Summary
Elden Ring Nightreignis certainly an ambitious experience, to say the least. Rather than FromSoftware giving fans another challenging single-player action RPG, the developer opted for a spin-off that takes the foundation of one of its most successful titles and builds on it with brand-new gameplay mechanics that take some time to warm up to. While FromSoft has been upfront about what kind of gameElden Ring Nightreignis, it still hasn’t been able to avoid critical comparisons to its namesake, particularly when it comes to its fast pace and cooperative framework.
The thing is,Elden Ring Nightreign’s fast pacefits its design, which sees players racing against the clock and an encroaching ring of death in each session to defeat various Nightlord bosses on their way to the game’s overarching antagonist. Nevertheless, this increase in pace is a stark contrast from classic Soulslike titles — evenElden Ringitself — and the atmosphere and exploration brought about by the slower movement of those titles is lost in the process. As such,Elden Ring Nightreigncould benefit from one optional gameplay mode that might help balance things out a bit more for those who miss that classicElden Ringfeel.
Elden Ring Nightreign Could Use a Free-Roam Mode
A Free-Roam Mode Would Give Nightreign Time to Breathe
Again, it’s not that FromSoftware hasn’t been open about the kind of game thatElden Ring Nightreignis, which ultimately justifies its pacing. Rather, it’s that the spin-off title alienates certainfans ofElden Ringwho appreciate the game for its atmosphere and world-building, especially when it comes to the freedom it offers players to explore at their own pace and play the way they wish.Elden Ring Nightreign’s biggest “weakness,” then, is that it is too limiting for those fans to enjoy, but something like a free-roam mode might help to alleviate that.
Players can access the cliff by which they leave for expeditions via an open archway in the Roundtable Hold, and this would be a great way for them to initiate a free-roam mode inElden Ring Nightreign.
Currently, the only way to experienceElden Ring Nightreign’s alternateLands Betweenis by way of the game’s expeditions, which send players on a three-day mission to defeat specific Nightlords. The catch, however, is that the first two days of each expedition are timed, and that clock runs out rather quickly, thereby stripping players of their freedom to explore the world and simply take it all in. With an optional free-roam mode that rewards players with limited upgrades or cosmetic enhancements, players could explore the world freely without time constraints, and they might then feel more inclined to tackle the game’s expeditions.
A Free-Roam Mode Could Serve as a Way for Players to Orient Themselves
A free-roam mode inElden Ring Nightreigncould also serve as a way for players to orient themselves in the world. At the moment, new and casual players may feel a bit intimidated by the pressure ofElden Ring Nightreign’s gameplay loop, which, in turn, might have them leaning more on the expertise of more experienced players instead of actually learning the ins and outs of the game’s map. This is where a free-roam mode would come in handy, as players could take their time familiarizing themselves withElden Ring Nightreign’s mapso they can be of more use when going on expeditions with other players.
With an optional free-roam mode that rewards players with limited upgrades or cosmetic enhancements, players could explore the world freely without time constraints, and they might then feel more inclined to tackle the game’s expeditions.
WhileElden Ring Nightreignclearly has its own identity, the absence of a slower, more exploratory mode feels like a missed opportunity. The game’sfast-paced gameplayis effective in creating tension and urgency, but it overlooks the value of quiet moments that allow players to connect with the world itself. A dedicated free-roam mode would cater to fans who miss that classicElden Ringrhythm, but it would also help players learn, adapt, and ultimately engage more with the experienceNightreignwants to offer.
