The world of Elden Ring Nightreign draws creative inspiration from Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away. Discover how FromSoftware approached the game's design and learn what the recent patch has improved.

Latest Updates on Elden Ring Nightreign

Not So Different from Elden Ring

Saori Mizuno, Environmental Artist for Elden Ring Nightreign, discussed the team's approach to making the world initially recognizable before shifting its tone gradually. In a May 29 interview with IGN, she explained their intention was to keep Nightreign feeling closely tied to Elden Ring at its core.

Mizuno noted, "Early on, we received a specific direction: create a world that appears familiar and welcoming at first, then slowly transitions into something unknown and mysterious." She described Elden Ring's environments as rich and painterly, but for Nightreign, the goal was beauty with an unsettling undercurrent—something that feels inviting until you look closer.

Mizuno also shared that the team looked to Studio Ghibli’s 2001 film Spirited Away for inspiration. They aimed to capture that film's themes of being trapped in a dreamlike world with no clear way home.

She explained, "Even when designing Limveld, the starting area, I wanted it to seem beautiful and welcoming from a distance—yet quickly give players a sense that something isn't quite right."

Distinct Features Compared to Earlier Games

On May 30, Nightreign Producer Yasuhiro Kitao thanked fans on Twitter (X) for trying the new game. He wrote, "Nightreign includes some unusual game design choices and differs in several ways from our recent releases. Still, many players have courageously ventured into this world, and we're deeply thankful."

Kitao also highlighted similarities to older titles like 2009’s Demon’s Souls and 2019’s Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, where players initially faced unexpected changes and mechanics. He reassured, "Once you push past the initial learning curve, you'll experience a unique and satisfying sense of achievement."

Enhancements for Single-Player Mode and Beyond

Following their earlier announcement, FromSoftware shared the full patch notes for Nightreign’s upcoming update. In a June 2 post on Twitter (X), the team confirmed that Patch 1.01.1 is live.

This update brings gameplay refinements, stability upgrades, and bug fixes, with special attention to solo expeditions. As previously mentioned, solo players will now benefit from "Automatic Revival Upon Defeat" and increased rune acquisition.

Rewards have also been adjusted: Day 3 expeditions now yield more high-rarity Relics, and Scenic Flat stones bought from the Small Jar Bazaar offer better odds for high-rarity Relic drops.

Multiple bugs have been resolved, including issues where the "Ghostflame Ignition" attack failed to trigger under specific conditions, certain Raider attacks with Greataxe and Great Hammer weapons dealt excessive damage, and some Passive effects displayed incorrect values.

PC players on Steam receive additional fixes addressing unresponsive "Climb Up" commands on keyboard and gamepad, as well as graphical rendering problems on "Low" settings.

By focusing on solo expedition improvements, this patch aims to make single-player runs more accessible and enjoyable. That said, many fans still hope for updates to multiplayer features—such as better teammate visibility and the addition of voice chat.

Only time will tell if FromSoftware addresses these community requests, but their quick action to enhance the solo experience signals a promising direction for future updates. For now, players are embracing the studio’s venture into multiplayer Souls-style gameplay—earning "Mostly Positive" reviews on Steam.

Here at Game8, we scored Elden Ring Nightreign 84/100 for its bold fusion of FromSoftware’s signature challenge with chaotic multiplayer action that keeps you coming back. While co-op and solo modes have some balance issues, the experience remains thrilling—even when it leaves you thoroughly battered. Read our full review for more details!