Elden Ring: Original, Erdtree, and Nightreign

Elden Ring: The Journey of the Tarnished

The original Elden Ring is a sprawling action RPG set in the Lands Between. Its narrative revolves around the shattering of the Elden Ring, a cosmic artifact, and the subsequent war among Queen Marika's demigod offspring. Players embody the Tarnished, an exiled warrior guided by grace to become the Elden Lord by collecting the Great Runes. The storytelling is subtle, unfolding through environmental cues, item descriptions, and fragmented dialogues, inviting players to uncover its tragic history at their own pace.

Gameplay is a signature Souls-like experience, characterized by deliberate, challenging combat, deep character customization, and intricate boss encounters. Elden Ring innovated by integrating a vast, seamless open world navigable by the Spirit Steed, Torrent. Players can explore diverse biomes, discover hidden dungeons, and engage with a wide array of weapons, spells, and Spirit Ash summons, fostering immense build variety.

Elden Ring is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Shadow of the Erdtree – A Deeper Dive into the Lore

The Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, released on June 21, 2024, significantly expanded the Lands Between. It introduces players to the Land of Shadow, a hidden realm where Queen Marika first stepped and where the enigmatic Miquella journeyed. The narrative delves into untold stories, ancient conflicts, and the mysterious figure of Messmer the Impaler, offering a darker perspective on the world's history.

Gameplay-wise, Shadow of the Erdtree provides a massive new map, comparable in size to Limgrave from the base game, packed with new Legacy Dungeons, enemies, and over ten new bosses. It introduced new weapon categories (like hand-to-hand martial arts), Spirit Ashes, and a unique "Scadutree Fragments" progression system exclusive to the DLC area, making its heightened difficulty a fresh challenge even for high-level players. The expansion refined exploration and combat, offering a more condensed yet denser experience.

Shadow of the Erdtree is available as an expansion on the same platforms as the base game: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Nightreign – The Co-Op Roguelike Challenge Begins

Elden Ring Nightreign, launching this Friday, May 30, 2025, presents a fascinating new take on the Elden Ring universe. While it's a standalone title and not a direct sequel or DLC for the original game, it's a cooperative spin-off developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco. It’s set in a "parallel universe" within a procedurally generated version of Limgrave, now called Limveld. The story positions players as "Nightfarers" who must band together to survive three day-and-night cycles and ultimately confront the formidable Nightlord. This distinct lore is separate from George R.R. Martin's contributions to the main game.

Nightreign's gameplay introduces significant differences. It's designed primarily as a three-player cooperative roguelike action RPG, though it can be played solo. Each "run" consists of a three-day cycle where players explore, fight enemies, and level up, culminating in a boss fight. The map shrinks with the coming "Night's Tide," adding pressure. It features eight distinct character classes (like Guardian, Duchess, Recluse, and Wylder), each with unique skills. Players can keep certain permanent boosts ("Relics") between runs, characteristic of roguelike progression. While it shares the combat style of Elden Ring, it emphasizes session-based gameplay over a sprawling open world, focusing on repeatable challenges and cooperative strategy.

Elden Ring Nightreign will be released on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows (PC), Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. It supports cross-generation play (e.g., PS4 with PS5) but notably not cross-platform play (e.g., PC with PlayStation).

Key Differences: FromSoftware's Diverse Offerings

The core Elden Ring and its Shadow of the Erdtree expansion offer a vast, single-player open-world action RPG experience focused on exploration, challenging bosses, and deep lore. The emphasis is on building a unique character and conquering a monumental, handcrafted world.

Nightreign, while set in the same universe, branches into a different gameplay philosophy. It's a cooperative, session-based roguelike. The core difference lies in its focus on repeatable, randomized runs, explicit multiplayer synergy, and a distinct progression loop tailored for shorter, intense sessions rather than a continuous narrative journey. It reimagines familiar elements into
a fresh, survival-oriented challenge.

The gaming landscape for fans of challenging action RPGs has never been more exciting, especially with FromSoftware's continued innovation and Bandai Namco's diverse portfolio. Whether you prefer the epic solo journey of a Tarnished seeking Elden Lordship, the expanded lore of the Land of Shadow, or the intense cooperative survival of Nightreign, there's a thrilling adventure waiting for you.

Ready to jump into the fray? See our recommended list below & Join the Lands Between today!