Elden Ring Nightreignexcels on several fronts, but class distinction and combat may be its strongest suits.Nightreign’s slew of unique Nightfarers facilitates dozens of hours of varied, engaging gameplay, as there’s plenty of room for experimentation and progression along each character vector. Naturally,Elden Ring Nightreign’s combat is still built around the soulslike framework, but it has enough differences to feel exciting and novel.
One of the mostexperimental Nightfarers is Recluse, a magic-focused character who takes control of the elements for maximum devastation. Deceptively powerful, swift, and versatile, Recluse slings spells at enemies from afar, Hoovering up affinity residues to replenish FP and charge special attacks. Indeed, she is surprisingly fun to play as, and her combat design makes a strong case for more inventive magic systems in future FromSoftware games, like the long-rumoredSpellbound. Sadly, news aboutSpellboundhas died down, leading many to believe that the rumors lack credence, or that the project was otherwise scrapped or delayed. But regardless of whetherSpellboundexists, Recluse is a great jumping-off point for deeper, more engaging magic within FromSoft’s signature combat design.
How Elden Ring Nightreign Elevates Magic Use With Recluse
Recluse Addresses Many Shortcomings of FromSoftware’s Magic Systems
While the actual act of casting spells is mostly the same with Recluse as it is inElden Ring’s base game, her passive ability and character skill do a lot to change the moment-to-moment gameplay. The aforementioned affinity residues, for instance, remedy the ever-present frustration of running out of FP: it can be difficult to play as a mage inElden RingorDark Soulswithout constantly topping up FP with a flask, which can be a dull and oppressively finite practice. By consuming affinity residues, Recluse players are able to circumvent this restriction in an active and engaging way. Instead of just giving players unlimited FP,Nightreign’s inclusion of affinity residues encourages aggression and quick-thinking, making the overall combat loop both more accessible and deeper.
Then there’sRecluse’s Magic Cocktailcharacter skill: upon consuming three affinity residues, Recluse can unleash a special ability, but this ability will be different depending on which residues are consumed. For instance, three magic residues will summon magic wisps that deal damage, while three holy residues boost defenses. Mixing and matching different residues can lead to unexpected effects, which is fitting considering the intense focus characteristic of FromSoftware’s magic users: by learning which affinity residue combos are best for a given situation,Nightreignplayers may feel like they are engaging in the same rigorous intellectual labor as Recluse herself. In other words, the unassuming depth of the Magic Cocktail skill further deepens Recluse’s combat sandbox.
How a Magic-Focused FromSoftware Game Could Learn from Recluse’s Mechanics
If FromSoftware ever does end up taking a crack at a magic-centric RPG down the road, then Recluse feels like the obvious intermediary, a stopgap between the traditionalsoulslike combat ofElden Ringand the magic-heavy gameplay of this theoretical future title. Such a game wouldn’t need to—and arguably shouldn’t—copy Recluse’s combat design verbatim, but encouraging players to be similarly thoughtful and strategic would have obvious benefits. After all, mages are supposed to be intelligent and cunning, so their gameplay should be more complex than simply spamming an attack button and chugging FP flasks.
Managing FP, mana, or whatever other term FromSoft would use in a future title, while also ensuring a good blend of quick-thinking and long-term planning, could be crucial pillars of a futureFromSoftware magic game. The foundation for these pillars has already been set withElden RingNightreign’s Recluse; hopefully, FromSoftware continues to build them in a future title.
Elden Ring Nightreign
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“ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN is a standalone adventure within the ELDEN RING universe, crafted to offer players a new gaming experience by reimagining the game’s core design.Join forces with other players to take on the creeping night and the dangers within featuring 3-player co-op.Take command of uniquely skilled heroes, each possessing their own abilities and distinct flair.While individually formidable, their skills create powerful synergies when they unite as a team.Overcome a relentless environmental threat that sweeps through a land that changes between each game session and defeat the magnificent boss of that night!”
