A FromSoftware veteran has shared their initial reactions to Duskbloods, the newly revealed action RPG exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2. The player, with over a decade invested in FromSoftware's catalog, expressed frustration that the game remains locked to Nintendo's upcoming hardware rather than launching across PC and other platforms.
Duskbloods represents FromSoftware's first major project for Switch 2, building on the studio's reputation for challenging, methodical combat design. The gameplay reveal drew scrutiny from the broader community, particularly regarding platform exclusivity. This marks a strategic partnership between FromSoftware and Nintendo, ensuring the Switch 2 lineup includes a day-one tentpole title from one of gaming's most respected developers.
The exclusivity decision carries weight in the current market. PC players have dominated FromSoftware's recent releases, including Elden Ring, which sold over 20 million copies across all platforms. Restricting Duskbloods to Switch 2 represents a significant departure from the studio's typical multiplatform approach. It signals Nintendo's aggressive push to establish the Switch 2 as a hardware destination for AAA experiences, not just Nintendo franchises.
FromSoftware's exclusivity arrangement with Nintendo demonstrates how hardware makers leverage third-party partnerships to drive adoption. The Switch 2's specs remain officially unconfirmed, but Duskbloods' reveal suggests the console can handle modern Souls-like demands. This could define early Switch 2 software strategy as aggressively as the original Switch's portable gaming angle defined that console's identity.
For veterans of Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring, Duskbloods presents both intrigue and friction. The studio's design philosophy appears intact based on revealed footage. But the platform lock-in frustrates players accustomed to