Elden Ring: Nightreign – A New Direction for FromSoftware
Unlike the typical offerings from FromSoftware, Elden Ring: Nightreign diverges from the expected single-player RPG experience characterized by intricately crafted worlds. Instead, it introduces a co-operative multiplayer roguelike experience infused with battle royale elements. While this may seem like a significant shift from the original Elden Ring formula, the new title retains some familiar aspects of its predecessor. Players will navigate an alternate version of Limgrave alongside two companions as they confront formidable bosses.
Although Elden Ring: Nightreign primarily emphasizes player-versus-environment (PvE) multiplayer, it also offers a solo mode and does not mandate a constant internet connection. Unlike many modern releases, it steers clear of the live-service model. While the game will feature emotes, skins, and in-game currencies, it firmly eliminates microtransactions and battle passes. FromSoftware aims to deliver a straightforward multiplayer experience that avoids the common pitfalls of the genre seen in recent years. Should Elden Ring: Nightreign maintain the high-quality standards set by its predecessors, it could inspire other franchises, including Final Fantasy, to take a similar approach.
Final Fantasy Should Learn from Elden Ring: Nightreign
Exploring Multiplayer in Final Fantasy
While many view Final Fantasy primarily as a single-player series, it has ventured into the multiplayer realm multiple times. Titles like Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XIV represent some of the leading MMORPGs, showcasing the franchise’s commitment to multiplayer gameplay. However, these games don’t replicate the cooperative essence of Elden Ring: Nightreign. For a more similar experience, fans might reference spin-off titles such as Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles.
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: A Multiplayer Gem
Launched in 2003 exclusively for the Nintendo GameCube, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles offers a vibrant action RPG experience with a cooperative twist. Players join a band of adventurers on a quest for myrrh, a life-sustaining resource vital to combating the deadly Miasma, emitted by an otherworldly entity. Although it boasts a single-player mode, the game is designed primarily for cooperative play. The unique requirement of connecting up to four Game Boy Advances to the GameCube through Link Cables posed a challenge for players seeking to enjoy the game together.
The cumbersome setup of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles was addressed in its remastered version, which introduced online cross-platform multiplayer alongside several enhancements. However, the 2020 remaster faced criticism for lacking local co-op support, subpar load times, and outdated gameplay mechanics.
Reviving FF Crystal Chronicles: An Opportunity for Square Enix
Following the original Crystal Chronicles, Square Enix released several sequels in the late 2000s, yet none reached the original’s acclaim. Given the current scarcity of cooperative JRPGs, reintroducing this beloved franchise could attract significant interest. With Elden Ring: Nightreign potentially signaling a revived appetite for traditional, non-live-service cooperative RPGs, Square Enix would be wise to explore the creation of a new Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles game for today’s platforms.