Summary
- Elden Ring Nightreign's network test is crucial for determining its success as a cooperative online experience.
- Server overload, matchmaking failures, latency, and lag are potential issues that could impact the game's reputation.
- The network test will serve as an early gauge of interest and potentially indicate Elden Ring burnout among players.
FromSoftware's Elden Ring Nightreign is an upcoming standalone cooperative experience set in the same universe as Elden Ring, complete with procedurally generated environments, Roguelike mechanics, and predefined characters. While Elden Ring Nightreign can be played solo, it has been intentionally designed for cooperative play with teams of three. Since Elden Ring has been a major focus of FromSoftware lately, it's entirely possible some fans who have been awaiting something new from the developer were let down by the announcement of Elden Ring Nightreign, but they may have a better chance to determine their opinions of the game in its upcoming network test.
Since Elden Ring Nightreign is fairly new territory for FromSoftware with the aim of offering a high-quality and stable online cooperative experience, a network test is all but necessary. However, necessary as it may be, it's a bit of a double-edged sword for Elden Ring Nightreign, as it could determine its success in the long run. While it doesn't happen all the time, games that offer alpha, beta, and network tests ahead of their launch occasionally taint their own reputation before they've even been made available if those tests don't go well. In the same way, Elden Ring Nightreign's upcoming network test could be a strong indicator of whether it will succeed once it is finally released.
Elden Ring Nightreign’s Price Could Give It the Edge It Needs
Alongside its unique gameplay offerings, it appears Elden Ring Nightreign's price might also be one of its most effective methods for success.
Elden Ring Nightreign's Network Test Could Make or Break It
Elden Ring Nightreign's Co-Op Gameplay Has a Lot Riding on Its Network Test
Elden Ring Nightreign is a cooperative experience designed to be played online with others, which means there is a lot riding on its network test performing well. If players who are selected to participate in the test encounter major network issues during their time with Elden Ring Nightreign, they might immediately be turned off by the whole experience and determine never to return to it, regardless of whether those issues are eventually resolved.
One of the most common issues in online co-op games is server overload, which is more prevalent at the time of a game's release but has been known to show up during network tests as well. If those who are offered the privilege of testing Elden Ring Nightreign ahead of its launch are unable to log in to the game or are placed in a lengthy queue due to server overload, there's potential for those players to give up on the game and then vent their frustrations online, which often negatively impacts a game's reputation.
Cases like these sometimes lead to widespread negativity like review bombing, even by those who have never played the game they are criticizing.
Another potential issue players could encounter during Elden Ring Nightreign's network test is matchmaking failures, which were even present during the first few days of Shadow of the Erdtree's launch due to the vast number of players seeking help from other players online for challenging boss fights like Messmer the Impaler. And, of course, latency and lag are always potential issues in an online game, and those could creep up during Elden Ring Nightreign's network test as well, possibly leaving a lasting mark on the game's reputation.
Elden Ring Nightreign's Network Test Will Serve as an Early Interest Gauge
If nothing else, Elden Ring Nightreign's network test will serve as an early interest gauge for the game, which is somewhat necessary, given the new concepts FromSoftware is attempting in the game. The network test will be a prime opportunity for those who are intrigued by Elden Ring Nightreign's premise to determine whether they will actually enjoy it. Finally, Elden Ring Nightreign's network test will also be a clear indicator of Elden Ring burnout, whether the game is truly nothing to write home about or whether players are simply ready to move on from Elden Ring for a while. At the very least, selected players will have a chance to decide that for themselves, even before the game launches.
Elden Ring Nightreign
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 80 /100 Critics Rec: 78%
- Released
- May 30, 2025
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Entertainment, From Software
WHERE TO PLAY
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op
- Number of Players
- 1-3
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Soulslike, Roguelite
