The Announcement That Shocked the World

Not many people would have expected a new FromSoftware game to be announced during a Nintendo Direct — but that's exactly what happened. 

The Duskbloods is FromSoftware's first game exclusive to a Nintendo home console since Lost Kingdoms II in 2003  — a gap of over two decades. For a studio whose recent titles have defined an entire genre, choosing Nintendo as an exclusive partner is nothing short of extraordinary.

And the response from the industry was immediate. PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida revealed it was the future release he was most excited for shortly after its reveal  — high praise from someone who works for Sony, the company that published Bloodborne.

A World Where the Moontears Flow for One Alone

The moontears will flow for one and one alone in The Duskbloods — a brand-new multiplayer title from the creators of Dark Souls and Elden Ring. 

As humanity reaches its end, a source known as the First Blood flows. With this comes the Twilight of humanity, where locations across time and space converge. There, Bloodsworn are to fight beings who, through blood, have surpassed the limits of humanity. 

It's classic FromSoftware — cryptic, poetic, and immediately compelling. The world drips with atmosphere before a single gameplay detail has been fully explained.

Meet the Bloodsworn: Vampires Reimagined

Players choose from over a dozen vampire-like characters known as Bloodsworn — each possessing unique weapons and abilities — to compete in matches across various maps. 

But don't expect traditional vampire monsters. The developers aimed to reinterpret romantic themes associated with vampires and blood through the Bloodsworn. The game takes inspiration from Gothic and Victorian aesthetics, as well as the late early modern period. 

The Duskbloods leans into a steampunk style too, with what appears to be steam-powered automatons, alongside vampire shenanigans, gruesome monsters, and grand locations  — a Victorian cityscape, shady churches, and colossal beasts waiting to be slain.

PvPvE: A First for FromSoftware at This Scale

The game supports up to eight players and features both player versus player (PvP) and player versus environment (PvE) gameplay. 

The gameplay looks like a blend of PvP and PvE, with up to eight players battling it out for control of the coveted First Blood — facing off against other competitors while taking on various enemies in a spooky gothic world. 

From the trailer, Elden Ring's jumping mechanic carries over, as does the more open-world level design and horseback riding. One character is seen literally sucking the soul out of an enemy — possibly hinting at some kind of power absorption mechanic. 

Miyazaki Is Directing — Personally

This isn't a side project handed to a junior team. The Duskbloods is being directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki himself  — the visionary behind Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring. When Miyazaki puts his name on something, the entire gaming world pays attention.

Miyazaki has confirmed that this multiplayer direction doesn't mean FromSoftware is abandoning single-player games going forward — fans of solo experiences will not be left behind. 

Nintendo's Biggest Exclusive Coup in Years

The Duskbloods will be a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive — published by Nintendo itself, meaning it will not be available on any other platform. 

For Nintendo, landing FromSoftware as an exclusive partner — especially post-Elden Ring — is one of the most significant business moves the company has made in years. Given the reputation and popularity of FromSoftware after Elden Ring's success, this is a massive win for Nintendo — and could be a major reason for many fans to pick up the new console. 

When Can You Play It?

FromSoftware is keeping almost everything about The Duskbloods a secret — except that it's still coming out this year.  An exact release date has yet to be confirmed, but given how feature-complete the game looked in its trailer, a late 2026 launch is the most likely scenario. 

Conclusion

The Duskbloods is the definition of a game that doesn't need to show you everything to have you completely hooked. FromSoftware's pedigree, Miyazaki's direction, a gothic vampire world drenched in mystery, and an eight-player PvPvE system that nobody has seen from this studio before — all locked behind a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive launch.

Whether you're a Souls veteran, a Bloodborne mourner, or just someone who loves great games, The Duskbloods has earned its place on your radar.

The Twilight of humanity is coming. Will you be the last Bloodsworn standing?