The new announcement of FromSoftware, the undisputed giant of the Soulslike genre, Duskbloods, fascinated players with the excitement it created for Bloodborne 2 at first glance. However, the emergence of the game with its PvPvE (Player vs. Player and Player vs. Environment) structure quickly gave way to cautious anticipation and a growing wave of criticism. Especially the studio's identification with the deep single-player experiences it has offered so far, this new multiplayer-focused orientation has triggered important discussions in the industry. The harsh reaction of independent game developer Dave Oshry added a new dimension to these discussions.
Following the announcement of Duskbloods, the initial excitement on social media platforms was quickly replaced by disappointment and question marks. The fact that the game would combine Soulslike mechanics and a steampunk-inspired dark atmosphere had led many players to hope that they would encounter a long-awaited Bloodborne-like game. However, the fact that Duskbloods would actually be in a PvPvE format, where players would win matches either by defeating each other or by defeating a powerful common enemy, the boss, completely changed these expectations. This new structure raised concerns that FromSoftware would move away from its unique, deep single-player narratives and exploration-focused worlds.
The most striking and harsh response of the discussion came from Dave Oshry, the founder of New Blood Interactive, known for original indie games such as Gloomwood and Ultrakill. Oshry stated that “extraction shooter” games such as Escape from Tarkov had negatively transformed the gaming industry, and clearly expressed his discomfort with Duskbloods with a clear and harsh statement, saying, “Tarkov has caused irreparable damage to the gaming industry. Not everything needs to be an extraction shooter.” Oshry’s comment also echoed the feelings of many single-player gamers.
However, the statements from FromSoftware did not completely calm this intense wave of criticism, but they did clarify some important points. While the head of the studio, Hidetaka Miyazaki, admitted that Duskbloods will be an online multiplayer experience, he emphasized that this orientation will not be the studio's permanent route. Miyazaki stated that FromSoftware will continue to develop projects with deep narratives focused on single-player in the future and that the studio will maintain its traditional game-making style. Although this statement reassured the hearts of single-player FromSoftware fans, it was not enough to completely calm the cautious approach and criticism towards Duskbloods.
On the other hand, Duskbloods also signals that it may offer some different features than the well-known classic "extraction shooter" games. It is stated that the game will feature extensive character customization, a central base system, and systems where players can gain permanent gains even if the match is lost. In addition, in addition to battle royale-like survival elements, players will be offered alternative scenarios where they can focus directly on powerful bosses. However, since the game's full release date has been announced as 2026, players will need to be a little more patient to see how these potential differences and innovations will shape the game's final experience. FromSoftware's new multiplayer adventure continues to be closely followed by the studio's fans and the general gaming community.
