While ongoing leaks surrounding Grand Theft Auto VI dominate current gaming news, a different, more peculiar revelation has emerged from FromSoftware regarding its upcoming Nintendo Switch exclusive, The Duskbloods. The developer has shared details about the game's playable characters, known as Bloodsworn, with one particularly unconventional character named Zork drawing significant attention. Zork is depicted in an unusual, pear-shaped diving suit and wields a piece of undersea cable as a weapon. His abilities include howling, firing a back-mounted cannon, and a unique attack where he launches his entire body at opponents, capable of knocking them off the map.
FromSoftware president Hidetaka Miyazaki commented on Zork's design in an interview, noting that while games often feature traditional characters, especially in a vampire-themed setting, Zork represents a departure. Miyazaki described Zork as a "wild card" who is "as far off to the side as you can get," embracing a unique appeal. He aims for the game's multiplayer to feel like a "festival," with a diverse cast of characters that look and feel distinct, contributing to a chaotic yet engaging experience. Zork, he stated, is a key element of this vision.
Miyazaki also clarified the function of a beak-like appendage on Zork's mask, which is designed for consuming blood. He indicated that a victory cutscene for Zork would further elaborate on this, likening the mechanism to a mosquito's proboscis. This design element is also suggested to be a reference to Ultraman monsters. Miyazaki revealed that Zork is among his personal favorites to play in the game's network test, a sentiment that seems poised to be shared by many players based on the initial online reactions.
The lineup of playable characters in The Duskbloods' network test includes Zork alongside five others, whose names range from the straightforward Albert to the more formal Senator Samir Patres. The variety in character design, spearheaded by the eccentric Zork, suggests a departure from the typical and offers a distinct visual and gameplay experience.
