FromSoftware’s Biggest Fumble with Elden Ring Nightreign Is Leaving Out One Popular Character

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FromSoftware’s Biggest Fumble with Elden Ring Nightreign Is Leaving Out One Popular Character

As Elden Ring Nightreign’s network test kicks into high gear this weekend, players are discovering that FromSoftware’s latest venture into the Lands Between feels dramatically different from its predecessor. While director Junya Ishizaki and his team have reimagined many aspects of the original formula, one particular change has raised more than a few eyebrows.

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Not the Lands Between you remember, dear Tarnished. | Image Credit: FromSoftware

The upcoming standalone spinoff promises a fresh take on the Elden Ring experience, with faster-paced combat, three-player co-op, and a shrinking playfield that would make even battle royale enthusiasts feel right at home. But amidst all these innovations, FromSoftware has made a decision that might leave some faithful Tarnished feeling a bit… unmounted.

For those currently participating in the network test, the absence of a certain loyal companion has become immediately apparent. And while the developers insist they have good reasons for this change, the question remains: will their alternative solutions prove worthy replacements?

A faithful companion left behind

When players first venture into Elden Ring Nightreign‘s take on a universe parallel to the base game, they’ll quickly notice something—or rather, someone—missing. The trusty spectral steed Torrent, who carried countless Tarnished through perilous swamps and past fearsome dragons, won’t be making an appearance in this new adventure.

Speaking to

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during a recent preview event, Ishizaki explained the reasoning behind this controversial decision:

We hope that players look forward to all sorts of new traversal techniques in Nightreign. Traversal of the map and exploring the map has changed—and game speed and game feel.

Instead of galloping across the landscape, players will now take to the skies with Spectral Hawks, massive ethereal birds that can be summoned at specific points throughout the map. These majestic creatures serve as both initial deployment vehicles and mid-match transportation options.

We hope players enjoy using the sprinting and mounting system and Spectral Hawks to get around the map. In these ways, we have tried to change around the traversal, and in many ways, it does feel speedier than riding Torrent when you go back to playing Elden Ring.

But it’s not just about the birds. FromSoftware has implemented a completely new movement system that includes wall-jumping, enhanced sprinting, and—in a very un-Soulslike twist—complete immunity to fall damage. The result is a faster, more vertical experience that emphasizes agility over the methodical exploration of the original.

Speed over sentiment

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Who needs hooves when you’ve got hawks and parkour? | Image Credit: FromSoftware

While Elden Ring Nightreign might be sacrificing nostalgia for the sake of innovation, the changes make sense within the context of the game’s design. The smaller, constantly shrinking map and faster-paced gameplay demand a different approach to movement and exploration.

The new traversal system reflects this shift in priorities. Players can now sprint at speeds comparable to galloping on horseback, while the Spectral Hawks provide a vertical dimension that even Torrent’s famous double jump couldn’t match. The removal of fall damage further encourages aggressive, acrobatic play—something that would feel out of place in the more methodical original game.

This reimagining of movement mechanics aligns perfectly with Nightreign’s roguelike elements and shorter match duration. When you’re racing against both the clock and a shrinking playfield, having to summon and mount a horse might feel unnecessarily cumbersome. The new system keeps players in constant motion, maintaining the intense pace that Ishizaki and his team are aiming for.

Still, one can’t help but feel a twinge of nostalgia for those quiet moments spent riding across The Lands Between with your faithful spectral steed. But perhaps that’s exactly the point—Nightreign isn’t trying to recreate those moments. It’s forging its own path, even if that means leaving some beloved companions behind.

What do you think about FromSoftware’s decision to remove Torrent from Elden Ring Nightreign? Will the new traversal mechanics make up for the loss? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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