Elden Ring Nightreign's Composer on Marilyn Manson, Myst, and More IGN First
3 minute readPublished: Thursday, May 29, 2025 at 6:47 pm
Elden Ring: Nightreign Composer Shoi Miyazawa Talks Music, Influences, and the Game's Soundtrack
In a recent interview with IGN, Shoi Miyazawa, the lead composer for *Elden Ring: Nightreign*, shared insights into the creation of the game's captivating soundtrack. Miyazawa, a longtime fan of FromSoftware's *Armored Core* series, discussed his journey into game music composition and the influences that shape his work.
Miyazawa revealed that his approach to composing for *Nightreign* involves a collaborative process with the director, often drawing inspiration from concept art, mood descriptions, and even text-based briefs detailing boss backstories and arenas. The goal for *Nightreign* was to maintain the essence of *Elden Ring* while offering a distinct and "catchy" musical experience. Key themes explored in the music include a sense of loneliness, being out of place, and the darkness of nighttime, reflecting the game's setting.
The composer also shared his personal influences, citing artists like King Crimson and Marilyn Manson for their diverse musical styles. He highlighted the collaborative nature of composing at FromSoftware, where composers typically work on individual tracks, though *Nightreign* saw some instances of multiple composers working on a single track. Miyazawa also discussed the creation of the track for the boss Libra: Creature of Night, which was one of the rare cases where a specific musical direction was given within the character brief.
Miyazawa expressed excitement for players to experience the music, particularly the focus on the individuality of each boss fight, pushing the boundaries of music in FromSoftware's fantasy titles. He also mentioned his fondness for adventure games like *Myst* and his early experiences with digital audio workstations (DAWs), which allow him to meticulously craft each musical piece.
Keywords: Elden Ring, Nightreign, Shoi Miyazawa, composer, soundtrack, music, video game music, FromSoftware, Armored Core, King Crimson, Marilyn Manson, Libra: Creature of Night, Myst, boss fights, game music composition, IGN