The hype for Elden Ring Nightreign is absolutely through the roof! With network tests done and dusted, the gaming community is on the edge of their seats. Even though it's not a direct Hidetaka Miyazaki game—director Junya Ishizaki is at the helm—diehard Souls fans are amped up for this fresh, roguelike-battle-royale twist on the classic formula. Those who've experienced the pure chaos and fun of Elden Ring co-op know how transformative playing with friends can be. As we gear up for the launch, expectations are sky-high. So, let's break down the top nine things players are desperately hoping to see in Nightreign to make it an absolute banger.

#9: Insane Enemy Variety

Look, Elden Ring's enemy roster was lit, no cap (except maybe a couple of re-used bosses, but we don't talk about that). For Nightreign, a roguelike with battle royale vibes, recycling the same old baddies just won't cut it. We need fresh faces!

  • New Bosses are a given, but the regular mobs need love too.

  • Imagine enemies that are element-specific or change based on the map you roll for a run.

  • How about foes that hard-counter specific Nightfarer classes? That would force some sick team strategy—maybe you need to swap your comp to take them down.

The potential is endless. FromSoftware's imagination is the only limit here. We need that 'oh snap, what is THAT?!' moment around every corner.

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#8: A Seamless, No-Hassle Co-Op Experience

Let's be real: Elden Ring's co-op was... kinda janky. Summoning a friend felt like performing a secret ritual:

  1. Find a rare flower.

  2. Craft a specific item.

  3. Draw a sigil on the ground.

  4. Pray to the servers.

And then BAM—beat a boss and get yeeted back to your world. Rinse and repeat. Not chill.

For Nightreign, which is built around co-op, this needs a major glow-up. Just give us:

  • A simple pre-game lobby to squad up.

  • One-click entry into a run.

  • Staying with your team after each session.

Make it easy, make it smooth. Let us focus on the gank spanks, not the connection headaches.

#7: Secrets & Loot Galore

One of Elden Ring's biggest Ws was its world brimming with secrets. Finding a new weapon, a slick piece of armor, or a powerful talisman was pure dopamine. You could replay it a dozen times and still find something new.

Nightreign is smaller in scale and more focused on the run-based progression, but that sense of discovery must not be lost. We hope every nook and cranny might hide something useful—a weapon chest, a stat-boosting item, or lore bits. Incentivize that exploration! It's what makes the world feel alive and rewarding.

#6: Lore That Doesn't Require a PhD

Elden Ring's lore, co-written by George R.R. Martin, was deep and brilliant... but also cryptic AF. You needed to piece it together from item descriptions and vague NPC dialogues—a classic FromSoft move.

While Nightreign's main focus is on the action, it would be a nice QoL change to have a clearer explanation of what's going on in this version of The Lands Between. Who are the Nightfarers? Why are we here? Give us the broad strokes without drowning us in obscurity. A little narrative clarity can go a long way.

#5: A Constantly Expanding Nightfarer Roster

Nightreign ditches traditional character creation for a set roster of heroes called Nightfarers. The network test gave us four: Guardian, Wylder, Duchess, and Recluse. Cool start!

Known Nightfarers Likely Role
Guardian Tank / Defender
Wylder Melee Bruiser
Duchess Mage / Support
Recluse Rogue / Assassin

But we need MORE. The full game will obviously have more, but the dream is post-launch support with new Nightfarers dropping periodically. This would massively boost replayability and keep the meta fresh. Imagine a new class dropping every few months—that's the stuff.

#4: Nostalgic Boss Cameos (In Moderation!)

The trailer already dropped a megaton bombshell: the return of Dark Souls 3's Nameless King. Cue collective PTSD and hype. This opens the door for more legendary boss cameos.

  • Ornstein & Smough? The ultimate teamwork check.

  • Ludwig the Accursed? Pure nightmare fuel.

  • Guardian Ape? Because why not?

This is a sick way to play on nostalgia and reuse fantastic boss designs. The key is not to overdo it. A few well-placed, tactfully integrated legacy bosses would be an epic surprise during a run. Too many would feel like a cheap callback.

#3: Cross-Platform Play & Cross-Save – NON-NEGOTIABLE

This was a major L for base Elden Ring. In 2026, a co-op-focused game MUST have crossplay. Not being able to play with friends on different platforms is so last decade.

  • Crossplay is a must-have. Let PS5, Xbox, and PC players squad up together.

  • Cross-save would be the cherry on top. If you switch platforms, you shouldn't lose all your progress and unlocked Nightfarers. That would be devastating.

Remove the barriers. Let the community play together, period.

#2: Deep Build Customization Within Nightfarers

Okay, so you pick a Nightfarer and you're locked into their look and base kit. But what about progression within a run? Think like Pokémon Unite:

  • Upon leveling up, choose between two new abilities.

  • Or opt for a buff vs. a cooldown reduction on an existing skill.

This adds a crazy layer of depth and makes each run with the same Nightfarer feel different. It provides a sense of mastery and personalization beyond just the random loot you find. It's that roguelike spice we need!

#1: A Whole Arsenal of New Weapons

Duh. Weapons are the heart and soul of any Soulslike. Elden Ring had an insane variety, and Nightreign needs to carry that torch—and then some.

While many classics will return, we need brand-new, mind-blowing weapons.

  • Weapons that synergize uniquely with specific Nightfarer abilities.

  • Class-specific arms that change how you approach combat.

  • Just more over-the-top, badass tools of destruction to discover.

This is the number one thing that will keep players coming back for "just one more run" to try out that new crazy sword or staff they just unlocked. FromSoftware, don't hold back!

So there you have it. If Elden Ring Nightreign can deliver on these fronts, we're looking at a potential Game of the Year contender for 2026. The foundation is solid, the hype is real. Now we just have to wait and see if FromSoftware and director Ishizaki can stick the landing. Fingers crossed, Tarnished! 🤞