On December 4, Elden Ring: Nightreign, FromSoftware’s roguelike experiment, released its long-awaited DLC expansion, The Forsaken Hollows. This update introduced two new playable characters and a new map featuring fresh points of interest alongside familiar foes returning to the Lands Between. It also brought the much-anticipated arrival of two new bosses and their corresponding expeditions, both of which have been warmly received by fans, particularly among those seeking more demanding challenges.
Published in May 2025 by Bandai Namco, Nightreign marked a distinctive chapter in the studio’s legacy. Though not the company’s most ambitious launch, it achieved solid commercial performance (5 million sales in the first 2 months) and maintained a strong player base. Initial reactions were mixed, largely due to the game’s experimental foray into multiplayer, a field FromSoftware is less experienced in, leaving ample room for improvement in its online systems and matchmaking. While cooperative play with friends offers an engaging and dynamic experience, random matchmaking often feels inconsistent and less rewarding. On the other hand, solo play remains deeply enjoyable, although more demanding. Interestingly, despite Nightreign featuring the most inherently replayable structure of any of their “soulslike” titles, many players consider it paradoxically the least replayable entry in the series.
This DLC expands the roster to ten playable heroes with the introduction of two fresh characters: the Scholar and the Undertaker. Although the addition of only two heroes feels somewhat odd for a title built around three-player teams, some fans make fun of the developers, saying they are aware that one slot will almost always be claimed by the ever-popular Ironeye.
The Undertaker is a formidable abbess defined by her connection to the DLC’s final boss. Her passive abilities and active skill abilities revolve around buffs that enhance her stats, while her Ultimate Art propels her directly into the enemy with a devastating, high-speed strike. Some trios have cleverly exploited her mechanics, chaining consecutive ultimates for both comedic and destructive effects.
In contrast, the Scholar embodies the intellect of this obscure world as an academic, with a visual design many say could be a character from Clair Obscure: Expedition 33. Functioning primarily as a support, he is less viable for solo runs but a key element in coordinated teams. His toolkit allows him to carry and upgrade more items, analyze enemies with his monocle to apply debilitating effects, and, through his Ultimate Art, simultaneously damage affected foes, heal allies, and even reflect damage when attacked. While his solo popularity remains limited, an emergent “fire pot-only” strategy has sparked attention for transforming the Scholar into an unexpectedly powerful solo option.
The new map introduced in the DLC marks one of the most distinct additions to the game’s world. FromSoftware expanded upon the concept of Shifting Earths (dynamic environmental events that occur randomly across the map, reshaping specific regions with new bosses, rare upgrades, and unique rewards). These events not only heighten difficulty but also play a crucial role in preparing players for the confrontation with the final Nightlords. The newly unveiled area, the Great Hollows, initially appeared to follow the same design logic as existing zones but ultimately revealed itself as a completely distinct map, defying players’ expectations.
“A great cavity in the depths of Limveld. The hollow is strewn with exotic ruins and temples; sacred towers denoting the remains of an ancient people; and crystals that exude a cursed, life-draining miasma” (Ingame’s description)
What makes the map especially interesting is not only how artistically beautiful it is, but also its use of verticality, echoing design principles seen in Elden Ring’s DLC Shadow of the Erdtree. The area also pushes difficulty further than previous maps, and a lot of players were not satisfied with it, especially during the first weeks. Featuring a higher density of bosses and difficulty navigating from one side of the map to the other, particularly when running from the storm to reach safe zones. The result is an environment that is as punishing as it is rewarding.
As with the new “end of day” bosses, little will be spoiled, as it is a really great experience being surprised with familiar faces from previous games, but keep in mind that even if you already know them, it will be a challenging fight. And last but not least, the two biggest elements from the DLC, the new Night Lords, Balancers and the Dreglord. About the Dreglord, it is quite a challenging boss, especially considering the expedition itself is a bit harder than usual. Every hardcore FromSoftware enjoyer should be looking forward to it. And about Balancers, a boss that quickly became a fan favorite, stealing the Dreglord’s attention, as it is graceful and calmed, but at the same time endless and unstoppable. What truly needs to be highlighted about it is the OST, another masterpiece by the composers. I’d say that this track alone is worth the entire 15€ that the DLC costs, and the rest of the soundtrack is also magnificent.
The Forsaken Hollows delivers an expanded difficulty experience for Nightreign veterans, amplifying the game’s perils and demanding mastery of its unique roguelike rhythm. Despite the mixed feedback during the first days after release, this expansion performed particularly well in the sales aspect and FromSoftware is already adding free content to it. This positivity fosters strong hope for their next title, The Duskbloods, for Nintendo Switch 2 with release date yet to be announced, and who knows, maybe even more content to Nightreign.
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Developers: FromSoftware Inc.
Platforms: PC (Steam), PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One
Release Date: May 30, 2025; December 4, 2025 (DLC)
Genres: Co-op Action Survival
PEGI: 16+
