WhileElden Ring Nightreignhas had an impressive launch in terms of player count, there are quite a few features that really should have been more of a priority to give the game wider appeal. As a multiplayer title,Nightreignis missing some core features that most competitors present as staples, and one in particular is a massive oversight that could have brought in a much bigger audience if included at launch.
Nightreign’s current problems include a completelyunbalanced solo mode, no built-in voice chat feature, no cross-play between platforms, and perhaps most egregiously, the lack of a doubles option. Not only doesNightreigndesperately need a two-player mode, but it should also include a local split-screen option to allow players to enjoy the game on the same console at home.Nightreignforces players into three-player, online co-op to experience the game, and these limitations are simply nonstarters for a large percentage of players.
Nightreign Needs A Balanced Doubles Mode
Balancing Solo Mode Is Only The First Step
It became pretty obvious at launch thatNightreign’ssolo modeisn’t really viable for most casual players, and it proved to be a major challenge even for the most experienced Souls players. Fortunately, FromSoft announced shortly after launch that solo expeditions will be gettinga balance updatein the coming weeks, which is a positive sign that the company is not only listening to players but alsotaking action to resolve some of the major areas of concern.
However, this is only the first step in a larger overhaul that the game needs in order to bring in a wider audience and welcome different types of players into the Lands Between. Aside from a balanced solo mode, I think one of the next priorities should be a dedicated (and balanced) two-player mode as well.Nightreignis the perfect game for doubles, and it would give players who aren’t keen on three-player multiplayer another option outside of playing alone.
Why Nightreign Desperately Needs A Two-Player Option
Communication Is Key In Nightreign
It might seem like a small difference, but it’s simply much easier to get one person online than it is to coordinate with two people. While you can go into a match with a friend and meet up with a random player,there’s no functional voice chat option, so you’re left with a third wheel that cannot communicate outside of dropping pins on the map. Playing with people you know is largely preferred because of this missing in-game voice chat feature, and if you can’t manage to find a third person you know, you’re at a disadvantage.
You should simply be able to select solo, doubles, or full expedition options at the Roundtable Hold.
Communication inNightreignis essential, and playing with people you’re able to actually speak with makes a world of difference. Having experienced the game both ways, I can attest thatboss battles in particular are easier when you can talk with your friendsand strategize in real time. In particular, a central feature ofNightreignis the selection of Ultimate Arts for each Nightfarer, which can be used in coordination to great effect. Coordinating Ultimate Art attacks with all three players is a challenge, even with voice communication, but it wouldn’t be quite as tricky in doubles mode.
Doubles Would Be Easy To Implement & Balance
Marginally Increasing Rune Acquisition Would Balance A Doubles Mode
FromSoft has already clarified that it plans on giving solo mode players one free revive after being defeated by a major boss instead of having it permanently end a run. Further,the game will be increasing rune acquisition in solo modeto make leveling up more feasible. Both of these features make sense for a doubles mode as well, but even if they only increased rune acquisition by a small margin, this would be a pretty straightforward fix that would likely make doubles relatively well-balanced.
You should simply be able to select solo, doubles, or full expedition options at the Roundtable Hold, and each mode should be balanced and optimized for a challenging but enjoyable experience. There don’t seem to be any good arguments forlimiting things to either solo or three-player. Afan-made doubles modhas already made two-player possible, indicating that it should be reasonably straightforward to include, I don’t see whyNightreignwouldn’t roll out a doubles mode in the coming months.
A slightly more complicated addition I’d like to see is a local split-screen multiplayer option, either for doubles only or for a full party of three. This would give players the option to join up with friends at home and enjoy the game if they don’t have internet access or if the servers go down. I imagine there’s a smaller audience for this, but in my view,Elden Ring Nightreignshould give players as many options as possible instead of limiting player choice and encouraging a very specific type of gameplay.
