FromSoftware's Duskbloods is a big break from 23-year-old tradition

One of the most anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 games of 2026 DuskbloodsFrom the software's newest Soulslike game that features eight-player PVP and PVE gameplay. Although FromSoftware is not known for its Nintendo console support, such as bringing games Dark Souls Remastered and Alden Ring After their release on other systems on Nintendo platforms, Duskbloods Switch 2 is set to be exclusive. With the release of Duskbloods Later this year, FromSoftware will finally break its 23-year trend of ignoring Nintendo exclusive games.

Drawing clear inspiration from FromSoftware's past games blood borne and Alden Ring: Nitrene, Duskbloods Follows characters known as the Bloodsworn in a gothic fantasy setting. Like Alden Ring: NitrenePlayers will choose which class of Bloodswarn to play as, and each has its own unique weapons and abilities. Although players will be able to customize their characters to a degree, the player's chosen Bloodsworn will affect the role they play during the game.

related to

The software gets an exciting update from Duskbloods

The developer from Software handles the development of Duskbloods, and it looks like good news for those hoping for a Nintendo Switch 2 game.

Duskbloods will be the first exclusive software game for Nintendo consoles since 2003

FromSoftware hasn't been synonymous with Nintendo for long, but that doesn't mean the two companies haven't collaborated in the past. Before entering the soul-like genre after the release of From Software Demon spirits and Dark spiritsIts most notable games came from The king's territory and Armored Corps Franchises. Outside of these two series, FromSoftware also released various other RPGs, many of which never made their way outside of Japan, but among these releases was a duology of GameCube exclusives that marked the last time the developer partnered with Nintendo for a console exclusive.

Drag the arms to fill the grid

EasyMediumHard

Duskbloods There's no official release date yet, but FromSoftware is committed to a 2026 launch window.

Lost Kingdoms: Forgotten is from Software's GameCube card-based action RPG series

The Lost Kingdoms and its latter part, Lost Kingdoms 2were released on the GameCube in 2002 and 2003 respectively, leaving a gap of 23 years between FromSoftware's last Nintendo console exclusive. Duskbloods. While FromSoftware's auteur game director and architect of the developer's modern library, Hidetaka Miyazaki, did not work on it. The Lost Kingdoms Games, it's easy to see where there are many bases for what to become Demon spiritsAnd finally Dark spiritsThese were kept with games. However, the real hook of The Lost Kingdoms The series is characterized by its card-based battle system, which is combined with active combat to create a unique deck-building action RPG.

A Tale of Lost Kingdoms

For longtime software fans, the basic premise The Lost Kingdoms Will sound familiar: A mysterious mist has enveloped the land of Argwyll and demons are emerging from it. The King of Argyll tries to track down the hero, Princess Katia, after her father to find the source of this mist and stop it from consuming his kingdom. She brings with her the Runestone of the Kingdom, which allows her to use cards for battle. like Demon spirits and Dark spiritsA common theme is the use of mist as a barrier between the realms of humans and demons The Lost Kingdoms shares, and it establishes a pattern that other FromSoftware games will use in the future.

Lost Kingdoms 2 Takes place centuries after the first game, where Katya of Argyll is regarded as a heroic queen. The sequel focuses on a new protagonist, Tara Grimstone, who also has the ability to manipulate cards into battle through the same type of runestone that Katia has. A major part of Lost Kingdoms 2 Runestone's origins are explored, although the gameplay remains very similar to the original.

Gameplay of Lost Kingdoms

Card-based RPGs were wildly popular in the early 2000s, especially on Nintendo platforms. While the Game Boy Advance was Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories In 2004, saw the GameCube Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean It was released in the same year. However, the previous two years also saw card-based RPGs on the GameCube, with both The Lost Kingdom This game features fighting style.

Scratch and pick

Identify the cover art while scratching off as small a foil as possible.

Scratch and pick

Identify the cover art while scratching off as small a foil as possible.

EasyMediumHardPermadeath

The Lost Kingdoms FromSoftware uses the same UI as the games Demon spiritswhere the four cards in the player's hand are assigned to a specific button arranged in a diamond shape on the screen. Players use these cards to cast skills during active combat encounters, but once played the card is used. This means that players are encouraged to collect more cards either by buying or convincing defeated enemies to become cards in their deck. This is given by the creature collection mechanic The Lost Kingdoms The game feels like approx Pokemon or Shin Megami TenseiAllowing players to use the enemies they encounter for their own purposes.

These creature-collections are similar to JRPGs The Lost Kingdoms’s original system, which features a rock-paper-scissors-style trumping mechanic for combat. Each card has a different elemental type: fire, water, earth, wood, and neutral, with mechanical added as another type. Lost Kingdoms 2And each has some sort of advantage over the other. This mechanic adds another layer of strategy The Lost Kingdomsof combat, meaning players will need to constantly evaluate their decks to eliminate weaknesses as they work their way through the game.

How the Duskbloods are set to inherit the legacy of the Lost Kingdoms

Although first and foremost a single-player game, The Lost Kingdoms Includes a multiplayer element. The original game features a two-player PVP mode, where players can battle against each other using separate decks. While this is a far cry from the eight-player gameplay Duskbloods Features, it follows the trend of FromSoftware games with elements of multiplayer in single-player-focused games.

that of inheritance Duskbloods From stands the most heirs The Lost Kingdoms Its a unique Nintendo experience. Considering that card-based battle systems were popular among Nintendo exclusives in the early 2000s, it's clear to see how. The Lost Kingdoms Established its identity as a blend of FromSoftware staples with a Nintendo feel. The Switch 2 is one of the best platforms for multiplayer given its portability and reasonable Nintendo Switch Online price. So, it makes sense Duskbloods One of Nintendo's strongest selling points for the current console generation will once again blend the iconic features of FromSoftware games.