Final Fantasy May Want to Take Notes from Elden Ring Nightreign

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As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I must admit that Elden Ring: Nightreign has piqued my interest. FromSoftware has always been a trailblazer in the gaming industry, and this title seems to be no exception. The idea of merging a co-operative multiplayer roguelike with battle royale elements into the Elden Ring universe is intriguing, to say the least.

In a surprising twist from what one might typically expect from FromSoftware, the game titled Elden Ring: Nightreign doesn’t follow the usual pattern of a single-player role-playing game with intricately designed regions to explore, like some of their other creations. Instead, it is a multiplayer game that combines elements of cooperative play in a roguelike setting with battle royale features. This might seem like a significant shift from the traditional Elden Ring formula, but the game maintains certain DNA of the popular RPG. In Elden Ring: Nightreign, players are thrust into an alternate version of Limgrave’s land and must team up with two other friends to overcome formidable bosses.

As a fervent supporter, I must express my delight about Elden Ring: Nightreign, which, despite its emphasis on PvE multiplayer, can still be enjoyed solo without the constant need for an internet connection. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not a live service game in the traditional sense. Instead, it offers emotes, skins, and in-game currencies, but steers clear of microtransactions or battle passes. FromSoftware seems to be crafting a classic, no-nonsense multiplayer experience, one that avoids the excessive features often associated with today’s Game-as-a-Service (GAAS) titles. If Elden Ring: Nightreign manages to uphold the exceptional quality that FromSoftware is renowned for, it might just inspire other esteemed franchises, like Final Fantasy, to follow suit.

Final Fantasy Should Take a Page Out of Elden Ring: Nightreign’s Playbook

There Are Plenty of Multiplayer Final Fantasy Games

Many gamers typically view the Final Fantasy series as primarily singleplayer, but it has ventured into multiplayer gaming on multiple instances. Games like Final Fantasy 11 Online and Final Fantasy 14 Online, which are (or were) some of the most popular MMORPGs available, may be the first multiplayer FF games that spring to mind. However, these games don’t offer a traditional cooperative experience like Elden Ring: Nightreign. Instead, those seeking a co-op experience should explore some of the multiplayer-centric spin-offs in the Final Fantasy series, such as Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles is One of the Best Co-Op Games in the FF Series

Launched in 2003, exclusively for the Nintendo GameCube, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles is a vibrant action role-playing game that introduces a multiplayer twist to the classic series. The story revolves around a band of traveling adventurers who aim to collect an essential energy source called myrrh to save their world from Miasma, a lethal poisonous gas released by a mysterious extraterrestrial lifeform. Unlike other games in the Final Fantasy series, this one is primarily designed for cooperative play with friends. However, due to the GameCube’s lack of internet connectivity, players can connect up to four Game Boy Advances using Link Cables to enjoy the game together on a single console.

Back in the day, playing Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles in co-op on the GameCube was quite a hassle because it was difficult to use multiple consoles to play just one game. Thankfully, this problem was resolved in the Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered, which introduced online cross-platform multiplayer and a few other enhancements. Unfortunately, this 2020 remaster received negative reviews from fans. It was heavily criticized for its absence of local co-op play, slow loading times, and outdated gameplay mechanics.

Square Enix Should Bring FF Crystal Chronicles Back if Elden Ring: Nightreign is a Hit

In the late 2000s, Square Enix, the publisher of the popular series “Final Fantasy”, did release sequels to “Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles”. However, none of them managed to match the success of the original GameCube game. Despite the series having run its course during that time, it could be beneficial to resurrect it in some fashion. Currently, there are few cooperative JRPGs available on the market, especially traditional ones without live-service elements. If “Elden Ring: Nightreign” demonstrates a demand for such RPGs, Square Enix should seize the chance to create a new version of “Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles” that’s compatible with all modern platforms.

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2024-12-20 23:34