Elden Ring Nightreign: Release Date Revealed

Elden Ring Nightreign, the highly anticipated standalone co-operative spin-off from FromSoftware, is set to launch on May 30, 2025, priced at $40. This thrilling adventure will be available across multiple platforms, including PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam, as confirmed by publisher Bandai Namco.

Ahead of the official release, fans can get a taste of the action during the Elden Ring Nightreign network test, scheduled exclusively for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The test will run from February 14 to February 17, 2025, but participation is limited to specific three-hour windows:

• February 14: 3am-6am PT / 6am-9am ET
• February 14: 7pm-10pm PT / 10pm-1am ET
• February 15: 11am-2pm PT / 2pm-5pm ET
• February 16: 3am-6am PT / 6am-9am ET
• February 16: 7pm-10pm PT / 10pm-1am ET

This network test serves as a "preliminary verification test" where selected testers will experience a segment of the game before its full launch. Bandai Namco describes it as a "large-scale Network Stress Test" aimed at evaluating the online system's functionality and performance, inviting participants to help enhance Elden Ring Nightreign.

Elden Ring Nightreign introduces players to a parallel universe to the original Elden Ring, starting at the Roundtable Hold. Players can choose from eight unique characters, each equipped with distinct abilities and powerful Ultimates. The adventure unfolds in Limveld, an ever-changing environment where players must navigate combat and exploration amidst a night cycle that progressively shrinks the map with the encroaching Night's Tide.

Each session in Elden Ring Nightreign spans three days and nights, culminating in a battle against a formidable boss at the end of each night. The ultimate challenge arrives on the third night, where players must confront the chosen Nightlord. While solo play is an option, teamwork is key, as Nightfarers must collaborate, leveraging their unique abilities to overcome these challenges. Even in defeat, players earn relics that allow for character customization and upgrades, tailoring their play style for future runs.

FromSoftware promises that Elden Ring Nightreign offers a unique experience with each playthrough, as enemies, rewards, and the Limveld environment itself evolve with every session. Venturing deeper into the map and defeating tougher enemies will unlock more powerful weapons and greater Rune rewards. Sites of Grace provide opportunities for leveling up and gaining essential power boosts. Each session-based adventure is likened to navigating an open-air dungeon, offering chances to earn lasting stat bonuses and progress towards defeating the Nightlord, unraveling the story behind each Nightfarer in this parallel world.

Last year, IGN had the privilege of going hands-on with an early build of Elden Ring Nightreign at FromSoftware. The experience left us impressed, describing the game as taking "the cautious dungeon crawls of Elden Ring and turbocharging them into propulsive, slash 'n' dash speedruns." For more insights, check out IGN's interview with game director Junya Ishizaki.