FromSoftware's latest venture into cooperative gaming has achieved remarkable commercial success while simultaneously dividing critics and players alike. Elden Ring Nightreign reached 2 million players on its first day, yet currently holds a "Mixed" rating on Steam with only 65% positive reviews.

The game's reception presents a fascinating paradox in modern gaming. Despite being FromSoftware's lowest-scored title in seven years with a Metacritic average of 77, players flocked to experience this cooperative spin-off of the beloved Elden Ring universe.

Critical Concerns vs. Commercial Success

Critics have highlighted several key issues that explain the lukewarm reception. Players are criticizing "a lack of new content, communication tools and matchmaking", while the forced three-player system has proven particularly problematic. Director Junya Ishizaki acknowledged this oversight, stating they "neglected the duos aspect" in addressing fan concerns about the mandatory third-player matchmaking system.

PC Gamer's review captured a common sentiment, noting that "FromSoftware's infamously obtuse UI design and coy descriptions, part of the charming and occult vibe of its previous games, are a massive obstacle to enjoying Nightreign". The traditional Souls formula of mysterious discovery doesn't translate well to the fast-paced, cooperative format.

What Players Are Saying

The review scores paint a mixed picture. While some outlets praised the experience - with AltChar giving it 90/100 for offering "an exceptional co-op experience" - others were more critical. MonsterVine awarded just 3.5/5, citing the "lack of a smaller party mode and weak narrative" as significant drawbacks.

VideoGamesChronicle's review was particularly pointed, describing it as losing "plenty of the Elden Ring magic" and making "puzzling design decisions that result in a rare misstep for FromSoftware".

The Bigger Picture

Despite the criticism, Nightreign's massive day-one success demonstrates the incredible pulling power of the Elden Ring brand, which has sold over 30 million copies. The game's peak concurrent player count of 313,593 on Steam shows genuine interest exists.

Whether Nightreign can maintain this momentum depends largely on how FromSoftware addresses the community's concerns during the post-launch period. With a patch already promised for next week, the developer appears committed to refining this experimental entry in their catalog.