Elden Ring Nightreign is From's worst-rated game in years
FromSoftware's multiplayer Elden Ring spin-off has hit over 300,000 players on Steam, but it's proving a divisive experience.
Elden Ring Nightreign launched today around the world and while it doesn't necessarily play to developer FromSoftware's strengths, it has had a strong start on Steam (its success on consoles is much harder to track).
As recorded on SteamDB, the co-op multiplayer spin-off has hit a concurrent player peak of 313,593 within its first day on Steam. This is significantly lower than Elden Ring's overall peak of 953,426 players, but it's pretty good for a lower profile and lower budget game.
At the time of writing, Elden Ring Nightreign is the fifth most played game on the platform, behind Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, PUBG, and er… Bongo Cat. However, not everyone is happy with the experience so far, and it's already become FromSoftware's lowest rated title on Steam.
As of May 30, Elden Ring Nightreign has a 'mixed' rating on Steam, with only 66% of 9,000+ reviews being positive.
This is technically the lowest of all FromSoftware's available PC games (if we aren't counting the delisted Ninja Blade), although technically DLC The Ashes Of Ariandel for Dark Souls 3 is lower at 59% rating.
Many of the negative reviews for Elden Ring Nightreign have highlighted the lack of voice chat, the absence of duos mode, and the minimal variety during runs as particular sore points.
'I hate to say it, but I think we've finally see a bit of a miss from FromSoftware,' one user review reads. 'One that I think is still salvageable, and really could be turned into a much more interesting game – but as it is right now, it's got a bit more bad than good going for it.'
However, some are seeing the positives even if they do come with caveats. 'Super fun game,' another review reads. 'Your enjoyment will most likely be based on your teammates and how good your communication is.'
In terms of critical response, Nightreign is currently at 77 on Metacritic, which isn't a disaster but is well below that of any of From's other major titles, since they hit the big time with Dark Souls in 2011. The only games to score lower are experimental VR title Déraciné and a suite of mech games, including Armored Core 5, in 2012. More Trending
Speaking in an interview with IGN earlier this month, the director behind Elden Ring Nightreign, Junya Ishizaki, said they are considering adding a two-player mode post-launch, so there's a chance some of these issues could be fixed further down the line.
The big question is whether Elden Ring Nightreign will attract a dedicated player base in the coming months to make these updates worthwhile, or if it's simply riding the popularity of Elden Ring.
This multiplayer experiment, which many suspect started life as Elden Ring DLC, is perhaps also a test for FromSoftware's next multiplayer offering: The Duskbloods. The PvPvE game is set to be released next year as a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive.
Email gamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter, and sign-up to our newsletter.
To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here.
For more stories like this, check our Gaming page.
MORE: Hell Is Us hands-on preview: 'AAA games are so bloody bland'
MORE: Cyberpunk 2 release date narrowed down as production ramps up
MORE: Xbox handheld delayed claims report as Microsoft refocuses on Windows
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
4 hours ago
- Metro
Games Inbox: Will Nintendo games ever come to PC?
The Monday letters page worries that it's being priced out of buying a Nintendo Switch 2, as one reader is disappointed by Elden Ring Nightreign. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@ Outside influence While I'm sure the Xbox website listing Xenoblade Chronicles X was some kind of mistake, I'm not sure the idea that Microsoft has talked Nintendo into supporting the PC can be completely ruled out. Microsoft has been trying to get influence over Nintendo for decades, including two separate attempts to buy them, so I can absolutely imagine them nagging and coaxing them into supporting PC. I'm not saying they've convinced Nintendo but think of what they could offer them. Maybe free use of their servers for streaming or sharing the cost of making new games, now they're more expensive on Switch 2. Doesn't sound likely but I think you could say that for a lot of things that have happened recently, which is basically what the Reader's Feature about PlayStation 5 was getting at this weekend. So I wouldn't rule out Nintendo games coming top PC at some point. I agree that Sony seem to be out of the conversation at the moment and are not influencing gaming the way they used to, whether the PlayStation 5 is selling or not. Even if Microsoft can never compete with them on even ground, I still feel they'd like to see Sony taken out of the picture and this way they can use someone else to do it. Manson The plan worked I had no intention of getting Elden Ring Nightreign because of it being multiplayer-focused but it's still disappointing to find out that it was a cheap cash-in and that it's popular anyway. FromSoftware are one of the developers I respect the most right now, but this is really disappointing to me. My theory is that they 'owed' Bandai Namco another Elden Ring game and so they knocked this