Elden Ring: Nightreign – Locating the Erdtree

Elden Ring: Nightreign has already stirred up incredible excitement, drawing fans into a whirlwind of theories and speculation. While official details remain scarce, the intriguing premise we know so far is enough to capture attention. With elements reminiscent of titles like Dark Souls 3, it raises eyebrows thinking about what hasn’t transitioned into this new narrative.

Currently, only one trailer exists for Nightreign, yet even from this limited glimpse, there’s a glaring absence that cannot be ignored. The familiar realm of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, which was only unveiled in June 2024, seems to be missing from Nightreign. This leaves us pondering a key question: What happened to the Erdtree in this latest chapter of Elden Ring?

The noticeable absence of the Erdtree in Nightreign is a puzzle with layers of complexity. Depending on your perspective, there are two potential explanations. One involves the overall framework of Nightreign, while the other hinges on careful observation of an image from the game’s trailer.

Despite revisiting The Lands Between from its predecessor, Elden Ring: Nightreign brings an unexpected twist by taking a bold step into this familiar territory. FromSoftware, known for rarely revisiting previous settings or ensuring continuity, seems to have crafted a world that feels both familiar and refreshingly new. This time, the game is set in an alternate universe. The Lands Between splintered into various timelines, which could explain the time loop challenge players face in Nightreign. Although similar, these changes mean new adventures await, and it’s important to note that Nightreign is intended as a standalone experience rather than a direct sequel.

Shadow of the Erdtree previously expanded the Elden Ring universe, providing a vast exploration opportunity. Its ambitious scale even secured it a nomination for Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2024. The Land of Shadow’s disconnect from The Lands Between, shrouded by the Erdtree thanks to Queen Marika’s actions, suggests that Nightreign’s universe might simply not feature an Erdtree. Yet, one crucial piece of evidence challenges this assumption.

Elden Ring’s lore is notoriously dense, and the Erdtree played a significant role in its narrative and world-building. So, naturally, questions arise about its influence in Nightreign. Fortunately, developers might have already slipped clues about the Erdtree’s fate. Observant viewers may have noticed the Erdtree’s absence in the overworld imagery. This stark contrast to its ubiquity in Elden Ring is quite striking. Despite this, it wasn’t entirely missing from the Nightreign gameplay reveal.

In the trailer’s final scenes, as players approach a gate, a glimpse of one of the Erdtree’s branches becomes visible. However, this version of the Erdtree is silver, contrasting its original golden glow. This suggests that in this version of The Lands Between, the Night Lord may have toppled the Golden Order, hinting that the Erdtree still holds significance in Nightreign.

ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN invites players into a standalone journey, reshaping the series’ core essence. Team up with others in a 3-player co-op mode to face the encroaching night, each character boasting unique skills that, when combined, unleash powerful synergies. Navigate through a transforming landscape filled with environmental threats and take down the epic boss of the evening! Set for a 2025 release, this adventure supports online co-op, though its compatibility with the Steam Deck remains uncertain for now.