Elden Ring Nightreign: The Tarnished Pack DLC and Forsaken Hollows Arrive in August 2026
FromSoftware’s latest expansion for Elden Ring—Nightreign—has officially been dated for August 28, 2026. The expansion introduces two major additions: the Forsaken Hollows, a dark, labyrinthine dungeon brimming with twisted new enemies, and the Tarnished Pack DLC, which overhauls the base game with fresh armor sets, weapons, and mechanics. If you thought the Lands Between couldn’t get any more dangerous, think again.
For those still riding the Elden Ring hype train—or those who’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to dive back in—this is your sign. The expansion isn’t just a content drop; it’s a recontextualization of everything we thought we knew about Elden Ring. And with the Tarnished Pack promising to reshape the endgame, it’s clear that FromSoftware isn’t just resting on its laurels.
But what does Nightreign actually bring to the table? How does it stack up against the base game’s already relentless difficulty? And is this the expansion that will finally push Elden Ring into the stratosphere of must-play RPGs? Let’s break it down.
The Forsaken Hollows: A Dungeon Worthy of the Night
If you’ve ever craved a dungeon that feels like it was carved from the nightmares of an Outer God themselves, the Forsaken Hollows deliver in spades. This sprawling, multi-level area is a far cry from the open-world exploration of the main game. Instead, it’s a claustrophobic, oppressive gauntlet designed to test every ounce of your skill, patience, and adaptability.
What Makes the Forsaken Hollows Special?
- A Dark, Unforgiving Aesthetic: The Hollows are bathed in an eerie, flickering bioluminescent light, casting long shadows that play tricks on your eyes. Enemies lurk in the dark, their silhouettes barely visible until it’s too late.
- Procedural Enemy Placement: Unlike the static spawns of the main game, the Hollows adapt. Enemies respawn in new configurations, forcing you to constantly rethink your approach.
- New Bosses and Mini-Bosses: Forget your usual gigantic trolls and dragons—here, you’ll face off against creatures that feel plucked straight from a Lovecraftian fever dream. Early footage shows a chimeric horror that shifts forms mid-fight, and a behemoth that uses the environment itself as a weapon.
Early Hands-On Impressions
Players who’ve gotten a sneak peek at the Hollows describe it as a "soulslike dungeon crawler within a soulslike RPG." The density of the area is staggering—where the base game’s exploration feels like stumbling upon hidden gems, the Hollows feel like a trial by fire. Every corner hides a trap, every enemy is a potential death sentence, and the lore you uncover is as disturbing as it is compelling.
Pro Tip: If you’re planning to tackle this solo, bring your best estus flasks. The Hollows don’t just test your combat skills—they test your ability to survive.
The Tarnished Pack: A Complete Overhaul of the Lands Between
The Tarnished Pack isn’t just a minor DLC—it’s a reimagining of the base game. Think of it as an enhanced edition, but with far more ambition. FromSoftware has gone above and beyond to ensure that even veterans of the Lands Between will find something new to sink their teeth into.
What’s Included in the Tarnished Pack?
| Category | Details |
|--------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| New Armor Sets | 12 brand-new armor sets, each with unique stats and skills. Some even alter your character’s animations. |
| Weapons | 15 new weapons, including a bladed whip, a repeating crossbow, and a curved greatsword with a hidden secondary weapon. |
| Spells & Incantations | 5 new incantations tied to the Nightreign theme, including a shadow teleport and a blood-based AoE attack. |
| Build Reworks | Rune arcs, affinity changes, and new weapon arts to encourage fresh playstyles. |
| Quality-of-Life| Quality-of-life improvements like fast travel between major Sites of Grace, expanded storage, and new gesture customization. |
The Nightreign Mechanic: A Game-Changer?
The standout feature of the Tarnished Pack is Nightreign Mode, a toggleable mechanic that alters the game’s behavior based on the time of day.
- Daytime (Default): The world operates as you know it—enemies respawn, NPCs are active, and the usual cycle continues.
