The Duskbloods was officially announced during the Nintendo Direct in April 2025, with a planned release for the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026. Developed and published by FromSoftware, this action role-playing game (RPG) has been generating significant buzz due to its focus on multiplayer gameplay and its departure from the studio’s traditional single-player narrative style. Produced under the supervision of Hidetaka Miyazaki, the renowned mastermind behind Elden Ring and Dark Souls, The Duskbloods promises to bring something fresh and ambitious to the action RPG genre.
The game’s development cycle has set a new standard for FromSoftware, with an unprecedented seven to eight years spent refining the game’s mechanics and world-building. In comparison, the development of The Duskbloods began before Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice was officially released, signaling the studio’s long-term commitment to creating something unique. Initially planned for release on the Nintendo Switch, the game’s shift to the Switch 2 platform was made to better harness the new console’s processing power, especially to support the extensive online multiplayer features envisioned by FromSoftware.
Set in a world on the brink of extinction, The Duskbloods revolves around the “Twilight of Humanity” era, where players step into the shoes of the “Bloodsworn”—vampire-like warriors who are bound by an oath of blood, yet not monstrous in nature. Each Bloodsworn character is fully customizable, with players choosing from a variety of archetypes, weapons, and skills to create a unique combat experience. The game supports up to eight players in a combination of Player versus Player (PvP) and Player versus Environment (PvE) modes, which FromSoftware believes will offer more dynamic and exciting gameplay options.
The world of The Duskbloods is rich with lore, drawing from themes of vampirism and the twilight of humanity. As players explore this fading world, they will encounter a range of challenges that reflect the harsh realities of a world nearing its end. The narrative will unfold through both player-driven actions and the broader lore of the game's universe, giving players the chance to impact the story as they progress.
Players step into the shoes of the "Bloodsworn"—characters with vampire-like traits, but they’re not monsters. Instead, they’re original figures that mix blood and vampire themes together. Each Bloodsworn comes from more than a dozen different archetypes, with unique weapons (including guns) and a set of skills. Players can customize their characters in a special central area. Here, they can change the story and the Bloodsworn’s fate, tweak their attributes, and assign specific roles for matches. For instance, the "Nemesis" role means players have to track down and beat a specific opponent. A match ends when only one player is left standing, and every participant gets rewards for character customization, win or lose.
The decision to bring The Duskbloods to the Nintendo Switch 2 exclusively has been met with mixed reactions. While some question whether the multiplayer focus will resonate with FromSoftware's traditional fanbase, the studio’s history of pushing boundaries suggests that this experiment could offer a fresh, exciting direction for the genre.
Ultimately, The Duskbloods looks set to redefine the action RPG landscape. With a lengthy and meticulously detailed development process, FromSoftware is clearly committed to delivering a high-quality, innovative experience. Whether it successfully balances multiplayer features with the deep, immersive storytelling the studio is known for remains to be seen, but the potential for this game to make a significant impact is undeniable.
In conclusion, The Duskbloods blends FromSoftware’s signature storytelling with new multiplayer mechanics, creating an experience that feels both fresh and ambitious. The game’s long development cycle and shift to the Nintendo Switch 2 platform show the studio's commitment to pushing the boundaries of what action RPGs can achieve. As a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, it’s clear that The Duskbloods will be a game to watch when it launches in 2026.