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

The recent network tests for Elden Ring Nightreign, FromSoftware's upcoming multiplayer spin-off, revealed a surprising influence: 2013's often-overlooked God of War: Ascension. Unlike its parent game's open-world design, Nightreign adopts a streamlined survival format, pitting three-player teams against waves of enemies and challenging bosses within a shrinking map—a clear nod to battle royale games like Fortnite.

While Nightreign's surface resembles Fortnite, its core gameplay mechanics share striking similarities with Ascension's "Trial of the Gods" multiplayer mode. Both feature cooperative PvE experiences where teams face increasingly difficult foes, including bosses from previous installments (Hercules from God of War 3 or the Nameless King from Dark Souls 3, for example). Both also incorporate time-limited gameplay within shrinking maps.

This parallel is significant, considering the contrasting styles of the Soulslike genre and the God of War franchise. Nightreign, however, seems to recapture the frantic, exhilarating pace of Ascension's Trial of the Gods, forcing players to rely on instinct and resource management, unlike the more deliberate gameplay of the main Elden Ring title. Speed enhancements, similar to those in Ascension (increased run speed, extended jumps, automated parkour, and grapple mechanics), are crucial for survival in Nightreign's intense combat encounters.

The comparison highlights an interesting evolution. Both games, developed by studios renowned for single-player experiences, and created without direct involvement from their respective series' original creators, successfully adapted their single-player mechanics for a fast-paced multiplayer environment.

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Nightreign's design, therefore, isn't just a simple battle royale clone; it's a testament to the enduring appeal of Ascension's surprisingly effective multiplayer mode, and a clever reimagining of the Soulslike formula for a faster, more frantic experience.