By Sam Smith
Skip to main content
GamesRadar+
GamesRadar+
GamesRadar+ The Games, Movies, TV & Comics You Love
Search GamesRadar+
View Profile
Xbox Series X
Nintendo Switch
Nintendo Switch 2
Tabletop Gaming
Toys & Collectibles
Retro Gamer
Newsletters
Total Film
Gaming Magazines
Why subscribe?
Subscribe from just £3
Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love
Try a single issue or save on a subscription
Issues delivered straight to your door or device
From£9.99View
Summer Game Fest
New games for 2025
Upcoming Switch 2 games
Switch 2 stock
Recommended reading
Action RPGs
Dark Souls bosses are about to terrorize Elden Ring Nightreign players because the director wanted to “really embrace” the “chaos” of The Lands Between
Action RPGs
Elden Ring Nightreign is an extension of FromSoftware’s philosophy, director says, not a revision: “We’re always looking to make something valuable in our games, something that feels worthwhile”
Action RPGs
My least favorite Elden Ring Nightreign character just became one of my top choices by stopping a collapsing universe with a sword
Roguelike Games
Elden Ring Nightreign review: “An uncharacteristically frantic and fast-paced ride that boils down the core Elden Ring experience”
Action RPGs
One of Elden Ring Nightreign’s many Dark Souls throwbacks also has players thinking about a very different action RPG: “What in the Monster Hunter?”
Action RPGs
Elden Ring Nightreign: Everything you need to know
FromSoftware warns “the same strategy won’t always work” in Elden Ring Nightreign, which is bad news for me because I used the same strategy in all the Souls games
Action RPGs
If Elden Ring Nightreign wants to keep me around to buy DLC, it needs to lean into Dark Souls so much more
6 July 2025
Opinion | The Lands Between needs to remember it’s in a Dark Souls crossover
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: FromSoftware, Bandai Namco)
When Elden Ring Nightreign was revealed, the thing that drew the most attention was that it contained bosses from the Dark Souls series. The trailer showed the Nameless King, a very important boss from Dark Souls 3, riding around on his dragon while smiting hapless Tarnished warriors with lightning bolts.
This immediately set tongues wagging, and fans everywhere started coming up with theories as to why characters from Dark Souls were appearing in an Elden Ring game. You see, while Dark Souls and Elden Ring share many similarities and are both developed by FromSoftware, the creator has always been quick to point out they’re set in different universes.
However, this hasn’t stopped some fans from speculating on a “Miyazaki Multiverse,” one which includes all of the studio’s Souls games, regardless of who published each entry or owns the rights. FromSoftware has often fanned the flames of this theory by deliberately reusing characters, themes, and weapons across the games, with some nods being more subtle than others.
You may like
Dark Souls bosses are about to terrorize Elden Ring Nightreign players because the director wanted to “really embrace” the “chaos” of The Lands Between
Elden Ring Nightreign is an extension of FromSoftware’s philosophy, director says, not a revision: “We’re always looking to make something valuable in our games, something that feels worthwhile”
My least favorite Elden Ring Nightreign character just became one of my top choices by stopping a collapsing universe with a sword
Bonfire lit
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: FromSoftware)
Not jumped in yet?
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
Elden Ring Nightreign review: “An uncharacteristically frantic and fast-paced ride that boils down the core Elden Ring experience”
As we learned more about Nightreign’s Dark Souls streak – and that the game was set in a parallel universe to the original Elden Ring – many Miyazaki Multiverse conspiracy theorists felt vindicated. Not only was FromSoftware confirming the existence of multiple universes (at least between the games that Bandai Namco published), but we’d finally get to see Dark Souls characters invade the Lands Between.
Now that the dust has settled and we’ve had a chance to thoroughly enjoy Elden Ring Nightreign, calling the game a Dark Souls crossover is somewhat of a stretch. Sure, the game does feature a selection of bosses from across the Dark Souls series, and while fighting them all over again with a team of Tarnished allies is supremely fun, some of us are left wondering why the developers didn’t go further with this concept.
In many ways, the Dark Souls elements of Elden Ring Nightreign feel like a wasted opportunity. For starters, the game went out of its way to tell us it was set in a parallel universe, creating the perfect crossover setting, but then offered no lore or explanation as to why characters like the Nameless King were there. The fact is, Dark Souls bosses were only added to the game to pad out its roster of enemies.
This isn’t a terrible thing, it’s still nice to have them included, but what was the point of creating such ideal terrain for a crossover and then not fully fleshing out the idea? It feels unfinished, but this might actually end up being a blessing in disguise. For that to happen, FromSoftware needs to lean into Dark Souls in future content updates. If it does so, then not only could it redeem the lackluster crossover, but Nightreign could become the ultimate playground for fans of both franchises.
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter
Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
(Image credit: FromSoftware)
Let’s be honest about Elden Ring Nightreign: we’re having fun, but it’s going to start getting old – and soon. There are only so many times we can jump into an expedition before the randomized gameplay and bosses start feeling stale. What it needs is a roadmap of content, and Nightreign doesn’t just have Elden Ring to draw from, creatively speaking, it also has the entire Dark Souls trilogy.
There are lots of directions that Elden Ring Nightreign could go in when it comes to future expansions. Sure, it could add more expeditions, bosses and weapons from Elden Ring. But for it to really make the most of its vision and setting, the game needs to embrace all of its heritage, not just the Elden Ring parts. Why not have DLC packs themed around each of the Dark Souls games?
(Image credit: FromSoftware)
These don’t need to be the first DLC expansions, but if Elden Ring Nightreign is going to be a game players return to for years to come, then this is certainly an idea to consider. Imagine a DLC being themed around the first Dark Souls 1 – a Lordran pack that introduces bosses like Gwyn, Knight Artorias, and even fan-favorites like Ornstein and Smough.
