Latest news with #TheDuskbloods
Digital Trends
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Digital Trends
The Duskbloods needs to fix Elden Ring: Nightreign's biggest problem
The era of multiplayer FromSoftware games has officially begun. Elden Ring: Nightreign is out now, turning 2022's award-winning open-world game into a co-op roguelike that's already resonating with fans. That's just the beginning for the famed developer too. Next year, it will follow up that momentum with The Duskbloods, a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive multiplayer game that's about as close to a Bloodborne sequel as we're likely going to get. If it's as enjoyable as Nightreign, FromSoftware could have a successful reinvention in its future. Nightreign is just one success story, though; the key to victory is how you capitalize on that momentum. That puts The Duskbloods in an important position, as it will have to prove that the idea of a multiplayer Soulslike is more than a one-time novelty. If it's going to do that, it will need to improve on Nightreign's weaknesses rather than repeating its successes. And there's one major Achilles' heel that needs more healing than any other: Nightreign's archaic approach to online play. Recommended Videos Elden Ring: Nightreign is a three player co-op game in which squads band together to defeat enemies on an island, level up, and take down eight fierce Night Lords — all as a storm closes in on them. When it's operating at its best, it's a strong multiplayer game that incentivizes strong communication between well-coordinated teammates. What initially seems impossible becomes very achievable with a team that knows exactly what it's doing. The only problem is that actually getting to that point is an unbelievable hassle. That's largely thanks to an outdated approach to multiplayer that hangs over even the most beloved FromSoftware games. For one, Nightreign doesn't feature cross-play between any platforms. If you own it on PC, you can't play with someone on PS5. That's a restriction that most multiplayer games have done away with in the modern era, bringing disparate player bases together. Nightreign isn't the only recent game to ditch cross-play, but it uniquely shoots itself in the foot by doing so. Something like an online shooter can usually be enjoyed solo without squading up (in fact, I usually prefer to play games like that on my own). That's not the case with Nightreign. It hinges on communication between teammates and is significantly less enjoyable when diving in with total strangers. Forcing friends to all be on the same platform creates an unnecessary roadblock that begins the moment they buy a copy. If that was the only problem here, I could shrug it off as a quirk. Instead it's just one pain point in a mountain of them. During my testing, I had trouble getting Nightreign's in-game matchmaking tools to work consistently. Sometimes I'd try to set a room code to let players I wasn't friends with in. All they had to do, in theory, was set the same code and then start matchmaking. That process proved unreliable, as I'd often have to cancel matchmaking and try again to get it to work. Elsewhere, I ran into issues when trying to team up with players in different countries. Even when I selected an option to pair with cross-region players, I was sometimes unable to join their party or vice versa. That issue popped up even after we had friended one another on PS5 and tried to connect via direct party invites. Those issues are only made worse by Nightreign's additional restrictions. Only have one friend you want to party up with? Sorry, there is no duos playlist at launch despite the fact that there's a solo option. Hoping to take a chance with strangers? There's no in-game voice chat, so good luck coordinating effectively using only a rudimentary ping system. Want to play with a friend who is further along than you? You won't be able to tackle any boss together until you've vanquished the first. Has your world state been impacted by a Shifting Earth event? That will limit who you can match with too. On top of all that, there are eight separate boss playlists to choose from which further split the player base. You can queue up for multiple at once, but good luck trying to pair up for a specific boss. All of these decisions compound to make Nightreign one of the most complicated online multiplayer games I've played in recent years. It's a blast once I'm in a game with friends, but it's not something I'd ever want to play casually by teaming up with strangers. There are just too many variables and I'm not yet convinced that it will have the kind of enormous tail that keeps players logging in consistently a year from now. After suffering through that, I'm now much more worried for The Duskbloods and am in need of reassurance. If it's going to take Nightreign's lead, we could be in for a perfect storm of bad multiplayer integration from two of the worst companies doing it today. Imagine dealing with FromSoftware matchmaking on a Nintendo platform, one that still uses long friend codes to pair pals together. It's a potential deal breaker in the making. There's hope for The Duskbloods even if it's not going to deviate much from Nightreign. The fact that it's confined to Nintendo Switch 2 will work in its favor, as players won't have to deal with cross-play headaches (and if it's another game that requires good communication, it'll also benefit from GameChat). Still, I'm not sure how much I'll be willing to swallow the same matchmaking inconsistencies I faced in Nightreign come 2026. I'm ready to join FromSoftware in its multiplayer future, but only if it's willing to meet me there. Elden Ring: Nightreign is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. The Duskbloods is scheduled to launch in 2026 for Nintendo Switch 2.
