Is The Duskbloods the Bloodborne Sequel Fans Have Been Waiting For?

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During the recent Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, a fresh Souls-inspired title titled “The Duskbloods” was unveiled, sparking fervent speculation among FromSoftware enthusiasts as they attempt to trace links between this game and Bloodborne.

Although all FromSoftware’s Souls series share a common dark atmosphere, the debut trailer for The Duskbloods appears to depict a world strikingly reminiscent of Bloodborne’s setting, Yharnam. Not only do they seem to be set in analogous time periods with a fusion of firearms and mechanical devices, but they also share a preoccupation with blood and the moon.

In the trailer, characters sport clothing remarkably alike to the Hunters from Bloodborne, and some antagonists bear a striking resemblance to various creatures we hunted in Yharnam’s grimy streets. Given these common motifs and concepts, it’s not surprising that viewers are making connections between The Duskbloods and Bloodborne.

Bloodborne similarities in The Duskbloods

When observing the resemblances between these two games, players can’t help but notice a common thread: the significance of blood. Just like in Bloodborne, the characters in Duskbloods seem to carry an affliction within their very blood, which could either grant them extraordinary abilities or transform them into fearsome creatures. Moreover, it appears that this blood possesses both healing and transformative properties.

In The Duskbloods, the moon appears to play a significant role in both the narrative and backdrop. There’s even a menacing character that could be considered a potential boss, who resembles the moon with an ominous expression. Players of Bloodborne who reached the game’s conclusion are familiar with the moon’s influence on its story, particularly for certain characters, suggesting that The Duskbloods will explore similar themes.

Many Bloodborne enthusiasts are speculating if the forthcoming Switch 2 game could be a precursor to Bloodborne, perhaps delving into the backstory of the Vileblood characters or another esteemed Yharnam family from its past. Nevertheless, despite the notable similarities, there are compelling arguments suggesting that the two games may not share a connection.

Is The Duskbloods a Bloodborne sequel?

It’s extremely improbable that The Duskbloods and Bloodborne share any official connection, implying they probably don’t take place in the same universe. Consequently, it’s almost certain that the upcoming Switch 2 exclusive won’t be a continuation or origin story of Bloodborne, originally released on Sony’s PS4.

As a passionate fan, I can’t help but notice the striking similarities between The Duskbloods, developed by FromSoftware, and both Bloodborne and Elden Ring. It’s clear that they’ve drawn inspiration from these games. However, the fact that different publishers own these titles stands as a significant obstacle, preventing them from being part of the same universe.

Since The Duskbloods is a brand-new game specifically developed for a Nintendo system, it’s highly unlikely that it will be linked with an exclusive title from Sony, much like how Demon’s Souls and Dark Souls didn’t have such connections.

Originally conceived as a follow-up to Demon’s Souls, it eventually underwent a change in publishing rights, necessitating its transformation into a standalone series. Though Dark Souls is a spiritual successor to Demon’s Souls, sharing similar themes, weapons, and characters, it is not a direct sequel.

Although there’s no proof that The Duskbloolds initially began as a follow-up to Bloodborne, it’s plausible that FromSoftware reused concepts initially conceived for Bloodborne, which eventually evolved into an altogether different game. This could account for the striking resemblance between the two games.

FromSoftware understands the intense demand for another installment of Bloodborne, and considers The Duskbloods as a temporary remedy to quench the thirst of fans who yearn for more, until they are ready to develop an official sequel.

The Miyazaki Multiverse theory

Absolutely, neither Nintendo, Sony, nor FromSoftware can hinder gamers from creating their own interpretations or stories about the connections between different Souls series games. Some dedicated fans have long held beliefs that these games share a hidden narrative link, despite official confirmation to the contrary.

It’s widely believed that Demon’s Souls, Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring share some sort of connection, and it seems The Duskbloods may now join this group. While each game has its own distinct universe, fans have been speculating that they could actually be part of a larger multiverse, regardless of who holds the rights for each title.

Previously, FromSoftware and publishers such as Sony and Bandai Namco have refuted such claims, but the idea of a multiverse has been given a degree of validation with the unveiling of Elden Ring Nightreign. In this upcoming game, characters and bosses from the Dark Souls series will appear in an alternate universe similar to Elden Ring’s, suggesting that elements of the multiverse theory may indeed be true.

It seems that Nightreign’s appearance in Elden Ring may be an unusual exception rather than a regular occurrence. This could have been done to pack more bosses into the game. Since Bandai Namco publishes every Dark Souls game, including Elden Ring, they have the freedom to manipulate characters as they wish. However, this kind of crossover wouldn’t include games like Demon’s Souls and Bloodborne, as those are owned by Sony.

Indeed, since Sony now holds a significant stake in FromSoftware, there’s optimism about a genuine Bloodborne sequel. Yet, even though The Duskbloods isn’t exactly that, it could mark the beginning of another cherished franchise.

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2025-04-03 16:52