One of the biggest surprises from last year’s Nintendo Switch 2 Direct presentation was The Duskbloods, mainly for two reasons – not only is the FromSoftware title exclusive to the console, but the multiplayer-only approach also marks a departure from its traditional solo-focused design.
Fans will have to hold on to their curiosity and excitement for a while longer, as it has now been pushed back to 2027 from its initial 2026 launch window. The update follows a no-show at the September 2026 showcase and removes it from fierce competition with Grand Theft Auto VI, arguably the biggest Game of the Year contender for the year, set to bow on 19 November.
Taking to social media, the Elden Ring and Dark Souls studio said it’s working to adjust the game’s “rules and balance” based on feedback from a player test this summer. “While development of The Duskbloods is at the final adjustment stage, we have made the decision to move the launch window to 2027. We apologise to players who have been kindly awaiting the release of this title and thank you for your patience and support,” reads the official statement.
“During the network test, we saw active interest in the core concepts of the game, including combat, strategic depth, and player expression. To further enhance these aspects, we have decided to move the launch, allowing time for final adjustments to game rules and balancing.”
Instead of the familiar die-and-restart Souls-like experience, The Duskbloods features a match-based play style where up to eight players, who control characters called Bloodsworn, fight to earn victory points called Virtue, with multiple pathways to triumph. It will be FromSoftware’s first new game since last year’s Elden Ring Nightreign, a roguelike spin-off to the action role-playing game.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
Kevin Low
