I still remember the first time I tried to launch an expedition in Elden Ring Nightreign. I had two friends ready, headsets on, builds planned. Then the matchmaking spinner mocked us for twenty minutes. We restarted, we waited, we questioned our internet. It wasn't just us. FromSoftware acknowledged the problem during that chaotic first weekend, and their advice was simple: if you're struggling to find other players, try restarting the matchmaking process. Not exactly a magic fix, but at least we knew they were listening. 'Thank you for your patience and understanding,' they added.
The PlayStation NAT Type Problem
For those of us on PS4 and PS5, FromSoftware had a more specific suggestion. Check your NAT type. NAT type 3 can affect matchmaking on PSN. I followed the steps myself: Home > Settings > Network > Connection Status > Check Connection Status. It felt like a throwback to older online games, but it worked for some of my friends. Xbox players, unfortunately, got no specific advice at that time. I remember thinking, 'Of course, the platform with the fewest issues gets the least guidance.' But the bigger point was clear: Nightreign's online infrastructure was straining under the weight of its own ambition.
Then producer Yasuhiro Kitao stepped in with a message that felt surprisingly humble. He noted that Nightreign had sold 2 million units in its first day. 'Nightreign has some peculiar aspects to its game design and is different from our recent titles in various ways,' he said. 'Nonetheless, many of you have bravely jumped into this world, and for that we're immensely grateful.' I appreciated that. He compared it to Demon's Souls and Sekiro, games that confound you at first but reward you once you overcome the initial hurdle. 'Once you overcome the initial hurdle, it'll surely provide a sense of accomplishment that's also its very own.' I felt that. When my trio finally beat our first Nightlord, the relief was real.
Mixed Reviews and the Solo Problem
But not everyone was celebrating. On Steam, Nightreign sat at a 'mixed' user review rating. Much of the negative sentiment revolved around its brutal solo experience, its lack of duos co-op, lack of voice chat, and other archaic mechanics. I understood the frustration. The age-old multiplayer struggle to find enough friends for a coordinated three-player group is very much part of the Nightreign experience. If you don't have a dedicated squad, you're either fighting with randoms or fighting alone. And fighting alone is rough. A patch to make solo play easier was due out the following week, which felt like an admission that the game's balance was off.
I remember reading IGN's review and nodding along. 'Let's get the most important caveat out of the way first: if you are hoping to tackle Nightreign entirely solo, and are anything less than a hardcore Elden Ring player that actively seeks out ways to make that already difficult game even more challenging, Nightreign isn't for you. Yes, there is technically a single-player option, but it is so poorly balanced that I would be shocked if it isn't patched and adjusted within the first month of release. And this is coming from someone who lives and breathes these types of games.' That was exactly my experience. I tried solo once, got flattened by the first boss, and went back to begging my friends to log on.
Tips That Saved My Expeditions
Despite the rocky start, I kept playing. I learned to check my NAT type before every session. I learned to coordinate character picks. I learned that the Nightlord bosses demand patience and specific builds. If you're still playing in 2026, or returning after the early chaos, here's what helped me:
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🔥 Nightlord Bosses: Study their patterns. Each of the eight Nightlord bosses has a rhythm. Don't rush.
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🗡️ Unlock the Revenant: A powerful class that rewards aggressive play. The unlock quest is worth it.
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🌙 Unlock the Duchess: A nimble class with excellent utility. Perfect for players who like to control the pace.
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🔄 Change Characters: Don't get stuck. Swapping characters can turn a losing streak into a win.
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🎧 Voice Chat: Use external voice chat if the game's options feel limited. Communication is everything.
I also learned that the first weekend's matchmaking issues weren't the end. They were a symptom of a game trying something new. Nightreign isn't Elden Ring. It's a strange, demanding, occasionally broken, and deeply satisfying experiment. FromSoftware knew that. Kitao knew that. And in 2026, I can look back and say: the initial hurdle was high, but the accomplishment was real.
Now, whenever I see a matchmaking spinner, I don't panic. I restart the process, check my NAT type, and remind myself that even the Tarnished need a little patience. If you're still out there, bravely jumping into this world, I salute you. And if you're struggling, know that you're not alone. The Nightreign community is small, stubborn, and always ready to help—once the matchmaking finally works.