Elden Ring studio FromSoftware is working on The Duskbloods, an upcoming Switch 2 exclusive dripping with Bloodborne vibes that just so happens to involve literal vampires. We got our very first look at it during April's Switch 2 Direct, and despite the lack of news as December crawls closer, it's been hard to stop thinking about it since.
The new game's reveal surprised us by being a Switch 2 exclusive, something that undoubtedly has bummed out a lot of stalwart FromSoft fans. But now that Nintendo's latest handheld is finally in circulation, The Duskbloods feels far more real already even without a release date. In fact, former PlayStation exec Shuhei Yoshida has even said The Duskbloods is the upcoming Switch 2 game that he's most excited for, especially after Elden Ring.
FromSoftware clearly enjoyed making multiplayer spin-off Elden Ring Nightreign so much that it made The Duskbloods a PvPvE experience. In it, players will be pit against each other and NPC enemies alike in a bid to take something called the "First Blood." There are also rumors that the developer is hard at work making another little something that fans are desperately hoping turns out to be a Dark Souls remaster, but I'm getting off topic here.
If you're feeling the call of vampiric goodness these days, you're not alone. The Duskbloods is one of many games leading the vampire mania charge in 2025. Yes, Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 was a let down (read about it in my review) but The Blood of Dawnwalker is already looking tasty as we look ahead to next year. While we await further news on all this fangtastic goodness, we have a little time to catch you up on FromSoft's latest project. Read on below as we guide you through everything we know so far about The Duskbloods, from gameplay to setting, platforms, and beyond.
The Duskbloods release date speculation
The Duskbloods is set to launch in 2026, although an exact release date beyond that is yet to be confirmed. We should hopefully hear more closer to the time, but with 2026 still a fair way off, it's possible that FromSoftware stays quiet on this one for a bit longer.
The Duskbloods platforms
In a surprise twist, The Duskbloods will be a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive. It's a huge get for Nintendo – especially given FromSoftware's prestige status and popularity following Elden Ring's launch – but it remains to be seen whether it will stay on the handheld.
There's a chance it eventually makes its way to other platforms – Capcom launched Monster Hunter Rise exclusively on the original Switch (where it was a massive hit) before eventually porting to PC and console – but for now, assume its Switch 2 exclusivity is here to stay.
The Duskbloods trailer
Right now, our only footage of The Duskbloods is the reveal trailer that debuted during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct. That said, there's plenty to enjoy in those sweet three-and-a-half minutes. The vampires! The shapeshifting dinosaur-thing! Jetpacks! Look, it needs to be seen to be believed – check it out above.
The Duskbloods gameplay
The Duskbloods' gameplay made up the majority of its first trailer, so we already have a good idea of how it will play. However, The Duskbloods' website (heads-up – it's in Japanese) offers a little bit more detail. Up to eight players will be thrown into battle, where they must fight each other and the Bloodborne-esque world's various enemies to claim the "First Blood".
It's all very mysterious, but it does sound like a more competitive-minded spin on Elden Ring Nightreign. The trailer shows off plenty of third-person action, with a few features teased – including the ability for one character to fly around on a steampunk jetpack, while another bites into an enemy to gain powers. If the huge axe-swinging baddies are anything to go by, it also looks like FromSoftware's signature boss fights will also be making a comeback.
This is the second online multiplayer outing from the studio, now with Elden Ring Nightreign, also focusing on a collaborative gameplay experience. However, don't worry, single-player games fans, FromSoftware isn't going to be leaving you behind. The Duskbloods director, Hidetaka Miyazaki, has come out to confirm that we'll still see single-player outings in the future during a chat with Nintendo's Creator’s Voice blog.
"As previously mentioned, this is an online multiplayer title at its core, but this doesn't mean that we as a company have decided to shift to a more multiplayer-focused direction with titles going forward. [...] ...we still intend to develop single player focused games that embrace our more traditional style."
The Duskbloods story and setting
The Duskbloods' setting will look awfully familiar to Bloodborne fans, as it takes place in a similarly spooky Gothic Victorian city. From the trailer, it looks like we'll be fighting in towering cathedrals, upon the rafters of a grand train station, and along grand streets that look suspiciously like Dark Souls' notorious city, Anor Londo.
While there are elements of steampunk – we spotted both a steam-powered jetpack and guns – it all looks fairly grounded, if you can look past the vampires falling from the sky. Speaking of which, The Duskbloods' story seems to follow a protagonist who has been given a mysterious character's blood, which appears to bring them back to life and unlock new powers. However, we'll have to fend off other players to realize our character's full potential – as The Duskbloods' trailer description ominously warns, "The moontears will flow for one and one alone". Spooky!
Can I pre-order The Duskbloods?
Pre-orders for The Duskbloods aren't up just yet, but expect to be able to buy ahead of time once a release date has been confirmed by FromSoftware. As it stands, we wouldn't expect to hear too much more about The Duskbloods until after FromSoftware releases Elden Ring Nightreign, which is much closer at hand.
Don't worry – if you're looking to make full use of your handheld, there are plenty of Nintendo Switch 2 launch games to stay busy with. If you're yet to secure the console itself, our page going over where to buy a Switch 2 has you covered with everything you'll need to know.
For more action, here are the best FromSoftware games of all time.
