a trait that the upcoming spin-off will be sharing.
Based on how Ishizaki has described their relationship, it’s most probable that the upcoming game will take place at the same time asElden Ring. While there is a seemingly massive span of time between the initial war and the decayed world seen in the first game, and the metaphysicallaws ofElden Ring Nightreign’s worldmake its temporal status ambiguous, it doesn’t seem likely that this new outing at the studio would take on the weight of being a full prequel.
The FromSoftware Multiverse Theory Could Be Confirmed by Elden Ring Nightreign’s Callbacks
The Prospect That Elden Ring Could Be a Dark Souls Sequel is No Longer Possible to Ignore
Undeniable nods to past games are seen withDark Soulsbosses appearing inElden Ring Nightreign’s trailer, providing more concrete evidence than ever for the idea that the studio has secretly been building a shared universe. The Centipede Demon fromDark Soulsalong with the Nameless King and an NPC who seems to be the Firekeeper fromDS3are set to show up, as if they have somehow been displaced from their home worlds. These additions add weight to a statement that George R. R. Martin made in a 2021 interview regarding his involvement, where he outright calledElden Ringa sequel toDS. This comment was initially dismissed as a misunderstanding or miscommunication, but he might have been more literal than previously believed.
Practical Explanations for Boss Reappearances Could Still Ground the Events of Nightreign
Despite the intrigue of fan favorites returning in a newElden Ring, the efficiency of resource reuse also provides reasoning for the incorporation ofDark Soulsassets. Ishizaki also confirmed thatGeorge R. R. Martin is not involved withElden Ring Nightreign’s story, indicating that the title could be driven by more gameplay-based decisions. FromSoft may be simply making the most of its deep catalog of high-quality work, but that still doesn’t rule out a narrative link that could have allowed this.
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!”
