The Duskbloods is an eagerly awaited new title from FromSoftware, directed by the acclaimed Hidetaka Miyazaki, known for his work on Dark Souls and Elden Ring. Recent announcements during this week’s Nintendo Switch 2 Direct event unveiled this exclusive PvPvE experience, slated for release next year on Nintendo’s upcoming console. If you’re concerned about the heavy emphasis on PvP gameplay, rest assured that the director has addressed those concerns.
In a recent Creator’s Voice interview featured in a new series on the Nintendo blog, Miyazaki stated that “at its core,” The Duskbloods is an “online multiplayer focused game, with both player vs player and player vs enemy gameplay.” Players will have the option to select a character and then compete online for the title of “First Blood.” After each match, players will earn rewards to “further customize their character, and so the cycle continues.”
Interestingly, you don’t need to worry about being a PvP expert to thrive in this game. Miyazaki highlighted that not all victory conditions revolve around PvP. He said, “Some victory conditions center around defeating a boss enemy,” adding, “Regardless of whether it’s PvP or PvE, the idea is to provide players with an experience that allows them to learn and hone their skills as they play. We’ve therefore designed the PvE boss encounters to present a tough challenge and a sense of accomplishment upon defeating them.”
Miyazaki further revealed that it “was the intention” to create an experience that is enjoyable even for those who typically don’t engage in PvP. “Personally, I’m not much of a PvP person, and I wanted to create something satisfying even for players like me,” he explained. “Although the goal of a match is to achieve First Blood, there are personal objectives that offer unique rewards for players as well, and I hope these contribute to the enjoyment of each match.”
If multiplayer games from FromSoftware aren’t your preference, Miyazaki has reassured fans that they “still intend to actively develop single player focused games” similar to Elden Ring, which will “embrace our more traditional style.”
The Duskbloods is undoubtedly one of the most thrilling upcoming Switch 2 titles, but don’t overlook Mario Kart World, which is set to race onto the console at launch.