As a long-time FromSoftware devotee, I’m always on the lookout for the next big thing. And while Duskbloods isn’t officially a FromSoftware title, it’s clearly drawing heavy inspiration from their work. After diving into the gameplay footage and developer conversations, here are my five biggest takeaways – and why I’m cautiously optimistic (and hoping for a PC release!).
The Nightreign Evolution
Duskbloods shares a structural DNA with Nightreign: instanced runs, a ticking timer, increasing difficulty, and characters with unique abilities. However, Duskbloods aims to expand on this formula with more maps (three at launch, surpassing Nightreign even with its DLC). This evolution is exciting, but the success hinges on avoiding Nightreign’s pitfalls.
PvE with a PvP Twist
Unlike the relentless player-hunting in games like Tarkov or Marathon, Duskbloods focuses on completing PvE objectives faster than your fellow players. “Virtue” scores determine survival, and while PvP encounters are present, they’re not mandatory. Vaati mentioned an unlockable co-op boss option for the final battle, a welcome alternative to the default PvP slugfest. This blend of PvE and optional PvP could be a winning formula.
Bloodborne Echoes
The visual cues are undeniable: hooded ogre figures resembling Bloodborne’s Church Giants, a clock tower view echoing Yharnam, a cathedral boss arena reminiscent of Dark Souls’ Gargoyles or Bloodborne’s Martyr Logarius. Even the weapon designs hint at Elden Ring and Bloodborne influences. While not a direct sequel, Duskbloods clearly wears its inspirations on its sleeve.
Verticality Over Sprawl
Instead of the sprawling landscapes of Elden Ring’s Limgrave, Duskbloods features a more compact, vertically dense map reminiscent of Shadow of the Erdtree or Nightreign’s Great Hollow. This design choice could lead to incredibly engaging level design, but it also risks feeling claustrophobic if not executed flawlessly.
The Big Questions: Balance, Longevity, and PC?
FromSoftware has a history of multiplayer balance issues, which can plague games like this. The success of Duskbloods will depend on whether it can avoid these pitfalls and offer a compelling single-player experience to supplement the multiplayer action. And, of course, there’s the burning question: When will we see a PC version? While Nintendo likely sweetened the deal, Duskbloods deserves to find its true home on PC.
I’m eagerly anticipating the upcoming network test and hoping that Duskbloods lives up to its potential. Stay tuned for our coverage!
Comments
2 Comments