Elden Ring Nightreign Channels the Spirit of a Forgotten God of War Game

Elden Ring's upcoming multiplayer spin-off, Nightreign, recently underwent its first network tests. Unlike the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, Nightreign diverges significantly from its parent game's open-world structure, adopting a streamlined survival format. Three-player teams compete in shrinking maps, battling enemies and increasingly difficult bosses. This design bears a striking resemblance to Fortnite's battle royale formula, but a closer examination reveals a more surprising parallel: God of War: Ascension's multiplayer mode.

Often overlooked, Ascension's "Trial of the Gods" multiplayer mode shares key similarities with Nightreign. Both feature cooperative PvE gameplay where teams face escalating enemy difficulty. Both offer the unique opportunity to battle bosses from previous titles (Hercules from God of War 3, or the Nameless King from Dark Souls 3, for example). Both incorporate time-limited gameplay within confined or shrinking maps. Both were developed by studios primarily known for single-player experiences, and created without direct involvement from their respective series' original creators.

Early Nightreign previews highlight its frantic, exhilarating pace, a stark contrast to Elden Ring's more deliberate gameplay. The limited resources and increased speed, described by VaatiVidya as prioritizing "speed and efficiency," force players to rely on instinct. This mirrors Ascension's multiplayer, which also increased player speed, jump height, and incorporated automated parkour and grapple mechanics – features echoed in Nightreign's Wylder character.

What game had the best now-forgotten multiplayer mode?

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The comparison between Nightreign and Ascension is particularly interesting given the contrasting philosophies of the Soulslike and God of War franchises. Nightreign aims to reintroduce a level of challenge to seasoned Soulslike players, offering a fast-paced, resource-constrained experience reminiscent of the adrenaline-fueled combat of Ascension's Trial of the Gods.