FromSoftware's upcoming title for the Nintendo Switch 2, The Duskbloods, is shaping up to be a distinctive entry in the PvPvE genre, according to recent previews. The game appears to blend elements from titles like Elden Ring and other, less specified games, with a core loop that can rapidly shift between cooperative and competitive play.
Core Gameplay Loop
The Duskbloods tasks players with embodying a "Bloodsworn" and dropping into a level populated by both AI enemies and other human players. The primary objective is to amass "Virtue" through various activities, which can include exploring the environment, defeating bosses, and collecting items. Players may encounter each other and choose to fight or form temporary alliances. These alliances are crucial, as the game progressively eliminates players who haven't gathered enough Virtue at two distinct intervals, until only three remain. The final phase sees these three contenders enter an arena to fight to the death, where all prior alliances are dissolved and player skill, accumulated resources, and character builds are put to the ultimate test.
Dying during the main phases of a match does not result in elimination; players respawn with their collected Virtue. However, death becomes permanent in the final arena showdown, though players are granted a limited number of lives before full elimination.
Playable Characters and Abilities
Previews have showcased six of the game's ten playable characters, each with unique abilities and aesthetics. Among them is Albert, a balanced character wielding dual sabers and a submachine gun. Bloodhand Jan can attack with an axe and hurl fire. Senator Samir Patres employs a rapier, summons ghost birds, and can transform into a dinosaur. Trang Lanh utilizes a ring blade, can turn invisible, and conjures a large snake. Sniper Layla, equipped with daggers and a rifle, has the ability to transform into an insect swarm and deploy a chest-mounted Gatling gun. Zork is described as a slow, armored character who uses an electric cable, speargun, and missiles, and can even launch himself as a projectile.
All characters share fundamental abilities, including enhanced jumping, sprinting, and a neck-biting mechanic on staggered enemies. This "blood-sucking" ability damages opponents, restores the player's health, and can temporarily turn weaker enemies into allies.
Player Interaction and "Kin"
Beyond player-versus-player combat, The Duskbloods offers cooperative options. Temporary alliances can be proposed between players encountered during a match. These partnerships prevent friendly fire but are dissolved in the final round. A "Duos Mode" allows for a persistent partnership throughout an entire match, with teams of two competing against each other. Player-versus-environment elements include "Kin," summonable NPC allies acquired from portals. These companions remain with the player for the duration of the match and grow stronger alongside them. Preview builds featured various Kin, such as a singing monster, a fireball-slinging mage, a cowgirl, a wolf, and "Undead Marlowe."
Objectives and Progression
Gameplay is guided by "Sigils," items that provide specific objectives like defeating a particular player or forming an alliance, with completion rewarding a significant amount of Virtue. The maps also feature dynamic objectives, including capture points, boss encounters, and item hunts, all contributing to the Virtue total. Characters gain experience points (EXP) from combat, allowing them to level up, learn new abilities, and increase their health, which is crucial for succeeding in the game's later stages.
Maps and In-Game Events
Currently, one map has been revealed: a sprawling town complete with a church, cave systems, ruins, and a poison swamp. Two additional maps are planned for launch. The environments are designed to be large, accommodating the characters' powerful jump abilities. Player experiences will be further influenced by random in-game events, such as meteor showers, lightning strikes that teleport players, or rainstorms of fire, which can dynamically alter map areas.
Customization, Match Length, and Matchmaking
While character customization was not present in the preview builds or network test, it is confirmed to be included in the final release. Matches are expected to last approximately 30 minutes. FromSoftware is implementing a matchmaking system that aims to pair players of similar skill levels, with a focus on placing more successful players against each other to mitigate constant difficult matches for less experienced players.
FromSoftware has also reassured fans that The Duskbloods does not signify a shift away from single-player game development. Director Hidetaka Miyazaki stated that the close releases of Elden Ring and The Duskbloods were coincidental and that the team wanted to explore multiplayer game design. He noted that working on multiplayer often strengthens the desire to return to single-player experiences.
A release date for The Duskbloods has not yet been announced.