Over the weekend, the gaming community got its first taste of the network tests for Elden Ring Nightreign, an upcoming standalone multiplayer game from FromSoftware. Unlike the expansive open world of Elden Ring, Nightreign introduces a more focused survival format where three-player teams must navigate shrinking maps, battling waves of enemies and escalating boss challenges. The design echoes the popular battle royale genre, particularly Fortnite, which boasts an impressive 200 million players this month alone.

Yet, Nightreign's inspiration doesn't stop at Fortnite. It draws significant parallels to a lesser-known but intriguing title: 2013's God of War: Ascension. Often labeled the black sheep of the God of War series, Ascension attempted to innovate with multiplayer modes, including the cooperative PvE mode "Trial of the Gods," which shares striking similarities with Nightreign's gameplay mechanics.

God of War: Ascension, released as a prequel between God of War 3 and the 2018 reboot, aimed to expand the Kratos saga with a multiplayer component that was both bold and divisive. While it didn't match the epic scale of Kratos' battle with Zeus, Ascension featured memorable set-pieces like the Prison of the Damned and introduced multiplayer, a first for the series.

In Ascension's "Trial of the Gods," players can take on the role of an NPC previously encountered in the single-player campaign, pledging allegiance to one of four gods and engaging in various multiplayer modes. The cooperative PvE mode here mirrors Nightreign's core concept, where teams battle increasingly difficult foes on progressively smaller maps.

Gameplay previews from prominent "Soulsborne" YouTubers and media outlets like IGN have showcased Nightreign's blend of randomized loot, resource management, and environmental hazards, all hallmarks of modern live service games like Fortnite. Players drop into the game via spirit birds, a nod to Fortnite's iconic skydiving entrance.

Despite the battle royale veneer, Nightreign shares deeper connections with Ascension's "Trial of the Gods." Both games feature cooperative play against escalating challenges, including familiar bosses from their respective franchises. They also employ countdown mechanics and utilize maps that shrink or are inherently small, creating a tense, time-sensitive gameplay experience.

Interestingly, both titles were developed by studios renowned for single-player experiences and without direct oversight from their series' original creators. This shared lineage adds to the intriguing parallels between Nightreign and Ascension.

Feedback from Nightreign's network test participants describes the game as a thrilling race against time, contrasting with the more deliberate pace of Elden Ring. Nightreign's design forces players to rely on instinct and speed, enhancing the challenge and excitement. Ascension's multiplayer similarly tweaked its single-player mechanics for tighter pacing, introducing enhanced movement and new combat techniques that resonate with Nightreign's approach.

While the Soulslike genre, epitomized by Elden Ring, traditionally contrasts with God of War's power fantasy, Nightreign bridges these worlds. It reintroduces the challenge that FromSoftware's fans have mastered over time, offering a fresh yet familiar experience. For seasoned players, Nightreign evokes the same rush as Ascension's multiplayer, where every moment counts and the thrill of the fight is paramount.