Nightreign's Lead Composer Shares Insights on Crafting Its Unique Soundtrack

Our final IGN First visit to FromSoftware took us to the sound studio where Lead Composer Shoi Miyazawa creates the evocative soundtracks that bring hope, melancholy, and tension to The Lands Between and Limveld. In this interview, we explore the process behind composing a FromSoftware soundtrack, the director's specific guidance for Nightreign’s music, and Miyazawa’s personal inspirations.

IGN: Let’s start with how you began composing music for video games. Are you a passionate gamer?

Shoi Miyazawa - Lead Sound Designer on Elden Ring Nightreign:

I’ve always loved the Armored Core series. When Hoshino-san reached out about joining FromSoftware, I was thrilled. The music of Armored Core captivated me, and I also drew inspiration from childhood favorites like Ganbare Goemon and Secret of Mana. The Castlevania series has been a significant influence on my work as well.

Are there any composers, beyond video games, who have shaped your musical style?

I’m a huge fan of King Crimson and Marilyn Manson. Their unique and varied musical vibes have definitely influenced my approach.

Moving to Elden Ring and Nightreign, what’s your process for composing? Do you draw from concept art for bosses or locations, or do you receive specific mood and tone directions from the director?

We use multiple approaches. Sometimes the director provides a brief description of the desired mood or setting. Other times, we work from concept art or a text-based brief, like a boss’s backstory or the design of their arena.

How did composing for Nightreign differ from working on the main Elden Ring soundtrack?

As a spin-off, Nightreign needed to carry over certain elements from Elden Ring while establishing its own identity. I had in-depth discussions with the director about balancing these aspects. We aimed to make Nightreign distinct from the Souls series but still memorable and catchy in its own right.

What specific directions did the director give for Nightreign’s sound and tone? Were there recurring themes you focused on?

The theme of night is central to Nightreign, so we emphasized feelings of displacement, loneliness, and the eerie atmosphere of darkness. These elements shaped the soundtrack to evoke the solitude and tension of nighttime.

Of all your FromSoftware projects, which has been your favorite, and which was the most challenging?

It’s tough to choose, as I have fond memories of many projects. One standout is composing Consort Radahn for Elden Ring. I often work in a dimly lit room, and while creating that track, I felt an eerie presence, like someone was watching from the shadows, which influenced the piece’s tone.

Another favorite is Takes Me Anywhere from the bonus disc of Armored Core VI. As a longtime fan of the series, working on that track was special. Armored Core was on hiatus when I joined FromSoftware, so this piece brought back memories of my early days at the company and my love for the franchise.

Elden Ring credits multiple composers. How collaborative is the process for games like Elden Ring and Nightreign? Do you work independently or closely together?

Typically, each composer handles one track independently, though we share ideas and feedback with the sound team. For Nightreign, however, we broke from tradition, with multiple composers collaborating on certain tracks.

We saw the boss Libra: Creature of Night during our visit. Can you share any insights into creating that track?

Libra was unique because the character brief included specific musical directions. We aimed to capture an exotic, almost demonic essence, reflecting the boss’s appearance and fight. The music emphasizes a stark contrast between victory and defeat, amplifying the themes of risk and reward.

The day-night cycle in Nightreign is striking, especially in the music. How did you approach composing for this dynamic?

The day-night cycle and three-day structure of Nightreign were key. We wanted the music to convey a growing sense of danger and unease as night falls, with enemies and bosses becoming more formidable. The soundtrack reflects this feeling of being increasingly out of your depth.

Is there a particular track you’re excited for players to experience in Nightreign?

We focused on giving each boss fight a unique musical identity, pushing the boundaries of FromSoftware’s fantasy soundtracks. I’m excited for players to hear how far we’ve taken the music to enhance these encounters.

Do you have a favorite musical instrument or tool you like to use in your compositions?

I don’t focus on a single instrument, but my first experience with music was through DTM software on a personal computer. This tool lets me fine-tune every note and pitch, allowing me to obsess over the details—maybe more than I should!

What’s your all-time favorite game, beyond just its music?

I have a soft spot for Myst. Its pre-rendered scenes and puzzle-solving adventure left a lasting impression on me as a player. The way you explore and unravel the world’s mysteries really stuck with me.