Escape from Tarkov by the creators of Dark Souls? What we know about The Duskbloods

One of last week’s most unexpected announcements was a new action game by Japanese studio FromSoftware titled The Duskbloods. The project is personally helmed by Hidetaka Miyazaki, and the game is set to release exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 sometime in 2026. In this article, we’ve compiled everything currently known about The Duskbloods.

During the Nintendo showcase, many streamers and viewers on Twitch and YouTube mistook The Duskbloods for a sequel to Bloodborne. And understandably so: the game’s debut trailer was packed with visual cues directly echoing FromSoftware’s cult masterpiece. Victorian architecture, vampires, a focus on the moon, and firearms — all hallmarks of Bloodborne.

Of course, the games aren’t directly connected, since Bloodborne is owned by Sony rather than FromSoftware. So, does this mean Miyazaki and his team simply decided to create a spiritual successor to one of the greatest games of all time? After all, Dark Souls also came about because FromSoftware didn’t own the rights to Demon's Souls. But this time, it’s not so simple. Sure, Bloodborne and The Duskbloods share some thematic and aesthetic elements, but when it comes to gameplay — these are entirely different projects.

The Duskbloods is a game about vampires — but not the bloodthirsty monsters of classic gothic horror. These vampires are highly romanticized. Miyazaki emphasizes that the vampires in his new game, called the Bloodsworn, are a sort of superhero — capable of performing superhuman feats.

The Bloodsworn fight one another for the right to possess the First Blood. What exactly the First Blood is remains unclear. But we do know it materialized after a mysterious event called the Twilight of Humanity. As part of this Twilight, the Bloodsworn are transported across various locations and time periods in their quest to claim the First Blood.

The premise of The Duskbloods sounds suspiciously like setup for a battle royale. Based on what we know so far, the game resembles extraction-style titles like Escape from Tarkov or Hunt: Showdown.

FromSoftware describes The Duskbloods as a PvPvE experience. It’s an online action game with up to 8 players. Each match begins in a hub where players create and customize their character, then are dropped into a session. The winner is the last one standing — though victory conditions may vary (more on that below). You’ll need to worry not just about other players, but also about the monsters and bosses populating the map.

Many FromSoftware fans weren’t thrilled to see another online-focused game. Especially considering this is the second such project — next month, the co-op Elden Ring Nightreign is releasing. Gamers are puzzled as to why the Japanese studio is now leaning into multiplayer. The answer is simple: FromSoftware developers have long been interested in games of this type. Miyazaki himself has admitted in interviews that he’s a fan of Escape from Tarkov.

Still, in a Nintendo interview, Miyazaki was quick to reassure fans that FromSoftware isn’t abandoning single-player games:

If you’re not a big fan of PvP in Souls games, The Duskbloods might turn you off at first. But don’t be too quick to dismiss it — the developers promise that direct conflict can often be avoided. The game features robust PvE elements and a layer of unpredictability to keep things fresh.

At certain points, match rules may shift: to survive, you might have to team up with others to take down a particularly deadly boss. The game also includes a scoring system to determine the winner. The most straightforward way to win is to eliminate all opponents. But victory points can also be earned through other, less confrontational means — though the exact methods haven’t been revealed yet.

There’s also the factor of random events. You might play several standard matches, then suddenly enter one where a strange stone moon appears in the sky. The arrival of this celestial anomaly will directly affect how the map transforms and which rewards become available. It will also shift the conditions for winning.

The Duskbloods also introduces an innovative take on roleplay. During customization, players can choose their character’s motivations and their role in the game world. These provide personal objectives unrelated to victory conditions, adding drama to each session. For example, choosing the “Destined Rivals” role marks one specific player as your target. Or you can pick “Destined Companion” and be tasked with finding and protecting another player instead.

At launch, players can expect about a dozen heroes to choose from. Each has a unique appearance, weapons, and abilities that can be customized as you level up.

Despite their differences, all characters share a high degree of mobility that rivals any other FromSoftware protagonist. Each Bloodsworn can sprint, double-jump, or even execute a super jump to cross vast gaps. All vampires are also equipped with ranged combat tools. You may have noticed a rifle or even an actual Mauser pistol — the first fully automatic firearm ever featured in a FromSoftware Souls-style game.

By the way, the fragmented lore delivery FromSoftware is known for hasn’t gone anywhere. In The Duskbloods, story pieces unfold through character progression and customization — new gear sheds light on both your character’s backstory and the game world.

Those unhappy about Nintendo landing a FromSoftware exclusive should know this was actually initiated by Miyazaki and his team, who approached the gaming giant for collaboration. Nintendo didn’t hesitate and greenlit the project. Originally, The Duskbloods was being developed for the first Switch, but was later reworked for the new console.

Interestingly, unlike Bloodborne, FromSoftware fully owns the rights to The Duskbloods. The company will self-publish in Japan, while Nintendo handles publishing worldwide. Does this mean the game could come to other platforms eventually? It’s not impossible — but not likely either. Bayonetta 2 and Bayonetta 3 also aren’t owned by Nintendo, yet remain exclusive because the company funded development. This could be a similar case.

Reading discussions about The Duskbloods on forums and social media has become a form of entertainment in itself. Souls fans have run the full gamut of emotions — from the mistaken joy over a Bloodborne 2 announcement, to anger that the project is Switch 2-exclusive, and finally to near-total apathy once it became clear it’s a multiplayer-only title. But now the tide is turning: after early details surfaced, players are expressing cautious curiosity about the unusual project. And Miyazaki speaks about The Duskbloods with such passion, it’s hard not to get caught up in his enthusiasm.

But what do you think? Will you give the project a shot? Let us know in the comments.