Elden Ring's Nightreign: A Tribute to Forgotten War God

Elden Ring Nightreign's Network Test Reveals an Unexpected Ancestor: God of War: Ascension

The recent network tests for Elden Ring Nightreign, the upcoming multiplayer spin-off, revealed surprising similarities to a largely forgotten game: 2013's God of War: Ascension. While Nightreign initially appears to borrow heavily from battle royale titles like Fortnite, with its shrinking map and team-based combat, a deeper look reveals a stronger connection to Ascension's multiplayer mode, Trial of the Gods.

Ascension, often considered a black sheep in the God of War franchise, introduced a cooperative PvE mode that shares striking similarities with Nightreign. Both feature teams facing increasingly difficult enemies within a time limit, on maps that either shrink or remain relatively small. Both also offer the unique opportunity to battle bosses from previous games.

Beyond the core gameplay loop, both games share design choices aimed at accelerating the pace. Nightreign, like Ascension's Trial of the Gods, enhances player movement speed and jump height, mirroring Ascension's automated parkour and grapple mechanics. This frantic, resource-constrained gameplay, described by YouTubers as prioritizing "speed and efficiency," contrasts sharply with the more deliberate pacing of their respective single-player counterparts.

The connection is even more intriguing considering the contrasting styles of the franchises. The God of War series is known for its power fantasy, while the Soulslike genre emphasizes challenging, methodical combat. Nightreign, however, seems to bridge this gap, offering a fast-paced, challenging experience that evokes the adrenaline rush of Ascension's multiplayer. This is particularly relevant given the increased accessibility of recent Soulslike titles, with Nightreign aiming to reintroduce a higher level of challenge.

What game had the best now-forgotten multiplayer mode?

In conclusion, Nightreign's design echoes Ascension's unexpected success in adapting a single-player formula for a fast-paced, cooperative multiplayer experience. The similarities highlight an interesting evolution in game design, and suggest that Nightreign might offer a surprisingly compelling multiplayer experience.