After years of audiences clamoring for a Bloodborne sequel, spin-off, or remaster, Nintendo has revealed that it is partnering with FromSoftware for The Duskbloods, a game that shares more than a bit of DNA with the 2015 Lovecraftian horror masterpiece. To be clear, The Duskbloods is not a direct successor to Bloodborne, but rather a spiritual one, which is just as good for many players.
At the same time, The Duskbloods raises an interesting question: why hasn't there been a follow-up of some kind to Bloodborne? After its reputation skyrocketed with the first two Dark Souls games, FromSoftware used Bloodborne as a platform to pivot away from its high-fantasy modus operandi, to excellent results. The game, which is still locked to the PS4 despite mass outcry for a PC release or next-gen upgrade, is arguably Sony's best exclusive from the past decade, which makes the lack of a follow-up extremely perplexing. This is elevated by Elden Ring's success, which solidified FromSoftware as one of the most respected and profitable AAA developers of the modern era. With The Duskbloods on the way, Sony ought to strongly reevaluate its decision to leave Bloodborne in the dust.
After The Duskbloods, FromSoftware is Just One Piece Away From Completing an Uncommon Puzzle
FromSoftware has branched out in a surprising way via the Nintendo-exclusive The Duskbloods, raising questions about the studio's future.
Sony Should Be Doing Everything Possible To Make 'Bloodborne 2' Happen
Sony's Neglect of Bloodborne Is Becoming More Inexplicable
The true reason why Bloodborne hasn't received any continued development since its original 2015 release may never be revealed, though audiences have speculated about it. A fairly reasonable assumption is that FromSoftware doesn't have any interest in making another console exclusive, as this would naturally limit said exclusive's profitability relative to a multiplatform release like Elden Ring. Another possible explanation would be that FromSoftware doesn't want to further explore the Gothic horror themes of Bloodborne, as indicated by its doubling-down on high-fantasy with Dark Souls 3 and Elden Ring.
But both of these theories are proven false by the reveal of The Duskbloods. FromSoftware clearly doesn't have an aversion to console exclusives, since Duskbloods is only slated for a Switch 2 release, and the game's Gothic setting and steampunk tendencies show that the studio isn't quite done with Bloodborne's artistic framing. Everything about The Duskbloods suggests that it would make much more sense on the PS5, so its release on the Switch 2 may be interpreted as Nintendo picking up Sony's slack.
The Duskbloods' multiplayer features would also make more sense on the PS5, Xbox, or PC, as these platforms are more associated with multiplayer gaming, as well as FromSoftware's core demographic.
Sony's Stab at Bloodborne 2 Doesn't Need To Literally Be 'Bloodborne 2'
There's one more reason why audiences haven't seen a Bloodborne follow-up. FromSoftware president and lead designer Hidetaka Miyazaki has been open about his disinterest in sequels, and FromSoftware fans would probably boycott a Bloodborne 2 that wasn't made with FromSoftware's involvement, so it's possible that this sequel-aversion on FromSoftware's part is what has blocked the further development of the Bloodborne IP.
But again, The Duskbloods proves that a spiritual successor to Bloodborne is something that FromSoftware is open to, and Elden Ring Nightreign is evidence that the studio is willing to devise spin-offs for existing properties. With so much demand for more Bloodborne, Sony ought to realize that there's a market for Bloodborne-adjacent releases, and since most Bloodborne fans are already integrated into Sony's ecosystem, a Duskblood-esque spiritual successor or spin-off on the PS5 seems like a no-brainer. Sony getting yet another FromSoftware exclusive to sit alongside Bloodborne and Demon's Souls would be a boon for both companies, and assuming that The Duskbloods finds success on the Switch 2, Sony should be leveraging all its resources to bring FromSoftware back into the fray. If not for a true Bloodborne sequel, PlayStation should at least be open to something similar.
- Released
- 2026
- Developer(s)
- FromSoftware
- Publisher(s)
- FromSoftware
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Number of Players
- 1-8 players
WHERE TO PLAY
Developed for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, The Duskbloods is a PvPvE title with online multiplayer at its core, where up to 8 players vie for supremacy among themselves and against challenging foes.
Play as the "Bloodsworn"; a group that has transcended human strength thanks to their special blood, and throw yourself into a violent fray for "First Blood" as the twilight of humanity approaches.
- Genre(s)
- Action
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch 2
