From Software's forthcoming Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, tentatively known as The Duskbloods, has been detailed following a technical test, offering a glimpse into its player-versus-player-versus-environment (PvPvE) gameplay loop.
Matches in The Duskbloods are designed to last approximately 30 minutes and are divided into four distinct phases. During these phases, players, referred to as Bloodsworn, explore a map populated by enemies and objectives. The primary goal is to accumulate "Virtue," a resource awarded for defeating enemies and completing tasks. Periodically, a portion of players with the lowest Virtue are eliminated, a process referred to as culling. This continues until only three Bloodsworn remain.
These final three players are then transported to an arena to compete for "First Blood," a mysterious substance central to the game's narrative. While encountering other players is inevitable, direct combat typically does not yield Virtue and is generally discouraged to preserve time. However, temporary alliances can be formed with other players to avoid accidental friendly fire, though these alliances dissolve if both players reach the final round.
Earning Virtue and Strategic Choices
Ritual sites, akin to king-of-the-hill scenarios, appear on the map at the end of phases two and three. Claiming and holding these sites grants significant Virtue, often leading to player-versus-player engagements within the zones. Defeating other players within these ritual sites also awards Virtue, presenting a more aggressive strategic option. While players can opt to pursue other objectives instead of engaging with ritual sites, doing so may result in falling behind in the Virtue race. At the conclusion of phase two, two Bloodsworn are culled, followed by three at the end of phase three, before the final showdown.
Combat and Character Archetypes
In terms of core gameplay, The Duskbloods shares similarities with From Software's previous titles like Elden Ring and Bloodborne, featuring light and heavy attacks, blocking, and rolling mechanics. A ranged weapon is also part of the player's arsenal. However, the Bloodsworn are designed to be highly mobile, with the ability to perform high jumps and mid-air dashes. Each character is equipped with a unique melee weapon, a ranged weapon, and two skills on cooldowns.
The technical test featured six playable characters: Albert, Trang Lanh, Bloodhand Jan, Sniper Layla, Senator Samir Patres, and Zork. These characters appear to fit into established From Software character archetypes.
The Sigil System
A notable addition is the Sigil system, inspired by tabletop role-playing games. Sigils modify a Bloodsworn's backstory and assign unique in-match objectives, encouraging role-playing. These Sigils can influence other players, assigning them passive objectives that indirectly relate to the player's quest. For instance, a Sigil might designate another player as a sworn enemy, rewarding the player with extra Virtue for hunting them down, or task them with finding and forming an alliance with a specific player. More complex Sigils are planned for the full release, with the technical test versions being relatively straightforward.
Between matches, players return to a hub area called The House of Night. Here, they can customize their Bloodsworn, practice on a training dummy, and interact with other characters. However, many areas within The House of Night were inaccessible during the technical test.