Remember that moment when you first realized FromSoftware’s games might share more than just gameplay mechanics? That tingling suspicion when you found Patches in Bloodborne, or spotted the Moonlight Greatsword across multiple titles? Get ready for that feeling times ten.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Elden Ring’s upcoming DLC ‘Nightreign’s The Forsaken Hollows’ may feature an iconic Dark Souls boss
- This isn’t just fan service—it could fundamentally connect the game’s universes
- Series veterans are about to get answers to lore questions they’ve had for years
The Convergence Theory Gains Steam
When The Verge first reported on the DLC rumors, they highlighted how FromSoftware has been subtly connecting their worlds for years. But bringing back a full boss from Dark Souls? That’s not a cameo—that’s a statement.
Think about what this means for the established lore. Elden Ring exists in The Lands Between, governed by the Erdtree and Greater Will. Dark Souls featured a world built around the First Flame and cycles of fire and dark. These seemed completely separate universes—until now.
What Veteran Players Should Watch For
If you’ve spent hundreds of hours across FromSoftware’s catalog, you know their storytelling operates on environmental clues and subtle connections. The boss mechanics themselves will tell us everything.
Will the returning boss use similar attack patterns but with new Elden Ring-style mechanics? That would suggest evolution within the same continuity. Or will they fight exactly as they did in Dark Souls, indicating dimensional crossover?
According to analysis from IGN’s Elden Ring wiki, the DLC’s title “The Forsaken Hollows” directly references Dark Souls’ hollowing mechanic. This linguistic connection isn’t accidental—FromSoftware chooses every word with purpose.
The Bigger Picture for Soulsborne Games
This isn’t just about one boss appearance. It’s about validating years of fan theories while opening new narrative possibilities. What if Elden Ring represents the world that emerges after the final cycle of fire in Dark Souls?
The implications are staggering. Suddenly, items like the Rusted Anchor that mentions “a sea beyond time” or the Nox mirror helmets showing “a sky without stars” take on new meaning. These could be references to the previous age—the Dark Souls universe.
For series creator Hidetaka Miyazaki, this represents a masterstroke of worldbuilding. He maintains each game’s independence while rewarding the most dedicated fans with deeper connections. You don’t need to understand the references to enjoy Elden Ring, but for veterans, it transforms the experience.
The bottom line:
This potential boss return represents more than nostalgia—it’s a key that could unlock the fundamental relationship between FromSoftware’s worlds. For Soulsborne veterans, Nightreign’s The Forsaken Hollows might finally provide answers about whether these games exist in a shared timeline, parallel universes, or something even more fascinating. The real challenge begins when the DLC drops: piecing together how this changes everything we thought we knew about both Elden Ring and Dark Souls lore.
