Elden Ring Nightreign's initial network test, currently underway, is experiencing substantial server difficulties, hindering many players' participation.

IGN staff involved in the test reported severe server problems, rendering the game inaccessible for the first hour. The issues were so widespread that FromSoftware issued a public statement acknowledging the server congestion preventing players from finding matches. While the developer apologized, they encouraged players to retry after some time.

The limited availability of the Elden Ring Nightreign network test—five three-hour windows between February 14th and 17th on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S—further compounds the problem. The current schedule is:

Elden Ring Nightreign Network Test Session Times:

• February 14: 3am-6am PT / 6am-9am ET
• February 14: 7pm-10pm PT / 10pm-1am ET
• February 15: 11am-2pm PT / 2pm-5pm ET
• February 16: 3am-6am PT / 6am-9am ET
• February 16: 7pm-10pm PT / 10pm-1am ET

Bandai Namco describes the test as a "preliminary verification test" allowing selected players to experience a portion of the game before its full release. They emphasized the test's purpose in evaluating the online system's performance and sought player cooperation to improve Elden Ring Nightreign.

Although preferable to encountering these server issues at launch (May 30th, 2025), the current situation has understandably frustrated players who had allocated time for the test. Hopefully, future sessions will run more smoothly.

Elden Ring Nightreign, a standalone cooperative spin-off from FromSoftware, is set in a parallel world to 2022's Elden Ring. The network test allows three-player teams to battle "against new terrors, exploring an ever-changing map to defeat increasingly challenging bosses and ultimately confront the Nightlord," according to Bandai Namco. The test also features a three-day-and-night cycle that players must endure.

IGN previously had hands-on time with an early build, describing Elden Ring Nightreign as "turbocharg[ing] the cautious dungeon crawls of Elden Ring into propulsive, slash ‘n’ dash speedruns." For more details, see IGN's interview with game director Junya Ishizaki. [Link to IGN's hands-on preview] [Link to IGN's interview]

Elden Ring Nightreign will launch on May 30th, 2025, priced at $40 across PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC (Steam).

Which other Dark Souls bosses would enhance Elden Ring Nightreign?

Ornstein and Smough (Dark Souls)Artorias the Abysswalker (Dark Souls)Looking Glass Knight (Dark Souls 2)Burnt Ivory King (Dark Souls 2)Dancer of the Boreal Valley (Dark Souls 3)Pontiff Sulyvahn (Dark Souls 3)Other (specify in comments)AnswerSee Results