Despite all the similarities and connections with theBloodbornefranchise, the recently announcedThe Duskbloodsby developer FromSoftware doesn’t carry the series’ title – and there may be a reasonable explanation for the differentiation between both games.The developer recently announced the new title during the April 2025 Nintendo Direct event, centered around new information about the Nintendo Switch 2, from its lineup of games and hardware changes compared to the original console. TheNintendo Switch 2’s Nintendo Directshowcased several different games, such as the newDonkey Kong BananzaandMario Kart World.
Most of the event was devoted to new features that the upcoming console, set for release in June, has to offer, as well as first-party Nintendo games. However, there was a large portion of the presentation dedicated to third-party partners’ products, during whichFromSoftware announcedThe Duskbloods, a brand-new soulslike game set in a dark fantasy world with gothic inspirations and steampunk elements, which will be exclusive for Nintendo Switch 2.Its aesthetic and themes heavily resembledBloodborne, leading to speculation that it could beBloodborne 2, but that was quickly quelled when the official title,The Duskbloods, was revealed.
Bloodborne Is A Sony IP, So FromSoftware Can’t Deliberately Work On It
The Duskbloods Is Similar To Bloodborne In Some Ways
Even with all of its similarities, there may be a good reason to explain whyThe Duskbloodisn’tBloodborne 2. TheBloodbornefranchise is an IP (Intellectual Property) that is owned by publisher Sony and not the developer FromSoftware.Without Sony’s consent and, likely, request, the studio cannot develop a newBloodbornegame, much less for a competitor like Nintendo. As such, unless it is within Sony’s plans to revisit the 10-year-old franchise, it is impossible for FromSoftware to work on the series, despite the heavyrumors aboutBloodborne 2.
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These same rumors, in fact, point toward the possibility of the new title in the series being developer by Bluepoint Games, which was recently acquired by Sony, rather than FromSoftware, who conceived it. There is a lot of speculation going around, but the desire for a newBloodbornehas been ongoing and,given howThe Duskbloodspresents itself, it seems like FromSoftware took matters into its own hands, developing what can be consideredBloodborne’s spiritual succesor but making it just different enough to overcome and possible legal implicationsit would have with Sony.
The Duskbloods Seems Like A Workaround For Bloodborne’s IP Limitations
There Are Also Key Differences Between Both Franchises
The development ofThe Duskbloodsaround a gothic-inspired aesthetic with a unique title and steampunk elements seems like a workaround to deliver fans an experience that resemblesBloodborne, for which they have been pleading for years now while also playing it safe.Despite the several similarities between both titles in terms of themes, such as the search for blood within a gothic-structured city full of monsters,The Duskbloodsdoes offer various key differences, too. Much like theupcomingElden Ring Nightreign,The Duskbloodswill be a game focused on a multiplayer experience.
I Don’t Even Want FromSoftware To Make Bloodborne 2
When thinking of a sequel or remaster for Bloodborne most players would want FromSoftware behind it, but there’s another developer that shows promise.
UnlikeNightreign, however, the Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive title will be a PvPvE game, as confirmed by the FromSoftware producerYasuhiro Kitaoin a post on their account on X (previously Twitter). According to the officialThe Duskbloodswebsite, the game will support up to eight players as they fight each other and other enemies.Kitao also confirmed thatThe Duskbloodswill portray a battle for First Blood. Much likeBloodborne, it seems likeThe Duskbloods’ story revolves heavily around blood, the night, and runes, one of which can be seen carved into the first character’s hand.
Players will control characters who become part of the Twilight Blood Clan, who have acquired new and mysterious powers and use them on their quest for the First Blood.This somber setting, even more so than the likes ofElden RingandDark Soulsseems heavily aligned to whatBloodborneprovided back in 2015, but with some unique twists that make it its own game. The heavy investment into the PvPvE multiplayer style, along with the new story and steampunk elements, are what makeThe Duskbloodsa standalone franchise, even if it still caters to theBloodbornecommunity.
The Duskbloods’ Exclusivity For Nintendo Switch 2 May Disappoint Bloodborne Fans
Part Of The Bloodborne Community May Be Left Out Of Its Spiritual Successor
From the little that has been shown aboutThe Duskbloodsso far, it does seem like a spiritual successor toBloodborne, even if FromSoftware differentiates it from Sony’s soulslike IP.Being prevented from working on aBloodborne 2of its own volition,The Duskbloodsis a great solution to a legal problem, but it is limitedin the sense that the game will be exclusive for thenew Nintendo Switch 2 console. Even though this could push the new hybrid console’s sales even further, it could also restrict a lot ofBloodbornefans from ever playing the series’ spiritual successor.
Why Bloodborne 2 Would Be So Much Better Than An Elden Ring Sequel
Although many want the next soulsborne game to be a sequel to Elden Ring, Bloodborne 2 would be the better option for FromSoftware’s next project.
Even so,something similar happened withBloodborne’s release in 2015, as the title was and still is a PlayStation exclusive. The game hasn’t been released for other consoles, nor has it been remastered and released for PC like other Sony IPs (includingGod of WarandThe Last of Us), so soulslike fans who don’t own a PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5 console are still unable to playBloodborne.
Something similar may happen with the upcoming title, seeing theNintendo Switch 2’s pricesand some players’ inability or unwillingness to purchase the console, butit remains to be seen ifThe Duskbloodswill live up toBloodborne’s popularity and long-lasting legacy– if not, being separate from Sony’s IP may prove to be beneficial in the long run, as it would only fuel the community’s desire for the long-rumoredBloodborne 2, which Sony could profit off of.
The Nintendo Switch 2 has a suggested retail price of $449.99 in the United States, with its release set for June 5.
More details aboutThe Duskbloodsshould arise soon, as FromSoftware is releasing a special interview with the game’s director today. This should also help clear out some of the core differences between this title andBloodborne, to which it has been heavily compared. Despite being exclusive for Nintendo Switch 2, the game will not be a launch title for the console. For now, the game is set to arrive at some point in 2026, but a more specific release window forThe Duskbloodshas yet to be announced.
