Elden Ring Nightreign is another entry in the Souls franchise. It’s a successor to 2024’s Shadow of the Erdtree—a fully fledged Elden Ring DLC—but the nature of the content and its status have players wondering if it’s more DLC and if Elden Ring is needed to start it up.
FromSoftware hit the jackpot with Elden Ring in 2022. Its open-world twist on the Souls formula and the addition of George R.R. Martin helped to realize the game’s ambitious world and setting. It sold millions and millions, and it spawned an equally phenomenal Shadow of the Erdtree sequel.
Nightreign carries on the series with more hacking, slashing, and dying. So let’s see if you need to buy a physical or digital Elden Ring copy first, and if you need prior knowledge for potential DLC.
Is Elden Ring Nightreign DLC?
Elden Ring Nightreign is most definitely not DLC, and it’s a standalone action title with plenty of differences in its gameplay and direction.
You don’t necessarily need knowledge of Elden Ring or Shadow of the Erdtree. Your data doesn’t carry over, and this is being treated as its own game with its own principles. The procedurally generated world and battle royale elements make Nightreign a unique proposition compared to Elden Ring, Shadow of the Erdtree, and most FromSoftware releases.
Plus, Limgrave is now called Limveld! To clarify, Nightreign is not DLC and is considered a separate world from that of previous ER content.
Do You Need to Own Elden Ring to Play Nightreign Content?
You don’t need to own a copy of Elden Ring or its Shadow of the Erdtree DLC content to play Nightreign.
Elden Ring Nightreign is a standalone release, meaning it’s its own game. You can purchase any edition of Nightreign physically or digitally through a gaming storefront, and that’s all you need.
Its price is very reasonable, and Nightreign is available on a wide variety of platforms.
Are you an Elden Ring fan looking to add Nightreign to your collection? Or is this your first time diving into the Elden Ring world? Is it because Bandai Namco is involved? You can answer all of these questions for us by getting involved with the Insider Gaming forum, where daily gaming conversations take place.
Our Elden Ring Nightreign content continues, too. Check out the background on every Nightreign Hero and their abilities, if the game has Early Access, and if it’s cross-platform compatible.
