In a recent interview, director Junya Ishizaki revealed that Elden Ring: Nightreign will feature dramatically altered landscapes, including procedurally generated volcanoes, swamps, and forests. Ishizaki explained, "We wanted the map itself to feel like a gigantic dungeon, allowing players to explore it in new ways each time." A key element of this design is the end-of-day boss selection. By the third in-game day, players must choose which boss they will face.
This choice isn't merely for gameplay variety; it fundamentally changes how players approach the final battle. The decision forces strategic preparation, influencing route selection and equipment acquisition. Ishizaki elaborated, "Upon choosing a boss, players may consider the best way to prepare for the fight, which could alter their route on the map. We wanted to give players that freedom—for example, deciding, 'I need to acquire poisonous weapons to counter this boss.'"
Ishizaki stressed that these roguelike elements aren't a trend-chasing exercise. Instead, they serve to "compress" the RPG experience, resulting in a more dynamic and replayable game.
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