When FromSoftware revealed The Duskbloods during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct in April 2025, reactions split dramatically. Some fans celebrated what appeared to be a spiritual successor to Bloodborne with vampire aesthetics and gothic horror. Others saw another multiplayer-focused departure from the studio that defined modern single-player action RPGs. Now, as 2026 approaches and more details emerge, the question remains: will The Duskbloods provide the FromSoftware experience fans crave, or does it represent everything they fear about the studio’s new direction?
What We Know About The Duskbloods
The Duskbloods is a PvPvE multiplayer action RPG coming exclusively to Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026. Unlike traditional FromSoftware titles that prioritize single-player experiences, this game throws up to eight players into matches where they compete against each other and environmental enemies for something called the “First Blood.” Players choose from over a dozen pre-made characters called the Bloodsworn, vampire-like beings with superhuman abilities granted through special blood.
Director Hidetaka Miyazaki described the gameplay as dynamic and stress-free compared to older FromSoft titles. Characters possess abilities like super jumps and double jumps, eliminating the clunky platforming that plagued Dark Souls’ Blighttown. Everyone carries ranged weapons, a departure from the melee-focused combat the studio is known for. The setting blends Victorian gothic aesthetics with steampunk elements including jetpacks and firearms, creating a unique visual identity distinct from Bloodborne despite obvious thematic similarities.
Why Fans Are Concerned
| Traditional FromSoft Games | The Duskbloods Direction |
|---|---|
| Single-player focused narratives | Multiplayer PvPvE at core |
| Carefully crafted level design | Multiple maps for repeatable matches |
| Deliberate, methodical combat | Dynamic, stress-free movement |
| Punishing difficulty curves | Accessibility for broader audiences |
| Optional multiplayer features | Multiplayer required for core experience |
A Reddit thread discussing The Duskbloods captured widespread fan anxiety about FromSoftware’s trajectory. Users pointed out that this marks the third consecutive multiplayer-focused announcement from the studio. Elden Ring opened the floodgates with its more accessible design and massive commercial success. Elden Ring: Nightreign, announced at The Game Awards 2025, leans even harder into co-op roguelike gameplay. Now The Duskbloods commits fully to PvPvE, potentially abandoning single-player experiences entirely.
One commenter articulated the concern: “The challenge was a byproduct of their design philosophy, not the aim itself. With this shift toward greater accessibility and an emphasis on multiplayer, I find myself questioning whether those of us who cherish the classic Souls experiences will ever see that style again from FromSoftware.” The fear isn’t that multiplayer games are bad, it’s that FromSoft might never return to what made them special.
The Elden Ring Effect
Elden Ring’s unprecedented success fundamentally changed FromSoftware’s priorities. The game sold over 25 million copies, dwarfing every previous FromSoft title combined. It won countless Game of the Year awards, achieved mainstream cultural penetration beyond hardcore gaming circles, and proved that Soulslike gameplay could appeal to massive audiences when paired with open-world exploration and more forgiving mechanics.
From a business perspective, chasing that success makes perfect sense. Why make niche single-player games for a few million dedicated fans when you could create multiplayer experiences that attract tens of millions? Elden Ring demonstrated that FromSoft’s atmospheric worldbuilding and challenging combat translate to broader demographics when accessibility barriers are lowered. The Duskbloods appears designed to push that trend further, targeting the multiplayer gaming market worth billions more than single-player experiences.
However, longtime fans argue that FromSoftware succeeded precisely because they didn’t chase trends. Dark Souls revived action RPGs when shooters dominated the industry. Bloodborne embraced gothic horror when military realism reigned supreme. Sekiro stripped away RPG mechanics for pure action gameplay when open-world games bloated with content. The studio’s willingness to be different, difficult, and uncompromising created their devoted fanbase. Abandoning that identity for mainstream appeal risks losing what made them special.
Could The Duskbloods Actually Work?
Despite valid concerns, The Duskbloods might deliver exactly what FromSoftware fans need, just not in the format they expected. The studio has consistently struggled with multiplayer implementation. Dark Souls PvP was notoriously unbalanced. Bloodborne’s chalice dungeons felt repetitive. Elden Ring’s invasion system frustrated both invaders and hosts. By designing a game where multiplayer is core rather than tacked-on, FromSoft has the opportunity to finally perfect online gameplay using their unique design philosophy.
Consider the PvPvE structure. Eight players competing for a single objective while environmental enemies attack everyone creates emergent gameplay that traditional Souls games can’t deliver. Do you cooperate temporarily to clear enemies then backstab your allies? Do you hide and let others exhaust themselves fighting before swooping in? Do you master movement mechanics to avoid combat entirely and rush the objective? The possibility space is enormous.
