FromSoftware's upcoming multiplayer title, The Duskbloods, has generated significant anticipation, particularly among fans of Elden Ring and Nightreign. However, a recent closed network test on the Switch 2 has left many, including seasoned FromSoftware players, feeling more confused than impressed. The experience revealed a game with intriguing systems that currently fail to coalesce into a compelling whole.
The network test was evidently not designed to showcase the game's strengths. It featured a single map, limited character selection without build customization, and a solo queue, with only a fraction of the introductory tutorial available. Compounding these limitations, players reported significant input lag in both docked and handheld modes on the Switch 2, hindering the ability to engage with the game's basic controls.
Despite these drawbacks, the core gameplay loop centers on collecting "Virtue" by defeating AI-controlled enemies, often referred to as "creeps" in MOBA terminology. This objective persists throughout the match, with players aiming to become the strongest combatant before a final PvP encounter or "Bestowal." The game employs evocative, albeit often opaque, language typical of FromSoftware, such as "To obtain Virtue visit Sites of Ritual to pledge yourself on the Eve of the Third Moon before the final Bestowal," which offers little practical guidance for new players.
The PvP aspect, often a point of contention for players in FromSoftware's other titles, feels surprisingly underdeveloped for most of a match. Dying to other players results in a setback in the Virtue farm but does not carry the severe penalties found in traditional Souls-like games. The current structure encourages a PvE-focused approach, akin to speedrunning an MMO, with opportunistic PvP encounters.
Player abilities and character kits, while possessing unique flair, often feel underutilized. Sniper Layla's chest-mounted gatling gun, for instance, becomes repetitive against weak enemies, and Trang Lanh's invisibility is largely ineffective against monsters with wide-area attacks. Even characters designed for heavier combat, like Zork, only find their full potential when engaging other players.
A standout feature is the ability to recruit enemies as allies, known as "Kin." These companions, such as the defensive buffing Baritone or the healing "Gargoyle," can be leveled up and assist in combat, serving as a more permanent and intelligent version of Elden Ring's Spirit Ashes. However, these Kin can sometimes disrupt stealthy approaches and struggle to keep pace with the speed of PvP combat.
Visually and thematically, The Duskbloods presents a bizarre and unique premise: vampires from various eras battling on the eve of an apocalypse before an offering to a blood moon. The world design hints at connections to other FromSoftware titles, with elements like a steampunk airship and bosses reminiscent of Bloodborne's Lady Maria. Despite these intriguing elements, the current implementation leaves much to be desired.
Initial speculation suggested The Duskbloods might eventually arrive on PC, but recent statements from director Hidetaka Miyazaki indicate a strong, potentially indefinite, exclusivity deal with Nintendo. This has led to comparisons with Bloodborne, another critically acclaimed FromSoftware title that remains unavailable on PC. For PC players accustomed to higher framerates and subscription-free online play, the perceived loss may be minimal given the game's current state. The Duskbloods' reliance on farming mechanics reminiscent of older MMOs and its uncohesive systems suggest it might be the first FromSoftware title some players choose to skip.