Biggest changes between Elden Ring and Nightreign

Elden Ring ^[1] is easily one of the biggest games in recent times, and that’s largely thanks to how inclusive it is. Whether you want a difficult experience by going for basic combat weapons or you want to make things a little easier by going for magic-based build, you have the freedom to do so. However, that freedom won’t exist in the Elden Ring spin-off called Elden Ring: Nightreign.

Today, we want to highlight some of the biggest differences between Elden Ring and its Nightreign spin-off. This includes the removal of custom character creations, the removal of weapon weights, and things like mobility changes through the inclusion of wall-running and, arguably the biggest change, which is a bigger focus on cooperative multiplayer with friends.

So, if you’re on the fence for getting Elden Ring: Nightreign and wonder if it’s really as good as the base game then keep reading because there are certainly some major changes.

Removal of custom character creation

One of the biggest gameplay changes is the shift to pre-made characters based on class archetypes, each with distinct skills, abilities, and moves. According to director Junya Ishikazi, in an interview with IGN, the decision to remove character creation was intentional. It was driven by a desire to streamline the multiplayer experience. The goal was to let players jump in quickly and play casually so they wouldn’t have to worry about character creation or builds immediately.

Weapon weight removed

Nightreign removes weapon weight, letting you carry and use as many weapons as possible for any class. All equipment is completely weightless, meaning no more fat rolling. You can hold up to six weapons at a time, a necessary change to keep up with the game’s faster pace. FromSoftware has finally cut players some slack, and after experiencing this level of freedom, going back to inventory micromanagement in the base game will be tough.

Wall-jumping added, fall damage removed

An exciting addition that speeds up gameplay compared to Elden Ring is the introduction of wall-jumping. In the original game, navigating castles and dungeons required precise platforming, and some areas were completely inaccessible with a standard jump. Nightreign changes this by allowing players to scale walls and structures to reach previously out-of-reach locations- without the fear of fall damage slowing them down. 

Yes, that’s right, fall damage is completely gone, letting you jump from any height without taking a scratch- a change that might surprise Elden Ring veterans. At first, leaping off a cliff can feel like a death sentence, but the more you play, the more it becomes second nature. With the removal of fall damage and the addition of wall-jumping, Nightreign aims to deliver a faster, more streamlined take on the Elden Ring experience.

Stats aren’t customizable when you level up

Leveling up in Nightreign is faster and more streamlined. Instead of manually choosing which stats to upgrade your Runes, each level offers a random boost to Stamina, HP, and FP. This lets you level up quickly without spending time allocating points and keeping up with the game’s fast-paced design. However, some players may miss the ability to prioritize specific stats, which allowed them to go for the build they wanted. Whether it be strength or dexterity, Elden Ring’s freedom of stat distribution is one of its best features.

Maps and bosses are randomized every session

In Nightreign, every session drops players into a shuffled version of familiar locations from the original Elden Ring. Bosses, landmarks, and loot change with each run, ensuring a fresh experience every time a new day cycle begins. This randomization encourages players to replay and take on all eight unique bosses the game introduces.

Speaking of bosses, some of the bosses in Nightreign are recycled bosses from previous Fromsoftware games, including Elden Ring itself. Thanks to this, some players may see the spin-off as a celebration of everything the studio had accomplished so far, bringing some of the most beloved bosses from previous games to give loyal fans a sense of nostalgia.

Nightreign’s cycle lasts three in-game days and nights

Nightreign's gameplay and story revolves around a three-day/night cycle, marked by the advances of an ominous Ring of Reign. Upon entering Nightreign’s territory, players are hit with deadly blue acid rain and must retreat beyond its threshold to survive. As the final day approaches, the increasing danger adds a serious challenge while enforcing a time limit that gives the game a natural speedrun feel.

On the first day, players can freely explore the randomized maps, hunting down as many enemies as possible before night ends. Each day shrinks the playable area, with the encroaching darkness restricting movement and upping the stakes. This mechanic is a first for Soulsborne games, offering a fresh challenge, unlike anything players have faced before.

Cooperative multiplayer is at the heart of Nightreign

While Elden Ring offered limited multiplayer through PvP and PvE interactions in the Lands Between, Nightreign takes a different approach by fully embracing cooperative play. Though solo play is an option, the game is built around a three-player co-op experience, meaning playing with only two players isn’t an option.

As a matter of fact, this co-op heavy approach is the primary selling point of Nightreign. This would be the first time FromSoftware develops a soulslike game that actually properly embraces multiplayer and makes it a core part of its gameplay experience. While multiple soulslike games have had multiplayer, including Elden Ring and Bloodborne, the feature hasn’t been nearly as polished as it is in Nightreign. 

Thanks to the lack of polish in the base game, a lot of players and content creators had to turn to installing seamless co-op mods to play the game with their friends. After all, having to join your friend's world every time you or your friend dies can quickly get annoying, especially when you consider that beating a boss in your friend’s world doesn’t mean you beat it in yours.

More Weapons, no armour

For better or for worse, Nightreign removes the traditional armor system, meaning players won’t have to manage defense or resistance. Instead, buffs and damage resistance come from in-game pickups. Weapons and armaments are still a core part of the experience, rewarded for defeating lesser and greater bosses.

Players can equip up to three armaments per hand, with their passive buffs applying regardless of which one is actively wielded. Weapons can still be upgraded through a more streamlined system that involves less micromanagement than the original.

Teammates can revive you

Death is a familiar companion in Elden Ring, but in Nightreign, while we’re not cutting ties completely, we are keeping our distance. Normally, when you’re down, you’re out, but in Nightreign, you can stay put and wait for your fellow Nightfarers to bring you back, all while dodging relentless attacks.

Reviving a teammate requires quite literally beating them back to life. Landing attacks on your downed ally fills a meter that gets them back on their feet. However, the more deaths you accumulate, the larger the death gauge grows. This means you’ll need even more hits to revive- which becomes even harder amid the chaos.

Fortunately, short—and long-range attacks work for revivals, letting you strategize when things get dicey. If the death gauge becomes unmanageable, a quick stop at a Site of Grace will reset it, so plan accordingly.

FAQs

How do the gameplay structures differ between Elden Ring and Nightreign?

Elden Ring presents a vast open-world experience, encouraging exploration and discovery at the player's pace. In contrast, Nightreign offers a more structured approach, focusing on a condensed RPG experience divided into three in-game days, each lasting approximately 40 minutes.

What are the multiplayer features in each game?

While Elden Ring includes optional multiplayer elements, such as co-op and PvP invasions, Nightreign is designed as a dedicated cooperative experience. Players team up in groups of three to tackle challenges together, emphasizing teamwork and strategy.

What are the price points for each game?

Elden Ring was released at a standard AAA price point of $59.99. Nightreign is priced lower, with the standard edition at $39.99, reflecting its more focused and condensed gameplay experience. With that being said, it’s important to keep in mind that Elden Ring is three years old now, which means that piece has dropped significantly. Those who want to spend $60 are better off using that amount to buy the complete edition of Elden Ring to ensure they also get the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC with it.

References

1. [1] "Official Elden Ring website". en.bandainamcoent.eu. Retrieved March 03, 2025