"Bloodborne Fans Excited for Nintendo Switch 2 Exclusive: The Duskbloods"

The most surprising reveal during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct might have been a third-party game announced near the end of the showcase. FromSoftware, the acclaimed developer behind titles like Dark Souls and Elden Ring, is crafting a brand-new game called The Duskbloods. This game draws intriguing parallels to the PlayStation 4 exclusive, Bloodborne, capturing the attention of fans worldwide.

To clarify, The Duskbloods is an entirely new title, slated for a global release in 2026 and will be exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2. In this game, players assume the role of the "Bloodsworn," a faction that has transcended humanity through the power of special blood. The central objective is to engage in a brutal melee to become the "First Blood."

Confirmed by FromSoftware in a press release, The Duskbloods is a PvPvE title with "online multiplayer at its core," where up to eight players can compete to be the victor. While the game evokes Bloodborne with its themes of blood, guns, and machinery, it also shares similarities with the upcoming Elden Ring Nightreign, though with a PvP twist rather than solely co-op PvE.

The showcase provided little more than cryptic teases and glimpses of terrifying beasts and bosses, leaving much to the imagination. Bloodborne enthusiasts have responded with a mix of excitement and speculation.

"BLOOD! EVERY FIVE SECONDS THEY TALKED ABOUT BLOOD!" exclaimed a commenter on the r/Bloodborne subreddit regarding The Duskbloods. Another suggested, "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 a distinct game, its connections to Bloodborne are evident, leading fans to view it as a spiritual successor. While other FromSoftware titles like the Souls series and Elden Ring have ventured to multiple platforms, with Elden Ring even slated for a "Tarnished Edition" on the Switch 2, Bloodborne has remained a PlayStation 4 exclusive. Fans have long awaited a port, sequel, or any further development from the beloved title.

"Nintendo really got tired of waiting for Bloodborne 2 and just decided to fund it themselves," remarked one commenter. Another pointed out the exclusivity parallel, noting, "Bloodborne was always an exclusive, this is on brand."

The announcement initially sparked enthusiasm among Bloodborne fans, but the realization that The Duskbloods is a PvPvE experience, rather than the traditional single-player RPG FromSoftware is known for, has tempered some of that excitement. Threads on social media have emerged with fans expressing reservations about the game's multiplayer focus and its exclusivity to the Switch 2.

More details about The Duskbloods will be revealed soon, with Nintendo set to publish an interview with director Hidetaka Miyazaki on its website on April 4. This interview is expected to clarify how The Duskbloods will function, the nature of its PvPvE gameplay, and whether it will fulfill the long-held hopes of Bloodborne aficionados.

For comprehensive coverage of all announcements made during today's stream, be sure to check out our recap of everything announced at the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct.