FromSoftware has announced a network test for Elden Ring: Nightreign, an online multiplayer spin-off of the popular game, set for early 2025. Registrations for the test, available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, will open on January 10, with the test commencing in February. The game features a three-person squad mode, a day-and-night cycle, and randomized environments, with a focus on stylized combat and roguelike elements. While the playtest is limited to newer consoles, the full game will also be available on PS4, Xbox One, and PC.
FromSoftware surprised fans at the Game Awards 2024 by unveiling Elden Ring Nightreign, a co-op focused survival game featuring massive boss battles. Scheduled for a 2025 release on multiple platforms, Nightreign emphasizes cooperative gameplay as a core element. This announcement follows the recent release of the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, showcasing FromSoftware's prolific output in recent years.
Bandai Namco and FromSoftware have announced Elden Ring Nightreign, a standalone cooperative multiplayer action RPG set in the Elden Ring universe, scheduled for release in 2025 on PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One, and PC. The game will feature three-player cooperative play, allowing players to command uniquely skilled heroes to combat environmental threats and bosses in a dynamic world.
FromSoftware has confirmed that it is not currently developing a sequel to its hit game Elden Ring, instead focusing on multiple other projects across different genres. Director Hidetaka Miyazaki mentioned that while the Elden Ring IP might be explored in the future, the studio is currently working on diverse games, some directed by other developers. This approach aligns with FromSoftware's history of creating unique titles beyond sequels. Meanwhile, Sony's potential acquisition of Kadokawa Corporation, a major investor in FromSoftware, could influence the studio's future direction.
FromSoftware's Hidetaka Miyazaki confirmed that Elden Ring 2 is not currently in development, although the franchise will continue in some form. Despite the success of Elden Ring and its DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, the studio is focusing on multiple projects, possibly including another Armored Core game. Additionally, there are reports of Sony's interest in acquiring FromSoftware's parent company, Kadokawa.
The nomination of 'Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree' for Game of the Year at the 2024 Game Awards has sparked controversy, as many argue that DLCs and expansions should not compete in the same categories as full games. Critics suggest that a separate category for Best DLC/Expansion should be created, as Shadow of the Erdtree, despite its quality, is not a standalone game and requires the original Elden Ring to play. This decision has led to debates about the fairness of the current nomination rules.
The Game Awards has updated its rules to allow DLCs and expansions to be eligible for Game of the Year nominations, sparking debate over whether such content should be considered standalone games. This change comes as Elden Ring's expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, is highly acclaimed, but some argue that expansions requiring the base game should not qualify for GOTY. The rule change does not guarantee nominations, and the decision remains controversial among gamers and industry professionals.
The Register's gaming column for 2023 highlighted a personal journey through various games, with a special focus on Baldur's Gate 3, which consumed four months of the columnist's life and was deemed the best game played, surpassing Divinity: Original Sin 2. The article also revisited the Dark Souls series, praised for its level design and combat, and touched on other titles like Subnautica: Below Zero, The Last of Us Part I, and the underwhelming Starfield. Additionally, it covered indie games like Chants of Sennaar and the multiplayer game Foxhole, showcasing a diverse year in gaming experiences.
ArcheAge 2, an upcoming MMORPG from Kakao Games, is set to captivate fans of Elden Ring and Hogwarts Legacy with its Unreal Engine 5 graphics and action-based combat. Slated for a post-2024 release, the game promises an immersive single-player storyline with robust multiplayer elements, set in a familiar yet distinct timeline from its predecessor. The game will feature an open world with non-linear progression, enhanced trade and housing systems, and the ability to create player towns. The first trailer showcases stunning environments, improved character models, and intense combat against formidable foes, signaling a significant leap from the original ArcheAge.
Lords of the Fallen (2023) is a reboot of the 2014 game, with a focus on community feedback and a new core feature called Umbra, a second world that exists in tandem with the main one. The game is heavily inspired by Dark Souls and is being developed using Unreal Engine 5. The main character is now a character creator, and there are more classes, difficulty, complexity, and scale. The game is aiming to innovate safely and carve out its own niche in the mainstream soulslike genre.
