The Duskbloods: FromSoftware's Switch 2 Exclusive Makes a Messy First Impression

A New Kind of FromSoftware Game

The Duskbloods, FromSoftware's first Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, has been unveiled to a mix of excitement and confusion. The Verge, GameSpot, and IGN all published hands-on previews on August 20, describing a game that blends PvPvE elements in a way that defies easy categorization. GameSpot reported that director Hidetaka Miyazaki acknowledged the reveal may have given fans the wrong impression, saying, 'Maybe PvPvE wasn't the best way to refer to it.' The game draws inspiration from tabletop RPGs, including a famous vampire RPG, and features contributions from George R.R. Martin, according to GameSpot.

Polygon revealed the full character list, while VGC noted that Miyazaki is 'stepping into the unknown' with this project. The exclusivity deal with Nintendo was explained by FromSoftware as stemming from Nintendo being the 'right partner' and 'very receptive' to the game's unusual concept, as reported by Nintendo Everything and GamesRadar+. Miyazaki also clarified that The Duskbloods is unrelated to Bloodborne, telling GamesRadar+, 'I almost regret putting the word "Blood" in the title.'

Network Test Disaster

The game's first closed network test, scheduled for August 21, was a disaster. Nintendo Life reported that the session was closed before it even began, with players stuck at the main menu due to 'Failed to log in' errors. FromSoftware apologized, saying, 'We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience,' and ended the slot early. Kotaku noted that after two hours of failed logins, FromSoftware gave up on the session. VGC and IGN confirmed the server issues, with IGN reporting that FromSoftware 'sincerely apologized' for the problems.

The outage was widespread, with Eurogamer reporting that FromSoftware advised players to 'sit closer to your router or use an ethernet cable.' GameSpot noted that the upcoming schedule is now in flux, and Polygon declared the test 'already a flop.' TheGamer and Destructoid echoed the sentiment, calling it a 'horrible start' and a 'rocky' beginning. The network test's failure overshadowed the positive previews, raising questions about the game's online infrastructure ahead of its rumored release.

Release Date Confusion

Amid the previews and server woes, a release date leak added to the chaos. Nintendo Life reported a rumor that The Duskbloods might launch on September 24, a claim that TheGamer said had 'seemingly leaked.' However, Eurogamer quickly countered that Nintendo denied the September 24 date, though GamesRadar+ called the denial 'the least convincing way possible.' The conflicting reports left fans uncertain about when they might actually play the game.

The leak and denial highlighted the intense interest in FromSoftware's first Switch 2 exclusive. With no official release date confirmed, the network test was meant to build hype, but instead it became a story of technical failure. The server issues and date confusion have created a narrative of a promising game struggling to get out of its own way, though the previews suggest the core experience is compelling.

What Makes The Duskbloods Unique

Despite the network test woes, previews painted a picture of a bold new direction for FromSoftware. GameSpot described it as unlike anything they've played, while IGN called it 'special' and detailed its multiplayer focus. Siliconera noted that the game encourages different playstyles, and GameRant emphasized that there are customization options for non-PvP fans. Miyazaki told GamesRadar+ that the game is full of ideas that couldn't fit into Dark Souls or Demon's Souls, saying, 'That was always at the forefront of my mind.'

The game's vampire theme and tabletop RPG influences were highlighted by GameSpot and Siliconera, with the latter conducting an interview on how vampires influenced the characters. PC Gamer, a self-described 'decade-plus FromSoftware sicko,' offered five takeaways from the gameplay, praising its innovation. The exclusivity with Nintendo was a key point, with Miyazaki telling GamesRadar+ that Nintendo was the 'right partner' for this weird idea. The game's PvP focus has been a concern, but Miyazaki assured fans that he sucks at PvP too, and you don't 'have to be great at PvP in order to win,' as reported by GamesRadar+.

The Future of FromSoftware

Miyazaki used the Duskbloods previews to address the future of FromSoftware. Eurogamer reported that he suggested the studio is keen to return to single-player games after The Duskbloods and Elden Ring: Nightreign. PC Gamer echoed this, noting that Miyazaki said FromSoftware 'obviously isn't done with singleplayer games.' This reassurance came as fans worried about the studio's pivot to multiplayer-focused titles.

The Duskbloods represents a gamble for FromSoftware, stepping into a new genre and platform simultaneously. The network test failure is a setback, but the previews suggest the game has the potential to be a hit. As GamesRadar+ reported, Miyazaki is aware of the confusion, but the game's unique blend of influences and Nintendo's support could make it a standout title for the Switch 2. Whether the server issues are a sign of deeper problems or just growing pains remains to be seen.

Community Reaction and Server Woes

The network test failure dominated community discussion. Nintendo Life reported that the session was closed after 'disastrous server issues,' and Kotaku noted that FromSoftware 'gave up' after two hours. TheGamer called it a 'horrible start,' and Destructoid said the test was 'shuttered after just a few hours.' FromSoftware's apology was widely reported, but the damage to the game's first public impression was done.

The server issues also affected the schedule, with GameSpot noting that the upcoming sessions are now in flux. Siliconera shared the instruction manual for the test, but the failure overshadowed the game's positive previews. The contrast between the glowing hands-on reports and the technical disaster highlights the challenges of launching a multiplayer game. As Polygon put it, the network test was 'already a flop,' but the game itself remains highly anticipated.

Where the claim starts

The Verge — sourcing: hands-on preview / direct experience

Independent corroboration

Multiple outlets (The Verge, GameSpot, IGN, Polygon, VGC, GameRant, Siliconera) independently played the game and published their own previews, corroborating the gameplay details. The network test failure was independently reported by Nintendo Life, Kotaku, Eurogamer, VGC, IGN, GameSpot, Polygon, and others, all citing direct experience with the server issues. The release date leak was independently reported by Nintendo Life and TheGamer, then denied by Nintendo via Eurogamer.

Who stayed out of it

Publishing during the same window but absent from this story: Rock Paper Shotgun, Massively OP, Dexerto – Games, Push Square, Pure Xbox, Time Extension, GamingOnLinux, The Escapist, RPGamer, Game Developer, Xbox Wire, PlayStation Blog, Gematsu.

Evidence

Every claim below was checked against the outlet reports it cites by a separate pass instructed to disprove it. 1 further claim could not be grounded and was removed.

• The Duskbloods is a Switch 2 exclusive from FromSoftware. — The Verge – Gaming, GameSpot, IGN, Polygon, VGC, Nintendo Everything, GamesRadar+
• The game is PvPvE but Miyazaki says that term may be misleading. — GameSpot
• The game features contributions from George R.R. Martin. — GameSpot
• The game is inspired by a famous tabletop vampire RPG. — GameSpot, Siliconera
• The first network test suffered server issues and was closed early. — Nintendo Life, Kotaku, Nintendo Everything, VGC, GameSpot, Polygon, Siliconera, TheGamer, IGN, Destructoid, GameRant
• Nintendo denied the September 24 release date. — Eurogamer, GamesRadar+

Written by TDGN from 54 outlet reports using a local model, then fact-checked against those reports before publishing. We link the outlets rather than reproducing their reporting.