Elden Ring: Nightreign Offers New Take on Spirit Ashes

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Summary

  • Elden Ring: Nightreign is a standalone co-op multiplayer game announced at The Game Awards 2024.
  • Spirit Ashes will return in Nightreign with a different gameplay mechanic involving one of eight playable characters.
  • The companions’ return has been described as a “spiritual buddy” to one of the characters by the game’s director Junya Ishizaki.

As a hardcore Soulslike fan who’s spent countless hours in the Lands Between, I must say that Elden Ring: Nightreign has me absolutely thrilled! The return of Spirit Ashes, albeit with a fresh twist, is music to my ears. I remember the struggle and triumphs I had during boss battles, summoning Commander Niall or other spirits to help me out when things got tough.

At this year’s The Game Awards, the unveiling of Elden Ring: Nightreign was a thrilling moment for enthusiasts of Soulslike games, and its director, Junya Ishizaki, has since disclosed that Spirit Ashes will function differently in the upcoming game through a new gameplay mechanic. Previously hinted at by Hidetaka Miyazaki, standalone Elden Ring projects were suggested when the director confirmed FromSoftware was not creating a direct sequel, and many supporters were expecting a multiplayer title to be among them.

Back in 2022, us Elden Ring enthusiasts were thrilled when the main game dropped, and our excitement only grew with the release of the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion in 2024, offering fresh landscapes and formidable adversaries to conquer. At The Game Awards 2024, we received another tantalizing piece of news – Elden Ring: Nightreign, a brand-new cooperative multiplayer game, set in its own gripping narrative that runs parallel to the original storyline. Fortunately for us, we won’t have to wait too long to immerse ourselves once again in this mesmerizing dark fantasy world, as Nightreign is slated for release in 2025!

During an interview with IGN, Ishizaki shared some fundamental aspects about the gameplay for Nightreign, and the director verified the comeback of the Spirit Ashes companions. However, multiplayer in Nightreign will present a unique twist on these companions. In Shadow of the Erdtree, players can utilize Torrent as a battle partner, which turned out to be a well-liked enhancement for the expansion, and Nightreign will incorporate a similar ally using Spirit Ashes but functioning differently compared to their appearance in the original game. Ishizaki disclosed that one of the eight playable characters in this spin-off will utilize a Spirit Ash, likening the gameplay mechanic to a “spiritual sidekick.

Elden Ring: Nightreign Director Confirms Spirit Ashes Return

As a hardcore Elden Ring gamer, I can’t ignore the vital role Spirit Ashes played in my combat strategies during those grueling boss battles. I relied on them heavily, and they quickly became an essential tool for me. With Nightreign on the horizon, featuring multiplayer assistance against eight confirmed boss types, I had assumed Spirit Ashes might take a backseat in the spin-off. However, it’s fantastic news to learn that this popular mechanic will once again be at my disposal as a character feature!

In the world of Elden Ring, Spirit Ashes serve as battle companions that you can summon with the Spirit Calling Bell. These spirits are modeled after enemies encountered in the Lands Between and prove valuable allies when facing the game’s toughest opponents. The Shadow of the Erdtree expansion has introduced 20 new Spirit Ashes to the mix, alongside the original 64 from the base game. An additional item called Revered Spirit Ash can be used to enhance the power of your summoned spirits.

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2024-12-13 15:53