Elden Ring: Nightreign was among the most surprising reveals at this year’s Game Awards. Somewhat hilariously, it was unveiled just weeks after FromSoftware head Hidetaka Miyazaki said that Elden Ring would not be getting a sequel, but that the studio would not be “denying the IP” for future development. Little did audiences know that such future development was not nearly as theoretical as Miyazaki made it seem.
To be clear, Elden Ring: Nightreign is not Elden Ring 2. Rather, it seems to be taking place in a different timeline or dimension within the broader Elden Ring universe, seemingly drawing upon the lore of the Nox and their long-awaited Night King. These lore elements are bound to garner a great deal of player intrigue, as the spin-off will ideally shine a brighter light on some of the more shrouded elements of Elden Ring‘s world. That’s all well and good, but in typical FromSoftware fashion, there’s been a wrench thrown into the works: Nightreign could be a multiverse or crossover situation.
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Elden Ring: What is the Night Lord?
The ultimate goal of Elden Ring Nightreign is to claim the life of the Night Lord, a being that players may have heard of before.
Elden Ring: Nightreign Makes Direct and Subtle Reference to Other FromSoftware Games
Dark Souls Gets a Lot of Representation in the Elden Ring: Nightreign Trailer
More shocking than the co-op nature of Nightrein (which isn’t actually so shocking, given the outcry of fan demand for more co-op in Elden Ring) is the suggestion that the game could be connected to other FromSoftware properties, specifically Dark Souls. There are a few instances in the Nightreign trailer that could be considered homages or Easter eggs related to the Dark Souls trilogy, such as the ostensible “level up lady” who looks oddly reminiscent of the Fire Keeper from Dark Souls 3, or the various arachnid creatures that resemble similar monsters in Dark Souls 2, but two particular elements stand out for their obviousness.
The Nameless King, known for being one of Dark Souls 3‘s hardest bosses, is in the Nightreign trailer. The entity doesn’t appear to be a mere lookalike or a boss inspired by The Nameless King, but the actual Nameless King himself, complete with his stormdrake and iconic Dragonslayer Swordspear. This is rather incredible, as The Nameless King is by no means a minor character in the Dark Souls universe: he is the son of none other than Gywn himself, and essentially served as the IP’s God of War for a time.
A decidedly less lore-significant Dark Souls creature, Centipede Demon, also appears in the Nightreign trailer. Centipede Demon’s first and only appearance was in the first Dark Souls, where it was spawned as a result of a magical accident on the part of Ceaseless Discharge. Needless to say, Centipede Demon is not a particularly important or pivotal figure in the Dark Souls universe, so it’s hard to understand what role it could play in Nightreign.
Then there are the less overt references, or what can be considered tongue-in-cheek homages. The spectral-bird flying ability, for instance, seems quite reminiscent of the player-character’s relationship with the Giant Crow in Dark Souls, and the more advanced movement and parry mechanics may remind players of Sekiro. Though these are interesting parallels, they are doubtful to be what produces the most speculation.
Is Elden Ring Nightreign a Dark Souls Crossover?
In an interview with IGN, Nightreign director Junya Ishizaki noted that the game will be set in a different timeline than the Elden Ring base game—a timeline formed as a result of The Shattering. The nature of reality in the Elden Ring universe is intentionally vague and obscure, so it is quite possible that Nightreign will link the IP to Dark Souls, as outlandish as that may seem. After all, while FromSoftware is known to reuse assets, something like The Nameless King can’t show up without further explanation, lest it undermine the lore of both Elden Ring and Dark Souls.
ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN is a standalone adventure within the ELDEN RING universe, crafted to offer players a new gaming experience by reimagining the game’s core design.
Join forces with other players to take on the creeping night and the dangers within featuring 3-player co-op.
Take command of uniquely skilled heroes, each possessing their own abilities and distinct flair.
While individually formidable, their skills create powerful synergies when they unite as a team.
Overcome a relentless environmental threat that sweeps through a land that changes between each game session and defeat the magnificent boss of that night!
- Released
- 2025-00-00
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
- Number of Players
- 1-3