Nightreign’s a $40 co-op spin-off from Elden Ring, released May 30, 2025, set in a new place called Limveld. It’s a roguelite where you and two friends (or solo, if you’re desperate) sprint through 35-45 minute runs, grabbing loot and fighting big bosses over three in-game days. You pick from eight characters with different skills, but it’s basically a stripped-down, jankier version of Elden Ring’s co-op with faster combat, no fall damage, and auto-leveling that feels like a cheap shortcut.

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Nightreign's Strengh

  • Playing with friends can be fun, with some high moments like ganging up on a boss.
  • Bosses are decent, mixing new ones with recycled Elden Ring fights, but they’re not groundbreaking.
  • It’s easier to jump into than Elden Ring, with less stat hassle, but that’s about all it simplifies well.
  • Random loot and enemies keep things mildly interesting for a few runs.
  • At $40, it’s not a total rip-off, but it feels like a budget mod.

What’s Rough

  • Solo mode’s a mess—way too punishing and clearly an afterthought.
  • No two-player mode, so duos get stuck with randoms, which is annoying as hell.
  • The map’s static, and with only a few random tweaks, it gets boring fast.
  • Multiplayer’s a disaster: laggy matchmaking, no crossplay, and no way to rejoin if you disconnect.
  • The story’s a snooze, just a few scraps of lore that don’t even tie into the action.
  • It’s janky—PC performance stutters, and the whole thing feels like a rushed, less polished Elden Ring co-op clone.

What People Think

It’s scraping by with 80-85 on Metacritic. Reviewers like the co-op when it works but slam the clunky solo mode, repetitive maps, and multiplayer issues. On X, some players enjoy the quick fights, but plenty call it a lazy cash grab, leaning hard on reused assets. The late review embargo just screams “we’re not confident,” even if it’s got some Steam hype.

Verdict

Nightreign’s a half-baked take on Elden Ring’s co-op, fun for a few runs with friends but nowhere near the real deal. It’s janky, repetitive, and feels like a quick cash-in that forgets what made Elden Ring special. Solo players, steer clear; even with buddies, it’s a slog without serious patches. Score: ~7/10.