It's been over a year since we first saw it DuskbloodsFromSoftware's brand new multiplayer IP, but we'll finally be able to play it and see what it's all about. When I first heard about the game and saw the trailer, I couldn't help but compare it to Ring of Fire: Nightreignsince both games are soulslikes that focus much more of their attention on an entire lobby of players than a single hero. With Duskbloods network test taking place on Nintendo Switch 2 from From August 21 to August 24, 2026, all eyes are on FromSoftware, and the biggest concern is that the game will be another decent multiplayer action game and won't reach the same heights as some of the developer's previous bangers.
But even though I don't have much to go on at this point, I think it's done Duskbloods and Night rule are two very different games that just share similar spaces. Firstly, the former has a PvPvE setting, which means you have to fight both giant bosses and other players across the maps to come out on top. In addition, the win conditions are much more complex and open than killing a single last enemy, with different goals, such as chasing rivals or even helping others, which fundamentally changes the way you play. So while on the surface the games seem almost identical, their gameplay differs enough to ensure that we're not just experiencing the same thing over and over again.
The Duskbloods Isn't Elden Ring Nightreign 2
Nobody expected such a game Night rule to drop out of nowhere like it did, and many assumed it was a quick cash grab with not much substance. In reality, we were actually treated to a surprisingly addictive gameplay loop that took many elements from Fire Ring and sped things up to deliver fast-paced co-op adventures unlike anything we'd seen before. Now when it comes to DuskbloodsI think the same concerns will come back again, but just from the trailers it's much more than just a soulful roguelike.
There's jetpacking, dinosaurs, giant moons and so much more all packed into a single match, and the simple addition of PvP completely changes how the game works on a fundamental level. If we look at how a typical Night rule run plays out, you start by running around to level up, then you take on some bosses, and eventually you and your team will be forced to confront the Nightlord. The almost rhythmic pattern will be basically non-existent in Duskbloodsmainly due to the lack of a single central objective and the inclusion of Victory Points. These can be earned in a variety of ways that don't always involve direct combat, so there are opportunities for strategic, sneaky, and aggressive players to all win, and I think this alternate playstyle idea feeds right into how the game's character selection works.
There are over a dozen Bloodsworn to choose from, each with their own weapons and abilities, something that will feel quite familiar to Night rule player. But judging by the attacks and different mobility options seen in the videos and mentioned in interviews, I can see a world where your choice of character plays a much bigger role in determining exactly how you play a match from start to finish. Outside of the battlefields, you can also customize and upgrade each character, changing their attributes and their role in the game, which in turn adds a lot of added complexity, and should be a significant step up from the chalk system in Night rule.
The Duskbloods offers an entirely new story
One of the biggest differences between Night rule and Duskbloods is the story and the worlds that hold the games together. The former benefited from Fire Ring to work off of, but still managed to break new ground and introduce some new concepts that may well come back in the future. For this new vampire setting, FromSoftware has decided to create an original universe that doesn't seem to have any connections to their previous games, despite how eager many fans were when they saw “blood” in the title. Set during “The Twilight of Humanity”, you are summoned from across time and space to compete against other Bloodsworn all vying for the same glory. It's a pretty obscure set that doesn't tell us much about the wider story, but it's already been confirmed that we'll be able to uncover additional lore and historical details through gameplay which should give us a bigger picture of the wider universe.
For me, leaving aside all the gameplay elements, the story side is perhaps the biggest difference between the two games. As good as the backstories are in Night rulethe game will forever live in the shadow of the great Fire Ring story, and it always felt like any additional narrative beats were simply a way to tie back into the main plot. duskbloods, on the other hand, has a lot more room to fly, draws inspiration from yet not being constrained by other IPs and stories, so there's a lot more opportunity to explore interesting character arcs and have a much richer story that can still feel relevant in a PvPvE game.
I think that is clear Duskbloods and Night rule are two very different games that just share similar spaces.
The hardest part now for FromSoftware is to convince the Switch 2 player that this brand new game is something truly unique that's worth playing long-term, because, unlike a single-player soul-like, the lifespan of Duskbloods depends solely on how many people log in each month. I'll be the first to say that the Switch 2 seems like an odd platform for a seemingly intense, PvPvE experience, more so because of the exclusivity, but Nintendo has proven that their first-party titles are truly world-class and the only reason so many have taken the plunge into handheld gaming. Additionally, a tech test is the perfect way to iron out bugs, prepare the servers for an influx of hungry players, and check for any major balance issues. The hype is very clear and the ceiling for anticipation couldn't be higher, but if there's any company I trust to live up to expectations, it's FromSoftware.
Duskbloods
- Released
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2026
- Multiplayer
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Online Multiplayer
- Number of players
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1-8 players
