Review - Elden Ring NightReign

A Middling Return to the Lands Between

Elden Ring NightReign arrives with the weight of enormous expectations. As a follow-up to one of the most beloved RPGs of the decade, it had the opportunity to deepen the mythos and gameplay of the original. Unfortunately, NightReign only partially delivers, and what it brings to the table feels like a shadow of its predecessor—both literally and figuratively.

On the positive side, the visual design remains stunning. The new regions introduced in NightReign are beautifully bleak, drenched in a moody twilight that fits the tone of its more somber narrative arc. From towering obsidian spires to ancient subterranean catacombs, the art direction is still very much FromSoftware at its best. The soundtrack also deserves mention, with eerie ambient pieces that do a lot of heavy lifting in creating atmosphere.

But atmosphere alone can't carry the experience, and sadly, that's where the problems begin.

Combat in NightReign feels oddly complex. While the base mechanics are still tight, the new enemy types feel like re-skins more than meaningful additions. Boss fights—a staple of the franchise—lack the ingenuity and emotional punch that made battles like Malenia or Radahn unforgettable. Many of the encounters feel bloated with one-shot mechanics or vague, punishing attack patterns that prioritize spectacle over strategy.

The story, while intriguing in concept, is poorly paced and difficult to follow even by FromSoft standards. Lore lovers will undoubtedly piece together its fragmented history, but casual players may find themselves disconnected and unmotivated.

Most disappointing is the lack of innovation. Where the original Elden Ring revolutionized the Soulslike formula with its open-world structure and vertical exploration, NightReign plays it safe. There are few surprises, and almost nothing that pushes the series forward.

In short, Elden Ring: NightReign isn't a bad expansion—but it's not a great one either. It coasts on the legacy of its base game without taking real risks. For die-hard fans, there's still enough here to warrant a playthrough. For everyone else, it may be best to wait… or return to the Lands Between as they were, without the weight of unfulfilled potential.

Note: I did refund the game as I found I mostly won't be playing it due to the nature of the multiplayer system.