Elden Ring: Nightreign reveals release times, price and co-op focus
Elden Ring: Nightreign is not just an expansion or a traditional sequel. It's a complete reimagining of From Software's universe with a heavy focus on online cooperative play.
The official release date is May 30, 2025, but due to time zones, some players will gain early access on May 29. Bandai Namco confirmed availability on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Series X|S, with preload starting 48 hours before launch on all platforms.
Global launch times: when can you play?
Here are the confirmed release times by region:
Thursday, May 29:
- PC (PDT): 3pm / Console (PDT): 9pm
- PC (CDT / COT): 5pm / Console: 11pm
- PC (EST): 6pm / Console: 12am
Friday, May 30:
- Europe (CEST): 12am on both PC and console
- LATAM: midnight console, 6–7pm PC
- Asia & Oceania: console at midnight local time, PC between 6am–10am
Important: PC players get early access in nearly all time zones — a clear advantage if you’re eager to dive in.
Pricing and editions
The digital edition of Nightreign costs €39.99 across all platforms.
The physical version, available only for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, will retail for €41.99 in selected stores.
No special or collector's edition has been announced so far.
Co-op explained: the three-day expedition system
Nightreign introduces a unique three-player expedition system, divided into three gameplay “days”:
- Day one and two: explore, level up, gather loot.
- Night combat: the map closes, and you face a mini-boss.
- Day three: battle one of the Night Lords, the expedition’s final boss.
Once the run ends, all progress (levels, gear, upgrades) resets. It’s a roguelike formula in a Souls-style world — brutal, repetitive, but deeply rewarding.
No duo mode — and it wasn't intentional
According to Junya Ishizaki, Nightreign’s director, the lack of a duo-only mode was an oversight:
“We focused on trios, but failed to support duos without random matchmaking. We’ll revisit it.”
So if you were planning to play with your favorite duo partner only… get ready to welcome a stranger into your team — maybe even a pro.
Is it still Elden Ring?
Yes — and no. Nightreign keeps the cryptic storytelling, somber world, and tense combat of Elden Ring, but transforms the core gameplay.
There’s loot with rarity colors, simplified menus, and faster pacing. Yet somehow, it all works. Nightreign preserves the soul of Elden Ring while opening the door to a new genre.
