Elden Ring Nightreign Channels the Spirit of a Forgotten God of War Game

This past weekend marked the inaugural network tests for Elden Ring Nightreign, the eagerly anticipated standalone multiplayer game that emerges from FromSoftware's celebrated Elden Ring. Unlike the expansive world of last year's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, Nightreign diverges significantly, embracing a compact survival format. In this thrilling new game, three-player teams must navigate progressively shrinking maps, battling waves of enemies and increasingly formidable bosses. The influence of Fortnite, with its massive 200 million player base this month, is evident in Nightreign's design.

However, Nightreign's true inspiration might surprise many—it draws heavily from 2013's God of War: Ascension, a game often overlooked yet deserving of a second look. Released as a prequel between God of War 3 and the Norse reboot in 2018, Ascension struggled to match the epic scope of its predecessors. Yet, it offered unique set-pieces like the Prison of the Damned, a dungeon ingeniously crafted within the body of a giant, and pioneered multiplayer in the series with its Trial of the Gods mode.

Image credit: Sony Santa Monica / Sony

In Ascension, players encounter an NPC in the story who prematurely celebrates being saved, only to be crushed by the boss. This same NPC becomes your avatar in multiplayer, transported to Olympus and tasked with pledging allegiance to one of four gods—Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, or Aries—each offering unique weaponry and abilities for five varied multiplayer modes, including the cooperative PvE Trial of the Gods, which parallels Nightreign's gameplay.

Previews from prominent "Soulsborne" YouTubers like VaatiVidya and Iron Pineapple, along with coverage from IGN, have showcased Nightreign's similarities to live service games like Fortnite. Nightreign includes randomized loot, resource management, and environmental hazards that constrict player movement, intensifying the challenge over time. A nod to Fortnite's iconic imagery is evident as players parachute into the map, guided by spirit birds.

Image credit: FromSoftware / Bandai Namco

While Ascension lacks the battle royale drop-in action, it shares core elements with Nightreign beyond the surface. Both games offer cooperative experiences where teams confront progressively tougher foes, revisit iconic bosses from their series, and operate within constrained environments. Both were developed by studios renowned for single-player narratives, without the oversight of their original series' directors.

Feedback from Nightreign's network tests highlights a frenetic, exhilarating experience—a stark contrast to the methodical pace of Elden Ring. Nightreign compels players to act swiftly, limiting resources and enhancing speed and agility, reminiscent of Ascension's multiplayer adjustments. Ascension increased player speed, extended jumps, and introduced automated parkour and grapple mechanics—features mirrored in Nightreign's design.

The Soulslike genre, born as the antithesis to God of War's power fantasy, has evolved. As players mastered the challenge and developers introduced powerful tools, the difficulty has waned. Nightreign, by eschewing these game-breaking builds, aims to rekindle the intense challenge of FromSoftware's earlier titles while offering seasoned players a taste of Ascension's high-stakes, time-sensitive gameplay.