Last updated on October 1st, 2026 at 11:23 am
When I first heard of the Elden Ring Nightreign network test times, which are scheduled to run between February 14-16, 2025, I figured it would be Elden Ring with co-op slapped on it.
After that, I started investigating what actually happened during those five three-hour meetings and, yes, FromSoftware had to put the game together almost entirely anew.
Table of Contents
What the Network Test Yielded According to Reality.
The test ran in five sessions, each lasting three hours. Lucky players were assigned lottery-generated beta codes and jumped into what proved to be an outright different beast. The thing is, in this case Nightreign is not Elden Ring with friends. It is a roguelike, with 30-45 minutes per run, and with everything re-initializing once that time is over.
Session 1 was a mess, though. The servers have been down since 3-6 AM PT on February 14. FromSoftware’s case required a public apology and even a separate test session. But honestly? The technical headaches were more than made up for by what they showed in the game.
The Big Changes That Actually Matter
No Fall Damage, Ever
This one caught me off guard. You can literally toss yourself down cliffs now. They added wall climbing, quick jumps using spirit springs, and gliding with spectral hawks. The map is called Limveld; it’s a procedurally generated Limgrave that regenerates daily in-game. So aggressive crossing is not only encouraged, but compulsory.
The catch? Wall-jumping seemed like a pain during the test. There are reports of players holding the button down for 15+ seconds to see the practical walls climbing the circle in seconds when you are racing with time, not so great.
Equipment Freedom
This is where it gets wild: they removed equipment load. It hurts to remember that image-painful stat management when you would invest points in endurance to wear nice armor? Gone. Wear whatever you want. Use any weapon. Your construction no longer limits your equipment.
This isn’t just convenience. It changes your approach to every 30-45 minute run, since you’re no longer confined to a playstyle based on how you distributed your activities.
Actual Co-op Integration
Earlier FromSoftware games had you burn consumables to get help. Nightreign… works. You go to the Roundtable Hearth, call an expedition, and it automatically pairs you with two other people. Password systems allow you to collude with friends in the painful and troubleless game of Steam.
Three-person teams are not optional. Solo play exists, but it is brutal. You miss out on generated runes and support during boss fights.
Advancement That Depends (Of a Kind).
All the expeditions begin on level one. No carry-over between runs. However, it has a clever twist: the relic system provides permanent bonuses. Complete an expedition (win or lose), and you earn relics that enhance later runs. That way, you make progress even when you fail.
The circle of the Night Tide is pushing you toward boss battles, and they fixed the circle harm after the test because players were building regeneration and ignoring it.
The Implication of This on the May 30 Release.
The Elden Ring Nightreign network test timing gave us our first real glimpse of FromSoftware’s co-op roguelike. They are also listening transparently: server problems are fixed between sessions, and they’re adjusting balance based on feedback.
The game launches May 30, 2025. If you are expecting classic Elden Ring, reset. It features 45-minute team runs, completely reset procedural maps, and irreversible relic advancement. It is different, and that is exactly what it’s meant to be.
FAQs
Does network test progress carry to the full game?
Nope. A reset affects everything, including levels, equipment, Android runes, and quests. The only exception would be relics earned in the test, but even those don’t transfer in this scenario.
Can I play solo or do I need teammates?
You may go alone, but the game is much tougher. The game is a balanced three-player game. Solo play means less rune generation and less support during boss battles. FromSoftware may make single-player changes after launch, but for now, it is team-based.
How long does one full run actually take?
About 30-45 minutes, depending on your team’s efficiency and the route you choose. That entails three game days of discoveries and the final battle with the Nightlord boss. Fast enough to take a lunch, in a nutshell.
Also Read:
Elden Ring Nightreign Release and Network Test Guide: What You Need to Know
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