out quick, with less care than usual as to whether it was any good or not. And people still bought it. I shouldn't be bothered, if it doesn't affect me, but it doesn't sit right with me. Especially as we still haven't got a single-player game to look forward from them. Stolz Lasting reputation I finally finished Astro Bot (it has the best Christmas level as free DLC) and the Horizon Zero Dawn planet made me pick up that game on the cheap. It's really good and I'm surprised how much I'm enjoying it, as I heard bad things about it I don't play games for storylines and I only really need a reason to go from A to B, but I'm still enjoying it so far with the lost industrialised world, etc. I'm only about four hours in but I can see this being one of my 50+ hour games. I also read that Aloy is annoying, but I don't know where that comes from unless something happens later on. Simon GC: Horizon Zero Dawn has always been thought of favourably, although Aloy and the other characters have a reputation for being a bit boring – rather than annoying. Email your comments to: gamecentral@ Old-fashioned pleasures Just seen that two shops are opening at midnight for the Switch 2 launch. For those who are going and have never had the chance to do a midnight launch you're going to love it and I do mean it. The waiting outside, saying, 'Come on, hurry up!' every three seconds, then getting to the door of the shop and trying to see how many more is in front of you. And then being next to be served and then walking to the counter, waiting for them to scan the Switch2 box. Hearing them famous words, you have never heard: 'cash or card? Them putting it in a bag and saying thanks, while handing you the bag. Getting out the shop as quickly as possible, before trying to get home as fast as possible to start the process of setting it up and download the updates. I promise you're going to love it, it's how gaming was and how it still should be. You're all going to love it. David Physical source Just in case anyone still wants a physical game, Vinted is a pretty good source. I've filled my shelves with Xbox One and Xbox Series X games for some very reasonable prices. Just recently I got Doom and Prey for £3 plus P&P. Dead Island 2 for £8. Haven't had any bad experiences yet. I'm using it to get all of the Call of Duty games for as little as possible, got the World War game for two quid, I think. I like playing through the story campaigns. Does Vanguard have a story to play through? Bobwallett GC: Yes. Black Ops 4 is the only mainline entry without a campaign mode. Full comment I know GC has been good enough to pass on issues with comments being rejected in the Underbox but it's still very difficult to know where the issues are and benign comments to not be rejected, like this one under wetbandit's Sunday feature: I think you're mixing up backwards compatibility and Switch 2 upgrade patches. Nintendo is responsible for ensuring Switch games are backwards compatible with Switch 2 and it's an ongoing exercise. That Modern Vintage Gamer video is a month old and he's using the official Nintendo list from the 15th April. It was last updated on the 27th of May and the list of games with no issues or issues that will be fixed at launch or shortly after has grown by 40%. Everything else is marked as under investigation. Like any other console it's up to the devs to offer a native Switch 2 version if they want and if it will be free or paid for. Nintendo and Sony both offer free upgrades on some games where the work is minimal. Charge an upgrade fee of around £10 for others and more if there's some extra content/new DLC with the new native version like Kirby or GoT on PlayStation 5. In short, back compatible on Switch 2 works like other consoles. The only games that are flat out not playable are two of the Labo games, where the Switch 2 doesn't fit the accessories. Then there's a few games like Ring Fit that need Switch Joy-Cons, but they are back compatible with Switch 2, as is the Pro Controller. Also, the console is £395 and its price was meet with mild pleasant surprise. Not so much Mario Kart World. Simundo The bitter end It's crazy to me how long games to make nowadays. Cyberpunk 2 might not even be out this decade and that's the norm now. I can't think of anything else creative that takes this long to make. A movie is two or three years at the maximum and usually less. I guess there would be some serious books that take a long time to write but a lot of that would not be entirely full-time, I would've thought. And even then it still might not be as long. How many people making these games actually stay for the whole thing? Or do they feel they should always see it through to the bitter end? Rosco Priced out I won't be getting a Nintendo Switch 2 next week, not because I'm not a fan but because I just don't feel I can afford one. I'm a traditionalist and prefer physical copies of games, at least when it comes to big releases anyway, as I feel they deserve a place with my other games on the shelf. I would definitely want Mario Kart World and that, along with a Switch 2, wouldn't leave me with much change from £500, certainly not enough to purchase another game anyway. I bought the Xbox Series S because I thought it was reasonably priced at £250, and I certainly wouldn't have given the Xbox Series X a second glance at £450 if that would have been the only option. For the