My favorite little Elden Ring: Nightreign feature is the first evolution of FromSoftware’s iconic ‘bloodstains’ since 2009’s Demon’s Souls, and has roots in a roguelike from way back in 1987

There are a few things in FromSoftware’s RPGs that just sear themselves into the brain. The enormous sound effect that plays when you backstab an enemy; the YOU DIED text appearing on screen the first time you get pulverized by a boss; the white phantoms of other players appearing near safe havens, giving you the sense that you’re not completely alone, even if the whole world around you seems incredibly hostile. Then there are the bloodstains—so many red bloodstains—showing you where other players have died, serving as warnings (yeah, there’s a real nasty enemy just up ahead) or educational opportunities (no, you can’t make that jump, even if it kinda looks like it).

I love the bloodstains in Souls games. They’re one of FromSoft’s subtle-but-brilliant online features, even if you’re not engaging with the multiplayer systems directly. They’ve also been essentially the same for 15 years now, from Demon’s Souls up through Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. That’s fine, but I’m psyched to see the new Elden Ring spin-off Nightreign doing something new with them. Or, rather, something very, very old.