Here’s how the core gameplay works in FromSoftware’s new Elden Ring: Nightreign, a fast-paced, three-player co-op game.
FromSoftware is doing something completely different with Elden Ring: Nightreign. Instead of a massive open-world RPG like the base game, this one’s a three-player co-op action game with a focus on fast runs, intense combat, and strategic teamwork.
You and two other players fight through a randomized world, surviving for three in-game days while dealing with brutal enemies, ever-shrinking safe zones, and some of the most intense battles FromSoft has ever designed. The hype is real, and for good reason, this game shakes up everything we know about Elden Ring while keeping that signature challenge intact.
Elden Ring: Nightreign is set to release on May 30, 2025, for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how the gameplay works, so you know what to expect before you drop into this new game.
How Elden Ring Nightreign’s Gameplay Works
Unlike traditional Souls games, where multiplayer can be a headache with summoning mechanics, Elden Ring Nightreign is designed for seamless three-player co-op. You and your team stay together the entire run, meaning no one gets booted after a boss fight.
Communication and teamwork are key, and every run will require careful planning if you want to survive all three days.
Survive For Three Days
The core goal of Nightreign is to make it through three in-game days. Each day, the map changes, enemies get tougher, and the safe zone shrinks. If your team makes it to Day 3, you’ll face a massive final boss that will test everything you’ve learned up to that point.
- Day 1: Start at level 1, explore, loot weapons, and level up.
- Day 2: The map shifts, enemies hit harder, and better loot appears.
- Day 3: Final boss fight.
The Map Is Always Changing
Each run starts in a randomized version of the world, meaning enemy placements, loot, and objectives change every time. The safe zone shrinks like a battle royale, forcing players to keep moving and decide whether to fight tough enemies for rewards or play it safe.
Elden Ring Nightreign: All Classes
As of right now, we know that Nightreign offers four different classes, each with unique abilities and playstyles:
- Wylder: A melee powerhouse with a Greatsword and a grappling hook to pull enemies in or zip around.
- Guardian: A tank-style character with a massive shield and an ability that sends enemies flying into the air.
- Duchess: A high-damage class.
- Recluse: A mage with the ability to combine different elemental spells.
Each class also has an Ultimate ability.
Leveling & Loot
Unlike traditional Souls games, Nightreign streamlines leveling. Instead of manually choosing stats, every level-up boosts all attributes automatically. Bonfires are used to level up and heal. Smithing Stones, found in caves, upgrade weapons based on a rarity system. (Grey > Blue > Purple > Orange)
Defeating bosses lets you pick between three rewards: a better weapon, a stat buff, or a special ability. Permanent Relics, earned after runs, give small, persistent upgrades to your characters.
Boss Fights & Enemy Variety
Bosses are not just big enemies, they’re full-on encounters pulled straight from Elden Ring and the Souls series. Some bosses are familiar, like the centipede creature from Dark Souls, while others are brand new, like the three-headed dog that splits into separate enemies.
The final boss is always a unique challenge.
No Fall Damage & Movement Enhancements
One major gameplay change is that Nightreign has no fall damage, allowing for wild movement possibilities. You can jump off cliffs, scale mountains, and use Super Sprint, a faster running mode that makes traversal even smoother.
Death & Revives
Downed teammates can be revived, but it takes longer with each knockdown. If you die completely, you lose a level—which can make later fights much harder. If all three players die, the run is over, and you restart from the beginning.
Meta Progression & Persistent Rewards
Even though each run is randomized, there’s a meta-progression system that carries over between runs. Relics serve as permanent upgrades that improve your class abilities and stats. A currency, earned from runs, has yet to be fully explained by FromSoft but will likely play a big role in long-term progression. More classes will unlock over time, expanding your options as you progress.
And, that’s it for this article. Elden Ring: Nightreign is launching on May 30, 2025, for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, with a full three-player online co-op.
What do you think of this new take on Elden Ring? Are you excited about the co-op survival gameplay? Let us know in the comments!
