Elden Ring: Nightreign Release Unveiled!

Elden Ring Nightreign, a standalone cooperative spin-off from FromSoftware, launches May 30, 2025, priced at $40 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC (Steam).

A network test, exclusive to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, precedes the launch, running February 14-17. Access isn't continuous; participation is limited to five three-hour sessions across those days.

Elden Ring Nightreign Network Test Session Times:

• February 14: 3am-6am PT / 6am-9am ET
• February 14: 7pm-10pm PT / 10pm-1am ET
• February 15: 11am-2pm PT / 2pm-5pm ET
• February 16: 3am-6am PT / 6am-9am ET
• February 16: 7pm-10pm PT / 10pm-1am ET

Bandai Namco describes the test as a "preliminary verification test" to evaluate the online system's performance.

Set in a parallel universe to the original Elden Ring, Nightreign features three-player cooperative gameplay. Players, as Nightfarers, battle new enemies, explore a dynamic map, and confront increasingly difficult bosses, culminating in a showdown with the Nightlord. The game incorporates a three-day-and-night cycle that significantly alters gameplay.

The official description highlights:

Elden Ring Nightreign begins at the Roundtable Hold. Players choose from eight unique characters, each with distinct abilities and Ultimates. Limveld, the ever-changing environment, demands quick decisions during combat and exploration, impacted by the Night’s Tide which shrinks the playable area. Nightly boss battles, with victory leading to greater challenges, culminate in a third-night confrontation with the Nightlord. Cooperation is key; defeat yields relics for character customization and upgrades. Each session offers a unique experience, with enemies, rewards, and the map itself evolving constantly. Sites of Grace provide opportunities for leveling up. Successful runs grant lasting stat bonuses, bringing players closer to defeating the Nightlord and uncovering the Nightfarers' stories.

IGN's hands-on preview described Nightreign as "turbocharg[ing] the cautious dungeon crawls of Elden Ring into propulsive, slash ‘n’ dash speedruns." Further details can be found in IGN's interview with game director Junya Ishizaki. [Link to IGN's interview with Junya Ishizaki] [Link to IGN's hands-on preview]