Miyazaki specifically mentioned that The Duskbloods was “more a loose string of ideas than a proper presentation” when pitched to Nintendo, suggesting genuine creative experimentation rather than cynical trend-chasing. FromSoft’s track record includes radical departures like Armored Core that maintained their design philosophy while exploring new genres. The Duskbloods could represent similar innovation rather than abandonment of core values.
The Bloodborne Connection
Many fans immediately compared The Duskbloods to Bloodborne, noting the Victorian-era aesthetics, gothic architecture, and emphasis on blood-based powers. Some speculate it’s a spiritual successor or even a stealth sequel disguised as a new IP, similar to how Dark Souls evolved from Demon’s Souls without being a direct continuation. The vampire theme, transformation abilities, and dark fantasy atmosphere all scream Bloodborne DNA.
If The Duskbloods captures even a fraction of Bloodborne’s atmospheric horror and aggressive combat philosophy, fans of Sony’s exclusive might finally get a follow-up, even if it’s not a traditional sequel. The trailer showed characters biting necks and draining dark energy, beast transformations reminiscent of Bloodborne’s cut content, and gothic environments dripping with the same oppressive atmosphere. For PlayStation fans who’ve begged Sony to greenlight Bloodborne 2 for years, The Duskbloods on Switch 2 might be the closest they’ll get.
However, the multiplayer focus threatens to undermine what made Bloodborne special. That game succeeded because its gothic horror atmosphere created genuine dread during solo exploration. Yharnam felt dangerous, alien, and isolating. Competing with seven other players for objectives in repeatable maps can’t replicate that experience. The aesthetic similarities might be skin-deep window dressing on a fundamentally different game.
The Nintendo Switch 2 Exclusivity Question
The Duskbloods launching exclusively on Switch 2 surprised everyone. FromSoftware games traditionally release on multiple platforms to maximize sales. Locking a new IP to a single console seems risky, especially when that console won’t have the massive install base of PS5 or PC at launch. However, several factors make this decision more understandable than it initially appears.
First, Nintendo likely paid substantial money for exclusivity. After Elden Ring’s success proved FromSoft’s mainstream appeal, securing an exclusive FromSoftware game represents a massive coup for Switch 2’s launch window. Second, the Switch 2’s portability could be central to The Duskbloods’ design. Quick PvPvE matches suit handheld gaming better than 50-hour single-player epics. Third, Monster Hunter Rise proved that major Japanese franchises can thrive as Switch exclusives before eventually porting to other platforms.
Don’t be surprised if The Duskbloods arrives on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC 12-18 months after the Switch 2 launch. Timed exclusivity gives Nintendo the marketing benefit while allowing FromSoft to eventually reach their full audience. The real question is whether Switch 2’s technical capabilities can handle the game’s ambitions. FromSoft games are notoriously unoptimized, and running a multiplayer action game at 60fps on handheld hardware could prove challenging.
What This Means For Traditional Soulslikes
The most pressing question for longtime FromSoftware fans is simple: will we ever get another traditional single-player Soulslike from this studio? With The Duskbloods confirmed for 2026, Elden Ring: Nightreign launching earlier in the year, and no announcements about a classic-style game, the timeline looks grim. Best case scenario, a new Miyazaki-directed single-player Souls game launches in 2028 or 2029. Worst case, FromSoft has permanently pivoted to multiplayer experiences and asset-flip sequels.
However, several Reddit commenters pushed back against doomsaying, arguing that FromSoft has the resources to develop multiple projects simultaneously. The Duskbloods and Nightreign might represent one team experimenting while another works on a traditional sequel behind the scenes. Armored Core 6 released in 2023 alongside Elden Ring DLC development, proving the studio can manage parallel projects. Just because they haven’t announced a Dark Souls successor doesn’t mean one isn’t in development.
Additionally, Miyazaki specifically reassured fans in a Nintendo interview that FromSoftware hasn’t abandoned single-player experiences. He emphasized that The Duskbloods represents trying something different, not a permanent direction shift. Whether those words provide genuine comfort or corporate PR remains to be seen, but they at least acknowledge fan concerns about the studio’s trajectory.
The Innovation vs Tradition Debate
This controversy reflects a broader tension in gaming between innovation and tradition. Should beloved studios continue perfecting established formulas fans adore, or experiment with new directions that risk alienating their base? FromSoftware earned their reputation by innovating, yet fans now criticize them for continuing to innovate in directions those same fans dislike.
