It’s been over a year since we got our first look at The Duskbloods, FromSoftware’s brand new multiplayer IP, but we are finally going to be able to play it and see what it’s all about. When I initially heard about the game and watched the trailer, I couldn’t help but compare it to Elden Ring: Nightreign, as both games are soulslikes that focus far more of their attention on a whole lobby of players than a single hero. With the Duskbloods network test taking place on Nintendo Switch 2 from August 21 to August 24, 2026, all eyes are on FromSoftware, and the biggest concern is that the game is going to be just another decent multiplayer action game and won’t reach the same heights as some of the developer’s previous bangers.
However, despite not having a whole lot to go on at this point, I think it is clear that The Duskbloods and Nightreign are two very different games that just so happen to share similar spaces. For one, the former has a PvPvE setup, meaning that you will have to contend with both giant bosses and other players across the maps to come out on top. Also, the win conditions are much more complex and open than killing a single final enemy, with different objectives, like hunting down rivals or even assisting others, fundamentally altering how you play. So, although on the surface the games appear almost identical, their gameplay differs enough to ensure we aren’t just experiencing the same thing all over again.
The Duskbloods Isn’t Elden Ring Nightreign 2
No one expected a game like Nightreign to drop out of nowhere as it did, and many assumed it was a quick cash grab with not a lot of substance. In reality, we were actually treated to a surprisingly addictive gameplay loop that took many elements from Elden Ring and sped things up to deliver fast co-op adventures unlike anything else we had seen before. Now, when it comes to the Duskbloods, I think those same worries are coming back around again, but from the trailers alone, it is far more than just another soulslike roguelike.
There’s jetpacking, dinosaurs, giant moons, and so much more, all crammed into a single match, and the simple addition of PvP completely changes how the game functions at a basic level. If we look at how a typical Nightreign run plays out, you start by running around to level up, then you take on some bosses, and eventually, you and your team will be forced to confront the Nightlord. That almost rhythmic pattern is going to be basically non-existent in The Duskbloods, primarily due to the lack of a single central objective and the inclusion of Victory Points. These can be earned in a variety of different ways that don’t always involve direct combat, so there are opportunities for strategic, sneaky, and aggressive players to all win, and I think this alternative playstyle idea feeds straight into the way the game’s character selection works.
There are over a dozen Bloodsworn to choose from, each with their own weapons and abilities, something that will feel pretty familiar to Nightreign players. However, judging by the attacks and different mobility options seen in the videos and mentioned in interviews, I can see a world where your choice of character plays a much bigger role in deciding exactly how you play a match from start to finish. Outside the battlegrounds, you can also customize and upgrade each character, changing their attributes and their in-game role, which in turn adds a good amount of additional complexity, and it should be a significant step up from the chalice system in Nightreign.
The Duskbloods Offers a Brand New Story
One of the biggest differences between Nightreign and The Duskbloods is the narrative and worlds that hold the games together. The former had the benefit of Elden Ring to work off of, yet it still managed to break into new ground and introduce a few new concepts that may well come back in the future. For this new vampiric environment, FromSoftware has decided to craft an original universe that doesn’t appear to have any connections to their prior games, despite how eager many fans were when they saw “blood” in the title. Set during “The Twilight of Humanity”, you are summoned from across time and space to compete against other Bloodsworn who are all vying for the same glory. That is a pretty obscure setup that doesn’t tell us a lot about the wider story, but it has already been confirmed that we will be able to uncover further lore and historical details through gameplay that should give us a bigger picture of the wider universe.
For me, ignoring all the gameplay elements, the story side is perhaps the biggest differentiator between the two games. As great as the backstories are in Nightreign, the game will forever live in the shadow of the grander Elden Ring story, and it always felt as though any additional narrative beats were simply ways of tying back into the main plot. The Duskbloods, on the other hand, has way more room to fly, taking inspiration from yet not being confined by other IPs and stories, so there are far more opportunities to explore interesting character arcs and have a much richer history that can still feel relevant in a PvPvE game.
I think it is clear that The Duskbloods and Nightreign are two very different games that just so happen to share similar spaces.
The hardest part now for FromSoftware is to convince the Switch 2 playerbase that this brand-new game is something genuinely unique that is worth playing long-term, as, unlike a singleplayer soulslike, the longevity of The Duskbloods depends solely on how many people are logging in every month. I will be the first to say that the Switch 2 seems like a strange platform for a seemingly intense, PvPvE experience, more so due to the exclusivity, but Nintendo has proven that their first-party titles are truly world-class and the sole reason why so many have taken the plunge into handheld gaming. Additionally, a tech test is the perfect way to iron out bugs, prepare the servers for an influx of hungry players, and to check for any major balance issues. The hype is very clear, and the ceiling for anticipation could not be higher, but if there is any company I trust to meet expectations, then it’s FromSoftware.
The Duskbloods
- Released
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2026
- Multiplayer
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Online Multiplayer
- Number of Players
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1-8 players