- Nighttime (Nightreign Active): A shroud falls over the Lands Between. Enemies become more aggressive, new mini-bosses spawn in familiar locations, and certain quests take a darker turn. Worse? The Forsaken Hollows become permanently accessible during this time.
This isn’t just a cosmetic change—it’s a fundamental shift in how you play. Players who thrive under pressure will love the chaos of Nightreign, while those who prefer a more methodical approach might struggle to adapt.
Verdict: Nightreign Mode isn’t mandatory, but it is a masterstroke in adding replayability. If you’ve ever wanted Elden Ring to feel even more dangerous, this is it.
Performance, Pricing, and Platform Updates
With the expansion’s arrival comes a host of questions about performance, pricing, and platform support. Here’s what we know so far:
Performance on All Platforms
FromSoftware has confirmed that Nightreign runs at 60 FPS on all platforms, including the upcoming Steam Deck OLED (which we covered in our Steam Machine pricing reveal). The expansion leverages the Unreal Engine 5.4 patch that was quietly rolled out earlier this year, ensuring smoother animations, better lighting, and more detailed environments.
Early benchmarks show:
- 4K/60 FPS on PS5/Xbox Series X|S (with FSR 3 upscaling)
- 1440p/60 FPS on PC (with DLSS 3 support)
- 1080p/60 FPS on Steam Deck OLED (with dynamic resolution scaling)
Pricing and Editions
Nightreign is available in three tiers:
| Edition | Price | Includes |
|------------------------|-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Standard | $39.99 | Forsaken Hollows DLC + Tarnished Pack (base game required) |
| Digital Deluxe | $59.99 | All Standard Edition content + Digital Art Book, Soundtrack, and exclusive armor set |
| Ultimate Collector’s| $99.99 | All Digital Deluxe content + physical steelbook, Steelcase-style art book, and a hand-forged replica ring (1:1 scale) |
Pre-order bonuses (available until July 31, 2026):
- Exclusive "Bloodflame Cape" armor set
- Early access to Nightreign Mode (1 week before launch)
- Custom loading screen art
Platform Availability
Nightreign launches on:
- August 28, 2026 (Digital)
- September 4, 2026 (Physical)
Platforms:
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X|S
- PC (Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG)
- Nintendo Switch 2 (confirmed via social media leaks—source)
Note: The Switch 2 version is an eShop-only release and does not include the Ultimate Collector’s Edition physical goods.
Community Reactions: Hype or Hysteria?
The Elden Ring community has been buzzing since the first teaser dropped. Some reactions are pure excitement, while others are… let’s just say cautiously optimistic.
The Good
- "The Forsaken Hollows look INSANE. I died 17 times in the first 10 minutes of gameplay." — u/Sl1pperyMage
- "Nightreign Mode is going to break a lot of people—and I LOVE it." — @EldenRingNews
- "The armor sets in the Tarnished Pack are straight-up works of art. Can we get these in Skyrim next?" — u/Lightbringer42
The Skeptical
- "FromSoftware just made the game harder AGAIN. I’m not ready." — u/CasualSinner69
- "Is this DLC actually worth $40? I already 100%’ed the base game." — u/UnboundRune
- "The Steam Machine reservations are a mess. Good luck getting a copy on launch day." — @SteamDeckHub
The Wild Speculation
With FromSoftware’s recent teases about multiple unannounced titles in development, some fans are wondering if Nightreign is a stepping stone to something even bigger. Hidetaka Miyazaki’s recent interview hinted at "ambitious new projects," leading to rampant speculation about a sequel, a spin-off, or even a shared universe.
Lore Deep Dive: What the Forsaken Hollows Reveal About the Night
One of the most intriguing aspects of Nightreign is its lore implications. The Forsaken Hollows aren’t just a dungeon—they’re a gateway to understanding the Lands Between’s darker history.
The Curse of the Hollows
Early text logs and item descriptions suggest that the Hollows were once a sanctuary for Tarnished who sought to escape the Radagon’s curse. Over time, however, the Hollows became corrupted by an ancient Outer God—one that thrives in the absence of light.