time being I will stick with my original Switch, while I'm picking up cheap games for less than a couple of quid. Although I do expect Nintendo to start squeezing customers like me out of that oasis sooner rather than later. They are just a business after all. I wish them luck because I've never hated Nintendo even when they were at some of their lowest ebbs. I went out and bought their products because I enjoyed them. Unfortunately for now at least, my mind says yes, but my bank balance says no. I hope it does do well but then again if it doesn't, maybe I could afford one. freeway 77 Inbox also-ransIs GC planning on reviewing Nice Day For Fishing from Viva La Dirt League/Team 17? Thanks, I read you every day. Tomithy GC: We've never heard of it till now, so we're not sure. It's going to be a busy week. Oh look, another day another U-turn from Microsoft. So they suddenly found out that Steam Deck and co. don't really sell that much and so their new idea is to *checks notes* focus on Windows. Really, what was the point of Xbox? Dandy More Trending Email your comments to: gamecentral@ The small print New Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers' letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content. You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader's Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot. You can also leave your comments below and don't forget to follow us on Twitter. MORE: Games Inbox: Are you getting a Nintendo Switch 2 next week? MORE: Games Inbox: When will the new Tomb Raider be revealed? MORE: Games Inbox: What review score will Mario Kart Worlds get?
Metro
a day ago
- Metro
The original Switch is still a better option than the Switch 2
A reader argues that the original Switch will still be relevant even after the Switch 2 launches, and that for some it will be the preferred choice. I haven't been playing games as much as I did, say, three years ago, mainly because I've found interest in other things, such as reading and creating content. However, I still delve into games and my love for Nintendo is still there, but I did consider parting with some of my gaming collection – which is mostly a curated list of mainly Nintendo games and consoles. I did see the announcement of the Switch 2 in early April and initially I was hyped for it but I think that has subsided somewhat, mainly due to the pricing of both the consoles and games; I am still going to be receiving it day one though. I don't think Nintendo has done themselves any favours though and the landscape has changed, with regards to mobile gaming in general, with the advent of the Steam Deck and other options from different manufacturers which makes this a crowded market. [The Steam Deck has only sold around 4 million units worldwide, compared to over 150 million for the Switch, and yet it's still the most successful of the PC handhelds – GC] I find myself purchasing games on Steam vs. Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo. In fact, I ended up parting ways with my Xbox Series X and am considering the same with my PlayStation 5, as I mainly play games in portable form, with the Steam Deck and Switch being enough for me. With Nintendo it is mainly the first party titles that I would purchase on Switch 2, but it will make me think twice due to the price tag on the games (£60+) and with Nintendo the pricing of their games don't really go on sale that much, if at all. I know a lot of people are still considering getting rid of their original Switch in favour of the Switch 2, however I think it is still relevant in 2025 and beyond. With over 10,000 games, the Switch has a diverse library of titles. I love the fact the I have a big and robust library of physical games that I can play for years to come. The pricing on new games are anywhere between £25 to £50, with Zelda being the exception at £60 to £70. A lot of third party games you can pick up on sale. A lot of games are physical and most come with the game on the actual cartridge, so even in the future, if Nintendo decide to pull the eShop for the original Switch, you can still play games offline. Games are still being released for the original Nintendo Switch for the foreseeable future. It will stop being supported one day but there is still plenty to choose from, both used, digital, and new. I truly believe that the Switch 2 won't be as popular as the first Switch, mainly due to pricing £60+ on games and switching their strategy on physical games, with partial downloads or game key cards, which in theory is easily shareable but having to download the entire game isn't the most user friendly and there is still a reliance on the digital ecosystem. Watching a YouTube video by ModernVintageGamer, I've come to learn that backwards compatibility with Switch 2 isn't all it is cracked up to be. Nintendo is fully supporting backwards compatibility with most of their games, however third parties are left to patch games on their own discretion due to different system architecture in comparison to the original Switch. So it will be a bit hit and miss, more than likely they would rather release another 'remastered' version which they can sell to consumers again, rather than patch games. Also, bearing in mind some publishers don't want the costs associated with patching a game. At this stage in the original Switch's lifecycle there are a bunch of form factors to choose from. I have