"Duskbloods: Play as Bloodsworn, Not Bloodborne 2"

The Duskbloods will have players take on the role of a Bloodsworn, but don't get your hopes up for Bloodborne 2 just yet. Dive into the details to uncover FromSoftware's vision for The Duskbloods and its distinctive features.

FromSoftware Will Continue To Create Single-Player Focused Games

The Duskbloods Director on Nintendo’s Creator’s Voice Blog

FromSoftware, the masterminds behind Elden Ring, have reassured their dedicated fanbase that they will not stray from their acclaimed single-player games, despite their upcoming multiplayer projects. In a surprising move, they announced The Duskbloods during the April 2 Nintendo Direct, an exclusive title for the Nintendo Switch 2 that embraces the Soulslike theme with an online multiplayer PvPvE twist. This announcement comes alongside another multiplayer game, Elden Ring Nightreign.

In a recent post on Nintendo's insider blog, Creator’s Voice, on April 4, FromSoftware Director Hidetaka Miyazaki addressed concerns about the company's direction. He emphasized, "As a side note, please allow me to address one thing. As previously mentioned, this is an online multiplayer title at its core, but this doesn’t mean that we as a company have decided to shift to a more multiplayer-focused direction with titles going forward." He further assured fans, "The Nintendo Switch 2 version of Elden Ring was also announced, and we still intend to actively develop single-player focused games such as this that embrace our more traditional style."

The Importance of Blood in The Duskbloods

Miyazaki shed light on the game’s narrative and setting, which revolves around the theme of blood. Players will assume the role of "Bloodsworn," members of a group endowed with superhuman abilities through the use of special blood. While drawing parallels to vampires, Miyazaki clarified that these characters would not be portrayed as monstrous.

The Bloodsworn compete for "The First Blood," which emerges during "The Twilight of Humanity," an event that spans various times and locations. Miyazaki described the game's diverse settings, "There are more traditional Gothic- or Victorian-style maps as well as those depicting the closing years of the early modern period, like the one glimpsed in the trailer with the train running through it."

In The Duskbloods, blood is more than just a visual element; it represents the game's central themes. Miyazaki stated, "Blood symbolizes one of the game’s key themes—the history it holds, the power it passes on, the fates it weaves and the marker of those who have surpassed the limitations of their own humanity."

Wide Variety of Characters and Online Multiplayer

The Duskbloods' trailer showcased a range of characters, each with unique designs and personalities. Miyazaki confirmed that players would have over a dozen characters to choose from, with some customization options. He noted, "I think there are a lot of unique elements to the character designs and the weapons they use, so hopefully players can find one or two favorites among them."

Players start their journey in a "hub" where they can select and customize their character before entering the online multiplayer, which supports up to 8 players. After each match, players return to the hub to collect their rewards, primarily used for further character customization.

Matches typically end with one player standing, though certain scenarios might have different victory conditions, such as defeating a formidable boss or meeting other special requirements. Miyazaki explained, "Regardless of whether it’s PvP or PvE, the idea is to provide players with an experience that allows them to learn and hone their skills as they play. We’ve therefore designed the PvE boss encounters to present a tough challenge and a sense of accomplishment upon defeating them."

Miyazaki also introduced the concept of "roles" within the game, which assign special responsibilities and objectives to players. Although details are still being finalized, examples include the "Destined Rivals" role, where players must find and defeat their designated rival, and the "Destined Companion" role, where players seek out their partner to form a bond and earn unique rewards. He further elaborated, "Roles can be assigned to any character via blood customization, allowing players to enjoy role-playing in a literal sense and hopefully adding to the drama of these engagements."

The Creator’s Voice blog provided valuable insights into FromSoftware’s plans for their Switch 2 exclusive. With more announcements expected in the future, The Duskbloods, set for release in 2026, promises to be an exciting addition to the gaming landscape. Stay tuned for more updates by checking out our article below!