One Reddit user made a compelling point: “FromSoftware has indicated their desire to be recognized for more than just creating Soulslike titles, so it’s not surprising that they’re exploring different paths with a game or two.” The studio made Demon’s Souls, three Dark Souls games, Bloodborne, Sekiro, and Elden Ring plus DLC. That’s a decade of primarily Soulslike content. Can we really blame them for wanting to try something new?
Conversely, fans counter that dozens of studios now make Soulslike games, from Lies of P to Lords of the Fallen to Salt and Sacrifice. What made FromSoft special wasn’t just the genre they pioneered, but the uncompromising vision and meticulous design that inferior imitators can’t replicate. If FromSoft abandons what they do best, who will deliver that specific experience at that quality level? The concern isn’t that Soulslikes will die, it’s that great Soulslikes from the genre’s masters might.
Movement Improvements Could Change Everything
One genuinely exciting aspect of The Duskbloods is FromSoft finally addressing movement, historically their weakest gameplay element. Miyazaki specifically mentioned super jumps, double jumps, and stress-free traversal designed to eliminate the clunky platforming that frustrated players for years. Dark Souls’ infamous Blighttown sections became memes precisely because navigating narrow platforms with limited control felt awful.
If The Duskbloods perfects fluid movement, those improvements could carry forward into future traditional Souls games. Imagine exploring a gothic castle with Bloodborne’s aggressive combat but Sekiro’s grappling hook mobility plus The Duskbloods’ refined platforming. The multiplayer experiment might teach FromSoft lessons that elevate their entire catalog going forward.
FAQs
What is The Duskbloods?
The Duskbloods is a PvPvE multiplayer action RPG from FromSoftware, launching exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026. Up to eight players compete against each other and enemies for the “First Blood” in vampire-themed gothic environments.
Is The Duskbloods a Bloodborne sequel?
No, it’s a new IP with vampire aesthetics and Victorian gothic settings reminiscent of Bloodborne. Some fans speculate it’s a spiritual successor, but FromSoftware hasn’t confirmed any direct connection to Bloodborne.
Is The Duskbloods single-player or multiplayer?
The Duskbloods is primarily a multiplayer game with PvPvE (player versus player versus environment) at its core. It supports up to eight players in matches and doesn’t appear to have a traditional single-player campaign.
Why are FromSoftware fans concerned?
This marks the third consecutive multiplayer-focused announcement from FromSoft after Elden Ring and Nightreign. Longtime fans worry the studio has abandoned traditional single-player Soulslike experiences in favor of more accessible multiplayer games chasing mainstream success.
Will The Duskbloods come to other platforms?
Currently announced only for Nintendo Switch 2 as an exclusive. However, timed exclusives often port to other platforms 12-18 months later, similar to Monster Hunter Rise’s trajectory.
When does The Duskbloods release?
The Duskbloods is scheduled for 2026, but no specific release date has been announced. Expect more details closer to launch as FromSoftware reveals additional gameplay information.
Who is directing The Duskbloods?
Hidetaka Miyazaki, the director behind Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring, is leading The Duskbloods development. He described it as a departure from FromSoftware’s previous work.
What are the Bloodsworn in The Duskbloods?
The Bloodsworn are vampire-like characters players choose from in The Duskbloods. Each possesses unique weapons and superhuman abilities granted through special blood, including enhanced mobility like super jumps and double jumps.
Will FromSoftware make another traditional Souls game?
Miyazaki has stated FromSoft hasn’t abandoned single-player experiences, but no traditional Soulslike has been announced. Best-case scenario for a new mainline Souls-style game would be 2028 or 2029.
Conclusion
The Duskbloods represents a crossroads for FromSoftware and their fanbase. On one hand, it’s a bold creative experiment from a studio that built its reputation on doing things differently. The PvPvE structure could deliver emergent gameplay experiences traditional Soulslikes can’t match, refined movement mechanics might eliminate longstanding frustrations, and the vampire gothic aesthetic looks gorgeous. On the other hand, it continues a worrying trend away from the single-player action RPGs that defined FromSoft’s identity, potentially abandoning longtime fans in pursuit of mainstream multiplayer audiences. Whether The Duskbloods proves that FromSoftware can innovate while maintaining their design philosophy or confirms fears that Elden Ring’s success has fundamentally changed the studio’s priorities remains to be seen. For now, fans can only hope that somewhere in FromSoft’s development pipeline, a traditional Soulslike waits for its moment to shine. Until then, we’re getting vampires with jetpacks fighting each other on Switch 2, and that’s either the best or worst thing FromSoftware could announce depending on who you ask.