Elden Ring Nightreign: Difficulty Tweaks Incoming After Beta Feedback Spurs FromSoftware to Action

Elden Ring Nightreign, the highly anticipated co-op spin-off from FromSoftware, is set to launch on May 30. But before players dive into this new iteration of the Lands Between, the developers are promising some significant adjustments based on feedback from the recent network test. Will this make the game more accessible or compromise its core challenge?

The network test in February provided valuable insights into player experiences, particularly concerning the game's difficulty. Data revealed that the final boss, Nightlord Gladius, Beast of Night, was defeated significantly fewer times (58,615) compared to mini-bosses. This discrepancy prompted FromSoftware to re-evaluate the balance.

Junya Ishizaki, Nightreign's game director, stated in an interview with PlayStation that the team had "received a lot of helpful feedback regarding the difficulty" and, as a result, has made adjustments to strike a balance between challenging and manageable. He also revealed that Gladius would receive updates to enhance the experience, details of which remain under wraps.

Beyond the difficulty, players also struggled with understanding map elements and character movesets during the network test. FromSoftware has also addressed these concerns by ensuring the information is presented more clearly in the final version, says Ishizaki.

One key change coming to Nightreign is the ability to determine a boss's weakness before engaging in combat. This allows players to proactively search for items and gear that capitalize on those vulnerabilities, adding a layer of strategic depth to each run.

"So, if poison is effective against an upcoming boss, you may proactively search for and loot items that inflict poison more often in that run. Taking advantage of their susceptibility will give you an edge in the fights," Ishizaki explained. He emphasized that players would need to constantly adapt and evolve their strategies as the game progresses.

Ishizaki elaborated on the game design, emphasizing the focus on "compelling combat." He noted that the character builds and world map elements are intentionally designed to encourage strategic combat. The game's unique revival system, where players revive incapacitated teammates by attacking them, is another example of how FromSoftware is leveraging existing assets in interesting ways.

These changes suggest a more refined approach to the Elden Ring Nightreign formula. The team is clearly aiming to retain the core elements that make Elden Ring so beloved while also creating something a bit more approachable and easier to pick up.

With only weeks until release, the gaming community eagerly awaits the final product. Will these adjustments hit the mark, or will they dilute the franchise's famous difficulty? Only time will tell.

What are your thoughts on these changes? Are you excited or concerned about the difficulty tweaks in Elden Ring Nightreign? Share your opinions in the comments below!

• Elden Ring
• FromSoftware
• Nightreign

Related issues news

Will Nightreign be crossplay?

Unfortunately (and we already knew this before the overview trailer came out), Elden Ring Nightreign won't have crossplay functionality.

Is Elden Ring Nightreign co-op?

Elden Ring Nightreign takes place in a reimagined Limgrave called Limveld. It's a standalone game focused on three-player co-op, where you pick from eight unique characters called Nightfarers.

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