While co-op and multiplayer invasions have played a somewhat significant role in all of FromSoftware’s action-RPGs of the last decade, they’ve been far from the stars of the show.FromSoftware’s formulais most often associated with single-player exploration and tough-as-nails one-on-one boss fights against hulking bosses. ButElden Ring Nightreignchanges all of that.
For the first time in FromSoftware’s recent history,Elden Ring Nightreignhas put online multiplayer at the forefront of its experience, delivering a 3-player co-op roguelike game that requires constant communication and teamwork to conquer. But it seemsNightreignis just the first step in a new journey for FromSoft, withThe Duskbloods, another multiplayer-focused title, already on the horizon. But beforeThe Duskbloodsrushes onto store shelves, there are a few lessons it should learn fromElden Ring Nightreign’s debut.
What Elden Ring Nightreign Should Teach The Duskbloods
The Bloodsworn Need to Feel Just as Distinct as The Nightfarers
One ofElden Ring Nightreign’s greatest strengths is its set ofeight distinct Nightfarer classes. Each Nightfarer comes equipped with a unique weapon proficiency and starting weapon, along with a specialized set of abilities including a Character Skill, a passive ability, and an all-powerful Ultimate Art.
Each ofNightreign’s Nightfarersis incredibly distinct right out of the gate, adding a great deal of variety to the game’s roguelike loop. Each class encourages players to try out entirely new strategies, wield new weapons, and experiment with playstyles they might otherwise never try in a traditional Soulslike experience.
FromSoftware’s Hidetaka Miyazakihas already confirmed that there will be “over a dozen” character classes available inThe Duskbloods. Named the Bloodsworn, these vampiric figures seem to already be following in the Nightfarers' footsteps, with each one apparently coming equipped with a unique assortment of armaments and abilities, as well as unique forms of customization.
The Duskbloods Needs to be Fun Without a Group
ThoughElden Ring Nightreigntechnically has a solo mode, it’s not very fun to play. While enemies' health and damage are scaled down, the sheer abundance of enemies makes its solo mode incredibly difficult to get through, as it’s clear the vast majority of encounters were designed with three players in mind.
TakingElden Ring Nightreign’s multiplayerfocus one step further,The Duskbloodswill see up to eight players engage in a PvPvE round-based experience. There’s no current word on whether players will be jumping into a match solo or in teams, butThe Duskbloodsneeds to learn fromNightreign’s launch and ensure that the solo experience is at least enjoyable on day one.
The Duskbloods Needs to Have Meaningful Meta Progression
Meta progression plays a vital role in any multiplayer game, with it often being the thing driving players to keep coming back.Elden Ring Nightreign’s meta progressionrevolves around its Relic system, which can be a bit of a mixed bag. While some Relics can be very worthwhile upgrades, others can be extremely lackluster, and the RNG nature ofNightreign’s loop leads to a very uneven experience overall.
FromSoftware has already confirmed that finishing a match ofThe Duskbloodswill reward the player with Victory Points that they can use to customize their Bloodsworn. These Victory Points should go beyond cosmetic rewards, though, and allow players to upgrade their characters in a more linear, traditional fashion, ensuring a satisfying progression system.
