Wondering if you need to stay online to play Elden Ring: Nightreign? Here’s how offline mode works and how to switch between online and offline play anytime.
Can You Play Offline?
Despite how multiplayer-heavy Nightreign seems at first glance, yes—you can absolutely play it offline.
The game defaults to online mode and encourages co-op play, but multiplayer isn’t required. This isn’t a live-service game (FromSoftware confirmed that early on), so you don’t need to stay connected to enjoy the full experience.
You can run solo Expeditions, explore at your own pace, and avoid random matchmaking entirely if that’s your thing. Whether you’re offline by choice or necessity, you’re covered.
How to Switch Between Online and Offline Modes
The game will automatically start in online mode if your system is connected to the internet. If it’s not, you’ll boot into offline mode by default.
You can check and change your connection status at any time. Here’s how:
🔄 Switch to Offline Mode:
- Open the Main Menu (from the title screen or Roundtable Hold).
- Go to the System tab.
- Scroll down and select Network.
- Look for Launch Settings (4th option down).
- Change it to Offline.
⚠️ Heads-up: This setting only takes effect when loading a save file. So if you change it mid-session, you’ll need to return to the main menu and reload your save for it to take effect.
When you’re in offline mode, you’ll see a “Log In” button under “New Game” on the main screen. Pressing it will connect you to the servers and bring you back online.
Solo Expeditions Still Work Offline
If you’re offline and try to start a multiplayer expedition, you’ll hit an error. Instead, be sure to:
- Set up a solo expedition from the expedition menu.
- Avoid matchmaking settings meant for co-op or PvP.
As long as you do that, you can explore, fight, and progress just like you would in online mode—minus the human teammates.
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