Bandai Namco has released a free update for Elden Ring Nightreign, introducing a new high-difficulty mode titled “Deep of Night.” This new mode is designed to challenge veteran players with enhanced enemies and a progressive difficulty system.
To access the Deep of Night mode, players must have previously defeated the Night Aspect Nightlord. “Using the skills you’ve honed through countless nights, navigate through Limveld while the land is teeming with enhanced enemies and challenge an unknown Nightlord,” Bandai Namco announced. In this mode, the target Nightlord is not revealed until the expedition begins, and any active Shifting Earth states are nullified.
The update significantly increases the game’s challenge by strengthening standard enemies and introducing powerful ‘variants’ identifiable by a distinct red sheen. To combat these threats, players can discover weapons with new and multiple additional effects, some of which are exclusive to the Deep of Night mode. “If you choose and utilize these new weapon effects with future battles in mind, you can gain enhancements that make even powerful enemies insignificant,” the publisher noted.
The central feature of the mode is the “Depth” rating. Each time a player defeats a Nightlord, their rating increases, eventually allowing them to advance to the next ‘Depth’. As the Depth level rises, enemies become stronger and additional challenges are activated, such as hiding key map points or concealing the final Nightlord’s identity until the battle commences. Multiplayer matchmaking will pair players with others at a similar Depth level. Completing expeditions also rewards players with Depths Relics, special items with unique powers and detrimental effects that can be equipped in three new, dedicated relic slots.
Elden Ring Nightreign was released earlier this year to a mixed critical reception but strong commercial performance. The title sold two million copies on its first day and surpassed five million units by the end of July. It also achieved the second-highest concurrent player peak for a FromSoftware title on Steam, reaching 313,593 users shortly after launch.
