FromSoftware’s latest co-op spin-off, Elden Ring: Nightreign, has shipped over 2 million units within 24 hours of release. Despite a mixed reception and a unique co-op requirement, it’s off to a remarkable start.
Elden Ring: Nightreign, the new co-op rogue-like spin-off from FromSoftware and Bandai Namco, has already surpassed two million digital sales and global shipments in less than 24 hours since its launch. Released on May 30 for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, and PC, the game marks a bold new direction for the acclaimed developer, one focused on multiplayer gameplay, which is largely uncharted territory for the studio.
The announcement came through an official press release and a celebratory post on the Elden Ring Twitter/X account, stating: “Darkness fell over Limveld, and two million Nightfarers rose up against it. Thank you for your support.” Given that Nightreign isn’t available on any subscription platforms like Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus, every sale is a direct purchase; an impressive feat, particularly for a genre shift.
While the sales figures are undeniably strong, the critical and community reception has been more mixed. On Metacritic, Nightreign debuted with an average critic score of 78, but it has since dipped slightly to 77, making it FromSoftware’s lowest-rated title in the past seven years. Steam reviews tell a similar story; launching with a “Mostly Positive” rating that has since dropped to “Mixed”, with only 65% of players leaving positive feedback.
Despite these critiques, the player base is already thriving. Nightreign peaked at 313,593 concurrent players on Steam shortly after launch, reflecting its strong appeal among Elden Ring fans and the broader gaming community. However, the game’s rigid co-op structure, requiring players to form trios (with no support for duos or solo runs), has drawn some backlash. Social media is filled with players struggling to find a third teammate, which could become a longer-term hurdle for retention if not addressed.
Still, the game has a strong foundation to build upon. FromSoftware has already announced a new patch coming next week, aimed at improving the solo experience and addressing early feedback. And while Nightreign might not have reached the meteoric heights of the original Elden Ring, which sold over 12 million copies in three weeks, or its Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, which hit five million sales in a week, it’s carving its own path, and quickly.
The success of Nightreign also builds anticipation for The Duskbloods, another FromSoftware title set to release exclusively for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 next year. That game will feature eight-player PvEvP gameplay in a brand-new vampire-infested dark fantasy world, offering yet another evolution of the studio’s genre-defining style.
For now, though, Nightreign stands as a testament to FromSoftware’s ability to experiment and still deliver a hit, even if it’s not perfect right out of the gate.
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