The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct showcased a surprising third-party title. Toward the end of the event, FromSoftware revealed The Duskbloods, a new game echoing the dark, intense style of the PlayStation 4-exclusive Bloodborne.

The Duskbloods, set for a global 2026 release exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2, introduces players as the "Bloodsworn," a faction transcending humanity through mystical blood. Gamers will engage in brutal combat to claim the title of "First Blood."

FromSoftware’s press release confirmed The Duskbloods as a PvPvE experience, emphasizing online multiplayer with up to eight players competing. While its blood-soaked aesthetic and weaponry recall Bloodborne, the game also shares similarities with the upcoming Elden Ring Nightreign, blending PvP elements with cooperative PvE.

Limited details were shared, with only cryptic hints and glimpses of terrifying creatures and bosses. Bloodborne fans have reacted with a mix of excitement and speculation.

"Blood is everywhere in this reveal!" one Reddit user commented on the r/Bloodborne thread about The Duskbloods. Another speculated, "This feels like Bloodborne 2 in all but name, likely due to a new setting or Sony’s exclusivity deal."

Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 - The Dusk Bloods

While distinct, The Duskbloods carries clear parallels to Bloodborne, fueling fans’ hopes for a spiritual successor. Unlike the multi-platform Souls games and Elden Ring, which even secured a Tarnished Edition for Switch 2, Bloodborne has remained a PlayStation 4 exclusive, with no PC port or sequel in sight despite years of fan demand.

"Nintendo must have grown impatient for a Bloodborne sequel and funded their own," one commenter joked. Another noted, "Like Bloodborne, The Duskbloods is a Switch 2 exclusive, staying true to its exclusive roots."

The reveal has energized Bloodborne fans, though some enthusiasm waned upon learning The Duskbloods leans toward a battle royale-style format rather than FromSoftware’s traditional single-player RPG formula.

Some fans expressed tempered excitement upon discovering the PvPvE focus and Switch 2 exclusivity, with Reddit threads reflecting disappointment over the multiplayer emphasis.

More details are expected soon, with Nintendo set to release an interview with director Hidetaka Miyazaki on April 4. This should clarify the game’s PvPvE mechanics and whether The Duskbloods can satisfy Bloodborne fans’ long-standing hopes.

For a full breakdown of today’s announcements, check out our recap of the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct.

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