FromSoftware released its first fully co-op focused soulslike game, Nightreign, in May 2025, marking a departure from traditional single-player experiences. The title offers a roguelite structure with multiplayer elements, encouraging players to collaborate against challenging bosses. Early player experiences highlight its replayability and innovative combat features.
FromSoftware ventured into new territory with Nightreign, launched in May 2025 as a multiplayer game dedicated to co-operative play. Unlike previous titles in the Dark Souls series and Elden Ring, which included optional summoning and invasions, Nightreign requires teamwork to tackle its fast-paced, highly challenging encounters, unless players opt to solo bosses.
The game presents a roguelite format with expeditions culminating in battles against formidable Nightlords. Players can queue with friends or strangers, fostering moments of triumph through coordinated strategies. One notable example involved three players selecting the Undertaker class to defeat a DLC boss; despite one ally falling near victory, the remaining duo prioritized revival, ensuring a shared success. Such instances underscore Nightreign's emphasis on collaboration and its satisfying payoff when plans align with the game's random elements.
Nightreign promotes extensive experimentation, equipping players with diverse Skills and Abilities reminiscent of hero shooters, alongside mechanics like climbing and consumable items with passive effects. Classes vary widely, from strength-based builds to spell-slinging witches, spirit-summoning dolls, and katana wielders, allowing quick switches without resource grinding. Weapons like the Envoy's Horn, dual-wielding daggers, and the Rotten Battle Hammer have surprised players, expanding build possibilities beyond familiar greatswords or sacred seals.
As a live service-lite title, Nightreign relies on updates and DLC for longevity, serving as a testing ground for combat innovations. These could influence future FromSoftware projects, potentially introducing features like toggleable sprinting or seamless co-op. Looking ahead, fans await Duskbloods, an eight-player PvPvE game slated for Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026.