Metro
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Games Inbox: Are you getting a Nintendo Switch 2 next week?
The Friday letters worries about what Elden Ring Nightreign means for The Duskbloods, as one reader fears for the future of Codemasters. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@ The big decision If this is shown on Thursday we'll be exactly a week away from the Nintendo Switch 2 launch and I still haven't decided whether I want it or not. Ignoring the problem of whether you can find one or not I'm still not decided. It's a lot of money and I'm not really interested in anything this year but Mario Kart and Metroid Prime 4. Admittedly, they probably will be two amazing games but it's always difficult with a new console, knowing when to pull the trigger and trying to be strong enough to resist the fear of missing out. My gut feeling is that I'll cave in within the next couple of days, but I guess I'll see. I do wish Nintendo would reveal more about Metroid Prime 4 though, as I feel we haven't heard much about it yet. If we had more info/footage I'd feel a bit more confident about spending all that money for a day one purchase. Spooner Bad omen I'm not surprised to see the mostly negative reviews for Elden Ring Nightreign, from the more reliable sources, and I agree that it must've started out as DLC. I can't be too angry, because it's at least not too expensive, but it does harm FromSoftware's reputation and seems to overall be a waste of time. More than that though, it makes me worry about The Duskbloods. I'm sure that's a bigger budget affair but some of the problems with Nightreign, like needing a super skilled and committed team to play with, are not things that can be fixed with more budget, they're just fundamentally bad ideas brought on by From's dedication to difficult games. That's fine when you're only wasting your own time, but I don't see how it's ever going to work in multiplayer if you're working in a team. I guess we'll see but I don't have a good feeling about it. Tacle Change of plans It's felt like EA has wanted to back out of making these Marvel games almost as soon as they got the licence. I bet the only reason they're carrying on with the Iron Man one is because it's further along, and the games industry is a big believer in the sunk cost fallacy. Although, to be fair, the Black Panther plot did sound pretty bad. T'Challa has been kidnapped by Skrulls and you have to play as a bunch of other people, including his son. But… why? Why couldn't they just do a normal story with you playing as him? It's not like the character has been removed from the comics, it's only the MCU where it's a problem. Or maybe that was a genius set-up and we'll just never know. If I was anyone at EA working on a licensed game though, I'd be polishing up my CV right about now, because the second the third Star Wars Jedi game is done they're going to jettison all those people into space too. So you can forget all your hopes about Battlefield 3. Hanson Email your comments to: gamecentral@ Disobeying orders I have received an email from GAME saying my Switch 2 order has been cancelled as payment 'was not able to complete successfully'. So initially I think, did I enter my details incorrectly? But no, I did enter the details correctly, so all a bit odd. I checked and it appears this is happening to other GAME pre-orders as well. GAME would not have been my first choice for pre-order, and I am aware of their HQ closing, but they were one of the few retailers with stock when I ordered. Silly me, yes. GAME's online help is useless, and I can't even get into my account with GAME to review the order, so assume it is now cancelled. Have any other GC readers had their pre-orders cancelled by GAME? Mawgan PS: Just an update – GAME have posted on their Facebook and Twitter feeds about the (what looks like) widespread cancellation of Switch 2 pre-orders. GC: Yep, unfortunately it's a pretty widespread problem. Second edition I am interested in getting Fantasy Life i and whilst it seems to be getting a good reception, I haven't seen any reviews from websites I trust. Will you guys be reviewing it? I find your reviews the most informative and always use them when weighing up a new gaming purchase. I am considering getting Fantast Life i as a Switch 2 launch title but was hoping to read your thoughts before committing. Separately, I can't believe it's only a week until the Switch 2 launch now. I got my pre-order in early from Amazon and I am very excited to play Mario Kart World, as well as the hopefully many other great Nintendo games to come over the next few years. Pigfish2 (PSN ID/NN ID) GC: Thank you. If we get a chance we'll try and look at the Switch 2 Edition, but it's not actually confirmed to be a launch title in the UK yet – even though we suspect it will be. Double launch I really think we have to be ultra conservative when it comes to expectations about Nintendo at Sumer Game Fest. In my opinion, the chances of them showing anything at a Geoff Keighley event when they'll probably have their own a week later is minuscule. The worst thing is that everyone is going to get worked up into imagining all these amazing new reveals and the 'secret Christmas game' and then blame Nintendo for not announcing it, even though they never promised anything. I agree that the most likely outcome will be nothing but a montage and a bit of on-stage banter. If we're really lucky we'll get a hint at a new game for next year but nothing else. They're not going to announce a big new game out of nowhere for this year because there's not the time to build up the hype for it and, most importantly, they'll still be pushing Mario Kart World by the time it gets to Christmas. June is a weird time to launch a console for a reason. Very few people are spending money on consoles at that time of the year so really this autumn is going to be the second launch of the Switch 2 and there's no need to complicate that with another big game, when most non-gamers will barely, if it all, be aware the console exists until they start thinking about presents for the year. Casper Physical treasureJust a quick message to say Metro Redux 2033 is free on Xbox until May 30th. It is not currently free on PlayStation Store, unfortunately. Andrew J. PS: Just seen recently you can pre-order Another Crab's Treasure physical version on Amazon and iam8bit. I've been waiting to pick this up on physical for PlayStation 5, after GameCentral's good review of the game a while back. I'm in danger So it sounds like Codemasters is going to shut down by EA, just a few years after they outbid Take-Two for them, for a $1.2 billion. So… what was the point of that? I imagine the Codemasters' driving games are pretty consistent in sales – they're always high quality and the audience is always there – so what was EA expecting? What it probably means is that Codies has just been sacrificed to ensure EA's graphs keep pointing up (there was already talk about 'growth' in the story) after EA Sports FC 25 and Apex Legends didn't do so well. You don't need me to tell you how shortsighted and dumb this is but what happens next year when they also need to show growth? They keep doing it and they'll soon have no one left to make any of their games. They already publish far fewer than they used to, so if something big like EA Sports FC even just underperforms the whole company is in trouble, as we see. Ubisoft are already on the edge of the cliff, EA are going to be half the size they used to be if they keep this up… the truth is the triple-A video games business is dying and it's so far gone I don't think anything can help it now. Imagine a future where the only independent publisher is Take-Two, because they've got GTA, and everyone else is either owned by someone else or is basically an indie publisher. Maybe that wouldn't be so bad in itself but just look how far we've fallen! Focus Inbox also-ransMaybe I've missed something but why is it called Pokémon Legends: Z-A? Seems a pretty bad name to me, if no one knows what it means. Ansel GC: We don't think they've ever said exactly but it seems to be to do with tournament ranking (starting at Z and going up to A) and as a reference to the legendary pokémon Zygarde. Little heads up but Hasbro are releasing a line of figures based on Marvel characters from Marvel Vs. Capcom and they look dead on. No Capcom characters but you should be able to find plenty of them in the same scale. Gorf More Trending Email your comments to: gamecentral@ The small print New Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers' letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content. You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader's Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot. You can also leave your comments below and don't forget to follow us on Twitter. MORE: Games Inbox: When will the new Tomb Raider be revealed? MORE: Games Inbox: What review score will Mario Kart Worlds get? MORE: Games Inbox: Are video games too expensive on console and PC?
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Elden Ring Nightreign Draws A Sharp Bow-Wielding Nightfarer Class, The Ironeye
The newest character class unveiled in Elden Ring Nightreign is the Nightfarer Ironeye, who utilizes long-range bows and dexterity to dismantle adversaries. FromSoftware and Bandai Namco have unearthed a new class for the upcoming co-op Roguelike title, Elden Ring Nightreign, and the Nightfarer Ironeye deploys long-range weaponry and skills to hurt foes from a distance. The bow-wielding Ironeye specializes in utilizing ranged attacks, but they can also equip dexterity-leaning weaponry in case enemies get within a player's comfort zone. During the Elden Ring Nightreign Network Test, players surmised that you have to attack other friendly players to revive them mid-combat, and the Ironeye adds a layer of strategy to that component of the battlefield, reviving downed players from far away. Bandai Namco has released a brief teaser trailer showcasing the unique talents of the Ironeye and it can be seen below (a larger trailer is available on the official Bandai Namco YouTube channel). While the Iron Eye starts with ranged attacks and features utilizing ranged ultimate abilities, like all other Nightfarers, they can use any weapon discovered during runs with comrades. FromSoftware continues to strike while the iron is hot, revealing a new character for Elden Ring Nightreign, a new title for Nintendo Switch 2 called The Duskbloods, and Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition for Nintendo Switch 2 adds new developments for fans of the punishingly hard soulslike titles to look forward to. While The Duskbloods has not been given a confirmed release date yet, Elden Ring Nightreign's anticipated release is right around the corner. Elden Ring Nightreign launches for Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, PS4, PS5 and PC on May 30, 2025. After launch, reports have circulated that there may be more bosses and player characters via DLC available after the title ships due to a Steam page leak discovered by PCGamer, but nothing has been confirmed yet.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Former PlayStation exec Shuhei Yoshida gives the Switch 2 Direct a 7/10, and he says it would be even lower if FromSoftware didn't show up with The Duskbloods