all three and use them in different environments; my Switch OLED gets used at home in portable mode and connected to the TV, while the original Switch is good for family party gaming, which I take around for family gatherings. The Switch Lite is small and portable and that it is great for single-player games with the cross-key but also great for travelling and going on holidays. You can pick up the Switch Lite for dirt cheap now, used, and I expect prices to fall further whilst they clear stock. I haven't seen too much details around this but Nintendo did announce original Switch compatibility with the Nintendo Switch 2 to allow for simultaneous multiplayer gaming with one cartridge, so that Nintendo Switch 2 acts as the main (host) console whilst the original Switch can be used for multiplayer gaming. So in essence you can all play Mario Kart from one Switch 2 console, by having your own screen, similar to the Wii U. I think this will be valuable for me with family gatherings, as most of us have Switches. So, I did mention costs for games earlier. However, as the original Switch has matured there are a plethora of cheap accessories that can be had on the cheap, compared to Switch 2, such as extra Joy-Cons, controllers, games, cheap microSD cards, plus others. I still love my Switch, and it won't be going anywhere, and I think it is Nintendo's best console in the past 20 years. I have a special place in my heart for the NES, SNES, Game Boy and GameCube, as being S-tier consoles but I think the Switch could be argued as being their best console. Ask me on a random day and my answer will probably change, because Nintendo have created timeless consoles as far as I am concerned, so it is difficult to choose one. But the original Switch makes a compelling choice especially for the younger generation. More Trending By reader wetbandit The reader's features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro. You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. Just contact us at gamecentral@ or use our Submit Stuff page and you won't need to send an email. MORE: MCM Comic Con is still worth it for gamers even without EGX – Reader's Feature MORE: Why I'm taking a week off work for the Nintendo Switch 2 launch - Reader's Feature MORE: This week was low-key the worst in modern video game history – Reader's Feature
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
10 best indie games releases in May 2025 – smaller gems worth checking out
In the mood for something smaller between huge, tentpole video game releases? Here's the best we played from this past month. A whistlestop tour through some of the very best indie games released throughout the month of May, judging by what we played. There's a strong argument to say that May might have been the best month of 2025 yet for indie games. It's no secret that Steam releases are becoming more frequent (and therefore harder to stay on top of) by the year, hence why we take our mission to highlight and talk about the best from what we played incredibly seriously. But while April's selection of indie hits featured potential GOTY winner Blue Prince, the month of May had variety and creativity in spades – as we'll soon discover. From multiple isometric GTA throwbacks looking to bring something new to the format to the latest entry in the burgeoning 'first-person booter' format, these are the 10 best indie games releases in May 2025. Between big AAA release like Doom: The Dark Ages and Blades of Fire, these are the indie treats we enjoyed playing most. Aureole – Wings of Hope A seriously fast-paced 2D platformer clearly intended as a modern tribute to the era of old-school Sonic the Hedgehog, Aureole – Wings of Hope does a great job at balancing serious speed with satisfying level design that is rarely frustrating to regularly bump up against. Barrelling through heavenly and hellish stages as an angel's halo in order to reclaim your home from demonic forces (yes, you read that correctly), true diehards will want to run through stages repeatedly in the hopes of securing the best time. If you're in the mood for a contender to classic Sonic, then Aureole – Wings of Hope will sure scratch that itch in its own charming way. Deliver at All Costs Destructive environments in games – indie or otherwise – are never not fun. Proving this once again are the sandbox driving delights of Deliver at All Costs. Because while most of your time is indeed spent transporting items by vehicle as the game's title suggests, you'll spent an equal amount ploughing through buildings, people, and more all in the name of on-time delivery. Surrounding this chaos is a so-so narrative about trying to rise up the ranks of 1950s industry, but really Deliver at All Costs is at its best when routinely challenging you to get from one location to the other with all cargo intact while battling some seriously slippery driving physics. It results in a surprisingly chaotic top-down GTA spin. Empyreal A lot more than just a Soulslike copycat, Empyreal is a hardcore third-person action RPG made by a small team that boasts plenty of ideas of its own. Most of them centre on gaining better, more powerful loot that means being able to hit harder and take on harder challenges, yet it's backed up by a surprisingly interesting story that sees you continuously exploring a planet to unearth the revelations that once belonged to an ancient