Looks like a fever dream, but at least the game delivers on what the title promises and it's currently free to obtain from the shop.

I have nothing else to say except 10/10

For the Right Player, Nightreign Might Be Something Special.

Elden Ring: Nightreign dares to fuse the brutal elegance of Soulslike gameplay with the unpredictability of roguelike mechanics. On paper, it sounds like the ultimate test for veteran players. In practice, the launch was rocky – plagued by technical issues and some design choices that didn’t quite land for everyone, myself included.

From what little time I spent in the game, I felt that releasing Nightreign as a standalone title, rather than an expansion or DLC to Elden Ring, might not have been the wisest decision. The vast majority of players diving into Nightreign already own the base game, so this could’ve worked better as a seamless continuation or mode.

That being said, the core pillars of what makes a FromSoft game great are still present: hauntingly beautiful environments, mesmerizing boss designs, and a combat system that’s as punishing as it is rewarding. No one needs convincing on that front — it’s FromSoftware, after all.

I personally refunded the game, not out of spite, but because I simply don’t have the luxury of consistently playing with a group of friends and I don't feel ready playing with strangers yet. I also walked in with little preparation and, as someone who’s still relatively new to Soulslikes, this may not be the right entry point for me just yet.

Still, I fully intend to return to Nightreign once solo or duo play sees some improvement (or implantation)— or when I feel ready for what it demands. Elden Ring was a game I believed everyone who calls themselves a gamer should experience (like I said in my ELDEN RING review). Nightreign, in contrast, has a more focused audience — and maybe I’m just not part of it right now.

But here's the important part:
Despite my refund, I’m leaving a positive review. Why? Because Nightreign is one of the rare online-focused games in 2025 that doesn't exploit players with microtransactions or FOMO-driven content. That alone deserves recognition and support. If more developers followed FromSoft’s example: crafting games with respect for their audience instead of squeezing them dry, the industry would be a better place. I’ll be back, Nightreign. Just give me time.