Elden Ring Nightreign debuted with a massive launch on Steam, but its reception was dampened by a ‘mixed’ user review rating.

FromSoftware’s co-op-focused title achieved a remarkable peak of 313,593 concurrent players on Steam, securing its place among the platform’s top-played games.

However, it garnered mixed feedback, with 67% positive reviews, as players criticized the absence of two-player co-op and built-in voice chat.

Elden Ring Nightreign immerses players in the dynamic world of Limveld, where they explore and battle solo or in trios. A two-player co-op mode is not available.

As noted in IGN's Elden Ring Nightreign review: "Let’s address the key limitation upfront: if you’re aiming to play Nightreign solo and aren’t an expert Elden Ring player seeking extreme challenges, this game may not suit you. While a solo mode exists, its balance is so off that I’d be surprised if it isn’t tweaked within the first month. This comes from someone who thrives on these games."

We’ve compiled essential Nightreign tips to help you defeat all eight Nightlord Bosses. Curious about unlocking the restricted Nightfarer Classes? See our guides on unlocking the Revenant, the Duchess, and changing characters.

In IGN's interview with Elden Ring Nightreign director Junya Ishizaki, the lead developer explained the focus on solo and trio gameplay. When asked about the lack of a duo option without a random third player, Ishizaki admitted it was an oversight.

"Simply put, we overlooked including a two-player mode during development, and we apologize for that," Ishizaki said. "Our goal was to craft a co-op experience balanced for three players, which is central to Nightreign’s design.

"As a gamer myself, I understand the desire to play solo at times, so we worked hard to make that viable within the game’s systems," Ishizaki added.

"In focusing on solo and trio modes, we neglected duos, but we’re exploring this for future updates."

This means duo players must accept a random third teammate. Trios remain the core of Elden Ring Nightreign’s design.

Every IGN FromSoftware Game Review

Player dissatisfaction is evident. “Elden Ring co-op, but not quite,” one Steam review stated. “You need three players; two isn’t an option. Why? No reason. I’m deeply disappointed and considered a refund.”

“No duo mode, and random players join just to wander off,” another review read. “Let me play with my friend…”

“Without two friends and voice chat, don’t bother,” another review warned. “The game is Elden Ring in a trio format, but solo queue with randoms is terrible. Without voice chat, coordinating locations, sharing items, or dropping gear is nearly impossible. Even as a fan of Elden Ring and roguelites, I won’t play again without friends on voice chat or a better solo experience.”

The voice chat issue persists in feedback. Another review noted:

“Progress is nearly impossible without voice chat. With three friends you can talk to regularly, the game is fantastic—smooth connections, event-filled maps, and an engaging loop.

“But as a 41-year-old with no consistent gaming friends, let alone two others for a trio, it’s tough. A duo mode doesn’t exist either.

“Even if voice chat is added, random matchmaking won’t match the experience of playing with friends. Your responsiveness with strangers heavily impacts enjoyment.

“Solo queue with randoms is challenging—communication, item sharing, and strategy discussions are nearly impossible.”

“In short, without two reliable friends to team up with, the game isn’t enjoyable.”

As Ishizaki hinted, FromSoftware may consider adding duo support post-launch. For now, players are limited to solo or trio modes.

Which Nightfarer Class Are You Playing in Elden Ring: Nightreign?

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Before Elden Ring Nightreign’s release, FromSoftware cautioned PC players about potential framerate issues with the latest graphics cards.

In a brief note within the day-one patch notes, FromSoftware acknowledged ongoing investigations into the issue and recommended lowering graphics settings from ‘High’ to ‘Medium’ or ‘Low,’ reducing screen resolution, and updating graphics card drivers.

Explore our vital Elden Ring Nightreign tips and tricks from the network test, and stay tuned to the IGN Nightreign wiki for more guides at launch.