Elden Ring’s Nightreign Expansion – 6 Easter Eggs You Might Have Missed

FromSoftware has done it again, folks. The new Elden Ring expansion, “Nightreign,” is here, and it’s exactly what we hoped for in our masochistic gaming hearts. It’s brutal, it’s beautiful, and it’s packed to the brim with the tiny details that make exploring The Lands Between such a joy. But while you were dodging tree sentinels or cursing up a storm after falling off yet another cliff, you might’ve missed some of the best easter eggs FromSoft has tucked away in this DLC.

Let’s get into the good stuff.

1. A Nod to Dark Souls with a Familiar Bonfire

Ever walked into a new area and thought, “Wait… I’ve been here before?” Nightreign subtly plays with that feeling. There’s a bonfire (yes, an actual bonfire, not a site of grace) tucked away in a shadowy alcove near the Cathedral of Lost Dreams. If it looks eerily similar to the Firelink Shrine bonfire from Dark Souls, that’s because it is. This is a loving tip of the hat to their roots, and honestly, it makes me a little misty-eyed while waiting to be invaded for the seventh time in thirty minutes.

2. Berserk Reference? Of Course.

Oh, you thought FromSoft would release an update and not sneak in a shout-out to Kentaro Miura’s Berserk? Absolutely not. Within the depths of the Abyssal Woods lies a shattered, massive greatsword perched at an angle that should feel hauntingly familiar to fans of Guts and his Dragon Slayer. The area around the sword is littered with toppled, grotesque giants, leaving no doubt about what inspired this grim detail. Between you and me, it wouldn’t be a FromSoftware game without this homage, and we’re not complaining.

3. A Ghostly Miyazaki Cameo?

This one’s for superfans. There’s been chatter on Reddit (and by that, I mean rampant speculation) that Hidetaka Miyazaki himself might’ve shown up as a spectral NPC. You can find a cloaked figure near the Runed Ruins who mutters cryptic comments about ambition, failure, and renewal. Sound familiar? Even the gesture he performs is suspiciously similar to Miyazaki’s mannerisms during Elden Ring’s promotional interviews. Intentional or not, it’s the type of easter egg that fuels hours of online debates and half-written lore posts.

4. Hidden Zone Inspired By Lovecraft (Yeah, We Went There)

Alright, if you thought the base game flirted with cosmic horror, then Nightreign is taking you out for a full wine-and-dine experience. Deep within The Forbidden Depths lies a mysterious temple filled with whispering shadows and impossible architecture. Between the mind-bending visual design and an overarching feeling that your tarnished isn’t alone, it’s dripping with Lovecraft’s influence. Oh, and the boss? A tentacled monstrosity that manages to be both terrifying and oddly whimsical. Classic FromSoft.

5. The Developer Room – A Meta Flex

You know how Bethesda games always have some cheeky hidden developer room? Yeah, FromSoft decided to get in on that action. Players who dare to solve an overly complex series of riddles (we’re talking layers on layers) can eventually unlock a “developer space” hidden between dimensions. Inside, you’ll find messages that say things like “Git Gud,” “You’re Welcome for the Trauma,” and “Praise the Designers.” Oh, and the chest in this room? It’s trapped, of course. You weren’t expecting a freebie, were you?

6. The Creepiest Doll You’ll Ever See

 

No FromSoftware list is complete without a mention of a horrifying doll. Hidden in an unmarked cave (look for a large root system that kind of resembles fingers), you’ll stumble across the Crimson Doll of the Maiden-Keep. It doesn’t attack; it simply stares. And if you sit idle near it for too long, well… just try it. Your tarnished will wish they hadn’t.

Missed Some? Don’t Worry, The Hunt Isn’t Over.

FromSoftware doesn’t do anything by accident, and Nightreign is no exception. For every easter egg unearthed, there’s bound to be another twelve lurking in the shadows of The Lands Between. Whether you’re a seasoned Tarnished or just crawling your way through Caelid for the first time, this DLC is a treasure trove worth exploring with both eyes open.

Have you found any jaw-dropping easter eggs in Nightreign we didn’t cover? Drop your discoveries in the comments below! Until then, happy dying—I mean, adventuring.

Be sure to visit Total Apex Gaming for more game-related news and content.