FromSoftware fans know that every expansion in the Elden Ring universe brings not just more content, but a shift in how we play, think, and survive in the Lands Between. After spending over 20 hours with Elden Ring: Nightreign, I can confidently say this expansion isn’t just a continuation—it’s a transformation.

A New Darkness Over the Lands Between

Nightreign introduces an ominous atmosphere the moment you step into the newly unlocked region, Veilmarsh. The air is thick with decay, the sky a permanent dusk. Visually, it's reminiscent of Bloodborne's Yharnam, but with Elden Ring’s signature grandeur and open-ended verticality.

Enemies here are more aggressive and coordinated than those in the base game. You’ll frequently find yourself ambushed or flanked, which shifts the gameplay toward a more tactical approach. This is not a place for reckless rune-farming.

Hands-on with the Shadowborne Class

One of the highlights of my Nightreign hands-on experience was testing the new Shadowborne class. This dexterity-faith hybrid excels in stealth, applying status effects through both incantations and curved blades. Playing this class feels like dancing through shadows—agile, precise, and lethal.

The new class shines particularly well in Veilmarsh, where visibility is often low and enemies patrol in groups. Sneaking past or silently taking down scouts feels incredibly rewarding, adding a new layer of depth for players who favor finesse over brute force.

Boss Encounters: Elegance in Brutality

If you thought Elden Ring’s bosses couldn’t get more creative, Nightreign proves otherwise. The three major bosses I faced—Seraph of Murkvale, the Hollow Seer, and Knight-Queen Velhara—each demanded unique builds and tactics. Velhara, in particular, stood out with a dual-phase fight where light and shadow mechanics drastically alter her move set.

Each encounter reinforced the expansion’s central theme: balance between concealment and confrontation. You’re rewarded for preparation, punished for overconfidence.

New Gear and Magic Systems

Elden Ring: Nightreign brings dozens of new weapons, talismans, and sorceries—many of which are tied to the twilight aesthetic of the expansion. Shadow-infused greatswords scale with both intelligence and dexterity, while new incantations manipulate ambient light to cloak allies or blind foes.

These additions feel well-integrated rather than overpowered. The gear naturally complements the threats you face in the new region, encouraging you to experiment rather than simply rely on your old, trusted loadout.

Seamless Integration with Base Game

One of the most impressive aspects of Nightreign is how smoothly it fits into the broader Elden Ring world. Transitioning between Limgrave and Veilmarsh feels natural, and NPC questlines now branch into previously inaccessible areas. You’ll meet returning characters with new motives—and discover unsettling truths about the Age of Dusk hinted at in the main game.

Even for players who haven’t touched the game since their first playthrough, Nightreign provides enough context to reengage without feeling lost.

After my extended Nightreign hands-on experience, it’s clear this expansion is not just a content drop—it’s a meaningful evolution of Elden Ring’s design philosophy. By combining stealth mechanics, smart world-building, and brutal boss fights, Elden Ring: Nightreign deepens what was already one of the most ambitious RPGs in recent memory.

Veterans will appreciate the added complexity, while newcomers may find this the perfect reason to dive back into the Lands Between.

If the rest of the expansion holds up to what I’ve played so far, Nightreign may stand as FromSoftware’s most impressive DLC to date.