(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
Elden Ring Nightreign is a thrilling player-versus-environment (PvE) challenge crafted for trios, deeply encouraging matchmaking among players. There’s an element of soft balancing involved to make solo ventures somewhat feasible, even though going it alone does carry significant risks. The essence of joining forces with just one other friend, however, seems to have been somewhat overlooked. Players either embark on this adventure solo or are grouped as a team of three. Despite this, IGN learned from director Junya Ishizaki that FromSoftware hasn’t turned its back on duos entirely.
In a conversation with IGN, Ishizaki addressed the absence of a dedicated two-player mode in Nightreign. “The simple reason behind this is it was an oversight during development when it came to just offering a two-player mode, and we’re very sorry for that,” said Ishizaki.
“As previously mentioned, our main goal was to craft a multiplayer co-op game for three players, with all the balancing tailored for teams of three; this was central to the Nightreign experience,” he elaborated. “As a player myself, I sometimes crave the experience of playing solo, which was something we considered from the beginning. Consequently, we dedicated significant effort to ensure this experience could be accessible to solo players within the framework of our rules and new systems.”
Although “we kind of overlooked and neglected the duos aspect,” Ishizaki noted that “this is something we are exploring and considering for post-launch support.” As it stands, the only updates confirmed for Nightreign post-launch are those part of its downloadable content (DLC), including new characters, bosses, and map biomes. Feedback from users might spur more targeted updates, such as refining a more tailored two-player experience.
If you’re wondering whether you can tackle Elden Ring Nightreign solo, the answer is yes, albeit with some caveats. One feature that aids solo players is a “self-revive function” found on the map, Ishizaki told IGN. It’s a limited but beneficial option when facing the prospect of leveling down upon respawn.
Ishizaki earlier noted that even within teams, perhaps especially with random matchmaking, players might find themselves tackling foes solo since “you don’t have to babysit one another” but can explore at your personal pace. So, while larger firefights may await, solo players benefit from adjusted enemy behavior that prevents overwhelming dogpiles, although bosses still test your mettle if you’re going alone. Nightreign truly shines when experienced in a group setting.
Weekly updates, captivating stories from your favorite communities, and more enrich the experience. During my hands-on Nightreign preview, my team achieved the most success when we stayed close, engaging enemies collectively. Of course, FromSoftware hints that “the same strategy won’t always work” in Elden Ring Nightreign, which is challenging news for those using the same approach they relied on throughout the Souls series.