Elden Ring Nightreign Drops a Feature That FromSoft's Next…

Elden Ring Nightreign is the latest title from Japanese developer FromSoftware, and it is poised to deliver a unique experience that no other Soulslike has matched. By applying a roguelike framework with battle royale elements to a Souls playing field, Elden Ring Nightreign will expand the genre into a run-based, predominantly multiplayer space that it rarely ventures in. Recycled Elden Ring assets in Nightreign are fueling the whole experiment, and even if it's not the next big single-player title that some fans want, it could still end up being a worthwhile experience.

Many familiar Elden Ring elements are still present, including a large portion of its enemy roster and the general aesthetics it used, as well as the basic gameplay. Where Nightreign's new twists come in are its additional use of Dark Souls enemies, as well as the presence of several playable Nightfarers in the place of a standard Elden Ring custom character. Combined with the game’s random elements and light character progression systems, Elden Ring Nightreign will be a novel game that still appeals to Souls regulars, though one traditional feature needs to return with a vengeance in FromSoftware’s next single-player project.

Elden Ring Nightreign Character Progression Barrier to Entry

How Elden Ring Nightreign's Approach to Character Progression Lowers Its Barrier to Entry

Elden Ring Nightreign is breaking a FromSoftware tradition in its approach to character progression, increasing its accessibililty in the process.

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By Josh Cotts

Elden Ring Nightreign Has Done Away With Character Creation

Both Elden Ring Nightreign and FromSoftware’s recently announced Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, The Duskbloods, are run-based multiplayer-oriented Soulslikes backed by rosters of distinct playable characters, and neither are FromSoftware's standard fare. The basic gameplay and general vibe of these projects harken back to prior FromSoftware titles like Elden Ring and Bloodborne, but right from the moment players start each game, something’s absence will be felt. Demon’s Souls’ legacy character creation system appears to be completely absent in FromSoftware's current slate of games, and it needs to come back in a big way once the next wave rolls in.

Creating a Character Is A Beloved Part Of FromSoftware’s Games

Although getting to personally control more of FromSoftware's well-designed characters is welcome, building one’s own character from scratch in an RPG has a timeless appeal. Whether it's being able to cosplay whoever the player pleases, making a neon-colored mutant, deciding on a playstyle based on the starting class and gift item choices, or freely customizing build and appearance later, there are plenty of upsides to custom characters that have benefited the Dark Souls trilogy, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring itself. Taking a break from them is fine, but the system deserves to come back, and ideally it will be even better after its vacation.

FromSoftware's Next Game Needs To Take Character Creation To Even Greater Heights

There Is Still Room To Improve Elden Ring’s Custom Characters

When FromSoftware next implements its character creation system, it should be all that it was before, and more. The perimeters that allow for freaks of nature should still be present, but it should also try to match the detailed character building of Team Ninja's Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty and Rise of the Ronin. Deeper is better when it comes to player character customization, and that should extend to more mechanical aspects as well. The usual class choice should return as an equally iconic feature, but FromSoftware can do so much more with it.

Deprived, Wretch, and their equivalents can remain the blank slates they usually are, but players should otherwise be allowed to build their own custom starting class. This will require careful balancing, especially because the starting levels are rarely equal in number between Souls classes, but even the chance to switch out some equipment and weapons for other starting gear could make a world of difference. Elden Ring Nightreign’s pre-built roster is compelling for what it is, but FromSoftware needs to bring back character creation in its most impressive form yet.

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