civilisation. Obviously, you can totally ignore these lore elements if you so wish, where you'll still find some seriously satisfying combat and a generous number of aggressive and passive abilities that renders builds surprisingly flexible. If you're seeking a tight and focussed action game that keeps on giving, Empyreal is it. Monster Train 2 Just in case you thought the original Monster Train wasn't as moreish as roguelike deckbuilders could come, its sequel arrived this month as a bigger, better package that proves even harder to put down. Crucially, developer Shiny Shoe hasn't completely overhauled the addictive formula that worked so well before. You'll still battle against waves of invading monsters protecting the pyre at the top of your three-tiered train. Now, however, new clans introduce fresh ways to play offensively and defensively, alongside new daily challenges, card types, and new unlockable pyres with unique perks able to make or break your run. Simply put, Monster Train 2 is the pinnacle of what a roguelike deckbuilder can be and a perfect follow-up to the 2020 original. To a T Katamari creator Keita Takahashi has a habit of making games that are a bit more, shall we say, 'off-kilter' compared to most others. It worked for Katamari Damacy, and it works again here in To a T, a colourful slice-of-life adventure about a schoolkid who is forever trapped in a T-pose. Determined not to let this unusual predicament get them down, however, To a T sees you control them throughout daily life in their hometown where you gradually learn the lesson that 'you're the perfect shape' because every shape is, in fact, perfect. Complete with madcap musical sequences, wholesome characters, and oddball minigames aplenty, To a T is a very special time for the brief period it lasts. Glum Against all odds, the 'first-person booter' is becoming a bit of a movement all its own thanks to the indie scene. First there was Anger Foot, then Mullet MadJack kicked its way into our hearts, and now it's the turn of Glum to do much the same. True, it's currently in early access as opposed to full release, yet already to appreciate the bombastic, boot-driven action it provides with its frantic and fast-paced first-person gameplay. It feels wildly distinct to its forebears thanks to its uniquely medieval setting, where player stake on the role of a deranged goblin reading primed to kick enemy arses into haybales, wagons, and a whole lot more. The more creative your kick-fuelled kills the better in this madcap FPS driven by your own magical boot. Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo What if your auntie was the CEO of a tech empire who one day had her soul transferred into a magical yoyo? As barmy a premise for an old-school action-adventure game as it might be, this is the core question at the centre of Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo. Unusual narrative setups aside, it makes for a lovingly made top-down 2D throwback that pays excellent tribute to the GBA era in both its visual style, puzzles, and structure. You'll explore a whole city trying to take down four crime bosses, wielding the power of your yoyo as both a weapon and puzzle-solving tool. As if it was ever in doubt, this very first 'yoyovania' ever is an undeniably charming journey. The Precinct Having already tackled the reprehensible side of the law with top-down criminal simulator, American Fugitive, a few years ago, developer Fallen Tree Games is back at it again with The Precinct. As its title suggests this time you play the part of police officer, solving crimes within a New York style city in the 1980s with surprisingly accurate (and often meticulous) detail. The story has its heart in the right place but can often get in the way of what The Precinct does best, which is present a classic GTA style world from the opposite perspective of what Rockstar's titles typically portray. From high-speed chases to issuing parking tickets, The Precinct achieves its goal of letting you roleplay as a cop within a tightly detailed isometric sandbox. The Siege and the Sandfox With indie Metroidvania games being a dime a dozen these days, The Siege and the Sandfox definitely surfaces as a diamond in the rough by focussing on stealth over direct combat. You play as the titular sneaky thief thrown down into the pits of an underground city, gaining increasingly more complex parkour abilities such as pole-swinging and wall-running that helps give this pixelated explore-a-thon a uniquely different flavour than most. Enhancing this stealth-fuelled story of revenge is narration provided by Baldur's Gate 3 's Amelia Taylor, who does an equally excellent job providing additional texture to this beautiful world and narrative. Special mention: Sea of Stars – Throes of the Watchmaker Easily one of the best indie games to recapture the magic of vintage Final Fantasy in recent years, the original Sea of Stars mixed beautiful pixel art with great characters and combat to be a standout indie title of 2023. This month offered an excellent reason to return to it in the from of the new Throes of the Watchmaker DLC. It sees heroes Valere and Zale shrunken down into a clockwork world, where they must battle twisted versions of themselves while using all-new class skills themed after the funfair. Throes of the Watchmaker is not only a reminder of what made Sea of Stars great, but is equally ace in its own right.
