- Primary Subject: The Duskbloods Leaked Gameplay
- Key Update: Footage from The Duskbloods CNT reveals a radical departure from FromSoftware's typical Souls-like formula, featuring fast-paced, vertical combat and potential battle royale elements.
- Status: Published
- Last Verified: 2026-08-20
- Quick Answer: Leaked footage of The Duskbloods Closed Network Test showcases a PvP mode with character action game mechanics and vertical combat, differing significantly from typical FromSoftware titles.
Despite FromSoftware’s best efforts, footage of The Duskbloods Closed Network Testing has been shared online, puzzling Soulslike fans as it looks to play completely differently than you might think.
If you were among the lucky Switch 2 users who got access to The Duskbloods CNT, you are bound by some very important content restrictions. Namely, you couldn’t share any footage of any kind, whether images or video. That didn’t stop fans, as footage quickly surfaced via Bilibili, showcasing a PvP mode with pacing that more closely resembles a character action game than a traditional FromSoftware title.
It’s not quite to the level of craziness you’d see in a Devil May Cry or a PlatinumGames title, mind you, but it does feature plenty of verticality, with characters able to air dash, use forward-lunging attacks, pull off multiple jumps while airborne, and even juggle opponents in the air.
Each character will have a specific set of tools, like swords or axes, and unique abilities that can range from standard magic-based projectiles (from what I could gather watching the footage) to some incredibly outlandish transformations, like turning yourself into a giant, bloodthirsty dinosaur. Yes, the one from the original reveal trailer.
Battles seem to be in a free-for-all format in a very condensed arena. As the footage goes on, fewer and fewer players are on the screen until one of them is named the “Victor of this Dusk,” which leads me to believe gameplay could function under battle royale rules.
Another thing I want to highlight is the Nintendo Switch 2’s performance. It looks like the framerate is extremely stable, even at its most hectic. At least in the gameplay showcased, it’s likely helped by the fact that the arena itself is rather small.
I’m curious to see how ambitious the rest of the project is. If it does end up being a multiplayer-centric experience with very little single-player component, I’m sure most hardcore FromSoftware fans might be disappointed. The gothic Victorian setting seemed too cool to simply be a backdrop for a PvP extravaganza, so I’m hopeful game director Hidetaka Miyazaki is cooking something truly special that they are keeping under wraps.
And that’s it. Stick with us at Gfinityesports.com: your go-to source for all things Duskbloods.