In a surprising twist at the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, a third-party game stole the spotlight. FromSoftware unveiled their latest project, The Duskbloods, which bears an uncanny resemblance to the cherished PlayStation 4 exclusive, Bloodborne.
To clarify, The Duskbloods is a brand-new title slated for a global release in 2026, exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2. Players will assume the role of the "Bloodsworn," a group transformed beyond humanity by unique blood, engaging in a brutal melee to become the "First Blood."
Confirmed through a FromSoftware press release, The Duskbloods is a PvPvE game with "online multiplayer at its core," allowing up to eight players to vie for victory. While the game evokes Bloodborne with its themes of blood, guns, and machinery, it also shares similarities with the upcoming Elden Ring Nightreign, albeit with a focus on PvP rather than solely co-op PvE.
Details remain sparse, but the announcement included glimpses of terrifying beasts and bosses. Bloodborne enthusiasts are reacting with a mix of excitement and speculation.
"BLOOD! EVERY FIVE SECONDS THEY TALKED ABOUT BLOOD!" exclaimed one commenter on the r/Bloodborne subreddit post about The Duskbloods. Another fan remarked, "That game is 100% Bloodborne 2. I assume the name change is either because it's in a different setting, or because of Sony exclusivity."
Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 - The Dusk Bloods
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Although The Duskbloods is distinct, its connections to Bloodborne are evident, leading fans to see it as a spiritual successor. While FromSoftware's other titles like the Souls series and Elden Ring have expanded to other platforms — with Elden Ring even securing a Tarnished Edition for the Switch 2 — Bloodborne has remained a PlayStation 4 exclusive, never making it to PC. Fans have been yearning for a port, sequel, or any related content for years.
"Nintendo really got tired of waiting for Bloodborne 2 and just decided to fund it themselves," one commenter suggested. Another pointed out the game's exclusivity to the Nintendo Switch 2, drawing parallels to Bloodborne's exclusivity: "Bloodborne was always an exclusive, this is on brand," they noted.
The announcement has certainly reignited passion among the Bloodborne community, though some fans are tempering their excitement upon learning that The Duskbloods is a PvPvE experience rather than the traditional single-player RPG expected from FromSoftware.
Reactions on forums indicate that the multiplayer focus and Switch 2 exclusivity may dampen some fans' enthusiasm for The Duskbloods.
More information on The Duskbloods is expected soon, with Nintendo planning to release an interview with director Hidetaka Miyazaki on its website on April 4. This should provide further insight into the game's mechanics, its PvPvE elements, and whether it can truly satisfy the long-held hopes of Bloodborne fans.
For comprehensive coverage of all announcements from today's Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, make sure to check out our detailed recap.
