The fog lifts on one of gaming’s most anticipated expansions as FromSoftware finally reveals concrete details about Elden Ring: Nightreign. This colossal DLC promises to transport players back to the Lands Between for an entirely new chapter of dark fantasy adventure, set in the mysterious Realm of Night that exists beyond the Erdtree’s light. After months of cryptic teases and frenzied speculation within the Soulsborne community, we now know exactly when this shadowy new world will unlock—and what hardware you’ll need to experience its haunting beauty.
Nightreign isn’t just another dungeon pack; early previews suggest it’s essentially Elden Ring 1.5, with a map rivaling Limgrave in size, dozens of new weapons and spells, and terrifying enemies that will make even veteran Tarnished question their skills. Whether you’re a PC player nervously checking your GPU specs or a console warrior wondering about performance modes, our comprehensive guide breaks down everything revealed about this shadow-drenched expansion.
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The Long Wait Ends: Official Release Date & Launch Times
Mark your calendars, Tarnished—Elden Ring: Nightreign will emerge from the darkness on February 25, 2025, exactly three years after the base game’s landmark release. FromSoftware confirmed the date during their recent “Night of Revelation” showcase, accompanied by a haunting trailer showing the player character stepping through a mirror-like portal into an eclipse-permanent realm where familiar locations appear twisted and corrupted.
Global launch times follow the now-standard FromSoftware rollout:
- February 24 at 9 PM PST (West Coast)
- February 25 at 12 AM EST (East Coast)
- February 25 at 5 AM GMT (Europe)
- February 25 at 2 PM JST (Japan)
This staggered release ensures servers won’t buckle under the weight of millions of players simultaneously attempting to cross into the Realm of Night. Pre-loading will be available starting February 22 across all platforms, a crucial feature given the DLC’s reported 45GB install size—nearly half the footprint of the original game.
Platform Availability: Where You Can Experience the Darkness
Nightreign follows the base game’s footprint with one crucial exception—it will launch simultaneously on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC without last-gen console support. This decision allows FromSoftware to fully utilize current-gen hardware for the expansion’s advanced lighting systems, enemy AI behaviors, and sprawling new environments that reportedly feature real-time weather transitions between normal and “eclipse” states.
The PC version will be exclusive to Steam and the Epic Games Store, with no Game Pass release planned at launch—a stark contrast to the base game’s day-one availability on Microsoft’s subscription service. Physical editions will include a code rather than a disc, packaged with striking new artwork depicting the DLC’s central antagonist: the Eclipse Queen. Cross-platform play remains unavailable, so choose your platform carefully if you have friends to explore with.
System Requirements: Can Your Rig Handle the Eclipse?
FromSoftware released surprisingly demanding PC specifications that suggest Nightreign will push hardware harder than the base game ever did. The expansion introduces ray-traced global illumination by default, along with higher-resolution textures for armor and environmental details. Here’s what you’ll need:
Minimum Requirements (1080p/30fps Low Settings)
- OS: Windows 11
- CPU: Intel i7-9700K or AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
- RAM: 16GB
- GPU: Nvidia RTX 2060 Super or AMD RX 5700 XT (8GB VRAM)
- Storage: 45GB SSD
Recommended Specs (1440p/60fps High Settings)
- OS: Windows 11
- CPU: Intel i7-12700K or AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
- RAM: 32GB
- GPU: Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti or AMD RX 6800 XT (12GB VRAM)
- Storage: 45GB NVMe SSD
Notably, the requirements specify SSDs as mandatory—a first for FromSoftware—hinting at the DLC’s streaming needs for its massive new zones. Console players can expect two modes: Quality (4K/30fps with enhanced effects) and Performance (1440p/60fps) on PS5/XSX, with the Series S locked to 1080p/60fps after significant backlash about its base game performance.
Conclusion: Prepare for a Darker Elden Ring
Nightreign represents FromSoftware’s most ambitious expansion yet—a shadowy counterpart to the base game that promises to expand the mythos while punishing players with fresh horrors. With its demanding specs and lack of last-gen support, this DLC clearly aims to showcase what modern hardware can deliver in terms of atmospheric storytelling and brutal combat.
As February approaches, Tarnished worldwide are upgrading their gear in anticipation—both their real-world PCs and their in-game builds. One thing’s certain: when the eclipse falls across the Lands Between again, a new generation of legends (and tragic deaths) will be born in the darkness.
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FAQs
1. Will Nightreign be included in the Elden Ring Season Pass?
No—this is a standalone expansion requiring separate purchase, as no Season Pass was ever offered for the base game.
2. Do I need to finish Elden Ring to access the DLC?
You must defeat Starscourge Radahn and access a new portal in the Wailing Dunes, accessible at any point after that boss.
