This past weekend marked the initial network tests for Elden Ring Nightreign, the eagerly anticipated standalone multiplayer game derived from FromSoftware's acclaimed Elden Ring. Unlike the expansive open world of the original, Nightreign adopts a more focused survival format, where teams of three players parachute into progressively smaller maps to battle waves of enemies and increasingly formidable bosses. This design choice clearly echoes the influence of Fortnite, a battle royale sensation that has captivated over 200 million players this month alone.

However, Nightreign's gameplay mechanics draw even closer parallels to a less celebrated title: 2013's God of War: Ascension. This connection is not only intriguing but also beneficial for Nightreign.

Released between God of War 3 and the Norse reboot in 2018, Ascension served as a prequel set in the Greek mythology era, following Kratos' struggle to break his oath to Aries. While it didn't match the epic scale of the original trilogy's conclusion, Ascension was often unfairly dismissed as the franchise's black sheep. Despite not reaching the heights of Kratos' epic battle with Zeus, Ascension featured stunning set-pieces like the Prison of the Damned, a dungeon carved into the body of a giant. More importantly, it introduced a multiplayer mode, a first for the series.

In Ascension's story, players encounter an NPC in the Prison of the Damned who prematurely celebrates being saved, only to be crushed by the level's boss. In multiplayer mode, this NPC becomes the player character, teleported to Olympus and tasked with pledging allegiance to one of four gods—Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, or Aries—each offering unique weapons, armor, and magic. This setup leads to five multiplayer modes, with the cooperative PvE mode, Trial of the Gods, bearing a striking resemblance to Elden Ring Nightreign.

Previews of Nightreign from prominent "Soulsborne" YouTubers like VaatiVidya and Iron Pineapple, as well as coverage from IGN, have highlighted its similarities to live service games like Fortnite. Nightreign features randomized loot, resource management, and environmental hazards that challenge players as the game progresses. It even nods to Fortnite's iconic skydiving entry, with players being dropped into the level by spirit birds.

While God of War: Ascension lacks the battle royale flair of Nightreign, both games share deeper similarities. Both Nightreign and Ascension's Trial of the Gods are cooperative experiences where teams tackle increasingly difficult foes, including iconic bosses from previous games. Both feature countdown timers and shrinking or small maps, and both were developed by studios renowned for single-player experiences without direct oversight from their series' creators.

Player feedback from Nightreign's network test describes the experience as a thrilling race against time, contrasting with the more relaxed pace of the base Elden Ring game. Nightreign forces players to rely on instinct, increasing the pace and limiting resources, as noted by VaatiVidya, who praised the changes as being "made in the name of speed and efficiency." Without the trusty steed Torrent, players must channel their inner spirit horse to run faster and jump higher.

Similarly, Ascension's multiplayer mode adjusted its single-player mechanics for tighter pacing, using techniques like increased run speed, extended jumps, automated parkour, and a grapple attack, all of which are mirrored in Nightreign. These enhancements are crucial in the face of relentless enemy waves, pushing players to move swiftly and decisively.

The unexpected resemblance between Nightreign and Ascension is noteworthy, especially considering the forgotten status of the latter and the contrasting origins of the Soulslike genre and God of War. While God of War empowers players as god-killing warriors, Soulslike games challenge them as nameless, struggling undead. Yet, as players have mastered FromSoftware's games and the difficulty has been adjusted, Nightreign aims to reintroduce a sense of challenge, offering a fresh yet familiar experience reminiscent of Ascension's time-pressured battles.