Elden Ring Nightreign Release Date Confirmed

Elden Ring Nightreign, a standalone cooperative spin-off from FromSoftware, launches May 30, 2025, priced at $40 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC (Steam).

Before the full release, a network test will run exclusively on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S from February 14-17, featuring five three-hour sessions across those days. This "preliminary verification test," as Bandai Namco describes it, aims to evaluate the online system's performance.

Elden Ring Nightreign Network Test Session Times (PT/ET):

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

Set in a parallel universe to the original Elden Ring, Nightreign features three-player cooperative gameplay. Players, as Nightfarers, choose from eight unique characters and battle new enemies across the ever-changing map of Limveld, facing increasingly challenging bosses, culminating in a confrontation with the Nightlord. The game features a three-day-and-night cycle impacting gameplay and map size.

Here's a summary of the gameplay:

Elden Ring Nightreign begins at the Roundtable Hold. Players select from eight unique characters, each with distinct abilities and Ultimates. Limveld, a dynamic environment, presents split-second combat and exploration decisions, impacted by the Night's Tide which shrinks the playable area. Each night ends with a boss battle; victory unlocks greater challenges. The final night's battle against the Nightlord concludes each session. Failure provides relics for character customization and upgrades. Every session offers a unique experience due to shifting enemies, rewards, and map alterations. Sites of Grace allow leveling and stat boosts, and successful runs grant lasting stat bonuses.

IGN's hands-on preview described Nightreign as "turbocharg[ing] the cautious dungeon crawls of Elden Ring into propulsive, slash ‘n’ dash speedruns." Further details are available in IGN's interview with game director Junya Ishizaki.