Duskbloods is a multiplayer game. It's not multiplayer as most FromSoftware games are allowing friends and strangers to drop in to help out in boss battles. No, it is multiplayer multiplayer.
FromSoftware Doubles Down
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| Credit _Duskbloods - FromSoftware |
If you have seen the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct trailer it may have surprised you a bit. That first scene was full of atmosphere as it showed players roaming a dark, gothic world that was somewhat similar to Bloodborne. A few shots indicated that both co-operative and competitive multiplayer might be coming to the game, but it didn't give the impression that it is primarily multiplayer.
Certainly not in the way that was shown in the Elden Ring Nightrain trailer. When FromSoftware announced it is a upcoming multiplayer spin-off at The Game Awards, it did so with a trailer that showcased the multiplayer elements. There were several shots of players gathering to face off against large boss monsters. With a purple energy wall surrounding the game site, it was immediately clear that this was a game you played with your friends.
That is a not the case with The Duskbloods, and FromSoft has probably underestimated this information as it is so close to Nightrain's release.
Souls fans, who are drawn to these games for the intricate level design, immersive environments, oppressive atmospheres, and immersive storytelling, are not happy that FromSoftware is putting out two multiplayer-focused games in a row. Furthermore, The Duskbloods looked just as awful as Bloodborne, and some feel that FromSoftware raised their expectations too high for no reason.
FromSoftware Works Fast So Why All the Doubt?
And if it were Rockstar and Naughty Dog or Bethesda, I could understand the disappointment. If your favorite developer releases a game for a console generation, it is can be frustrating when they spend all that time on something you are not even remotely interested in. If instead of a trailer for GTA 6, Rockstar had released a first look at Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis 2, I'd be a little annoyed I will admit that to you.
But FromSoftware is not like Rockstar or Naughty Dog or Bethesda. It puts out a new game every year or two. Elden Ring: Nightrain is the seventh full game released in the last decade and that does not include remasters like Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin or expansions like Elden Ring: Shadow of the Earth, which are longer than many standalone games. That's nine full experiences in ten years. Only Ryu ga Gotoku does things faster in the triple-A space.
I understand. I play FromSoftware games primarily for the single player experience So Nightrain isn't for me and Duskbloods probably isn't for me either. But I see no reason to expect this to be a permanent direction for FromSoftware. After all, the studio had it is a greatest success with Elden Ring, which was a primarily single-player game, and then followed that up (last year, it's worth remembering) by bringing out a massive piece of single-player-focused DLC. Its two TGA GOTY wins have been for single-player-focused games - in Sekiro's case, exclusively single-player.
Sure, FromSoftware has been making two multiplayer games consistently. But there is no reason to forget that most of it is games have been primarily single player since Dark Souls went mainstream. Two is an iteration, but it is not a trend. If this third multiplayer only game is announced it might be time to worry. Until then we can wait a little longer for a single-player follow-up. It will likely arrive before Naughty Dog's next movie.
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