Topic: The Duskbloods

@Mana_Knight Thanks - I just logged in to see I have been selected... what a pleasant surprise!

@CJD87 Ayy. See you on there! Maybe. Who knows how this actually works! 😆

I, too, am in.

I signed up on third day and got in.

Also made it! Usually not this nervous for a playtest, but this is make or break to both see what Duskbloods gameplay is about and to gauge whether Elden Ring can probably run properly on the Switch 2

Will be curious to see how this works. Looking forward to seeing others here in the playtest.

I'm quite excited for this, but maybe moreso because I've never participated in anything like this before.

I really really hope that the Duskbloods proves itself to be worth the investment. Being completely honest though, a PvPvE game just isn't the kind of output I'd prefer to have out of FromSoft.

A single-player 'spiritual successor' to Bloodborne would have got me incredibly hyped, and this was actually what the opening moments of the trailer had me believe!

@CJD87 I actually really like this direction FromSoft are taking. Don't get me wrong, I love FromSoft's games and the single-player epics that we all love aren't going anywhere but I've always wanted to see them do something a little different with their formula. I think Elden Ring Nightreign is incredible and puts an interesting twist on the genre and it was so cool that they decided to experiment and try something new. I'm hoping The Duskbloods will be another fantastic twist in an already successful formula even though I'm not the biggest fan of PvP in any of their games.

I haven't read much of the eula, is it ok to talk openly about the network test? I dont want a red phantom showing up to gank my switch.

@Losermagnet2 I believe so. You can't stream it or capture any footage of it though.

I was graciously selected for the test as well, don’t think I’ve ever partaken in something of this scale before prior to release.

On one hand, I’m beyond keen to play the game as a huge FromSoft fan - arguably my favourite game studio in the world today. On the other, it’s to see what this game is attempting beyond conventional single player format, to get an idea of what notions they’re experimenting with to push the medium forward (some journos have claimed this based on what they’ve seen). I trust the dev team - make us proud ❤️

@Kairuuu I must confess I’ve not played Nightreign, but understand it was received quite well

Sekiro is my favorite game of all time, and I’ve also obviously got a huge spot for Elden Ring….

Is it so that Miyazaki is helming up Duskbloods? I thought I’d heard that which gives me more confidence

I’m certainly open minded for DBs though, and really quite curious/excited to see what the hell it ‘actually is’

I also like how it’s a S2 exclusive (at least for now….) so this thing will have been developed for a specific piece of hardware, suggesting better optimisation etc

Part of my wonders if this has the potential to be a GOTY contender, or if it’s too niche?

@CJD87 Miyazaki is directing this one, yes. I have so much confidence in FromSoft so I know they’re going to knock it out of the park in whatever they develop and I’m pretty convinced I’ll be there day one regardless.

I’m just really intrigued to see what the gameplay loop is like. Hopefully we’ll get a gameplay overview at some point before the network test.

I wonder if it being Switch 2 exclusive makes it somewhat niche already? I’m already seeing posts from people online who got into the network test scrambling to get a Switch 2 because they don’t have one yet.

@Kairuuu ha I hadn’t considered that DBs could be a potential “system seller” (!)

Switch2 is definitely doing well for 3rd party support, terrific to see so much adoption early in the lifespan

Considering the recent XB/PS increases, S2 doesn’t seem overly expensive by comparison.

Yup let’s see how the network test pans out, I’m honestly rooting for FromSoft and hoping they knock it out the park.

@Kairuuu the community that plays FromSoft games - by this, I mean when Miyazaki is at the helm - is almost entirely outside of Nintendo’s curated circle of game genres. Souls and souls-likes just found their birth and footing in other environments like PS thanks to Demon’s Souls and BB.

Nintendo now wants to establish their territory in alignment with FromSoft, and it makes sense that this would be the game for it since Nintendo has always been a multiplayer based environment (at least more so than Sony) in addition to their cherished first party IPs like Mario and. Zelda. They want that audience, and Duskbloods will be enough to make a healthy pull from what we’re already hearing about the game prior to even its network test.

It could remain niche… who knows. I’ve seen a lot of Nintendo fans remain tepid about trying it but find it cool nonetheless that they have this exclusive. They may even get pulled in too, and then leap into other FromSoft games afterwards (Elden Ring will be there for the taking on S2 after all).

I see this as a huge boon for the big N. Even if they can never secure a sequel or future exclusive from them through Duskbloods, they have their flag in the ground with what seems like an awesome project in gaming innovation.