Elden Ring Nightreign's inclusion of bosses from both current and previous FromSoft titles has sparked curiosity among fans. The game's director, Junya Ishizaki, shed light on this decision during an interview with Gamespot on February 12, 2025. Let's delve into the reasoning behind bringing back these iconic bosses.
Elden Ring Nightreign Explains Why FromSoft Bosses Are Included in the Game
Nightreign Bosses are There for Gameplay Perspective
Elden Ring Nightreign reintroduces classic bosses from both Elden Ring and previous FromSoft games, prompting discussions about their lore implications. However, Junya Ishizaki emphasized that the inclusion of these bosses is primarily driven by gameplay considerations.
"The primary reason for these existing bosses in Nightreign is from a gameplay perspective," Ishizaki stated. "With the new structure and style of this game, we needed a variety of bosses to enrich the experience. We chose to leverage what we felt was appropriate from our previous titles."
Ishizaki also acknowledged the affection players have for these characters and the memories associated with battling them. "We didn't want to encroach too much on the lore aspect," he added. "Our goal was to ensure these bosses fit seamlessly into the atmosphere and vibe of Elden Ring Nightreign."
Furthermore, Ishizaki views the addition of these bosses as "kind of fun." While the lore connections between Elden Ring and other FromSoft games might not be deeply intertwined, fans are encouraged to focus on the primary antagonist, the Night Lord, and its potential ties to the broader Elden Ring narrative.
Nightreign Bosses from Previous FromSoft Titles
So far, two bosses from previous FromSoft titles have been confirmed for Elden Ring Nightreign: the Nameless King from Dark Souls 3 (DS3) and the Centipede Demon from Dark Souls (DS). There's also speculation about the inclusion of The Duke’s Dear Freja, a colossal two-headed spider from Dark Souls 2.
The Nameless King, the firstborn child of Gwyn, is an optional yet notoriously challenging boss in DS3. Players face his formidable attacks, including bursts of wind and lightning, within the Archdragon Peak, a location unlocked through specific sidequests.
On the other hand, the Centipede Demon from the original Dark Souls is known for its six fiery heads, capable of spitting fireballs. It is believed to be a creation resulting from the Witch of Izalith's creation of the Flame of Chaos.
The Nightreign trailer also hints at The Duke’s Dear Freja’s appearance, with a spider seen in a forested swamp reminiscent of the setting in Dark Souls 2. This spider is thought to be connected to Duke Tseldora, known for his obsession with spiders.
While integrating these bosses into Elden Ring's narrative might be challenging due to their existing lore, Ishizaki encourages players to enjoy them for the gameplay enhancements they bring to Nightreign, rather than focusing too heavily on lore connections.
