(Image credit: FromSoftware)
With the first glimpse of The Duskbloods, many fans couldn’t help but notice its resemblance to an Elden Ring-style open-world adventure reminiscent of Bloodborne. However, the announcement that it’s a multiplayer PvPvE game signals a departure into new territory. Yet, director Hidetaka Miyazaki and the team at FromSoftware are clearly inspired by Bloodborne’s decaying world of potent blood, introducing new concepts like Bloodsworn and First Blood.
According to Miyazaki in a recent official interview with Nintendo, “We tried to extract the romantic elements from ideas such as vampires and ‘blood,’ reimagining them as the Bloodsworn,” characters you embody in The Duskbloods, directly referenced by the game’s title.
As Miyazaki elaborates, “In The Duskbloods, the Bloodsworn are vying for something known as ‘First Blood.’ As humanity reaches its twilight, First Blood emerges in an event called the ‘Twilight of Humanity.’ The Bloodsworn are drawn to this across various times and places to capture First Blood.” Collecting First Blood, reminiscent of Blood Vials in Bloodborne, is the objective of each match, showcasing how this theme flows throughout the game.
Miyazaki further decrypts this concept by saying, “Blood is used more conceptually here, rather than as literal injuries. It symbolizes pivotal themes – its historical value, the strength it confers, the destinies it shapes, and the hallmark of those who transcend human limitations.”
The Victorian Gothic aesthetic may almost betray its influences, suggesting The Duskbloods follows in Bloodborne’s thematic footsteps, albeit with a unique structure. Surprising is the omission of a phrase like ‘fear the First Blood’ in the trailer. Despite its distinction, the essence of the 2015 classic lingers on the Switch 2.
Miyazaki also acknowledges concerns from Elden Ring and Dark Souls fans, explaining, “I’m not particularly a PvP enthusiast myself, hence my aim was to create something fulfilling even for players like me.”
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