A second pack could bring in more bosses from Dark Souls 2, focusing on ideas like the Lost Crowns and the First Sin. It could even explore concepts like the Abyss, possibly even tying this to the Night Lord and remixing some old enemies with a fresh spin. Likewise, could Dark Souls 3 get a Lothric pack?
Elden Ring Nightreign needs content, and by looking to the past, it can secure its future. But more importantly, it needs to deliver on the promise of being the Dark Souls x Elden Ring crossover that so many fans hoped it would be – because so far, it’s not.
Elden Ring Nightreign players are using an extremely rare Legendary sword to juice their stats to the moon, stacking thousands of HP and even one-hitting final bosses
See more Xbox Series X Features
FromSoftware
Xbox Series X
PlayStation
Contributor
After discovering Sonic the Hedgehog as a child, I knew I needed to make gaming my career and steadily worked to make that a reality. Today, I’m is fully NCTJ accredited journalist with over ten years writing about games, wrestling and everything in-between. I’m a Resident Evil obsessive and self-appointed Elden Lord after conquering every Souls game. I’m also probably that guy who ruined your day in Elden Ring by invading you at just the wrong time. I’m passionate about writing features, as I love and care about my favorite gaming franchises and hold a lot of opinions on them. Ultimately, I just want to see them succeed, as I believe we’re in a golden age of gaming.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
Dark Souls bosses are about to terrorize Elden Ring Nightreign players because the director wanted to “really embrace” the “chaos” of The Lands Between
Elden Ring Nightreign is an extension of FromSoftware’s philosophy, director says, not a revision: “We’re always looking to make something valuable in our games, something that feels worthwhile”
My least favorite Elden Ring Nightreign character just became one of my top choices by stopping a collapsing universe with a sword
Elden Ring Nightreign review: “An uncharacteristically frantic and fast-paced ride that boils down the core Elden Ring experience”
One of Elden Ring Nightreign’s many Dark Souls throwbacks also has players thinking about a very different action RPG: “What in the Monster Hunter?”
Elden Ring Nightreign: Everything you need to know
Latest in Action RPGs
Borderlands 4’s jetpack and grappling hook were prophesied 6 years ago through a Borderlands 3 joke poking fun at the era’s FPS tropes by shooting them into space
Elden Ring’s Let Me Solo Her already has 155 hours in Nightreign largely spent helping other players, and like us he’s hoping for more maps and characters
FromSoftware is struggling to squash an Elden Ring Nightreign bug that sees its new, third boss bug vanish from a notorious duo bug fight, making it impossible to win
FromSoftware actually did it: Elden Ring Nightreign powers up its annoying bug duo boss by – I almost can’t believe this – adding a third bug to the fight
A Claptrap volume slider is just the start, Borderlands 4 boss Randy Pitchford says there are “so many things we are holding back from everyone until launch. So. Many. Things”
25 years later, Diablo 2 director still hasn’t gotten over how much the stamina bar sucks: “It’s like a newbie tax almost”
Latest in Features
I’ve seen countless crime dramas, but Netflix’s Dept. Q and Poker Face season 2 are rewriting the sidekick archetype for the better
Sun, sea, and strained relationships: Andor’s Fiona Shaw and Barbie’s Emma Mackey play a mother and daughter on the brink in new drama Hot Milk
I didn’t expect to like the latest D&D book, but after an utterly stupid adventure I’m all in on Dragon Delves
The Silent Hill f writer’s debut game was basically the original Doki Doki Literature Club, and it’s still terrifying me 23 years later
This stunning 2D “plotformer” is the ultimate cottagecore fantasy with an extra dose of mystery, sapphic witches, and a giant lady who fights you
Krypto the Superdog – The comic history of Superman’s best friend
GAME REVIEWS
MOVIE REVIEWS
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach review: “This tarpunk delivery epic is more Metal Gear Solid than ever, for better and worse”
Rematch review: “As with Rocket League, the just-one-more-game pull is magnetic”
Tron: Catalyst review: “Disc slinging is a thrill in this gorgeous rendition of the series, but I’m let down by a time-loop story that falls flat”
FBC: Firebreak review: “A disappointingly bland multiplayer FPS that’s missing far too much of what made Control special”
Dune: Awakening review: “Both extremely compelling and extraordinarily boring, sometimes at the same time – yet still a true Dune love letter”
Jurassic World Rebirth Review: “An unscary sequel that needed a little more time in amber”
M3GAN 2.0 review: “A bold sequel with a slightly underwhelming conclusion”
28 Years Later Review: “Enough terror, splatter and suspense to satisfy”
Predator: Killer of Killers review: “Great characters, thrilling action, and gorgeous Arcane-esque animation”
From the World of John Wick: Ballerina review: “Brilliant action, even if the plot gives you a sense of déjà vu”
Squid Game season 3 review: “A staggeringly excellent final season wraps up one of the greatest Netflix shows ever”
Ironheart review: “A relic of Marvel’s content-at-all-costs era”
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 review: “The show’s most assured run of episodes to date”
Doctor Who season 2, episode 8 spoiler review: ‘The Reality War’ is “a mix of the good, the bad, and the truly baffling”
Doctor Who season 2, episode 7 spoiler review: ‘Wish World’ is “an exciting and ambitious” start to the season finale, with hints of WandaVision
GamesRadar+ is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.
Contact Future’s experts
Terms and conditions
Privacy policy
Cookies policy
Advertise with us
Review guidelines
Write for us
Accessibility Statement
Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury,
BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.
Please login or signup to comment
Please wait…