"Elden Ring's Nightreign Revives Dark Souls Bosses, But Lore Fans Beware"

Elden Ring Nightreign's inclusion of bosses from both current and previous FromSoft games has sparked interest and curiosity among fans. In an insightful interview with Gamespot on February 12, 2025, Nightreign's director, Junya Ishizaki, shed light on why these familiar faces are making a comeback. Dive in to discover the reasoning behind this exciting decision!

Elden Ring Nightreign Explains Why FromSoft Bosses Are Included in the Game

Nightreign Bosses are There for Gameplay Perspective

Elden Ring Nightreign seamlessly blends classic Elden Ring bosses with iconic figures from past FromSoft titles, prompting fans to ponder the lore implications. However, according to Nightreign director Junya Ishizaki, the decision to include these bosses stems primarily from gameplay considerations.

In his interview, Ishizaki clarified, "The primary reason for these existing bosses in Nightreign is from a gameplay perspective. With the new structure and style of this game, we needed a diverse range of bosses to enrich the experience. We chose to leverage what we deemed appropriate from our previous titles."

Ishizaki emphasized the affection players have for these characters and the cherished memories of facing them in previous games. "We didn't want to encroach too much on that lore aspect," he noted. "Our goal was to ensure these bosses fit seamlessly within the atmosphere and vibe of Elden Ring Nightreign."

Additionally, Ishizaki found the inclusion of past bosses to be "kind of fun." While these bosses might not significantly tie Elden Ring to other FromSoft universes through lore, fans are encouraged to focus on the primary antagonist, the Night Lord, and its potential connection to Elden Ring's overarching narrative.

Nightreign Bosses from Previous FromSoft Titles

So far, two bosses from previous FromSoft games have been confirmed for Elden Ring Nightreign: the Nameless King from Dark Souls 3 (DS3) and the Centipede Demon from Dark Souls (DS). There are also rumors swirling about the potential inclusion of The Duke's Dear Freja, a colossal, two-headed spider from Dark Souls 2.

The Nameless King, the firstborn son of Gwyn, presents a formidable challenge in DS3 with his mastery over wind and lightning. Known for his difficulty, he's an optional boss located in the Archdragon Peak, accessible only through specific sidequests.

The Centipede Demon, hailing from the original Dark Souls, is a terrifying creature with six heads capable of spewing fireballs. It's believed to have originated from the Flame of Chaos, a creation of the Witch of Izalith.

Lastly, Nightreign's trailer hints at the presence of The Duke's Dear Freja, suggested by a lone spider traversing a forested swamp. This creature bears a striking resemblance to the spiders encountered during the boss fight with The Duke's Dear Freja in Dark Souls 2, speculated to be the pet of the spider-obsessed Duke Tseldora.

While integrating these bosses into Elden Ring's lore might pose challenges, Ishizaki encourages players to appreciate them for the gameplay enhancements they bring to Nightreign, rather than overthinking their lore connections.