Developer FromSoftware has given players plenty of moments of elation in its nearly 40-year history, but nothing quite like this. The Duskbloods is a stark departure from the Japan-based studio’s prior projects. It has elements from games like Elden Ring and its Nightreign expansion, but it’s clear that, when partnering with Nintendo on this Switch 2 exclusive, FromSoftware wanted to subvert expectations a bit.
In my multi-day experience playing the game’s Network Test, I can say that The Duskbloods is mechanically familiar but fundamentally different. It’s an unexpected release that proves FromSoftware’s uncanny ability to pivot into new sub-genres while retaining the character action foundation that has helped the studio sell over 86 million copies globally. Most importantly, The Duskbloods provides the high stakes excitement in a fashion that only this developer can deliver.
Duskbloods Is Not The Game You Expect, And That’s A Good Thing
Because of how different The Duskbloods is from all of FromSoftware’s prior games, and frankly, most games out there, it’s hard to succinctly describe what this game is. If you want to get a rundown explaining what exactly this game is, make sure to read my Duskbloods explainer piece and then come back for full thoughts on my time with the title. A game rarely feels like a “yes and” improv exercise when describing it, but there are so many layers, nuances, and systems to The Duskbloods that it’s impossible to define it in just a few words.
What I can say is that The Duskbloods is a PvPvE experience that features 8 players, or 4 teams of 2, competing to be the last standing and claimed “First Blood.” While there are plans to offer a PvE-focused finale, for the Network Test, PvP was on the menu and for good reason. I imagine that the final round, where three players take on a stronger Trespasser will be similar to a co-op experience in a Soulsborne game, but the 1v1v1 or 2v2 finale delivers an excitement unlike anything I’ve experienced before. I liken it to those crucial moments where you’re on the precipice of victory, but failure is only one or two mistakes away. Facing off against that final player, knowing it’s kill or be killed, and finally delivering that killing blow brings a sense of elation that’s up there with a Battle Royale win.
The early game has a dash of Bloodborne and a pinch of Dark Souls PvP, and it has a lot in common with the beginning of a Battle Royale match.
As you run around the game’s gothic fantasy map, you’re working towards two goals: get stronger in any way possible and aim for pole position on the leaderboard by accumulating Virtue. Every time I jumped into a match, those two goals were top of my mind, but how I achieved them was different from match to match. And when I didn’t make the cut, there was still that motivation to jump right back in. Maybe I’d switch up my chosen character, but the pull to improve was very strong.
The Duskbloods’ Systems Are Deep, But Most Are Optional
With its various character archetypes, The Duskbloods gives you the sense that you are a bit like a FromSoftware boss, with unique and elaborate skills to give you the upper hand on both AI-controlled and player opponents. The addition of Kin makes every PvP fight just a little extra chaotic, but allows everyone to duck out of battle and fire off a heal when weakened. And the opportunities to obtain Virtue without ever fighting another player in the first three phases feel like a framework that will eventually support a friendly (co-oper-petative?) experience.
Truly, though, it is the introduction of the movement — both the double/super jump and the ability to air dash — that makes The Duskbloods control so differently than any of FromSoftware’s prior Soulsborne games. PvP in those titles typically has its own honor code, but here it feels like all bets are off. Cheesing can get you just as far as a tried and true strategy – anything to be the last one standing.
Scratch & Peek
Identify the cover art while scratching off as little foil as
possible.
Because this is a Switch 2 exclusive, there are likely questions about performance and how The Duskbloods looks on the platform. Although we were playing in an optimized setting, I found the game ran smoothly in docked mode, and I experienced no noticeable latency issues. Obviously, this weekend’s Network Test will help FromSoftware smooth out any networking issues that could arise, but I’m happy to report that the game’s performance was solid.
And while I don’t think The Duskbloods is on the cutting edge of visuals, that rarely seems to be FromSoftware’s M.O. with its games. These titles have their own sense of style and visual language, and The Duskbloods is lock lockstep in line with the likes of Elden Ring or Bloodborne. Within seconds, you recognize this as a FromSoftware world, and even though the atmosphere can be oppressive, and the enemy designs occasionally disgusting, you’re so happy to be back.
Balance is also a consideration that FromSoftware will monitor closely during both the Network Test and during release. I could see some characters being stronger than others, but in the right hands it felt like anyone was viable. The Rocket Man Zork seemed like a gimmick character put in the game for laughs, but once I had more time to learn his strengths and weaknesses, I ended up winning a Dusk Battle with him.
Where I think the game needs some attention is in its lock-on behavior, which you could argue has been tricky for a lot of Soulsborne games. Because PvP battles can have so many targets, I had quite a few instances where my aim jumped to the wrong character while using a skill, or I would accidentally lock on to a Kin if they moved within my attack range. In a game like The Duskbloods, where one wrong opens you up for a lot of punishment, having to fight against the lock-on could be frustrating.
The Duskbloods Hands-On: Final Thoughts
FromSoftware has regularly found ways to take a game concept that might not initially seem all that interesting or not what I hoped and, within just a few hours of playing, leave me addicted. The thought of a PvP-focused game is likely to turn off a good portion of the Soulsborne community, but after spending considerable time with The Duskbloods, I found it just as deep and immersive as any of the studio’s prior work.
At first, the game feels a bit overwhelming, but all those systems and mechanics are laid out for you to master over time, not to tackle all at once. Being able to form alliances with players, for example, isn’t necessary for success, but it adds a fun wrinkle to a match if you choose to take advantage of it. Similarly, there is a whole story and lore aspect of The Duskbloods that I never even saw, but that will fuel many players’ desires to log just one more match.
The Duskbloods took me out of my comfort zone when it comes to FromSoftware experiences, and yet again I walked away from my first hands-on itching to get back. It fits right alongside the studio’s past work and also stands out as its own thing. If you haven’t picked up a Nintendo Switch 2 by now, FromSoftware has made a strong case for a whole new community of gamers to join in.
- Released
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2026
- Multiplayer
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Online Multiplayer
- Number of Players
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1-8 players
The Duskbloods is set for release later this year exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2. GameRant was provided travel and lodging support for this preview.
