I remember the buzz in early 2025 when Bandai Namco and FromSoftware opened registrations for the ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN Closed Network Test. Now, sitting here in 2026, with the full game having launched in 2025, I can safely say that test was a sign of things to come. The test ran from Feb. 14-17, and it gave three-player squads a taste of a standalone co-op PvE experience set in the ELDEN RING universe. I was one of the many players who signed up, hoping to get a shot at the Nightlord. No cap, the wait was brutal.
What Exactly Is Nightreign?
ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN is not a simple spin-off. It is a standalone multiplayer co-op PvE game set in a parallel universe to the events of ELDEN RING. Your journey begins at the Roundtable Hold, and from there you pick from eight unique characters, each with their own abilities and powerful Ultimates. I loved how every Nightfarer felt like a different flavor of chaos.
The action takes place in Limveld, an ever-changing environment where you have to make split-second decisions. A night cycle shrinks the map with the coming Night's Tide, so you cannot just sit back and smell the roses. At the end of each night, you face a powerful boss. Win, and you awaken to bigger challenges. Each session culminates on the third night when you must face the chosen Nightlord. You can fight alone, but strength comes in numbers. Nightfarers must learn to cooperate, combining their unique abilities for an unparalleled experience. And if you fall? All is not lost. Unsuccessful runs grant relics that let you customize and upgrade your characters to fit your personal play style.
The Closed Network Test: A Weekend I Won't Forget
The Closed Network Test was only available for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. It allowed three players to team up and take their chosen Nightfarers into battle against new terrors, explore an ever-changing map, defeat increasingly challenging bosses, and ultimately take on the Nightlord. I jumped on the bandwagon as soon as registration opened. The test was a tight, condensed slice of what was to come, and it hit different.
Here is a quick breakdown of the key details from that test and the full launch:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Closed Network Test dates | Feb. 14-17, 2025 |
| Test platforms | PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S |
| Full launch platforms | PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X and S, Xbox One, PC via Steam |
| Squad size | 3 players |
| Session structure | 3 day-and-night cycles |
| Final boss | Nightlord |
| Playable characters | 8 Nightfarers |
| Progression | Relics, stat bonuses, Sites of Grace |
Core Loop: A Condensed Action RPG That Keeps You Guessing
FromSoftware described NIGHTREIGN as unlike any experience it had created before. I can confirm that. In this condensed action RPG, you never experience the same journey twice. Enemies, rewards, and Limveld itself are ever-shifting and evolving with each new session. Defeating greater enemies and venturing into the more dangerous parts of the map uncovers more powerful weapons and greater Rune rewards. Finding Sites of Grace gives each hero a chance to level up and gain crucial power. Each session-based adventure is akin to playing through an open-air dungeon, and every journey provides an opportunity to grow lasting stat bonuses. Successful runs against the night bring players ever closer to defeating the Nightlord and unraveling the story behind each Nightfarer in this parallel world.
My Verdict from 2026
Now that we are in 2026, I can look back at that network test with a lot of nostalgia. The full game launched in 2025, and the core loop from the test carried over beautifully. It is a wild ride that rewards teamwork, quick thinking, and a little bit of luck. If you have not jumped on the bandwagon yet, what are you waiting for? The Nightlord is not going to defeat itself. Just remember: teamwork makes the dream work. And if you bite the dust, relics are your ace in the hole. So grab two friends, pick your Nightfarer, and call it a night—because the Night's Tide waits for no one. 🌙⚔️🎮