Elden Ring studio FromSoftware is working on a brand new game, titled The Duskbloods, and it'll be right up any Bloodborne fan's street, as well as those of us with a soft spot for vampires. We got our very first look at it during last year's April Switch 2 Direct, and despite the lack of news as we make our way through the start of 2026, it's been hard to stop thinking about it since.
However, despite the update drought that we're currently facing, we do know quite a lot about the new game already. The greatest detail to share is that it'll be a Switch 2 exclusive, which is wild considering we never thought a FromSoftware game would be added to Nintendo's new console before any other platform. 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. We also know that it'll be a PvPvE experience, have some juicy insights from a trailer, and have our ears to the ground for rumors as well.
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 in the coming months. After all, 2026 is officially here, so we are due for some kind of news for FromSoftware soon. Keep your eyes on this page for updates!
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 2025 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.
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