As the world waits forElden Ring Nightreign, FromSoftware fans have engaged in no shortage of fervent discussion about the upcoming co-op adventure. A company known for its bold single-player ventures, FromSoftware’s pivot into this multiplayer-centric, roguelike action spin-off may feel a bit unexpected, but there’s a case to be made thatElden Ring Nightreignis actually a fairly organic progression for the studio, given its rich catalog.
Of course, the cooperative multiplayer aspect ofElden Ring Nightreignis a logical evolution of FromSoftware’s prior co-op and PvP features, which have featured in nearly every one of the studio’s releases in the wake ofDemon’s Souls. The co-op systems of these soulslikes have proven to be immensely popular, but they have nevertheless been restricted to specific in-game passages, such as boss battles—something that several mods have attempted to remedy.Nightreignis greatly expanding this co-op functionality, but its broader gameplay structure and formula, those being borrowed from the roguelike genre, feel reminiscent of another, less ubiquitous feature:Bloodborne’s Chalice Dungeons.
Elden Ring Nightreign Could Be the Best Possible Continuation of Bloodborne’s Chalice Dungeons
Bloodborne Dipped Its Toes Into Procedurally Generated Content
Though it was never as popular or well-regarded as the base game,Bloodborne’s Chalice Dungeons have grown to be viewed as an inextricable, valuable part ofBloodborneas a whole. Accessed by collecting and activating various in-game objects, the Chalice Dungeons arguably provide the most replay value of allBloodborne’s activities, at least from a mechanical standpoint: Root Chalice Dungeons are procedurally generated, allowing for virtually endless exploration and combat possibilities. The modular structure of these dungeons is a far cry from the level design of the rest of the game, making for a decidedly distinct gameplay experience.
But Chalice Dungeons are also a bit underwhelming, especially when measured against the coreBloodborneadventure. Their dark and claustrophobic atmosphere is appropriately moody, but the procedural generation clashes with what makesFromSoftware level design so special. To be more specific, FromSoftware environments exude a sense of intentionality, where every individual area feeds into a greater whole, serving a narrative or world-building end. Root Chalice Dungeons provide theoretically endless replay value, along with a unique way to engage withBloodborne’s exploration and combat by virtue of their randomness, but they definitely play second fiddle to the above-ground gameplay.
Elden Ring Nightreign Could Kick Chalice Dungeon Features Up a Few Notches
Obviously, just how much DNAElden Ring Nightreignshares with this specificBloodbornegameplay mode remains to be seen, but one can assume that, at the very least, the random nature inherent to procedurally generated roguelikes will be on display. But perhaps the greatest and most undeniable ground-level distinction betweenNightreignand the Chalice Dungeon’s system is the former’s grander scope.Nightreign’s procedural generation is meant to support an entire stand-alone game, after all.
The vast open-world exploration ofNightreignis essential context for its random generation: new natural landscapes and features like volcanoes and woodlands will be shuffled into new maps—not just new rooms. This is both more promising and more daunting, as procedurally generating an entire map, comparable to the size ofLimgrave inElden Ring’s base game, is far more complex than simply shuffling an assortment of pre-designed interior spaces.
Assuming this approach to level design is successful, thenElden Ring Nightreigncould very well serve a similar long-termpurpose as Chalice Dungeons inBloodborne: offering a method of engaging withElden Ring’s gameplay in unexpected and novel ways. HardcoreBloodbornefans have poured hundreds of hours into Chalice Dungeon gameplay over the past decade, so with any luck, the same will be true forElden Ring Nightreign.
Elden Ring Nightreign
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“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!”
