Elden Ring Nightreign’s Next DLC Must Fix These Forsaken Hollows Mistakes to Win Me Back
Elden Ring Nightreign recently got its very first DLC with The Forsaken Hollows. The expansion adds even more to Elden Ring‘s multiplayer spin-off, and it’s hopefully the first of many DLCs because I’d love more. Elden Ring Nightreign took me by surprise when it was first revealed at the 2024 Game Awards, and it’s proven to be a unique take on the beloved Soulslike. However, there’s still ample room for improvement. The Forsaken Hollows was a step in the right direction, but it’s also a reminder that more can be done to make it a stronger game.
Elden Ring Nightreign‘s co-op focus helps the game stand on its own while also maintaining the familiar energy of its predecessor. However, its gameplay loop can quickly grow repetitive. Before this DLC, it had been about two months since I had played Elden Ring Nightreign. That’s what made the promise of The Forsaken Hollows so exciting. It was the first official extra dose of content that I had been waiting for. Granted, it’s a solid expansion, but it still reminds me that there is more work to be done. If Elden Ring Nightreign‘s next expansion overlooks The Forsaken Hollows‘ two biggest mistakes, I honestly don’t know if I’ll be interested in trying it out.
Elden Ring Nightreign’s Forsaken Hollows DLC Feels More Like an Appetizer Than a Meal
The Forsaken Hollows DLC brings some exciting stuff to the table. With two new Nightfarers, a new Shifting Earth, and fresh bosses, the expansion isn’t completely lacking. For it to be the first paid expansion, one would think that it would have a little bit extra, though. I’ve been enjoying Elden Ring Nightreign‘s new Nightfarers a great deal, but I really want more Nightlords. The Forsaken Hollows adds only two to the roster: Weapon Bequeathed Harmonia and Traitorous Straghess. This left me feeling like all the fun was over before I even got a solid chance to get into the DLC. The cycle simply started to get old faster than I had expected.
On the bright side, the challenge level is great. It’s hard, but fair. When Shadow of the Erdtree brought a new chapter to Elden Ring, I was ready to dive in. I had spent hours with Elden Ring up until that point, so I naturally thought Shadow of the Erdtree would come to me as easily as riding a bike. As it turns out, I was mistaken. The Shadow of the Erdtree bosses quickly humbled me, and I was fully expecting The Forsaken Hollows to give Elden Ring Nightreign the same treatment. The Forsaken Hollows adds an extra dose of difficulty, but nothing unbearable. It’s a solid balance, really. That part of the DLC shines, but I just wish there were extra Nightlords to feel that challenge even more. In short, I hope the next DLC adds more, harder Nightlords.
The new Nightfarers are the Undertaker and the Scholar. The former boasts impressive Strength and Faith, while the Scholar is a support caster.
Elden Ring Nightreign Really Needs Shadow of the Erdtree Weapons
Weapons from Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC are likely going to be added at some point, but when remains a big mystery. It’s also a slight slap in the face that enemies in The Forsaken Hollows can be seen using their Shadow of the Erdtree weapons, but not players. Some of Elden Ring‘s best weapons come from the expansion, so it only makes sense to add them (and hopefully in the next DLC).
Shadow of the Erdtree Weapons That Should Come to Nighreign First
- Spear of the Impaler
- Rellana’s Twin Blades
- Backhand Blade
- Greatsword of Damnation
- Barbed Staff-Spear
- Greatsword of Radahn (Lord)
- Smithscript Greathammer
- Milady
- Great Katana
Shadow of the Erdtree offers a strong roster of powerful blade and melee weapons. It’s easy to imagine some of Elden Ring Nighreign‘s Nightfarers managing quite well with these options. For example, a good Undertaker build in Elden Ring Nightreign could be made by pairing the Nightfarer with the Smithscript Greathammer. A strong Raider build could work by pairing the class with the Greatsword of Radahn, while a Wylder could work wonders with several types of blades because of its well-rounded nature.
Elden Ring Nightreign’s Next DLC Has Yet to Be Confirmed
As it stands, FromSoftware hasn’t revealed anything about another expansion. Future Elden Ring Nightreign updates have the opportunity to flesh out The Forsaken Hollows more, but only time will that if that happens. All of this said, the game isn’t even a year old yet. It’s important to keep that in mind because that means there’s plenty of room and time for it to become a stronger game overall.
In that same vein, Elden Ring Nightreign is a huge change of pace compared to what FromSoftware usually does. Between Elden Ring Nightreign and the upcoming Nintendo exclusive The Duskbloods, the developer is clearly leaning harder into the multiplayer landscape. This new path is unexpected, but it’s also deeply intriguing. Of course, I want FromSoftware to stick mostly with its proven formula, but I’m also compelled by what this multiplayer push could mean for the future of the developer. Elden Ring Nightreign may not hit the same heights that Elden Ring managed, but it’s far from a bad game. It’s simply in the middle of growing pains. Yes, I want a solid lineup of Shadow of the Erdtree weapons and a larger offering of Nightlords, but that’s also because I want to see it hit its full potential.
The Duskbloods has yet to nail down an official release date, but FromSoftware and Nintendo are expecting it to launch sometime in 2026.
At this point, I’m still invested in Elden Ring Nightreign‘s future, but the next DLC’s content list could change things. The Forsaken Hollows DLC is a step in the right direction, but it needs to go further. More bosses and Nightfarers are great, but the next expansion hopefully kicks things up a notch.