Summary
A game likeNightreignwas always going to have comparisons drawn toprevious FromSoftware games, what with the returning bosses and continuation of theElden Ringname. It borrows plenty from the past but also brings with it plenty of new features, many of which are welcome changes to previously poorly implemented systems.
From streamlining certain gameplay elements to fit the faster pace, to improving basic areas that were frankly quite outdated, the game demonstrates a lot of innovation and shows that FromSoftware isn’t just a one-trick pony that recycles the same things over and over.
8Classes
Choices That Actually Matter
One of the best additions to the game are the Nightfarers,who bring with them unique playstylesand gameplay approaches that are far more distinct than the class options that existed before. In a game likeDark Souls, players would choose between a few basic characters that had slightly different stats and starting weapons, but the options were fairly limited and only served as a simple starting point.
But inNighreign, each character has their own set of abilities that only they have access to, as well as certain weapon types that are particularly powerful with them. However, players are never locked into one route and can switch weapon types on the fly if they decide they want to be a mage with a battle axe or an archer with a greatsword.
7Codex
Information In The Palm Of Your Hands
When players journey through the dark worlds of FromSoftware’s catalog, they often find themselves picking up dozens of weapons, taking down many enemies, and, of course, dying plenty of times. But despite all this, there has never been a handy way of seeing all this information, including tutorials, something whichNightreignchose to include in a big way.
The visual codex is a library of knowledge that players can access right from the start, containing everything from weapon lists and stats to run information to track thosesuccessful Nightlord kills. It’s great to have this little piece of extra info with no extra requirements to unlock it, and it is certainly something that would be great to have in future titles.
6Multiplayer
No More Waiting For Signs
FromSoftware has always had a strange relationship with multiplayer gameplay. In order to create a more immersive experience, they opted to use certain items and summon signs as a way of connecting with other players, but that system often either didn’t work or was prone to issues, which paved the way for the modding community to step in with seamless co-op mods and more.
Thankfully, those problems are now all gone, and players can simply click the invite button or queue up in the matchmaking window without any further input needed. The reason for this is, of course, due to the cooperative nature of the game, but it seems like a great time for FromSoftware to update their co-op systems for the future, to make playing together fun again and not just a chore.
5Tutorial
Learn The Ropes With More Than Just Dying
Soulslikes are notorious for their difficulty, and FromSoftware never exactly helped out new players with a nice, calming tutorial and instead often thrust them straight into a boss battle with just a few tooltips to prepare them.Nightreignstill has the boss fight that players are supposed to die to, but the tutorial section is much more in-depth and provides way more information to the player than a couple of keybinds.
With a whole new set of systems to learn, each feature has its own section where it explains how it works and how it fits into the context of the world itself. And, if players ever need a refresher, they can check the codex for information or even replay the entire tutorial to take on the boss once again with their new knowledge.
4Leveling
Simplifying All Those Confusing Stats
The leveling systems in games likeDark Soulshave always been both simple yet also incredibly complex. Players get enough souls and go to level up, and are greeted by a huge screen of information that is a lot to take in all at once. Do they level up their health first, or do they need more stamina, and what does arcane even do?
Nightreignerases this problem entirely, letting players simply click the level button and instantly gain all the stats at once without having to manually choose between them. It does take away some of the choice, but it allows players to get right back into the action, and it seems like the logical fit for a game like this and future titles likeThe Duskbloodsthat are more interested in fighting than slow-burn progression.
3Equipment
Weight And Requirements No Longer
In the past, players would take down a tricky boss fight inElden Ringand be rewarded with a super cool-looking weapon that they would love to equip. But oftentimes, they are greeted with a red icon saying they don’t have the necessary stats, or if they do, that using the weapon will give them a nice heavy roll, thanks to the added weight.
Those woes are finally gone now, as players can run around Limveld without ever getting overencumbered and are free to grab any weapon they like and use it to its fullest potential right away. Weapons are instead restricted only by level, which is a very minor barrier that is easily crossed, and what makes the new system even better isthe weapon passivesthat come from equipping any weapon, meaning that players can run around with a full six slots full and gain all the power from them without ever getting weighed down.
2Story
Lore And Questlines Galore
TheSoulsseries has never been direct when it comes to its storytelling or narrative cohesion. Lore details are left scattered around the map for players to piece together, and it has taken decades to unravel some of the mysteries that the worlds have to offer, creating both a fascinating and also quite frustrating experience.
Now, players are instead given lore and story on a silver platter thanks to the remembrances quests that give context to each Nightfarer and their place in the world. Previously, quests were much more ambiguous and required careful attention, memory, and a few visits to the Wiki, but now players can grab a quest and enjoy the storyline in a much more straightforward manner that doesn’t involve any hair-pulling or head-scratching.
1The Map
Better UI And An Easier Time Getting Around
Elden Ringhasalready made a big leap for FromSoftware with its large open-world map that is far more expansive and rich than anything seen before it. The ability to pull up a physical map of the layout is incredibly useful, especially given the scale of some of the areas and the complexity of the terrain. But even with a nice visual, getting around could sometimes be a bit awkward, despite a trusty mount.
Nightreignmade the bold move to get rid of Torrent, but replaced it with a faster sprint, a wall-jump, and more opportunities to fly across the map at great speeds, to remove the issue of getting stuck. Also, the UI itself has been improved, with better icons that explain the kinds of loot and a few other details to make the exploration feel more fluid and intuitive for the player. The map is by no means gigantic, but the traversal across it is way better than before and gives the player a lot more freedom in how they want to approach every obstacle on their way to victory.
