FromSoftware has done it again. The studio that gave us Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring is back with an unexpected and intriguing twist—The Duskbloods, a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive. Yes, you read that right. For the first time, a Soulsborne-style game is launching exclusively on a Nintendo console, and it’s got the gaming world buzzing.
With Hidetaka Miyazaki at the helm, The Duskbloods promises to blend the studio’s signature brutal combat with fresh mechanics, including multiplayer-focused gameplay. Set for release in 2026, this dark, blood-drenched adventure could redefine what it means to be a FromSoftware game. Let’s dive into everything we know so far.
A Gothic Successor to Bloodborne?
While FromSoftware remains tight-lipped on specifics, early details suggest The Duskbloods will feature a gothic horror aesthetic reminiscent of Bloodborne, albeit with a medieval, war-torn spin. Gone are the cobbled streets of Yharnam; in their place is a desolate battlefield where warriors known as the Bloodsworn harness cursed blood to enhance their abilities.
Blood has always been a central theme in FromSoftware’s work (Bloodborne’s transfusions, Dark Souls’ bleed mechanics), but The Duskbloods takes it a step further. Rather than just a narrative device, blood functions as a resource, potentially allowing players to sacrifice health for power—a mechanic that could add an entirely new risk-reward system to the Soulslike formula.
Faster, Bloodier, and More Multiplayer-Focused
If Bloodborne was aggressive, The Duskbloods is outright ruthless. Combat appears to emphasize speed and precision, but there’s a major twist:
This is a PvPvE game. Unlike traditional FromSoftware titles that focus on a single-player journey with optional co-op and invasions, The Duskbloods is built around eight-player battles in a shared world. Players will not only fight AI enemies but also clash with one another, potentially forming (or betraying) uneasy alliances.
Imagine dueling another Bloodsworn while a towering boss looms in the distance, waiting to crush you both—that’s the chaos The Duskbloods aims to deliver.
A Nintendo Exclusive: A First for Soulsborne
Perhaps the most shocking element of this announcement is that The Duskbloods is a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive. While FromSoftware has had games on Nintendo platforms before (Dark Souls Remastered made it to the Switch), this marks the first time a Soulsborne title is built specifically for a Nintendo system.
Why the exclusivity? There are a few possible reasons:
- The Switch 2’s upgraded hardware: With 4K support, higher frame rates, and improved online infrastructure, the system is finally powerful enough to handle a FromSoftware epic.
- Nintendo wants a mature exclusive: While Mario and Zelda dominate, Nintendo has been pushing for more third-party AAA exclusives to expand its audience.
- A strategic partnership with FromSoftware: With Elden Ring also coming to Switch 2, this could signal a long-term collaboration between the two companies.
When Can We Expect More Details?
FromSoftware has confirmed that more information will be shared on April 4, when Miyazaki will provide deeper insights into the game. For now, we know The Duskbloods is launching in 2026, and if history tells us anything, it’s that the hype will only intensify as we get closer to release.
So, is The Duskbloods the spiritual successor to Bloodborne fans have been waiting for? Or is it something entirely new? One thing’s for sure—the Soulsborne genre just took a fascinating new turn, and it’s happening on a Nintendo console.
What are your thoughts on The Duskbloods? Excited? Skeptical? Let’s discuss in the comments!