FromSoftware is in its multiplayer arc: After Elden Ring Nightreign, The Duskbloods brings 8-player PvPvE chaos to Nintendo Switch 2

FromSoftware, creators of Dark Souls and Elden Ring, appear to be fully immersed in their multiplayer phase, as evidenced by the unveiling of their latest title, The Duskbloods.

One surprising revelation during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct was the announcement of Duskbloods. Frankly, I never would have expected to find a Nintendo-exclusive title from FromSoftware on my bingo card. But what took me completely by surprise was learning that this FromSoftware game is actually a continuation of sorts for Elden Ring: Nightreign, which was previously considered a longshot project.

As a devoted fan, let me share my thoughts about Nightreign, a captivating three-player game (although it can be played solo, not in pairs). Following that theme, The Duskbloods, as per FromSoft’s website (translated via Google), is described as an “action game with PvPvE elements” for up to eight players. Now, my personal disdain for most extract-shooter games (I believe Escape from Tarkov, Dark and Darker, and Hunt: Showdown have already mastered this genre) makes me less enthused about it, but what intrigues me is the emergence of this new trend in FromSoft’s portfolio.

For decades, Dark Souls has had multiplayer elements, yet the Soulsborne series has always prioritized multiplayer aspects. Elden Ring began to merge these aspects, but Nightreign started the process of completely integrating them. The new IP, Duskbloods, is entirely centered around this multiplayer setup, making it an integral part of the gameplay rather than just an additional feature like in Elden Ring. This shift towards a multiplayer-centric experience marks uncharted territory for this renowned studio, and I’m eager to witness its development.

2025-04-02 20:12

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