Promising to put a very different spin on the gameplay of its predecessor, it is difficult to tell at first if Elden Ring Nightreign gives 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 to Elden Ring can offer a solo player.

Much like the original Elden Ring, party composition is an important factor in Nightreign to 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 s Single-Player

Elden Ring Nightreign characters flying over Limveld holding onto spectral birds.

Fortunately, it is possible to play Elden Ring Nightreign as a solo player. As confirmed by Game Director Junya Ishizaki when speaking to IGN, Nightreign adjusts 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, inverting Elden Ring’s own mechanic of strengthening bosses during co-op play. Of course, Nightreign is still entirely capable of posing a challenge in single-player, the threat is simply scaled to keep things fair.

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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 of single-player offers Nightreign much more versatility than it would as a multiplayer-only title. For example, should issues arrive with the matchmaking system of Nightreign, 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 that Elden RIng Nightreign is 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 how Nightreign is 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 the Nightreign experience if playing exclusively in single-player.

Nightreign does not allow people to play as a duo; this means that there is no middle ground in 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.

The gameplay of Elden Ring Nightreign is undoubtedly geared towards ing 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 Nightreign can entertain players regardless of their preferred mode of play, although single-player gameplay may lack the full experience it has to offer.

Source: IGN

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Elden Ring Nightreign
Action RPG
Soulslike
Roguelite
Systems
Released
May 30, 2025
Developer(s)
From Software
Publisher(s)
Bandai Namco Entertainment, From Software
Multiplayer
Online Co-Op
Number of Players
1-3
Steam Deck Compatibility
Unknown
PC Release Date
May 30, 2025