Summary
Elden Ring Nightreignhas made a big splash since its launch in more ways than one, with one of the boldest, most creative, and perhaps riskiest moves FromSoftware has ever taken. Rather than giving fans another single-player Soulslike adventure where patience, deliberation, and strategy are rewarded,Elden Ring Nightreignputs them in a roguelike race against the clock as they fight their way through hordes of enemies and challenge bosses to improve their characters in time for a final Nightlord at the end of every three-day expedition. By and large, there’s nothing quite like it, but that doesn’t mean it has been able to avoid every comparison with other experiences.
As far as Soulslikes go, there really isn’t anything likeElden Ring Nightreign. Those who have followed FromSoftware for some time to the point of becoming experts in the field have likely never played anything remotely close toNightreign, as it blends mechanics from various genres that might have been previously detached from one another. Sure, it bears similarities toElden Ringand other Soulslikes, and it even mimicsroguelike games likeRisk of RainandHades. However, another unlikely franchise it shares some similarities with doesn’t really do it any favors, as it really serves to expose its limitations more than anything else.
Elden Ring Nightreign’s Monster Hunter Similarities Are Its Biggest Critic
The Monster Hunter Comparison Isn’t Just Superficial
From the moment players begin an expedition inElden Ring Nightreign, the similarities it bears toMonster Hunterare hard to ignore. Team-based hunts, a mission structure that ends in giant boss battles, and even the terminology itself all echo Capcom’s long-running franchise. Sure,Monster Huntermay not incorporate traditional roguelike elements into the mix likeElden Ring Nightreigndoes, but everything else FromSoftware’s latest title capitalizes on makes it feel every bit like a SoulslikeMonster Huntergame.
Elden Ring Nightreign’s comparisons toMonster Hunterhave been drawn for some time now, even ahead of its release, giving the perspective even more weight. And while some might argue thatElden Ring Nightreignisn’t anything likeMonster Hunter, those arguments are largely based on everythingNightreigndoes thatMonster Hunterdoesn’t do. Even when highlighting those elements, though,Nightreignstill exudesMonster Hunterin its most prominent aspects.
When the Imitation Highlights the Gaps
The unfortunate reality of these comparisons, however, is that whereMonster Hunterthrives in variety,Nightreignrestricts players with some understandable but weighty limitations. It’s possible to customizeNightfarers inElden Ring Nightreignusing Relics, but this customization system pales in comparison toMonster Hunter’s crafted builds that make every character feel like a personalized extension of the player. These predefined chracter classes are largely locked into a particular playstyle, unlike the more personal creations offered by theMonster Hunterseries. While that structure certainly supports balance inElden Ring Nightreign, it still comes at the cost of creativity and experimentation, particularly for fans coming from RPG-heavy experiences.
Monster Hunter’s freedom doesn’t end in class choice and customization either, but also how players explore and even engage solo.Nightreign’s fixed three-player structurefeels inflexible, unlike the personal approachMonster Hunterallows its players to take. Duo play isn’t supported at launch, although there are plans for it to be added, and solo players are met with uneven difficulty that currently doesn’t scale well. Add to that the absence of meaningful exploration between encounters, and it becomes clear thatNightreign’s similarities toMonster Hunteronly make its shortcomings more obvious.
The unfortunate reality of these comparisons, however, is that whereMonster Hunterthrives in variety,Nightreignrestricts players with some understandable but weighty limitations.
Of course, these are things that can’t be changed aboutElden Ring Nightreigndue to its chosen gameplay structure, and that part of it all makes sense. Nevertheless, something with the name “Elden Ring” carries with it certain expectations when it comes to freedom — expectations thatMonster Hunteralmost always meets with its own emphasis on player agency. Perhaps some of these limitations will become a bit less restrictive as time goes on, but that remains to be seen for now.
