Elden Ring Nightreign Explodes On Steam, Fans Are Already Unhappy And Divided

After 2022's genre-defining gem, Elden Ring, FromSoftware has once again rocked the game world with the release of Elden Ring Nightreign. According to data from SteamDB, Nightreign smashed predictions by getting over 313,000 people to play at the same time on Steam in just one hour.

That number makes it FromSoftware's second-biggest PC launch ever, after the original Elden Ring, which had an amazing peak of 953,426 concurrent users. From the outside, this opening looks nothing short of amazing. It shows that the studio's image continues to excite and inspire fans' loyalty.

But when you look more closely, you see a more complicated picture. Even though a huge number of people came early, Nightreign has had a hard time winning over all of its viewers. The game has a "Mixed" user review on Steam right now, which is very different from the first Elden Ring, which was praised by almost everyone.

More than 10,000 reviews have been written in the first 48 hours, and about one-third of them are negative. These reviews paint a picture of controversial design choices and technology problems that have left a big chunk of fans disappointed. What seems to be at the heart of the problem is Nightreign's bold but controversial focus on shared multiplayer gaming.

Nightreign is designed from the ground up to be played with three other people. Its predecessor, Shadowrun, was praised for its large open world, solo travel, and story that developed as you played. Technically, you can play the game by yourself, but it's clear that the way it works, how enemies level up, and how you move are all designed with groups in mind.

While this change in design is new and different, it has turned off some of FromSoftware's most loyal fans, who like the classic solo experience the company is known for. One of the most common issues is that there isn't a separate mode for two players. Players must either go into the world by themselves or be forced to work together in groups of three.

Many argue that this restriction makes things less flexible and restricts the player's freedom. The game also supports multiplayer, but voice chat doesn't work as well as it should. Many people feel separated or at a loss in a game that depends so much on teamwork because they can't easily talk to each other while playing, especially when they're teamed up with strangers.

Some reviewers have also said that the roguelike structure of the game is very different from Elden Ring's large, linked worlds. Nightreign doesn't have a single huge map. Instead, it has smaller dungeon-like areas that start over after each run. These levels are random and focus on being playable again and again, which is very different from the story-driven experience that made the first game a modern classic.

Fans of games like Hades or Returnal might like this method, but some longtime Soulsborne players have called it "shallow" or "lacking soul". Another problem is the technical function. Even players with very powerful computers have reported unexpected drops in frame rate, erratic performance, and stuttering, which is strange considering how little the game's graphics have improved.

FromSoftware stated that these issues were known and advised users to lower their graphics settings and screen size, as well as ensure their GPU drivers were up to date, in a statement that went with the game's first update. They said they would keep helping, but for many, this doesn't make launch day any less frustrating. Even with these problems, Nightreign has a lot of promise. 

The game features numerous new additions, including dynamic weather that impacts battles, an enhanced parrying system, and cooperative skills that require the entire team to work together. The boss fights are still brutal and dramatic, and many people think the enemies are some of the most creative they've been since Bloodborne. People have also said nice things about the way it looks, especially the deeply detailed settings that mix gothic horror with cosmic dread.

The story isn't as well-crafted as in Elden Ring, but it still showcases the studio's signature storytelling style, with vague item descriptions and subtle hints in the surroundings. Some fans have praised Nightreign for being brave enough to try new things and improve the Souls recipe instead of going back to the same old ways.

However, some people believe that FromSoftware may have forgotten what made their single-player epics so popular in the first place as they attempt to make online games more engaging. FromSoftware has a long history of making improvements to their games after they are released. Dark Souls 2, Bloodborne, and even the first Elden Ring all changed a lot after they came out based on what people said about them.

In the past, patches that improved balance, speed, and quality of life have changed first opinions. Given the size of the player base and the enthusiasm of the community, there's a good chance that Nightreign will get the same kind of support in the coming weeks and months.

With over 300,000 people at launch, it's clear that the following is there. We still don't know if FromSoftware can change its mind quickly enough to keep them. Based on the studio's past work, things are likely to improve, but the current split among fans makes me wonder about the series' future. Is Nightreign a brave new direction for the Souls-like game, or is it too far from its roots?

No matter what, one thing is for sure: When Elden Ring: Nightreign came out, it caused a huge stir in the game world. It may not have landed as smoothly as the one before it, but there is no denying its effect. These few months will show if this new chapter cements its reputation or turns into a cautionary tale of ambition colliding with expectation. Patches will be released, and the community will have to adapt.