From Software are geniuses. Their workflow and game structure are unmatched from a production standpoint- the Souls formula is like the development equivalent of the Piraka torso piece from Bionicle- simple, but can be built into so many cooler and more elaborate things that you'd still see it years later.

The latest twist on this formula is Elden Ring Nightreign- taking all the building blocks from the massive (size) and titanic (success) Elden Ring. Despite a new story and characters, it's a game that's steeped in the familiar- presented in an all-new way, of course.

Title: ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN

Developer: FROM SOFTWARE

Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment

Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5

An Automated Sense of Discovery

When I say Elden Ring Nightreign is made of old blocks, it's an objective fact- I recognize those towers, abandoned churches and more. I know which ruins have basements, a skill that's rewarded immensely in Elden Ring Nightreign once you're running against the clock.

I believe this familiarity forms the femur that the game is built on. Elden Ring Nightreign exists as a fascinating B-side to From Software's mega title- that familiarity is integral to the experience. Maybe it's the Fortnite-style circle closing, but you don't always have the time to have wide-eyed admiration for the game's locales. Papa's on a timer today, and that means we have to be in and out of these locations ASAP.

That's not to say there isn't anything to discover in the new maps. Roaming bosses and world events make it so you're never just traveling from point A to B. But I think seeing the game as a deck of cards where you already know the contents, it's just the order that surprises you is the optimal way to enjoy it. It's what makes the game's horrors less flash-in-the-pan.

I've fought enough dragons in Elden Ring to have it down to a science. But two dragons coming out of a portal all of a sudden? That's the good stuff. It's a challenge in the truest sense of the word- the game upping the ante as punishment for all the dates you've cancelled in the name of one more run on a boss.

At the same time, the familiarity means you never feel too bad missing out if you die or were unprepared and had to run. Margit the Fell Omen is still just Margit The Fell Omen, no matter how many cool new moves they give him. He's a fun challenge, but given how much variation you can get in every run, I imagine being horrified if I'd found a cool boss once and had to run for it before never seeing it again.

The Solo Experience

So one feature that's been teased is that despite being primarily a 3vE game, Elden Ring Nightreign absolutely still has the option to play solo, even including a few balance tweaks for your efforts.

Ultimately, if you're playing this game solo you're basically playing a different title altogether. When in a full party, Elden Ring Nightreign feels like a fun jaunt- roll into a camp, kill everyone, grab your loot and go. When solo, your experiences are much more calculated. While HP is adjusted for solo play it feels much more in line with how all Souls games work- that is to say, don't expect that huge a HP cut.

As a solo player expect to have to be much, much more tactical about your choices. It's here that the map really shines- every icon even features a little element indicator, so you can know what area to head to if you're after a certain flavor of loot (Which you will, considering each Nightlord has its specific weaknesses).

The main challenge you face in solo mode ends up being time itself. You'll find yourself constantly interrupted by the circle closing, and dying takes a much bigger toll on you since you won't have teammates to resurrect you or even farm more Runes for you to get back your lost level on death.

There's also the issue of the bosses themselves- these fights are very much tuned for three monkeys on typewriters versus a single one who values the romance of hand-written notes. All that to say that if you're thinking to tackle Nightreign solo, be prepared to be playing your A-game 99% of the time- it demands as much of you.

Preparing To Die Isn't So Bad

As far as roguelikes go, Elden Ring Nightreign is a great addition to the upper pantheon that games like Hades and Returnal sit in. The game's decisions feel genuinely weighted- for example, going boss-hunting drops stronger per-run powerups like healing on every hit, however spending your time farming rabble means getting more stable upgrades, like the universal quality boost of leveling up your weapons to do a good amount of damage.

I'm also surprised how well From Software has designed its Nightfarer classes. Basically every school of From Software playstyle has been represented here, from the traditional sword-and-board to even a spellcaster class purely built for summoning phantoms.

It's impressive just how technical they are, too: the Wylder's pilebunker is invincible on startup, making it much more viable as an opener that staggers enemies rather than a big punish like its Armored Core or Bloodborne counterparts. Meanwhile, the Duchess' Restage really requires you to focus on big openings in a fight, letting bosses take entire damage cashouts a second time.

Combined with the game's relic system which does everything from increasing stats to adding passive attacks, there's a good feeling of progression even when you die on Margit's sword for the 45th time. That is, of course, assuming you're lucky. Like any roguelike, a huge chunk of Elden Ring Nightreign is built on RNG. From relic drops to even your starting location, a lot of these can make a big difference in the success of your run.

In a way you're doing the Souls classic- corpse-running your RNG until you build a decent character.

Elden Ring Nightreign Verdict

As far as transformations of the Souls formula go, Elden Ring Nightreign is an absolute masterclass of it. There's just enough familiar in From Software's newest outing taht you already feel like you're 50 hours into it, and just enough of its usual fat trimmed away that you're always a couple steps forward away from your next riveting watercooler story.

Its biggest flaws come from its roguelike formula itself- that is, the possibility of drawing an absolute dud every chance you get, mixed with the snowballing effect of dying in a Souls game.

Still, if you're one of the many acolytes of From Software's Souls formula, Elden Ring Nightreign is the high-octane ask you've been looking for- it's 200 hours of Souls gameplay distilled and pressed into meaningful 30 minute chunks, with just enough new to tell you From Software really isn't content to rest on their laurels.

• Visuals: 9/10
• Gameplay: 9/10
• Content: 9/10

Final Score: 9/10

Game reviewed on PS5. Review code provided by Bandai Namco Entertainment SEA