Review of the new action-RPG Elden Ring Nightrein: dark world, tactics, and ruthless bosses

On May 30, 2025, the release of Elden Ring Nightrein took place, a separate cooperative project set in the universe of the cult souls-like RPG. The new game from FromSoftware, developed in parallel with a massive expansion to the main Elden Ring, offers a dark, atmospheric, and ruthless take on survival in the hellish battles.

Unlike the original, the focus now is on tactical interaction between allies, time limits, procedurally generated maps, and a desperate struggle for survival. Our review of Elden Ring Nightrein shows how deeply the studio has reworked the familiar formula.

### Review of Elden Ring Nightrein: Key Features of the Project

The Nightrein project has transferred the familiar aesthetic base of Elden Ring into a roguelike format, where each playthrough is unique, and mistakes are fatal. The main difference from the main game is the introduction of a three-day cycle: each in-game day ends with a boss battle, after which the cycle resets. The task is to explore the world, gather resources, find weapons, upgrade the character, and prepare for battles within the allotted time.

Cooperative Elden Ring Nightrein is designed for three players – they unite in a squad of Night Wanderers, travel through the ruined world, interact, and close influence zones. However, single-player gameplay is also possible but noticeably more challenging due to the high level of enemy resistance and the lack of ally support.

### Plot and Lore: Echoes of a Bygone Era

Despite the experimental format, the game maintains the spirit of dark mythology and a shattered world. Our review of Elden Ring Nightrein emphasizes that the plot remains an important element: it conveys a sense of hopelessness while clinging to tiny glimmers of hope – in dialogues, locations, and fragments of past grandeur.

Legend has it that ancient demigods once made a pact that halted the decline but disrupted the balance. The consequences were devastating – characters lost their memory, allies scattered, and the world shattered into fragments.

The plot is presented in fragments – through heroes’ diaries, NPC dialogues, and rare cutscenes. Each run reveals details of the story, and progress is retained even after death, creating a roguelike spiral sensation.

Thus, the storyline is not just a justification for gameplay mechanics but also an independent narrative arc that sustains the atmosphere of doom and eternal cycle.

### Three Days of Trials: How is the Cycle Structured in Elden Ring Nightrein?

The gameplay of Elden Ring Nightrein is built around a clear three-day structure that repeats in each run. This format gives the game a roguelike nature but also requires a tactical approach.

On the first day, players land at a random point on the global map. The key goal here is to search for resources, strengthen weapons, learn basic mechanics, and orient themselves on the terrain. Initially, a large territory is available, but it narrows as the game progresses. A timer counts down to the end of the day, and the space shrinks in a battle royale style.

The second day introduces harsh conditions: enemies become stronger, intermediate bosses require coordination. Exploring castles, clearing territories, activating additional mechanics – everything affects the final outcome.

The third day turns into a climactic battle. Players enter a mini-hub where there is a final chance to upgrade equipment, exchange currency for levels, and prepare for the finale. The final boss, chosen in advance, awaits in a grand arena.

The innovation in the day structure simultaneously adds uniqueness to the game and exposes its weaknesses. The first two days often do not pose a real threat, reducing the drama and weakening the sense of danger familiar to FromSoftware fans. The third day sharply raises the stakes but may deter newcomers with its ruthlessness. Our review of Elden Ring Nightrein notes that such a construction creates an unstable pace: the game seems to swing for too long before revealing its true nature.

### List of Strong Points of the Project

The platform is built around innovations, many of which are derived from feedback on the original game. Below is a list of strong points that set the game apart from other projects:

– Rich cooperative gameplay with functional support for three players;
– Unique classes with skill trees and branches;
– Expanded parkour and character mobility;
– Pressure system through a timer that encourages action;
– Tactical combat system considering team synergies;
– Visual design in the spirit of “pure darkness”;
– Captivating bosses with unique mechanics;
– Proper optimization for consoles and Steam;
– Absence of Pay-to-Win and donation models.

The project relies on the integrity of mechanics and teamwork, creating a new gaming experience.

### Weaknesses and Controversial Points

Despite the obvious strengths, the project has its drawbacks, as mentioned by users and reviewers. Below is a list of controversial decisions:

– Lack of support for cooperative play for two players, only three players;
– High difficulty of single-player gameplay;
– Need to connect to the server even for offline playthroughs;
– Limited character customization options;
– Demand for RAM;
– Lack of extended tutorial missions for beginners;
– Partially overlapping mechanics with Returnal and Remnant;
– Limited weapon and armor customization.

Our review of Elden Ring Nightrein emphasizes that the project is not without its flaws but still maintains its author’s style, an atmosphere of hopelessness, and a desire to rethink familiar elements through a new lens.

### Ratings and Player Opinions

At the time of launch, the ratings for Elden Ring Nightrein are as follows: Metacritic – 77 out of 100, OpenCritic – 80 out of 100, user rating on Steam – “Very Positive.”

Critics highlight the atmospheric nature, high level of combat system elaboration, and tension in every minute of gameplay. Players, especially those who prefer single-player modes, point out the excessive hardcore nature and inconvenience of some interface solutions. However, overall, the cooperative aspect receives significantly more praise than criticism.

### Review Conclusion: Is Elden Ring Nightrein Worth Buying?

Despite high expectations and impressive visual execution, Elden Ring Nightrein leaves a mixed impression. On the one hand, the game showcases interesting ideas, rich mechanics, and an expanded cooperative experience. On the other hand, many elements, from balance to gameplay structure, require refinement.

It is challenging to perceive the project as a full-fledged evolution of the Souls-like genre – there are too many compromises, simplifications, and repetitions. The review of Elden Ring Nightrein shows that boldness in experiments does not always guarantee success. Perhaps with time, the game will find a second wind through patches and updates. However, at the time of release, it is more perceived as an unstable experiment rather than a confident step forward in the series’ development.