Summary
Leaked footage seems to confirm that the Gaping Dragon boss from the originalDark Soulswill return to the upcoming co-op gameElden Ring Nightreign. Released in 2011, the first installment in theDark Soulstrilogy became a genre-defining classic for many fans, praised for its punishing combat and deep lore. In 2022, FromSoftware followed up withElden Ring, a massive success that arguably surpassed its predecessors in both scope and impact. Now, withElden Ring Nightreignon the horizon and new details emerging, excitement among fans continues to grow.
FromSoftware, a renowned Japanese video game developer, is celebrated for creating challenging and immersive action RPGs. It gained worldwide recognition with the release ofDemon’s Soulsin 2009, a title widely credited with launching the Soulslike genre. Since then,FromSoftware has amassed a collection of hit games, includingBloodborne,Elden Ring, and theDark Soulstrilogy, all of which helped shape the genre. WhileElden Ringshares many design elements withDark Souls, the leaked detail that a boss from the iconic franchise will appear inNightreignmarks an exciting move into new territory for the studio.
A Reddit user named Speedwagon1987 recently shared a video, originally posted on TikTok, which has since been removed. The video reportedly revealed that the grotesque, six-limbed Gaping Dragon boss fromDark Souls 1would make a comeback inElden Ring Nightreign. While the video is no longer available, it was viewed by several fans before being taken down.
The Gaping Dragon Boss Appears to Be Making a Comeback in Elden Ring Nightreign
The return of the Gaping Dragon would be part of the first wave of direct crossovers ofDark Soulsbosses into theElden Ringuniverse. Recently, the game’s director confirmed the appearance of another iconicDark Soulsboss, the Nameless King fromDark Souls 3, with more potentially returning in the upcoming co-op game. Whiledefeating the Gaping Dragon inDark Souls 1isn’t as difficult as some of the game’s tougher bosses, like Ornstein and Smough, it still presents challenges. The cramped arena complicates evasive maneuvers, and the dragon’s acid vomit can damage armor, reducing defenses.
In addition to the possible return of severalDark Soulsbosses in the upcomingElden Ringgame, other details have emerged. Notably,Elden Ring Nightreignwill move away from the expansive open-world design of its predecessor, opting instead for a more focused, session-based approach. Another key change is theabsence of poison swamps inNightreign, a hallmark of bothElden RingandDark Souls. This decision is likely since Hidetaka Miyazaki, the director known for his love of designing toxic swamp environments, is not leadingNightreign.
WithElden Ring Nightreignset to release on May 30, fans won’t have to wait long to uncover the full details of what the game has in store. For now, fans will just have to hold on and see if the Gaping Dragon boss makes a comeback in the upcoming installment.