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Shuhei Yoshida, the former PlayStation executive of 30 years probably best-known for his run as PlayStation Studios president during PS3 and PS4 eras, was disappointed by the recent Switch 2 Direct. "I wanted to see more new game announcements," he told MinnMax (via PushSquare) in a recent livestream (timestamped here.) " There are a couple of games, but mostly remakes or ports." When asked what he would rate the Direct out of 10, Yoshida gave a pretty brutal assessment. "I would say 6... until the FromSoftware game came out. I would give it a 7." Yoshida is referring to The Duskbloods, the new PvPvE game from FromSoftware mastermind Hidetaka Miyazaki. Yoshida did admit that he found the Switch 2's camera peripheral "really nice" and "neat" and said that "getting to see other people's gameplay even if it's a different game is really nice." He also praised Welcome Tour, which looks like Nintendo's answer to Astro's Playroom, although it'll be sold separately while Playroom was bundled in with the PS5. I think it's safe to say at this point that the Switch 2 Direct didn't land the way Nintendo was hoping, with a price point higher than many had expected and a relatively slim launch lineup headlined by Mario Kart World and The Duskbloods. That said, many developers have been expressing optimism about the new hardware's potential, comparing it to a mid-tier PC rig, which sounds impressive for a mobile console. I played The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker on Nintendo Switch 2, but it's a bittersweet reminder that we're not getting the game at its best.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nintendo's President has some ominous news about the Switch 2 price
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The Nintendo Switch 2's unveiling brought exciting game announcements like Donkey Kong Bonanza and The Duskbloods, but hardware and software prices have left a sour taste in the mouths of fans around the world. Switch 2 games like Mario Kart World will cost $79.99, alongside the console itself starting at $449.99, and these prices have kept many apprehensive. That situation has since worsened as Nintendo delayed preorders for the Switch 2 in the U.S. on Friday from its initial date of April 9. In a statement to outlets like IGN made on Friday, Nintendo claims that the company will no longer be hitting that date "in order to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions." Switch 2 will still launch June 5, however. Nintendo President of America Doug Bowser has spoken to several outlets about the preorder delay, tariffs, and game prices, and it could point to an even more expensive future for the console. NPR interviewed Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser about the Switch 2's pricing, and it cleared the air on some of our most pressing questions. When asked if the high price of the Switch 2 was already accounting for global tariffs, Bowser made it clear that's not the case, as those prices "were made based on previous tariffs, and there was no impact from previous tariffs." Nintendo is still in the middle of "actively assessing what the impact" of the tariffs may be. The expensive $449.99 base price of the Switch 2 does not account for Trump's new tariffs, which means the price could rise even higher if Nintendo adjusts costs to accomodate for them. In the same NPR interview, Bowser claims that the company has been "able to build up inventories over the past few months and be in a good position as we head into the launch period." This is good news for now, as this initial stock might not be impacted. Washington Post also interviewed Bowser, and we learned more about game prices. He claims that the $79.99 price point isn't one-size-fits-all, as it will change depending on the title. He said, "You can anticipate that there will be variable pricing, and we haven't set a benchmark." This is in line with what Bill Trinen, Nintendo of America's Vice President of Product and Player Experience, said in an interview with IGN on Monday. Trinen said, "Our general approach is really just focus on what's the content, what's the value, and what's an appropriate price based on that." In other words, Nintendo believes Mario Kart World is worth $79.99, but that won't reflect all future Switch 2 games. Switch 2 preorders were delayed and are no longer going live April 9, and we now know that the current price of the console doesn't reflect the impact expected from Trump's tariffs. Connecting these two events, it's possible that the pre-order delay is the result of Nintendo not being comfortable putting an official price point on the console as a result of the tariffs. It could also be a sign that the $449.99 price point many found so expensive could only get worse. Bowser even confirmed in his interview with NPR that "Things may change in the days ahead. So we're just watching and trying to understand what that impact might be and what actions we might have to take." Analyst firm DFC Intelligence believes that we could see up to a 20% increase in cost for the console as a result of the 24% tariff on goods from Japan. This could mean the Switch 2's base model might get as expensive as $539.99. Considering the original cost is already concerning fans, a price increase this drastic could be a hurdle that Nintendo struggles to overcome, but it looks like only time will tell just how expensive the Switch 2 actually is. I went hands-on with the Nintendo Switch 2. It's phenomenal in every way — with one quirk. The Nintendo Switch 2 looks great, but there's a reason I won't go back to console gaming A Nintendo Switch 2 price hike before launch is possible. Here's what happened. Sign in to access your portfolio
