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

Elden Ring Nightreign's Network Tests Reveal an Unexpected Inspiration: God of War: Ascension

The recent network tests for Elden Ring Nightreign, FromSoftware's upcoming multiplayer spin-off, revealed a surprising design influence: 2013's often-overlooked God of War: Ascension. While initially appearing similar to Fortnite in its shrinking map, team-based combat, and randomized loot, Nightreign's core gameplay mechanics share a stronger resemblance to Ascension's cooperative PvE mode, Trial of the Gods.

Ascension, a prequel to the original God of War trilogy, received mixed reviews, often criticized for failing to match the epic scale of its predecessors. However, its multiplayer mode, often forgotten, introduced innovative features. Players, after a specific point in the single-player campaign, chose allegiance to one of four gods, gaining unique weapons and abilities. This is strikingly similar to Nightreign's structure.

Both Nightreign and Trial of the Gods feature:

• Cooperative gameplay for teams facing increasingly difficult enemies.
• Boss encounters from previous games (Hercules in Ascension, potentially Dark Souls bosses in Nightreign).
• A time-limited challenge, though Ascension allows pausing by defeating enemies.
• Shrinking or confined maps.
• Development by studios primarily known for single-player titles, without direct oversight from the original series creators.

Gameplay previews highlight Nightreign's fast-paced, resource-constrained combat, forcing players to rely on instinct and quick thinking. Similar to Ascension, Nightreign enhances player movement, mirroring Ascension's increased run speed, extended jumps, and automated parkour elements. This heightened pace compensates for the absence of the mount Torrent from the main Elden Ring game.

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

The comparison between Nightreign and Ascension is significant, highlighting a surprising connection between two seemingly disparate game franchises. While Elden Ring emphasizes deliberate, strategic combat, Nightreign, inspired by Ascension's Trial of the Gods, shifts the focus to frantic, high-stakes action. This design choice may reintroduce a level of challenge for veteran Soulslike players while offering a unique, adrenaline-fueled experience.