An Elden Ring enthusiast has embarked on an ambitious, arguably impossible, feat: daily hitless victories against the notoriously difficult Messmer boss, a challenge set to continue until the release of the upcoming co-op spin-off, Elden Ring: Nightreign. This self-imposed trial began on December 16th, 2024.
The surprise announcement of Nightreign at The Game Awards 2024, following previous developer statements suggesting Shadow of the Erdtree would conclude Elden Ring content, has generated significant excitement. This player's undertaking serves as both a personal testament to the game's enduring appeal and a unique way to build anticipation for the new title, slated for a 2025 release.
Elden Ring, celebrating its third anniversary, continues to captivate players worldwide. Its immersive world and challenging yet rewarding combat system redefined FromSoftware's success, expanding upon previous titles with a vast, unforgiving open world. This freedom of exploration, combined with the demanding combat, fueled the initial hype surrounding Elden Ring, a fervor further ignited by the Nightreign announcement.
YouTuber chickensandwich420, the player behind this Herculean effort, is meticulously documenting their progress. The challenge's difficulty stems not only from the consistent daily requirement but also from the "hitless" condition. Messmer, a boss from the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, is renowned for its demanding fight, making a hitless run exceptionally challenging. While hitless runs are common within the FromSoftware community, the sheer repetition of this undertaking transforms it into a grueling test of endurance.
The Enduring Legacy of Elden Ring Challenge Runs
Challenging self-imposed gameplay limitations have become a hallmark of the FromSoftware experience. Fans consistently devise incredibly difficult, seemingly impossible tasks, from hitless boss battles to complete game completions without taking damage. One dedicated player even achieved a hitless run through the entire FromSoftware catalog. The intricate world and boss designs within FromSoftware games directly inspire the complexity of these challenges, promising a continued surge of creative player-driven feats upon Nightreign's release.
The unexpected reveal of Elden Ring: Nightreign at The Game Awards 2024 marked a significant shift. Previous assurances that Shadow of the Erdtree would conclude the Elden Ring saga have been overturned, with Nightreign offering a new avenue for the game's world and characters to thrive, focusing on cooperative gameplay. While a precise release date remains unconfirmed, Nightreign is anticipated to launch sometime in 2025.