Promising to put a very different spin on the gameplay of its predecessor, it is difficult to tell at first ifElden Ring Nightreigngives the option of a single-player mode. The game is heavily promoted as a multiplayer title, which can be dissuading for those who prefer more individual gameplay experiences. Nevertheless, there is a clear answer to the question of how much this successor toElden Ringcan offer a solo player.
Much like the originalElden Ring,Elden Ring Nightreignis full of challenging bosses, but while assistance from other players was an option in the former title,Nightreignplaces co-op at the forefront of its gameplay. With this shift in focus comes considerations that make it a markedly different experience fromElden Ringdespite the two titles sharing very similar mechanics overall. For example,party composition is an important factor inNightreignto consider. However, as with many other cooperative titles, this emphasis on multiplayer does not necessarily preclude the possibility of single-player gameplay.
You Can Play Elden Ring Nightreign Alone
FromSoftware’s New Game Supports Single-Player
Fortunately,it is possible to playElden Ring Nightreignas a solo player. As confirmed by Game Director Junya Ishizaki when speaking toIGN,Nightreignadjusts its difficulty for individual players, giving enemies smaller health pools. This means that bosses designed to be taken on by three people do not have an overwhelming advantage in single-player, invertingElden Ring’s own mechanic of strengthening bosses during co-op play. Of course,Nightreignis still entirely capable of posing a challenge in single-player, the threat is simply scaled to keep things fair.
Now That I’ve Played Nightreign, I’ve Changed My Mind About FromSoft’s Limitations
Elden Ring Nightreign manages to be the same and completely different from Elden Ring, and FromSoftware has created something very unique.
Of course, the option ofsingle-player offersNightreignmuch more versatilitythan it would as a multiplayer-only title. For example, should issues arrive withthe matchmaking system ofNightreign, then this alternative game mode offers a reliable fallback. Similarly, should a given player have an unreliable internet connection, or even simply not want to play with other people, then they are not barred from playing the game completely as a result.
Elden Ring Nightreign Is Designed For Teams Of Three
Single-Player Is Not The Core Of Its Gameplay
On the other hand, it is worth noting thatElden RIng Nightreignis still first and foremost a multiplayer title. Although single-player is an option, it has been made clear that its three-player mode is more howNightreignis intended to be played. The eight total playable characters, each with their own gameplay style, are intended to work together to bring down their foes. The synergy between these characters and the strategies that follow, as well as the stronger bosses, mean that one would arguably miss a key part of theNightreignexperience if playing exclusively in single-player.
Nightreigndoes not allow people to play as a duo; this means that there is no middle ground in terms of difficulty, but also allows the game to ignore the additional balancing concerns that would come from making it viable for specifically playing in pairs.
Thegameplay ofElden Ring Nightreignis undoubtedly geared towards supporting three-player cooperative gameplay. However, the inclusion of a single-player option, complete with scaling enemies, means that the game is still much more accessible than it would otherwise be. As a result,Elden Ring Nightreigncan entertain players regardless of their preferred mode of play, although single-player gameplay may lack the full experience it has to offer.
