Alright, folks, buckle up! Let's talk about the absolute bombshell that dropped at the 2025 Game Awards and has been cooking ever since: Elden Ring: Nightreign. As a long-time Soulsborne sufferer—I mean, enthusiast—seeing FromSoftware take their biggest IP in a completely new direction was both thrilling and terrifying. Now, in 2026, with the game fully released and dissected by the community, it's crystal clear: Nightreign isn't just another expansion; it's a full-blown love letter to one of FromSoft's most unique masterpieces, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. And honestly? It's glorious.

The Heart of Sekiro Beats in Nightreign: The Deflection Mechanic

Let's cut to the chase. The single biggest game-changer in Nightreign is the full integration of a deflection or perfect block system. Remember how Sekiro lived and died by that sweet, sweet clang? Well, it's back, and it's a core part of a Nightfarer's kit. For those who missed the memo, Nightreign ditches the traditional customizable Tarnished. Instead, we get the Nightfarers—pre-set characters with unique gear and abilities. And one of them, showcased heavily in the reveal, is basically a shinobi in all but name, wielding that iconic deflection.

This isn't some watered-down version either. It's the real deal:

• Stagger Enemies: Just like in Sekiro, well-timed deflections build up an enemy's stagger, opening them up for a critical hit. While there's no visible posture bar (staying true to that classic FromSoft hidden stat tradition), you can feel it working.

• Evolution from a Tear: This mechanic wasn't born in a vacuum. Sharp-eyed players (like myself!) remember the Deflecting Hardtear from Shadow of the Erdtree. That Crystal Tear gave us a taste of perfect blocking, and it was a blast, especially when combined with Guard Counters for insanely fast posture breaks. Nightreign took that experiment, polished it to a mirror shine, and built an entire character archetype around it.

This move signals a huge shift. FromSoftware is no longer just dabbling with Sekiro's ideas; they're fully committing to them. The deflecting Nightfarer is arguably the most powerful fighter against single, aggressive enemies, completely shredding their poise. It makes you wonder: is deflection here to stay in all future Soulsborne games? Maybe as a Talisman effect or a Weapon Art? If Nightreign's reception is anything to go by, the answer is a resounding yes.

Speed is King: Nightreign's Blazing Fast Gameplay

If deflection is the heart, then speed is the soul of Nightreign. Let me be clear: this is the fastest Soulsborne game ever made, barring Sekiro. It even leaves the quickstep of Bloodborne in the dust, especially if you're playing as someone like the Duchess. The movement is just... insane.

Why this breakneck pace? It's baked into the game's very structure. Your run is split into three intense, 10-15 minute nights where a deadly Ring of Reign closes in. There's no time for the leisurely exploration of Elden Ring's open world. You need to move, and move fast. And guess which game FromSoft borrowed the blueprint for high-speed, agile combat from? You guessed it.

Here’s how Sekiro's DNA manifests in the traversal:

• Bye-Bye, Torrent: Who needs a spectral steed when you can sprint like the wind? The base movement speed is so high that traditional mounts are obsolete.

• Wall Running & Light Parkour: This was the biggest "whoa" moment for me. Seeing my character sprint up a cliff face or vault over obstacles felt so foreign yet so right. Vertical level design and rapid dungeon roaming were Sekiro staples, and now they're core to the Nightreign experience.

The slower, more methodical pacing of Dark Souls or base Elden Ring would crumple under Nightreign's frantic, time-pressured nights. Injecting a heavy dose of Sekiro's agility was not just a good idea—it was the only idea that made sense.

A Fusion of Philosophies: Why This Fusion Works

Stepping back, the genius of Nightreign is how it seamlessly blends philosophies. Sekiro always felt like the brilliant, slightly eccentric cousin in the FromSoftware family—a masterpiece, but with its own rigid rules. Nightreign is proving that its best ideas can be adapted and can thrive within a more traditional Soulsborne framework.

Think about it:

1. Deflection + Guard Counters = Perfection: The base Elden Ring combat system, with its emphasis on guarding and counter-attacking, feels like it was always meant to have deflection. The Deflecting Hardtear proved it, and Nightreign cements it. It's a flawless synergy.

2. Experimental Ground: Nightreign, with its rogue-lite structure and set characters, feels like a massive testing ground for FromSoftware. They're asking: "What if we made everything faster? What if we gave everyone a grappling hook or wall-run?" Not every idea will carry over to a hypothetical Elden Ring 2 or a new Dark Souls, but the successful ones—especially deflection and improved traversal—are likely here to stay.

It finally feels like Sekiro is being fully welcomed into the Soulsborne fold. While Armored Core 6 will do its own mech thing, the future of FromSoft's fantasy action-RPGs seems destined to carry the legacy of the one-armed wolf.

What's Next for the Soulsborne Formula?

So, where do we go from here in 2026? Nightreign has shown us a possible future. It's a future where combat is even more reactive and skill-based, where movement is fluid and empowering, and where the lessons from every past title are synthesized into something new.

• The Ring of Reign gimmick might be unique to this game, but the urgency it creates could inspire other mechanics.

• The Nightfarer system proves that focused, pre-built characters can offer incredibly deep and satisfying gameplay loops, possibly influencing future multiplayer or co-op focused titles.

• Most importantly, the barrier between "Soulslike" and "Sekiro-like" has been permanently broken. The library is merging.

In the end, Elden Ring: Nightreign is more than just a fantastic standalone game. It's a statement. It's FromSoftware confidently saying they're not done evolving. They took the colossal success of Elden Ring, infused it with the precise, high-octane spirit of Sekiro, and created something that feels both familiar and revolutionary. As a player, watching this evolution happen in real-time has been one of the coolest experiences in gaming. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a Nightfarer to master and a collapsing ring to outrun. Wish me luck… I'm gonna need it. 😅