The Duskbloods: FromSoftware's Ambitious Switch 2 Exclusive Reimagines Soulslike Multiplayer

FromSoftware's upcoming title, The Duskbloods, represents a significant departure from the studio's established patterns while simultaneously embracing the dark, atmospheric qualities that have defined their most beloved works. Set for release in 2026 exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2, this vampire-themed PvPvE action-RPG has been shrouded in the developer's characteristic mystique since its reveal in April 2025.

The Nintendo exclusivity alone marks a dramatic shift for FromSoftware, which has historically partnered with Sony for platform-exclusive releases. This unexpected alliance with Nintendo signals a potential strategic repositioning for the developer, whose prestige has only continued to grow throughout the 2020s following the monumental successes of Elden Ring, Armored Core 6, and Elden Ring Nightreign.

Bloodborne's Spiritual Successor?

The Duskbloods immediately draws comparisons to FromSoftware's 2015 masterpiece Bloodborne through its striking visual identity. The game embraces a similar Victorian-Gothic aesthetic, complete with 19th-century attire, ornate architecture, and period-appropriate weaponry. However, The Duskbloods appears to lean even more heavily into steampunk elements, featuring functioning train systems and even a character sporting a Rocketeer-inspired metal flying suit.

Despite these aesthetic similarities, The Duskbloods is definitively not connected to Bloodborne's universe. Sony owns the Bloodborne IP, making any direct connection to a Nintendo exclusive implausible. Instead, The Duskbloods establishes its own unique mythology centered around vampire-like beings known as the Bloodsworn.

Innovative Multiplayer Framework

Unlike FromSoftware's previous titles, The Duskbloods is built from the ground up as a multiplayer experience. The game supports up to eight players who compete in various matches across different locations and time periods. Each session follows a core gameplay loop:

1. Participate in PvPvE matches with other players

2. Earn Victory Points upon completion

3. Return to a hub area for character customization using Victory Points as currency

4. Repeat the cycle with new objectives

What truly distinguishes The Duskbloods is its role-based victory conditions. Players can assign their chosen character specific roles that determine their objectives for the following match. These can range from hunting down another player to forming alliances with specific individuals. This creates a dynamic social ecosystem where cooperation and betrayal become strategic considerations.

The Twilight of Humanity

The narrative framework of The Duskbloods centers on an apocalyptic scenario known as "The Twilight of Humanity." Civilization teeters on the brink of collapse, and the Bloodsworn must seek out a mysterious substance called First Blood. While the exact nature of this substance remains obscure (in typical FromSoftware fashion), it appears central to either preventing or navigating humanity's impending doom.

Intriguingly, the game suggests that Bloodsworn will travel across different time periods during their quest. While the promotional materials have emphasized Victorian settings, this temporal element could potentially introduce far greater environmental and thematic diversity than initially apparent.

Character Diversity and Gameplay Depth

The Duskbloods will feature "over a dozen" playable characters, each with unique abilities, statistics, movesets, and personal lore. This character-based approach represents a significant departure from FromSoftware's traditional blank-slate protagonists and suggests a more defined narrative structure than previous titles.

People Also Ask

Is The Duskbloods related to Bloodborne?

No, despite visual similarities, The Duskbloods has no narrative connection to Bloodborne. Sony owns the Bloodborne IP, while The Duskbloods is a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive developed by FromSoftware.

Can The Duskbloods be played solo?

While designed primarily as a multiplayer experience, FromSoftware has not yet clarified whether The Duskbloods will offer a solo play option or offline mode.

How does The Duskbloods differ from Elden Ring Nightreign?

Unlike Elden Ring Nightreign, which follows a roguelike structure, The Duskbloods is a PvPvE action-RPG with role-based objectives and character-specific gameplay styles.

When exactly will The Duskbloods release?

While scheduled for 2026, neither FromSoftware nor Nintendo has announced a specific release date as of early 2025.

A New Direction for FromSoftware

Recent leaks suggest that The Duskbloods has been in development longer than any previous FromSoftware title, including Elden Ring. This extended development cycle hints at the project's ambition and potential complexity. As Elden Ring Nightreign completes its first year of post-launch support, FromSoftware may soon shift more resources toward promoting The Duskbloods.

The Duskbloods represents a fascinating evolution in FromSoftware's approach to game design. By maintaining their signature atmospheric worldbuilding and challenging combat while reimagining the multiplayer framework, they appear to be crafting something simultaneously familiar and revolutionary. The game's unusual platform exclusivity, character-based structure, and temporal narrative elements all suggest a developer willing to experiment with their established formula.

As we await more details about The Duskbloods, one can't help but wonder: does this represent a temporary creative detour for FromSoftware, or the beginning of a new chapter in their development philosophy? Will the studio's signature environmental storytelling translate effectively to a multiplayer-focused experience? And perhaps most importantly, can the Nintendo Switch 2 hardware fully realize FromSoftware's typically demanding visual and technical ambitions? The answers to these questions will undoubtedly shape not only The Duskbloods' reception but potentially the future direction of one of gaming's most influential studios.