The Duskbloods: Nintendo Capitalizes on PlayStation’s Overlooked Opportunity

Nintendo has been riding a wave of excitement over the anticipated launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, and their recent announcement has only fueled this fire. The introduction of cool features like the enhanced Joy-Con 2 with mouse controls and GameChat is grabbing attention, but the real buzz is about the upcoming line-up of games. Among them, “The Duskbloods” stands out, sparking quite the conversation.

Set in a fantasy world reminiscent of Victorian times with a mix of melee and gun combat, “The Duskbloods” has already attracted comparisons to “Bloodborne,” another classic from the creators at FromSoftware. Fans have long been pleading for a follow-up to “Bloodborne,” a 2015 hit that showcased some of the developer’s best work. Despite the demand for a sequel or even a remaster, both FromSoftware and Sony have largely overlooked this opportunity, much to the puzzlement of fans. It seems Nintendo has seized the moment, allowing FromSoftware to craft what feels like a spiritual successor to “Bloodborne.”

The gaming community holds out hope for a true sequel to “Bloodborne,” but many players have accepted it might not happen. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, as its unique, standalone nature is part of what makes “Bloodborne” so special. However, FromSoftware can certainly capture the spirit of “Bloodborne” through its Gothic art style, steampunk vibes, and Lovecraftian themes with a fresh game. The success of titles like “Lies of P” shows there’s a hunger for games inspired by “Bloodborne.”

While FromSoftware isn’t known for clinging to sequels—besides “Armored Core” and “Dark Souls”—they do enjoy reusing beloved concepts and design elements. “Elden Ring,” for example, heavily borrowed from “Dark Souls” in terms of mechanics and storytelling, while remaining its own separate entity. This approach allows FromSoftware to explore new ideas without being tethered to an old narrative, which they seem to be doing again with “The Duskbloods.”

Given the enduring demand for more “Bloodborne,” it’s curious to see Sony not pursuing similar projects, especially after the runaway success of “Elden Ring.” Opting out of developing something akin to “Bloodborne” feels like a missed opportunity for Sony. Meanwhile, the partnership between FromSoftware and Nintendo for “The Duskbloods” is intriguing. Why Nintendo snagged this project instead of Sony remains unclear, but it’ll be interesting to see how both companies react.