Gaming

Elden Ring Nightreign is extremely difficult

But every run is more fun than the last

Published

May 28, 2025

Luigi Leonardo

FromSoftware is often infamous for creating incredibly difficult games. Despite the inherent difficulty, there is often an easier way to tackle the games’ seemingly insurmountable challenges. For example, in Dark Soul, Bloodborne and Elden Ring, players can grind easier areas to level up their characters and weapons. That same loophole doesn’t exist in the new Elden Ring Nightreign, which makes it one of the hardest games ever spawned from FromSoftware’s studios.

Elden Ring Nightreign is naturally inspired by the critically acclaimed game of the same name. It’s not a direct sequel to the events of Elden Ring, though. Gameplay wise, it’s something completely different, too.

It’s FromSoftware’s first attempt at a roguelike. Players begin every round at level one and a base kit of weapons. In teams of three or on their own, players must fight enemies and minibosses across a smaller map called Limveld. After a period of time, the map contracts and turns into an arena for a much bigger boss. If the team gets through this, the map refreshes, and the grind begins again. After two rounds, all players are transported to a final battle with an incredibly powerful Nightlord.

Is this FromSoftware’s hardest game?

Though expeditions will grant players a few Relics afterwards regardless of success, starting off at square one is a huge hurdle. It will take more than a few unsuccessful runs to get the hang of the game’s mechanics and enemies. Plus, since the two cycles are a huge slog, getting to the Nightlord just to practice is another challenge in itself.

The game relies a lot on luck: getting a favorable map, powerful drops, and even agreeable teammates. Chances are that your first few hours in this game are all about finding a good rhythm and figuring out which combinations of elements are most agreeable to your playstyle.

If you want to go at it solo, Elden Ring Nightreign is not a game well suited for singleplayer, except for the most skilled of players. A good number of bosses are built for team dynamics. For example, an early game boss involves two demihumans with the additional ability to summon more minions to the battlefield.

Mechanically speaking, Sekiro is still the hardest FromSoftware game because of how much it relies on pure player skill. However, because of the added roguelike elements and sheer luck, Nightreign might be the hardest one overall.

Appropriately paced for its difficulty

Extreme difficulty is often a factor that prevents players from falling in love with a game. Even now, my own runs can sometimes end in frustration. A saving grace, however, is how long a run usually lasts. A single day is around 15 minutes long. With two days (and three boss fights which can take a good length of time to finish), a completed expedition is around 45 minutes long.

Traversal is also much easier with a new climbing mechanic and new spirit springs. It doesn’t take long before figuring out a route and getting the action going.

The length is designed perfectly to capture my attention without sinking me into a pit of despair. Regardless of whether my run ends in 15 or 45 minutes, I always feel a pull to enter back into the fray. I don’t foresee that the game will regularly tempt me to play for hours on end, but I do see myself picking it up every day for a few runs. It’s the perfect game for both casual fans who don’t have a lot of time and for hardcore fans who can dedicate hours into playing the game well into the night.

Supports a variety of playstyles

In the original Elden Ring, starting classes are usually just templates for the very early game. The game allows players to level up any attributes they choose. Even a faith-based priest can turn into a strength-based warrior by the end of the game. Nightreign does not offer this flexibility. Classes are strictly limited to the skills and attributes they’re built with.

However, the lack of flexibility actually makes Nightreign much easier to understand than the original game. Everything feels more streamlined. You don’t need to think about which attributes work best with your character. Leveling up the Recluse, for example, will always prioritize intelligence, rather than strength.

Every playable class is perfectly attuned to what it’s good at. It has the jack-of-all-trades Wylder, the hardy tank Guardian, the archer Ironeye, the glass cannon Executor, the dexterity-based Duchess, the DPS tank Raider, the magic-wielding Recluse, and the summoner Revenant.

And it doesn’t shoehorn you into archetypes, either. Usually, I prefer strength-based characters, but the intelligence-based magic wielders are also fun and easy to play. Some, like the Revenant, do need more skill, but the game doesn’t bar you from trying them out for yourself.

Is Elden Ring Nightreign your GameMatch?

Elden Ring Nightreign is remarkably tough. Even as a fan of FromSoftware games, I constantly find myself on the edge of frustration.

However, Nightreign’s more streamlined approach actually makes for a fun ride. Instead of wallowing in anger, it has me looking forward to every succeeding run, either to try a new character or just to get another crack at beating the Nightlord. Though it’s not the usual FromSoftware formula, the studio hit another goldmine.

Gaming

Steam Machine was supposed to be much, much cheaper

Was the price increase justified?

Published

June 23, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

The Steam Machine is the most anticipated gaming device this year. Valve’s upcoming machine aims to deliver a PC gaming experience in a convenient package. Today, the price of the Steam Machine was finally unveiled, and it’s a doozy. But did you know that it was supposed to be much, much cheaper?

