Are you ready to meet the latest hero in Elden Ring: Nightreign? The new character trailer, released on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, introduces Raider, a formidable addition to the game’s roster of Nightfarers. In this article, we’ll dive into what makes Raider unique, explore the core features of Elden Ring: Nightreign, and provide all the details you need to get excited for this standalone multiplayer co-op adventure.
Who Is Raider?
Raider is one of the playable characters, or Nightfarers, in Elden Ring: Nightreign. This axe-wielding warrior stands out with their unique ability to raise stone platforms. While the exact mechanics of this ability remain under wraps, it could allow players to create pathways across Limveld’s treacherous terrain or gain a tactical advantage in combat. Raider’s starting weapon, an axe, points to a melee-focused playstyle, making them a likely choice for players who enjoy diving into the thick of battle.
Watch the Raider trailer on Bandai Namco’s YouTube channel to see this character in action.
What Is Elden Ring: Nightreign?
But what exactly is Elden Ring: Nightreign? This standalone multiplayer co-op PvE action RPG, developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco, offers a new way to experience the Elden Ring universe. Set in the Lands Between, it introduces Limveld, an open-air dungeon that shifts with each playthrough, ensuring no two sessions are identical. Unlike the original Elden Ring, which focuses on solo exploration with optional co-op, Nightreign is designed for teams of up to three players to tackle challenges together, culminating in a battle against the Nightlord.
A key difference is the absence of character creation. Instead, players select from pre-built Nightfarers, each with unique abilities and playstyles, encouraging strategic team synergy. The game also features faster-paced gameplay, with enhanced mobility options like wall-running and gliding via a magical spectral hawk, as noted on the Elden Ring Wiki.
Release Date and Platforms
Elden Ring: Nightreign is set to launch on May 30, 2025, across multiple platforms:
- PlayStation 5
- PlayStation 4
- Xbox Series X|S
- Xbox One
- PC via Steam
Pre-orders are live, offering three editions:
- Standard Edition: The base game.
- Deluxe Edition: Includes a digital artbook and soundtrack.
- Collector’s Edition: Features a Wylder Nightfarer statue, Steelbook, hardcover artbook, and eight Nightfarer cards (physical-only).
A closed network test ran from February 14-17, 2025, giving select players an early taste of the game, as reported by Anime News Network.
Gameplay Features
Elden Ring: Nightreign introduces several exciting features that set it apart from its predecessor:
- Ever-Shifting World: Limveld’s procedural generation ensures unique enemies, rewards, and layouts each session, adding replayability.
- Multiplayer Co-op: Designed for three-player teams, the game emphasizes teamwork and coordination.
- Session-Based Progression: Players level up at Sites of Grace, with each session offering fresh challenges.
- Enhanced Mobility: Sprint faster, wall-run, and glide with a spectral hawk, with no fall damage, per Polygon.
- Pre-Built Heroes: Choose from Nightfarers with distinct abilities, fostering strategic team play.
The ultimate goal is to defeat the Nightlord, a formidable foe ruling over Limveld.
What Sets Elden Ring: Nightreign Apart?
Elden Ring: Nightreign reimagines the Elden Ring formula in several ways. The multiplayer focus shifts the experience toward cooperative strategy, with pre-built characters encouraging players to master specific roles. The ever-changing Limveld adds a roguelike twist, ensuring high replayability. Enhanced mobility options, like wall-running and gliding, make exploration more dynamic, while the absence of fall damage removes a common frustration from the original game.
Community buzz, as seen in discussions on Reddit, highlights excitement for these changes, though some fans speculate about hidden characters or returning bosses, like the Nameless King from Dark Souls 3, as noted by PC Gamer.
Where to Watch the Trailer
The Raider character trailer is available on Bandai Namco Europe’s YouTube channel. Check it out for a glimpse of Raider’s abilities and the stunning visuals of Limveld.
FAQs
- When is Elden Ring: Nightreign releasing?
Elden Ring: Nightreign is scheduled to release on May 30, 2025. - What platforms will Elden Ring: Nightreign be available on?
The game will be available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam. - How many characters are there to choose from in Elden Ring: Nightreign?
There are at least six confirmed Nightfarers: Wylder, Guardian, Duchess, Recluse, Ironeye, and Raider. More may be revealed closer to launch. - Is there character creation in Elden Ring: Nightreign?
No, Nightreign features pre-built characters with unique abilities, unlike the original Elden Ring. - What is the gameplay like in Elden Ring: Nightreign?
It’s a multiplayer co-op PvE action RPG where players team up to explore the ever-shifting Limveld, facing challenges and bosses to defeat the Nightlord. - Are there different editions of Elden Ring: Nightreign?
Yes, there’s a Standard Edition, a Deluxe Edition (digital artbook and soundtrack), and a Collector’s Edition (Wylder statue, Steelbook, artbook, and Nightfarer cards).
