While Elden Ring Nightreign has had an impressive launch in of player count, there are quite a few features that really should have been more of a priority to give the game wider appeal. As a multiplayer title, Nightreign is missing some core features that most competitors present as staples, and one in particular is a massive oversight that could have brought in a much bigger audience if included at launch.

Nightreign's current problems include a completely unbalanced solo mode, no built-in voice chat feature, no cross-play between platforms, and perhaps most egregiously, the lack of a doubles option. Not only does Nightreign desperately need a two-player mode, but it should also include a local split-screen option to allow players to enjoy the game on the same console at home. Nightreign forces players into three-player, online co-op to experience the game, and these limitations are simply nonstarters for a large percentage of players.

Nightreign Needs A Balanced Doubles Mode

Balancing Solo Mode Is Only The First Step

It became pretty obvious at launch that a balance update in the coming weeks, which is a positive sign that the company is not only listening to players but also taking action to resolve some of the major areas of concern.

However, this is only the first step in a larger overhaul that the game needs in order to bring in a wider audience and welcome different types of players into the Lands Between. Aside from a balanced solo mode, I think one of the next priorities should be a dedicated (and balanced) two-player mode as well. Nightreign is the perfect game for doubles, and it would give players who aren't keen on three-player multiplayer another option outside of playing alone.

Why Nightreign Desperately Needs A Two-Player Option

Communication Is Key In Nightreign

It might seem like a small difference, but it's simply much easier to get one person online than it is to coordinate with two people. While you can go into a match with a friend and meet up with a random player, there's no functional voice chat option, so you're left with a third wheel that cannot communicate outside of dropping pins on the map. Playing with people you know is largely preferred because of this missing in-game voice chat feature, and if you can't manage to find a third person you know, you're at a disadvantage.

You should simply be able to select solo, doubles, or full expedition options at the Roundtable Hold.

Communication in Nightreign is essential, and playing with people you can actually speak with makes a world of difference. Having experienced the game both ways, I can attest that boss battles in particular are easier when you can talk with your friends and strategize in real time. In particular, a central feature of Nightreign is the selection of Ultimate Arts for each Nightfarer, which can be used in coordination to great effect. Coordinating Ultimate Art attacks with all three players is a challenge, even with voice communication, but it wouldn't be quite as tricky in doubles mode.

Doubles Would Be Easy To Implement & Balance

Marginally Increasing Rune Acquisition Would Balance A Doubles Mode

FromSoft has already clarified that it plans on giving solo mode players one free revive after being defeated by a major boss instead of having it permanently end a run. Further, the game will be increasing rune acquisition in solo mode to make leveling up more feasible. Both of these features make sense for a doubles mode as well, but even if they only increased rune acquisition by a small margin, this would be a pretty straightforward fix that would likely make doubles relatively well-balanced.

You should simply be able to select solo, doubles, or full expedition options at the Roundtable Hold, and each mode should be balanced and optimized for a challenging but enjoyable experience. There don't seem to be any good arguments for limiting things to either solo or three-player. A fan-made doubles mod has already made two-player possible, indicating that it should be reasonably straightforward to include, I don't see why Nightreign wouldn't roll out a doubles mode in the coming months.

A slightly more complicated addition I'd like to see is a local split-screen multiplayer option, either for doubles only or for a full party of three. This would give players the option to up with friends at home and enjoy the game if they don't have internet access or if the servers go down. I imagine there's a smaller audience for this, but in my view, Elden Ring Nightreign should give players as many options as possible instead of limiting player choice and encouraging a very specific type of gameplay.