Now, we already know that the Steam Machine was cheaper before, but we didn’t really know how much cheaper. Speaking to IGN, Valve essentially confirmed the Machine followed the same price hikes as the Steam Deck, which experienced an increase of over US$ 200.

After doing a bit of algebra, it can be assumed that the Steam Machine was supposed to start at around US$ 750. That’s a huge jump, considering that the more expensive variant currently costs almost US$ 1,500, almost double the price of the original.

Unfortunately, that’s just how the industry works these days. Because of the ongoing RAM crisis, several manufacturers have already confirmed price hikes happening throughout the year. Apple, most recently, announced that price increases might come soon because of the untenability of shouldering the costs themselves.

It gets worse for the Machine, though. Despite being expensive, the price tag doesn’t really reflect the specs you’re getting. You can certainly grab a gaming laptop with better specs for around the same (or even a smaller) price tag, especially considering that Valve’s console-but-not-really-a-console doesn’t come with peripherals yet.

Gaming

Epic Games Launcher is getting a huge update to make it faster

The update will also add customizable profiles and user reviews.

Published

June 23, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Admit it; you probably have a hoard of free games languishing on the Epic Games Store. Though it’s nice that Epic gives away games every week, the overall inconvenience of using the platform sadly outweighs the freebies. Now, the company is finally redesigning the app from the ground up with a distinct focus on making it much faster.

Earlier this year, Epic admitted that “the launcher sucks.” Though the company cited a number of reasons, the number one culprit is certainly speed. Compared to its contemporaries (especially Steam), the Epic Games Launcher leaves much to be desired. The platform just doesn’t let users into their games as quickly as Steam does.

During the recent Unreal Fest, Epic, via @LuKaOnIndeed on X, confirmed that the entire launcher will be rebuilt to be “5x to 6.5x faster.”

The performance improvements will come with other new features including player profiles and user written reviews. Epic’s vision of the future looks completely different from how the launcher is today.

Though the company doesn’t have a definite timeline right now, Epic promises that the updates will come later this summer.

It does remain to be seen whether these updates will change anything about how users perceive the platform. For the longest time, gamers consider Steam as the platform of choice. Some users even repurchase their Epic games (sometimes obtained for free) on Steam just to have it on the platform they prefer.

Gaming

Steam Machine price, reservation system revealed

Reservations open now

Published

June 23, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

Valve has officially revealed pricing and availability details for the Steam Machine, its living room-focused gaming PC running SteamOS.

The company is launching the device in four configurations. Reservations open immediately through a randomized queue system designed to reduce scalping and bot purchases.

Steam Machine price

The base Steam Machine with 512GB of storage costs USD1,049. A bundle that includes the Steam Controller is priced at USD 1,128.

Meanwhile, the 2TB model costs USD 1,349, while the 2TB bundle with a Steam Controller retails for USD 1,428.

Buyers who opt for either 2TB variant will also receive two additional faceplates: a red fabric finish and a solid walnut option.

Valve says all listed prices already include VAT where applicable.

Why Steam Machine costs more than expected

The pricing announcement comes months after Valve delayed the Steam Machine’s launch.

According to the company, rising component costs and supply chain issues forced it to revisit its original pricing targets.

Valve explained that when development began in 2023, it expected hardware costs to gradually decline over time. Instead, the company encountered significant increases in RAM and storage pricing, alongside periods where some components became difficult to source altogether.

The company added that component shortages also limited the number of units it could manufacture for launch.

Steam Machine was first announced as a compact PC gaming device designed for living room setups. It runs SteamOS and is positioned as an alternative to traditional game consoles while maintaining access to the broader PC gaming ecosystem.

Reservations use randomized queue

Rather than opening direct sales, Valve is implementing a reservation system.

Interested buyers can sign up for their preferred Steam Machine model until June 25 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. After the registration window closes, Valve will randomize all entries and assign customers either a reservation slot or a waitlist position.

Customers selected for the reservation queue will receive an email confirming that a Steam Machine has been reserved in their name. Purchase invitations will begin rolling out starting June 29 as inventory becomes available.

To qualify, users must have a Steam account in good standing and must have made a Steam purchase before April 27, 2026. Valve is also limiting registrations to one entry per household.

Users may sign up for multiple models. If selected for more than one queue, Valve will automatically assign the highest-end model available and remove the user from other reservation lists.

Not a console, says Valve

Despite its console-like form factor, Valve says it does not view Steam Machine as a traditional console.

The company describes the device as an extension of PC gaming rather than a closed ecosystem. Unlike conventional consoles that often subsidize hardware through software sales and subscriptions, Valve says Steam Machine is built around the openness that has long defined PC gaming.

Valve also reiterated plans to expand SteamOS support beyond its own hardware. With the recently released SteamOS 3.8, users can already install the operating system on compatible living room PCs, although support is currently limited to AMD graphics cards.

For users in Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, orders will be handled through regional distributor Komodo. Steam Machine will not be available in South Korea.