The recent reveal of Elden Ring: Nightreign during The Game Awards has sparked significant excitement among FromSoftware enthusiasts. Following the enormous success of Shadow of the Erdtree, fans speculated about new developments within the Elden Ring universe. However, the trailer left many questioning its true essence. While showcasing impressive features, it was not entirely clear what Nightreign is—a three-player co-op roguelite adventure that bears striking similarities to popular battle royale games like Fortnite, especially with its unique mechanic of the Ring of Reign closing in as night approaches. Furthermore, the lore introduced remains equally enigmatic.
The Soulsborne community is often divided into two camps: those who focus primarily on gameplay, character builds, and boss challenges, and others who immerse themselves in the rich lore, dissecting every detail as if it were historical text. The former group is likely thrilled by the introduction of fresh gameplay elements and formidable bosses, while the latter may find themselves puzzled by the lore chaotic twists that Nightreign presents. However, it might just be acceptable for this particular title to embrace a level of ambiguity.
Elden Ring: Nightreign’s Lore Is A Mashup Of Soulsborne Worlds
Dark Souls 2 & 3 Get Special Treatment
The trailer provides a basic understanding of the game’s premise; players must assist the Nightfarers in preventing a looming disaster by journeying into Limveld and surviving three perilous nights against an antagonist known as The Night Lord. This character likely resides behind an imposing door reminiscent of the one guarding the Throne of Want from Dark Souls II. While the overarching plot seems coherent, the myriad of elements woven together culminates in a convoluted narrative tapestry.
Unexpectedly, numerous bosses and characters from previous Dark Souls entries have made appearances in Nightreign, raising questions about continuity and connection between these distinct worlds. Despite their shared genre, Dark Souls and Elden Ring are separate intellectual properties with unique histories. Thus, the inclusion of characters like the Nameless King and the Fire Keeper raises eyebrows, as it challenges the established lore wherein these figures do not have an apparent place. Surprisingly, the Duke’s Dear Freja from Dark Souls II also makes an entry into this new title.
The Fire Keeper referenced in the game appears to be the one who assisted the Ashen One in Dark Souls III, though there have been several iterations prior that aimed to aid their champions in linking the Fire, such as Iudex Gundyr.
Despite incorporating many aspects of the Dark Souls franchise, Nightreign retains its identity as an Elden Ring title, showcasing Sites of Grace in place of Bonfires, and featuring the pivotal Roundtable Hold prominently. The game’s setting, Limveld, feels like a warped interpretation of Elden Ring’s Limgrave, with familiar adversaries like Margit or Morgott waiting to challenge players. The origins of Limveld remain ambiguous, as does the presence of the Nameless King, whose fate leaves players questioning how he has returned.
Nightreign’s Lore Might Not Be Explainable
There Are Too Many Elements Being Smashed Together
The controversy surrounding whether Elden Ring and Dark Souls are interconnected partly arises from the multitude of overlapping elements featured in Nightreign. It is crucial to note that the world presented in Nightreign could exist parallel to the original Elden Ring universe, although the nature of their differences remains unclear. For instance, if the Greater Will never influenced the Lands Between, leading to Marika’s assumed absence as Queen, the situation becomes even murkier since Margit appears to exist within this context.
Margit serves as an alter ego for Morgott, the offspring of Marika and Godfrey, positioning him as the Omen King of Leyndell.
One possibility is that Limveld operates as a pocket dimension where the Night Lord seeks to escape; however, this premise hinges on Elden Ring’s potential linkage to Dark Souls due to the inclusion of characters like the Fire Keeper and Nameless King. As with all Soulsborne titles, a plethora of unanswered questions linger regarding the storyline. Still, given the nature of Nightreign as a roguelite, players may find that there are not the same depth of lore to be unearthed compared to Elden Ring or the Dark Souls series.
From a narrative standpoint, it remains unclear why the Nameless King has materialized in Limveld or how the Fire Keeper distanced herself from her responsibilities in Firelink Shrine. Notably, even foes such as the Centipede Demon from the original Dark Souls return as revamped bosses, seemingly included without significant justification. This raises the question of whether these returning assets serve merely as placeholders, allowing FromSoftware to focus on refining the co-op mechanics and innovative gameplay elements instead of weaving a coherent narrative.
Nightreign Is An Experimental Project Separate To The Main Elden Ring World
It Doesn’t Have To Make Sense As A Spin-Off
While Elden Ring represents the culmination of FromSoftware’s expertise gleaned from its Soulsborne lineage, Nightreign appears to capitalize on the foundation laid by last year’s Game of the Year winner to explore uncharted territory. Oftentimes, FromSoftware opts for unconventional design choices—like eliminating duo runs in Nightreign—paving the way for a game that aims to deliver a unique experience. By integrating familiar elements from previous titles, the developers can facilitate a smoother experimental process, even if this choice leads to a more disjointed narrative.
Since Nightreign has been distinctly categorized as a separate, parallel world from Elden Ring, the events within the game bear no direct consequences on the canon developed by Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R. R. Martin. This liberating aspect allows the developers to indulge in a narrative that can veer into the absurd without having ramifications on the meticulously crafted storyline of Elden Ring. This could set the stage for Nightreign to redefine co-op dynamics in Soulsborne gaming.
Ultimately, while enthusiasts may still strive to comprehend Nightreign’s lore, the narrative freedom provided by its independence from the main series implies that coherence is not a necessity for FromSoftware’s ambitious design. The game represents a significant experiment, leveraging existing features to foster community engagement and conversation. By differentiating its lore from Elden Ring’s foundation, Nightreign opens the door for endless exploration without disturbing the established narrative integrity.
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