Dark Souls Bosses Return in Elden Ring's Nightreign Update

Elden Ring Nightreign: A Gameplay-Focused Return of Classic FromSoft Bosses

Nightreign, the latest Elden Ring expansion, features a roster of bosses drawn from both the main game and previous FromSoftware titles. Director Junya Ishizaki clarified the reasoning behind this decision in a February 12, 2025, Gamespot interview. Contrary to initial fan speculation regarding lore implications, Ishizaki emphasized a gameplay-driven approach.

The inclusion of familiar bosses, Ishizaki explained, was primarily to enhance gameplay variety and challenge. The expansion's unique structure and style demanded a diverse boss selection, leading to the strategic reuse of established favorites. While acknowledging player affection for these iconic encounters, Ishizaki assured fans that lore consistency within Nightreign's context remains a priority. The focus, he suggested, should remain on the expansion's primary antagonist, the Night Lord, and its connection to the overarching Elden Ring narrative.

"The primary reason for these existing bosses in Nightrein is from a gameplay perspective," Ishizaki stated. "We needed a lot to add to this mix, so we wanted to leverage what we deemed appropriate from our previous titles. We obviously understand that our players have a lot of affection for these characters...so we didn't want to encroach too much on that lore aspect."

Familiar Faces, New Challenges

Currently confirmed Nightreign bosses from previous FromSoftware games include the Nameless King (Dark Souls 3) and the Centipede Demon (Dark Souls). The appearance of The Duke's Dear Freja (Dark Souls 2) is also strongly hinted at by in-game imagery.

The Nameless King, Gwyn's firstborn son, presents a formidable challenge in Dark Souls 3, known for his devastating wind and lightning attacks. The Centipede Demon, a six-headed monstrosity from the original Dark Souls, spews fireballs, its existence linked to the Witch of Izalith and the Flame of Chaos.

While integrating these bosses into Elden Ring's lore presents complexities, Ishizaki's emphasis on gameplay prioritization suggests that players should focus on the immediate challenge rather than intricate lore connections. The potential narrative links between these bosses and Elden Ring's overarching story remain a topic for speculation.