After the anticipation for the new Elden Ring was already great, players could hardly contain themselves on release.
The newly released Elden Ring: Nightreign was already eagerly awaited. After the game's release, the number of players skyrocketed - reaching 255 thousand players after just 30 minutes.
300K In The First Hour
In Elden Ring Nightreign, the dark universe and challenging difficulty level meet roguelike and multiplayer. This is precisely why many players have been eagerly awaiting the release and this is also reflected in the player numbers: After half an hour, 255 thousand players were playing at the same time and one hour after release there were already over 300 thousand. While many gamers have praised the game, some critics have not. But is this due to the game itself, or is there another reason?
'ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN' already has a peak player count of 255,867 on Steam The game released about 30 minutes ago pic.twitter.com/UNRPjt0zJT
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) May 29, 2025
Many Players Are Thrilled
If you are already an avid Elden Ring fan, you will feel right at home in the new multiplayer part: Players must endure three days and nights in order to fight the Nightlord. Some of the bosses you have to fight after each night are familiar faces from Dark Souls 1 to Elden Ring!
A battle royale-style circle closes around you to keep you moving at all times, making the game very dynamic and challenging to play. The different classes are also praised by players: from mages to archers and an executioner reminiscent of the Sekiro playstyle and more, there is something for every player here.
In general, some players are of the opinion that Nightreign combines everything we already know from previous parts.
No Game Is Perfect
However, some players are not entirely convinced by the new game. Many players criticize the fact that it is almost impossible to play properly with strangers: The lack of a voice chat makes communication impossible and you can only start with teams of three people in general. The limited 60 FPS is also a thorn in the side of some. These are points of criticism that of course don't apply to you if you team up with two other friends right from the start.
Critics Are Not Entirely Satisfied
But how is it that critics don't give the game anywhere near as high a rating as Elden Ring deserves? Outlets criticize technical difficulties, but also a lack of incentive for long-term motivation after defeating the main bosses. Poor balancing is also highlighted, especially in single-player mode. The game is said to be extremely challenging and does not properly reward you for your hard work. However, only time will tell how the game will develop.
What do you think? Have you already been able to test the new Elden Ring part?