Elden Ring Nightreign's Network Test Reveals an Unexpected Ancestor: God of War: Ascension
The recent network tests for Elden Ring Nightreign, FromSoftware's upcoming multiplayer spin-off, showcased a gameplay loop surprisingly reminiscent of a largely forgotten title: 2013's God of War: Ascension. While Nightreign initially appears to borrow heavily from battle royale giants like Fortnite, with its shrinking map and team-based combat against waves of enemies and challenging bosses, a deeper look reveals a stronger kinship with Ascension's multiplayer mode, Trial of the Gods.
Ascension, a prequel to the original God of War trilogy, is often considered the black sheep of the franchise. However, its often-overlooked multiplayer mode shares key elements with Nightreign. Both feature cooperative PvE gameplay where teams face increasingly difficult enemies within a time-limited environment, often on a shrinking map. Both also offer the unique opportunity to battle bosses from previous installments in their respective franchises.
While Nightreign incorporates elements like the Fortnite-esque drop from the sky, the core gameplay loop mirrors Trial of the Gods. Both emphasize frantic, resource-constrained combat demanding quick thinking and instinctive reactions. Similar to Ascension's increased player speed and enhanced movement abilities, Nightreign enhances player mobility to compensate for the lack of Torrent, the mount from the main Elden Ring game. This fast-paced, high-stakes action creates a thrilling experience distinct from the more deliberate gameplay of the base Elden Ring.
Ascension's multiplayer successfully adapted the single-player formula for a more intense, time-sensitive experience, a strategy clearly mirrored in Nightreign's design. Both games prioritize speed and efficiency, demanding players react quickly and strategically utilize their abilities.
AnswerSee ResultsThe unexpected connection between Nightreign and Ascension highlights the cyclical nature of game design, demonstrating how seemingly disparate genres can share underlying mechanics and design philosophies. Nightreign's fast-paced, challenging multiplayer mode, while superficially resembling battle royale titles, ultimately owes a debt to a much less celebrated predecessor.
