"Elden Ring Nightreign Release Date Announced"

Elden Ring Nightreign, a highly anticipated standalone co-operative spin-off from FromSoftware, is set to launch on May 30, 2025, priced at $40. This exciting new title will be available across PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam, as confirmed by publisher Bandai Namco.

Ahead of its release, a crucial network test for Elden Ring Nightreign is scheduled to begin on February 14 and conclude on February 17, exclusively on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Participants should note that the test will not be accessible throughout the entire four days but will be limited to five specific three-hour windows:

• February 14: 3am-6am PT / 6am-9am ET
• February 14: 7pm-10pm PT / 10pm-1am ET
• February 15: 11am-2pm PT / 2pm-5pm ET
• February 16: 3am-6am PT / 6am-9am ET
• February 16: 7pm-10pm PT / 10pm-1am ET

This network test serves as a "preliminary verification test" where selected testers will explore a segment of the game before its official launch. Bandai Namco emphasizes that this large-scale Network Stress Test aims to assess the online system's functionality and performance, encouraging testers to contribute to enhancing Elden Ring Nightreign.

Elden Ring Nightreign introduces players to a world parallel to that of the original Elden Ring, set in the Roundtable Hold. Players can select from eight unique characters, each boasting distinct abilities and powerful Ultimates. The game takes place in Limveld, an ever-changing environment where players must navigate through combat and exploration amidst a shrinking map due to the Night’s Tide.

Each session in Elden Ring Nightreign involves a three-day-and-night cycle, culminating in confrontations with increasingly challenging bosses, culminating on the third night with a battle against the Nightlord. Players can choose to face these challenges alone or team up in groups of three to combine their unique abilities, enhancing their chances of success. Even in defeat, players earn relics that allow for character customization and upgrades, tailoring the experience to their preferred playstyle.

FromSoftware promises that Elden Ring Nightreign offers a unique, ever-evolving action RPG experience, where no two journeys are the same. With shifting enemies, rewards, and landscapes, players will uncover powerful weapons and Rune rewards by defeating formidable foes and exploring dangerous areas. Sites of Grace offer opportunities to level up and gain essential power, while each session acts as an open-air dungeon, providing chances to accrue lasting stat bonuses. Successful runs against the night bring players closer to defeating the Nightlord and uncovering the stories of each Nightfarer in this parallel universe.

Last year, IGN had the privilege of going hands-on with an early build of Elden Ring Nightreign at FromSoftware. The experience left us impressed, noting that the game "takes the cautious dungeon crawls of Elden Ring and turbocharges them into propulsive, slash ‘n’ dash speedruns." For further insights, don't miss IGN's interview with game director Junya Ishizaki about Elden Ring Nightreign.