Elden Ring Nightreign Channels the Spirit of a Forgotten God of War Game

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

The recent network tests for Elden Ring Nightreign, FromSoftware's upcoming multiplayer spin-off, showcased a gameplay loop surprisingly similar to a largely forgotten title: 2013's God of War: Ascension. While Nightreign initially appears inspired by battle royale giants like Fortnite, with its shrinking map and team-based combat against waves of enemies and bosses, a deeper look reveals a stronger kinship with 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 foes within a time-limited environment, often on smaller or shrinking maps. Both even offer the unique opportunity to battle bosses from previous installments of their respective franchises.

Beyond the core gameplay loop, both games share design choices to accelerate pacing. Ascension enhanced player movement speed, jump height, and incorporated automated parkour elements – mechanics echoed in Nightreign's enhanced movement capabilities, compensating for the absence of Torrent, Elden Ring's mount. This increased speed and efficiency are crucial, given the relentless onslaught of enemies in both games.

The parallels extend beyond gameplay. Both titles represent multiplayer forays by studios primarily known for their single-player experiences, created without direct involvement from their respective series' original creators. This lack of oversight from established directors might explain the experimental nature of both multiplayer modes.

Player feedback from Nightreign's network tests mirrors the reception of Ascension's Trial of the Gods: a frantic, exhilarating race against the clock. This contrasts sharply with the more deliberate pace of their respective single-player counterparts. Nightreign, like Ascension's multiplayer, forces players to rely on instinct and efficient resource management, creating a high-octane experience.

This unexpected connection between two seemingly disparate franchises highlights the cyclical nature of game design, demonstrating how innovative ideas, even if initially overlooked, can find new life and resonate with players years later. The forgotten multiplayer mode of God of War: Ascension may have found its unexpected successor in Elden Ring Nightreign.

What game had the best now-forgotten multiplayer mode?

God of War: AscensionAssassin's Creed BrotherhoodMass Effect 3Batman: Arkham OriginsBioShock 2Other (let us know in the comments)AnswerSee Results