When FromSoftware recently unveiled their upcoming release, Elden Ring: Nightreign, the gaming community couldn’t help but notice some familiar gameplay mechanics reminiscent of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and its follow-up, Tears of the Kingdom. It’s hardly surprising that comparisons are being drawn, given the monumental impact Nintendo’s Breath of the Wild had on redefining open-world gaming. With FromSoftware pivoting towards an open-world format for their Soulslike series, it was only a matter of time before fans noticed the echoes of Zelda’s influence in Elden Ring. Even Nightreign seems to reflect this inspiration, painting a picture that extends the legacy of the original Elden Ring.
The game’s announcement trailer unveiled a host of captivating features. Elden Ring: Nightreign appears to be veering away from the usual Soulslike blueprint by incorporating roguelite elements, a striking departure for the developer. It’s clear that FromSoftware has been learning and evolving since the release of Elden Ring and its DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree. The new entry is set to introduce a mechanic reminiscent of the trusty mount, Torrent. However, in doing so, it seems FromSoftware is doubling down on the Zelda-like inspirations from Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
One noteworthy feature carried over from the Zelda games is Link’s Paraglider, a staple in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. Elden Ring: Nightreign appears to have embraced this element too. In the trailer, a character can be seen riding a flying bird, suggesting the introduction of a new gliding “mount.” While it’s not confirmed if this bird is summonable like Torrent, the influence is clear. Just as Zelda’s Paraglider transformed open-world navigation, this new mount could grant players similar freedom in Nightreign.
Understanding why Nightreign incorporates such a mechanic requires a look at its open-world design. Torrent was revolutionary in allowing players to traverse Elden Ring’s vast landscapes while engaging foes, fitting well with the game’s Soulslike roots. However, it wasn’t without its limitations. Torrent’s vulnerability, coupled with persistent fall damage and a finite double jump, meant players had to constantly be on their guard. These concerns have been widely discussed in gaming communities and social media.
Learning from these experiences, FromSoftware seems to have enhanced Elden Ring: Nightreign by adding a mount that mirrors Link’s Paraglider. This addition is poised to smoother the traversal of tricky terrains and the high points of the Lands Between, just as it did for Hyrule in the Zelda universe. It represents a thoughtful adoption of what worked and what didn’t in the franchise’s journey into open-world gaming.
FromSoftware’s willingness to infuse Nightreign with Zelda-esque mechanics shouldn’t stop there. The trailer shows players scaling walls, reminiscent of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, another nod to Zelda’s influence and part of the broader trend in many open-world games. A deeper dive into Zelda’s toolkit could further enrich Nightreign’s gameplay. Elements such as Breath of the Wild’s Revali’s Gale and Mipha’s Grace, or the Vow of Tulin from Tears of the Kingdom, could add intriguing layers to the experience.
Building on these mechanics could lead to even more innovative ways to explore and conquer the world of Nightreign. It’s fascinating to consider what other elements from Zelda might find their way into FromSoftware’s evolving landscape, promising an exciting future for fans eager to see how these inspirations unfold.
