With the release of Elden Ring Nightreign drawing ever closer — dropping on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on May 30th, 2025 — I’ve been growing more frustrated over a missing key component: the lack of crossplay. Yep, despite Elden Ring Nightreign being an online-only title — unlike the original Elden Ring — Nightreign doesn’t support crossplay, and I feel that’s going to hurt the game’s chances of being better than it could be.
Now, you’re probably saying, “But Keith, the other Elden Ring games didn’t have crossplay, and those games were fine.” And yes, you’re correct. Both Elden Ring and Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree were on everyone’s lips, and FromSoftware made out like a bandit. However, I feel that things are different this time around. Elden Ring Nightreign isn’t the traditional Soulslike experience, and its main draw is online gameplay. Let me say it again: online gameplay — something FromSoft isn’t exactly known for.
But to FromSoft’s credit, after playing in the Elden Ring Nightreign Network Test, I feel that the devs may have finally nailed online gameplay… it just stinks that we’re essentially playing a battle royale, just not in the traditional sense.
What Elden Ring Nightreign isn’t doing, though, is letting players across multiple platforms play together — and that’s my main concern, or frustration, you could say. I also feel this will not only limit the number of players jumping into the game but could kill the game’s longevity.
We’re at a junction where even Capcom — a company that once swore it wouldn’t implement crossplay into Monster Hunter World or Monster Hunter Rise — finally wised up and added this often-requested feature into Monster Hunter Wilds. For me, it was a game-changer. Now, when I play, I’m playing with hundreds — if not thousands — of players across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. Not only did this help Wilds hit over a million players within its first day, but the game has also sold over 10 million copies since it launched on February 28th, 2025. Was it just the addition of crossplay? I definitely feel that it contributed to the success.
Will that happen with Elden Ring Nightreign? I doubt it — and it’s not because the game won’t be good. It’s because, after talking to several players who have been enjoying Monster Hunter Wilds, the main reason they’re sticking around is the ability to play with their friends on different platforms — and to meet new players in the process. That’s the power of crossplay. It’s something we’re seeing pop up in more and more games.
Helldivers 2, Sea of Thieves, Apex Legends, Monster Hunter Wilds, Destiny 2, Rocket League, Final Fantasy XIV, Path of Exile 2 — just to name a few. These games, outside of simply being good, thrive because crossplay brings in players from every platform and lets them play together.
With Elden Ring Nightreign lacking this essential component, I feel its success could be jeopardized. Now, I’m not saying it’ll fail — it’s a FromSoft title, and we all love them. But when a game shifts from the traditional Soulslike formula we know to one that requires you to squad up with multiple players, not offering crossplay feels like a major oversight.
Of course, the one way Nightreign might outperform my expectations is if players “double dip” and buy multiple copies, which isn’t unheard of. Heck, I own multiple copies of all the Dark Souls games myself, just to do exactly what I’m complaining about: leveling characters repeatedly to help friends and randos smash bosses into the ground. Ask my buddy, Jordan… ain’t that right, Jordan?
For me, crossplay isn’t just a nice extra — it’s a must-have. It makes playing with friends easier, no matter what platform they’re on, and I know I’m not the only one who feels that way. Extending the player pool, to me, is a win, no matter how you look at it. But maybe I’m exaggerating things a bit. Maybe I’m worrying over nothing. But damn — I really wish this game had crossplay.
What do you think? Am I wrong here, or do you agree with me? Sound off in the comments and let me know.
Elden Ring Nightreign releases on May 30th, 2025, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam).
