The Duskbloods: Everything We Know

FromSoftware’s next game isn’t another Elden Ring expansion or Dark Souls game – it’s something entirely unexpected. The Duskbloods, a newly announced exclusive title for Nintendo Switch 2, is shrouded in mystery and excitement. But why is the studio behind Bloodborne and Sekiro partnering with Nintendo on a multiplayer-focused project? What exactly is this game about? And how will The Duskbloods’ multiplayer gameplay mix PvP combat with monstrous PvE threats? Fans have been buzzing with questions ever since its ominous reveal during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct. Here’s everything we know about The Duskbloods, from its release date and platforms to its gameplay and story.

What is The Duskbloods?

The Duskbloods is an upcoming multiplayer action game from FromSoftware, built around chaotic PvPvE battles where eight players fight each other and wild monsters at the same time. You play as a Bloodsworn, someone who’s gained supernatural powers through ancient blood and is thrown into a brutal battle for First Blood. Directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki, it’s basically FromSoftware’s big dive into a pure online multiplayer experience.

The Duskbloods Story

The story of The Duskbloods​ unfolds during an apocalyptic event called the “Twilight of Humanity,” when human society is on the brink of collapse​. In this desperate end time, a mystical substance known as “First Blood” begins to flow, and players are drawn into a final battle to claim it​. Players take on the role of the Bloodsworn, humans who have gained superhuman powers through special blood​. These Bloodsworn are essentially vampiric beings, though Miyazaki notes they aren’t depicted as traditional horror monsters, but rather a more romanticized take on vampires. They’ve transcended normal humanity, and their blood holds ancient power and fate.

What makes the lore especially intriguing is its scope. Because Bloodsworn are summoned to fight for First Blood from different times and places, the game’s setting spans multiple eras​. One battle might rage through a Gothic Victorian city street, while another unfolds on a early modern battlefield – there’s even a scene with a steam train barreling through a dark landscape in the trailer​.

The Duskbloods Gameplay

At its core, The Duskbloods multiplayer gameplay experience is built around PvPvE battles – player vs player and player vs environment. Each online match supports up to 8 players who compete against each other and against roaming enemies and boss creatures​. Don’t expect a traditional single-player adventure here; this is an online action game with a unique competitive twist.

Matches are generally a last-player-standing affair, but with a crucial difference: the world itself is hostile. While you’re dueling other players, AI-controlled monsters can and will interfere. In some cases, the objective even shifts from killing each other to cooperating to take down a powerful boss that appears​. The goal of every match is ultimately to obtain the fabled “First Blood” – which presumably acts as the victory prize or item that players are scrambling to claim.

Moreover, The Duskbloods features a communal hub area where you’ll choose and customize your character before jumping into matches​. From this lobby, you can queue into various game modes or events. After a round, everyone returns to the hub to spend their rewards and upgrades, then the cycle repeats. And to keep things unpredictable, it will feature dynamic events that can trigger mid-match​. These events might spawn a giant boss, alter the environment, or introduce bonus objectives.

Once you’re in a match, expect fast-paced, dynamic movement and combat. Thanks to their empowered blood, all characters have superhuman physical abilities – we’re talking sprinting faster, leaping higher, even double-jumping with ease​. Verticality and agility play a big role in traversal and fights. Uniquely for a FromSoftware title, firearms and ranged attacks are also prominent here. So, every character is equipped with some form of ranged weapon or attack option. Additionally, each player can summon a companion entity to assist them in battle.

The Duskbloods Development

Behind the scenes, The Duskbloods marks a bold new direction for FromSoftware. The project is led by Hidetaka Miyazaki – the famed director of Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring – which alone gives fans plenty of hope. Miyazaki’s involvement suggests that, experimental as this game may be, it will still carry the studio’s signature depth and polish.

In interviews, Miyazaki revealed how this collaboration with Nintendo came about. A few years back, he met with Nintendo to pitch a rough concept that was unlike anything FromSoft had done before​. Nintendo was immediately interested in the idea of a PvPvE action title, and thus the partnership was born​. Initially, a small team at FromSoftware started prototyping this game for the original Switch hardware​. However, once Nintendo’s plans for the Switch 2 became clear, they encouraged the team to shift the project to the new console.

The Duskbloods Trailer

Yes, we have a reveal trailer for The Duskbloods that debuted during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct. There’s various stuff to watch in just a few minutes of footage. The trailer shows a bleak world with Bloodsworn battling ominous foes, all set to dramatic music. If you haven’t watched it yet, do watch the video embedded above!

The Duskbloods – Release Date, Platforms and Editions

The Duskbloods is expected to launch in 2026, and Nintendo has confirmed that the game will release exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2 console. As of now, there’s no indication that the game will come to PC, PlayStation 5, or Xbox Series X/S. Given the collaboration with Nintendo, it appears to be a true exclusive (at least for the foreseeable future). In terms of editions, specific details haven’t been announced yet.

So, for now, the important facts are clear: The Duskbloods arrives next, only on Nintendo Switch 2, bringing an all-new PvPvE multiplayer adventure to FromSoftware fans who dare to enter the twilight of humanity. If you want to keep yourself upated with the latest news, you can offlow the official social media account of the developers here!

FAQs

Q: Is Duskbloods multiplayer only?

Yes, it is a PvPvE multiplayer game, and focuses on online battles with up to eight players.

Q: What platforms will this game be on?

The Duskbloods will release only on the Nintendo Switch 2. There’s no official news about it coming to PC, PS5, or Xbox.

Q: What is the release date for The Duskbloods?

The Duskbloods is announced to launch in 2026, but the exact release date hasn’t been shared yet.