Elden Ring's Nightreign Unleashes Forgotten War God

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

The recent network tests for Elden Ring Nightreign, the upcoming multiplayer spin-off, revealed surprising similarities to a less celebrated game: 2013's God of War: Ascension. While Nightreign's core gameplay resembles the battle royale format of Fortnite – featuring shrinking maps, team-based combat, and randomized loot – its underlying structure and feel strongly echo Ascension's Trial of the Gods mode.

Ascension, often considered a black sheep in the God of War franchise, introduced a cooperative PvE multiplayer mode that, surprisingly, foreshadows Nightreign's design. Both feature:

• Team-based combat: Teams face increasingly difficult enemies and bosses.
• Time constraints: A countdown timer adds urgency to the gameplay.
• Shrinking play areas: Maps either start small or gradually decrease in size, creating intense pressure.
• Boss encounters: Players face familiar bosses from previous games.
• Enhanced movement: Both games feature increased movement speed and jump height, mirroring the frantic pace.

Nightreign, unlike the deliberate pacing of the main Elden Ring game, demands quick thinking and resource management. This mirrors Ascension's Trial of the Gods, where the increased speed and new movement mechanics (like a grapple attack) are crucial for survival against overwhelming odds. The frantic, exhilarating experience described by players echoes the intense gameplay of Ascension's multiplayer.

The comparison is significant because the Soulslike genre and God of War represent contrasting game design philosophies. Nightreign's design, however, suggests a deliberate shift towards a more action-oriented, fast-paced experience, borrowing elements from both battle royale and the surprisingly prescient multiplayer mode of a forgotten God of War title. This unexpected lineage adds a fascinating layer to the anticipation surrounding Nightreign's release.

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