Forget nerfs and patches, Elden Ring: Nightreign’s director just proved you can conquer the entire game solo, no help, no relics, no mercy. Junya Ishizaki didn’t just design the nightmare—he walked through it alone and came out victorious. His message is clear: this game doesn’t need to be easier, you just need to be bolder.

The brutal challenge of taking on Elden Ring: Nightreign without backup has sparked endless debates since the game launched. While many Tarnished travel in groups, a dedicated portion of the player base is choosing to walk the shadowed lands solo—an approach some call masochistic. But if you’re on the verge of rage-quitting because of how punishing the experience is, let the game director himself set the record straight: it can be done, and he wants you to know it.

Junya Ishizaki told CNET that he personally defeated every boss in Nightreign solo—including the final battle. “I’ve seen everything the game has to offer, both in multiplayer and single-player,” he said. “I want players to know it’s completely possible. I hope these words give them the confidence to try it themselves.”

Even more impressive is that Ishizaki did it all without using relics—key items that make the game more manageable. His feat echoes similar stories from players who’ve also taken down the Lords of the Night alone, reinforcing the idea that Nightreign was built for those craving punishing solo challenges.

Patch 1.01.1: A Little Smoother, But Still Brutal

While Ishizaki’s accomplishment stands tall, the solo experience has drawn some criticism—particularly around mechanics like resurrection that favor co-op. FromSoftware responded with patch 1.01.1, which rebalances the experience: solo players now receive more runes and get an automatic revive when facing night bosses.

As the devs fine-tune the difficulty curve, Ishizaki’s personal run remains a bold statement: you *can* do it. And knowing someone made it through alone might just be the push others need to keep going.

Source: CNET