- The Hollowborn: Former Tarnished who were consumed by the Hollow’s curse. They retain fragments of their humanity but are driven by an insatiable hunger.
- The Nightweavers: A cult-like faction that worships the Hollow’s patron Outer God. They’ve been secretly sabotaging the Two Fingers’ guidance for generations.
- The Black Flame: A latent power tied to the Hollows. Wielders of the Black Flame gain strength in darkness but pay a terrible price.
Connections to the Base Game
Fans have already spotted easter eggs linking the Hollows to Melina, Marika, and even Radahn:
- A mural depicting Marika’s "fall" into the Hollows, suggesting she may have once sought refuge here before her descent into madness.
- A weaponized version of the Black Flame, similar to the one wielded by Radahn but with a far more sinister origin.
- A hidden ending thread that implies the Hollows’ Outer God is still active in the Lands Between.
Could this be the key to Elden Ring 2? Only time will tell.
Is Elden Ring Still Worth Playing in 2026?
With the hype train barreling toward August, one question looms over everything: Is Elden Ring still the king of RPGs in 2026? The answer? Absolutely—but it depends who you ask.
For the Casual Player
If you’re someone who enjoys open-world RPGs but doesn’t have 100+ hours to sink into a single game, Elden Ring might not be your jam. Even with the Tarnished Pack’s QoL improvements, this is a game that demands patience, perseverance, and a willingness to embrace failure.
For the Hardcore Souls Fan
If you’re a veteran of Dark Souls, Bloodborne, or Sekiro, Nightreign is a love letter to everything that makes these games great. The Forsaken Hollows are a masterclass in environmental storytelling, and the Tarnished Pack ensures that even replaying the base game feels fresh.
For the Completionist
Are you the type of player who must achieve 100% in every game? Then Nightreign is a dream come true. With new armor sets, weapons, and the Nightreign Mode, there’s enough content here to keep you busy for months.
The Verdict
Elden Ring in 2026 isn’t just a game that holds up—it’s a game that evolves. The Nightreign DLC doesn’t just add content; it recontextualizes the entire experience. Whether you’re a returning player or a newcomer, this expansion ensures that the Lands Between remain as unforgiving, immersive, and iconic as ever.
Score: 9.5/10 (Base Game) + 10/10 (Nightreign DLC) = A must-own for any RPG fan.
Final Thoughts: The Night Has Only Just Begun
FromSoftware’s ability to consistently deliver unforgettable experiences is nothing short of legendary. Elden Ring wasn’t just a phenomenon—it was a cultural reset for the RPG genre. With Nightreign, the studio has doubled down on that legacy, proving that even the most critically acclaimed games can still surprise us.
The Forsaken Hollows are a nightmarish playground for veterans, while the Tarnished Pack redefines what a DLC should be. Nightreign isn’t just an expansion—it’s an invitation to return to the Lands Between, and this time, the night is hungry.
So, are you ready to face the Hollows?
Pre-order Now
Watch the Official Trailer
Screenshots & Artwork
What do you think of Elden Ring Nightreign? Are you hyped for the Forsaken Hollows, or are you taking a wait-and-see approach? Drop your thoughts in the comments—and don’t forget to share this with your fellow Tarnished! 🗡️🔥
ModVC Team
Sources
- GameSpot: Elden Ring, Death Stranding Movie Studio Signs Deal With Google For AI-Training
- OpenCritic: Google Investing Millions into AI with Studio Behind Elden Ring
- GAMINGbible: The Top 6 Fantasy Games To Try If You've Got House of the Dragon Fever
- GamingBolt: Steam Machine Pricing Revealed, Starts at $1049 for 512 GB
- DualShockers: 10 Most Underrated Bosses in Elden Ring
- Rock Paper Shotgun: Accidentally thrusting Morrowind to death just got more difficult
- 144Fps Games: Is Elden Ring Still Worth Playing in 2026?
- Fextralife: Elden Ring Tarnished Edition - Everything You Need to Know