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 launch, a network test exclusively on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S will run from February 14th to 17th, but not continuously. Play will be limited to five three-hour sessions:

Elden Ring Nightreign Network Test Session Times:

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

This test, according to Bandai Namco, is a "preliminary verification test" to evaluate the online system's performance.

Set in a parallel universe to the original Elden Ring, Nightreign features three-player cooperative gameplay. Players select from eight unique Nightfarers, each with distinct abilities and "Ultimates," to battle new threats in the ever-changing Limveld. The game incorporates a three-day-and-night cycle, with the "Night's Tide" shrinking the playable map. Each night culminates in a boss fight, leading to the final confrontation with the Nightlord on the third night. Failure isn't terminal; defeat yields relics for character customization and upgrades.

Here's the official description:

Elden Ring Nightreign begins at the Roundtable Hold in a parallel universe. Choose from eight unique characters, each with unique abilities and powerful Ultimates. Explore the ever-changing Limveld, making split-second decisions during a night cycle that shrinks the map. Conquer nightly boss battles, unlocking greater challenges with each victory. The final challenge is the Nightlord on the third night. Cooperation is key, combining abilities for success. Defeat grants relics for character upgrades, ensuring each playthrough is unique. Enemies, rewards, and Limveld itself evolve with every session. Sites of Grace offer leveling opportunities and lasting stat bonuses. Each session is like an open-air dungeon, offering growth and progression towards defeating the Nightlord and uncovering the Nightfarers' stories.

IGN's hands-on preview described Nightreign as "turbocharg[ing] the cautious dungeon crawls of Elden Ring into propulsive, slash ‘n’ dash speedruns." For more details, see IGN's interview with game director Junya Ishizaki. [Link to IGN interview would go here]