Summary
In a substantial departure from FromSoftware’s signature formula,Elden Ring Nightreignramps up the pace with its unorthodox roguelike gameplay structure designed around a cooperative framework. Each session inElden Ring Nightreignis essentially a race against the clock, as players progress through three in-game days and defeat bosses along the way until they eventually reach various Nightlords. The pace of this race is maintained by a shrinking ring of death similar to those found inFortniteandApex Legends, meaning players are almost always moving.
With that new design philosophy also comesnew traversal mechanics inElden Ring Nightreign, including the ability that players now have to wall jump to reach greater heights, as well as the absence of fall damage. However, even though these new traversal mechanics are fun to play with and even complementElden Ring Nightreign’s design, the absence of Torrent, the faithful mount players were accompanied by inElden Ringand its Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, is sorely felt, leaving a void in his wake.
Torrent’s Absence in Elden Ring Nightreign Is Sorely Felt
Torrent Was More Than a Mount
One of the main things that made Torrent so special inElden Ringand its subsequent DLC is that he was always more than just a mount. Sure, summoning him could get players from one area to another with relative ease, but anytime a companion like this is included in a game, there’s substantial potential for players to bond with it in a way they might not with any other NPC. This is certainly the case withElden Ring’s Torrent, whose quiet, humble nature is very easy to become fond of.
Even though these new traversal mechanics are fun to play with and even complementElden Ring Nightreign’s design, the absence of Torrent, the faithful mount players were accompanied by inElden Ringand its Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, is sorely felt, leaving a void in his wake.
Elden Ringmight be recognized as one of the most accessible FromSoftware titles yet, but it still has plenty of moments that are grim, demanding, dark, and difficult. That’s also what made Torrent such a special inclusion after years of players traversing FromSoftware’satmospheric worldson their own. There was a certain comfort that came with knowing Torrent was always right there, as he could be summoned at a moment’s notice to get players out of danger. This was especially noticeable in large boss arenas, where Torrent’s movement capabilities gave players a significant edge.
Elden Ring Nightreign’s Movement Could Benefit From Torrent’s Inclusion
By contrast,Elden Ring Nightreigndrops players into large arenas where mounted combat would feel right at home, but instead leaves them dismounted and exposed, with very little room to breathe. This isn’t the only aspect of the game that could benefit from a mount like Torrent either, asElden Ring Nightreign’s fast pacemeans it is essentially built for Torrent’s speed. Of course, some might say that this would ruin the point the ring of death, but anything can be balanced. At the very least, a mount like Torrent would help players reach greater heights more efficiently, as the wall jump can be a bit janky at times.
Players can still Surge Sprint inElden Ring Nightreign, which allows them to move faster than they could on foot inElden Ring, but even then, it doesn’t compare to the speed offered by Torrent.
Elden Ring Nightreignmay offer new traversal mechanics to match its high-octane structure, but in doing so, it lost something more meaningful than mobility. Torrent wasn’t more than just a tool for speed and verticality. Rather, he was a trusted presence, a quiet anchor in a world that constantly threatened to overwhelm those journeying through it.Elden Ring Nightreign’s traversal mechanics serve their purpose, but they still lack that personal touch, that subtle companionship that made exploringElden Ring’s open worldfeel less lonely.
