Elden Ring: Nightreign Launch 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 via Steam. This announcement precedes a network test exclusively on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, running February 14-17, 2024, in five three-hour sessions.

Elden Ring Nightreign Network Test Session Times (PT/ET):

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

This network test, described by Bandai Namco as a "preliminary verification test," aims to evaluate the online system's performance.

Set in a parallel universe to the original Elden Ring, Nightreign allows three players to team up as Nightfarers, battling new threats across a dynamic map, culminating in a confrontation with the Nightlord. The game features 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. They explore the ever-changing Limveld, facing a shrinking map due to the Night’s Tide. Each night ends with a boss battle, leading to progressively harder challenges culminating in the Nightlord fight on the third night. Cooperation is key; defeat yields relics for character customization. Every session offers a unique experience due to shifting enemies, rewards, and map layouts. Sites of Grace provide opportunities for leveling up, and successful runs grant lasting stat bonuses.

IGN's hands-on preview described Nightreign as "turbocharging" Elden Ring's dungeon crawls into fast-paced 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]