Elden Ring Nightreign Brings Dark Souls Bosses Back, Just Don't Think Too Hard About the Lore Implications

Elden Ring Nightreign's bosses blend familiar faces from previous FromSoftware titles with new creations. The game's director sheds light on this intriguing choice.

Elden Ring Nightreign: A Gameplay-Focused Approach to Boss Selection

Gameplay Takes Center Stage

Nightreign features a roster of bosses spanning the Elden Ring universe and beloved foes from FromSoftware's past. While lore implications might spring to mind, director Junya Ishizaki clarifies the reasoning behind this decision in a February 12, 2025, Gamespot interview.

For FromSoftware lore enthusiasts, rest assured: the inclusion of these familiar bosses prioritizes gameplay. Ishizaki explains, "The primary reason for these existing bosses in Nightreign is from a gameplay perspective. With this new structure and style of game, we needed a diverse range of bosses to enrich the experience."

He continues, "We understand players' affection for these characters and their battles. We didn't want to compromise that fondness by forcing a heavy lore integration. Our goal was to ensure they fit seamlessly within Nightreign's atmosphere."

Ishizaki also emphasizes the inherent "fun" in reintroducing these classic bosses. While a strong lore connection between Elden Ring and other FromSoftware games might be absent, players can focus on the primary antagonist, the Night Lord, and its potential ties to the overarching Elden Ring narrative.

Nightreign Bosses: A Familiar Faces Lineup

Two returning bosses are confirmed: the Nameless King from Dark Souls 3 (DS3) and the Centipede Demon from Dark Souls (DS). Speculation also points towards The Duke's Dear Freja, a massive two-headed spider, making an appearance.

The Nameless King, Gwyn's firstborn, presents a formidable challenge in DS3, testing players with wind and lightning attacks. His optional boss status and the sidequests required to reach his location (Archdragon Peak) make him easily missed.

The Centipede Demon, from the original Dark Souls, is a six-headed monstrosity that unleashes fiery projectiles. Its lore is speculated to be linked to the Witch of Izalith and the Flame of Chaos.

Finally, Nightreign's trailer hints at The Duke's Dear Freja's presence through a single spider in a swamp, visually similar to the boss encountered in Dark Souls 2. This spider is believed to be the pet of Duke Tseldora, known for his arachnid obsession.

While integrating these bosses' established lore into Elden Ring's narrative would be challenging, their presence in Nightreign is undeniably focused on delivering exhilarating gameplay experiences. Rather than scrutinizing lore connections, players are encouraged to enjoy the thrill of the battles themselves.