After Elden Ring Nightreign’s Launch, I’m Scared For The Duskbloods

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Among the delightful surprises unveiled during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct was the revelation of an upcoming game titled “The Duskbloods“, slated for release in 2026. However, the imminent arrival of “Elden Ring Nightreign” this year has sparked some concerns about the technical quality of the multiplayer aspect of the upcoming game on the Switch platform. As a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, “The Duskbloods” is somewhat unusual given its release date. It’s classified as a PvPvE game, drawing inspiration from the extraction genre, but the Switch system isn’t traditionally associated with multiplayer games, and FromSoftware isn’t particularly renowned for its online capabilities.

The multiplayer aspects in games such as “Dark Souls” and “Elden Ring” are infamously awkward, and it’s worth noting that crossplay, now a common practice in the industry, has not been implemented by the developers yet. Despite its unique blend of PvPvE, I am optimistic that “The Duskbloods” will offer engaging gameplay, particularly following the success of “Nightreign’s” greatest hits-style gameplay. However, the performance problems experienced in “Elden Ring Nightreign” could potentially pose challenges for “The Duskbloods” when it releases next year.

Elden Ring Nightreign’s Launch Has Been Plagued With Performance Issues

Par For The Elden Ring Course

Following its launch, Elden Ring Nightreign has faced criticism for its subpar technical performance. This unfavorable reception has resulted in a mix of reviews on Steam, and it’s impacting every platform as well. Both PlayStation and Xbox are experiencing significant frame rate drops and inconsistent timing issues. This is particularly aggravating given the game’s notoriously challenging and precise combat, where even a second’s delay can disrupt a dodge roll and potentially end a gaming session. Additionally, Elden Ring Nightreign’s matchmaking systems, while improved compared to previous FromSoftware games, are generally clunky and contribute to the overall user experience issues.

As a dedicated fan, I must admit that it’s no surprise Nightreign faces similar criticisms given its heavy reliance on Elden Ring assets. Just like Elden Ring, it’s been dealing with performance issues since its debut, with frame rate hiccups persisting. While these glitches don’t entirely spoil the fun, they can become quite annoying during intense battles.

The Duskbloods May Have Trouble Running On The Switch 2

FromSoftware Optimization & Nintendo Hardware

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but express my concerns about the upcoming release of “The Duskbloods” exclusively on the rumored Nintendo Switch 2. Given FromSoftware’s stellar track record, it’s disappointing to see signs that this might add to their performance woes. The brief glimpse we’ve had in the game’s trailer seems to indicate a graphic quality not as polished as what we saw in “Elden Ring” and “Nightreign.”

Historically, Nintendo’s hardware hasn’t been renowned for its exceptional handling of third-party titles. The Switch 2 is said to be impressive given its compact design, but there are already whispers about technical glitches, as evident in the reported performance issues with “Donkey Kong Bananza” in early gameplay footage. This serves as a reminder that even the most promising hardware can have its challenges.

Additionally, there’s a concern about the newness of the Switch 2 hardware when The Duskbloods is expected to launch in 2026. Typically, games perform better towards the end of a console’s lifespan compared to those released at the beginning. This is because developers have had less time to optimize their games for that specific platform, especially if they lack prior experience with that hardware, such as FromSoftware and the Switch. The performance of the Switch port of Dark Souls Remastered, handled by Virtuos, offers a clue about how Elden Ring on the Switch 2 might perform.

I’m crossing my fingers for the best, but it seems that The Duskbloods might encounter performance problems upon release. So far, these struggles haven’t affected my enjoyment of Elden Ring Nightreign, which is a relief. Given the circumstances, I can only hope that The Duskbloods will run smoothly next year. Apart from a few Nintendo exclusives, The Duskbloods for Switch 2 is what I’m most looking forward to, and it would be disappointing if its potential success was marred by performance issues.

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2025-06-01 04:59