In the upcoming exclusive for Nintendo Switch 2, The Duskbloods, players will not have the option to create a custom character akin to what is found in Dark Souls. Instead, the game presents a selection of predefined characters that players can customize, similar to what was seen in Elden Ring with the Nightreign character.
Hidetaka Miyazaki, acclaimed director behind Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring, provided insights into how The Duskbloods will function in a recent Creator’s Voice blog. He disclosed that players will have “over a dozen characters to choose from, each possessing their own unique identity and visual style.” The trailers showcase some of these characters, including one that resembles a jetpack-wearing Rocketeer.
Watch The Duskbloods reveal here:
“I think there are a lot of unique elements to the character designs and the weapons they use, so hopefully players can find one or two favorites among them,” – Hidetaka Miyazaki
Miyazaki also explained that each character can be customized to some degree, allowing players to create a character that feels more personal. However, the customization won’t extend to reshaping faces or altering builds like in Dark Souls; rather, players can modify various attributes, such as abilities, physical appearance, personal traits, and each character’s role and relationships within the world.
The Duskbloods stands out as an eight-player PvPvE game, where differing roles provide individual objectives for players alongside the overall match goals. For example, the ‘Destined Rivals’ role tasks you with tracking down a specified rival in the game world, while the ‘Destined Companion’ role requires you to find a particular ally. “Roles can be assigned to any character through blood customization, offering players the chance to indulge in role-playing in a literal sense and hopefully enhancing the drama of these encounters,” Miyazaki added.
If multiplayer isn’t your preference, there’s no need to fret. Miyazaki has reassured that “we still intend to develop single-player focused games,” in spite of The Duskbloods moving toward a multiplayer format similar to Elden Ring’s Nightreign.