STACK #247 May 2025

GAMING FEATURE

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The world will be very familiar to players of the original Elden Ring . Are there new bosses and other worldly creatures that we’ll encounter? Players aim to survive for three days in the dangerous field called Limveld. The threats that appear on the third day, the Nightlord, are all-new, original enemies created specifically for Nightreign . They're all unique and won't be easy to defeat, so we hope you're looking forward to them. Also, the player characters, the Nightfarers, each have their own individual stories, which we hope you'll enjoy as well. We believe that we may encounter familiar bosses from classic FromSoftware titles, too? Was this done as a love letter to loyal fans? A few familiar and nostalgic bosses from our previous titles will make an appearance. We decided to include them because we felt they would fit well within the chaotic world of Nightreign . Of course, we'd be thrilled if players who have enjoyed our past games are happy to see them again. With more fast-paced combat, what new features should players look forward to, and strategies should be employed, in battle? First, we've expanded the player's basic actions, adding things like sprinting and climbing. While these might seem like subtle changes, we think players familiar with our previous games will really feel the difference in how the game handles. Second, there are the unique skills and Arts possessed by each of the eight playable characters. These can't be spammed, but if used strategically and at the right moment, they can dramatically change the course of battle, adding a dynamic element of back-and-forth to combat. What do you most hope that players of Elden Ring Nightreign take away from their time in its world? While this game has a significantly different design compared to our previous titles, we believe that overcoming this dangerous and vast

The wizards at FromSoftware change things up a bit in this month’s Elden Ring Nightreign , a fast-paced, multiplayer focused RPG adventure.We had the chance to chat with producerYasuhiro Kitao to find out more about what makes the game tick. Words Amy Flower HEAVY REIGN

FromSoftware games have generally been solo adventures where players take their time in their quest. Elden Ring Nightreign is almost the opposite.What inspired you to change things up for more fast paced, hectic action? We wanted to capture all the best parts of RPGs – exploration, challenging battles, and character growth – and condense them into a single session, creating a constantly exciting experience. This led to a faster game pace, which in turn allowed us to expand the player character's actions with things like sprinting and climbing. The result is a speedy and thrilling game. What was the biggest challenge in creating a co-operative, battle royale-like experience? This game is a multiplayer experience where three players face threats together. However, we didn't want to force excessive cooperation or coordination. Like our previous games, we aimed for a ‘loose connection’ where players can enjoy the game without feeling pressured. That's why we've designed it so you can freely explore without constantly worrying about your teammates. At the same time, you

a multiplayer experience that feels familiar to our previous games with its loose connections. Yet, it also offers unique multiplayer experiences that are different from anything we've done before. Were there any influences for this direction, such as other games, or pop culture reference points? Director Ishizaki cites the board game Pandemic as one of his inspirations. I've played it with him, and I see a connection in the adlib feeling of the game experience – how you deal with sudden, overwhelming challenges that arise. Solo players aren’t left out – please, how does single-player work in Elden Ring Nightreign ? We've implemented a dynamic parameter balancing system that adjusts based on the number of players in the session. So, when playing solo, the game is balanced for a single player. The enemies' aggressiveness is also adjusted to be appropriate for one player, preventing unfair situations where you're forced to fight multiple enemies at once. However, since the game is built around a three-player experience, single-player mode will likely be a more challenging experience overall.

DYK? FromSoftware started out in 1986 creating business software. Their first game was 1994’s King’s Field , for PlayStation.

can ‘take advantage’ of other players. For example, we have skills that let you piggyback on an ally's attack to deal high damage. We also have a system where you can receive rewards from bosses that your allies defeat. Balancing this was challenging, but the result is

field and defeating the Nightlord will provide a unique sense of accomplishment unlike anything you've experienced before. We sincerely hope you enjoy this fresh and unique gaming experience that Nightreign offers.

• Elden Ring Nightreign is out May 30

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MAY 2025

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