When I logged on to join the first session of The Duskbloods Network Test and was immediately met with a login error, my stomach dropped. I tested everything I could think of to fix the problem before FromSoftware finally announced that the issue was widespread, so the first session was being prematurely closed to address network issues.

Now, given that this is entirely the point of a Network Test, I couldn’t be too disappointed. After all, it’s better that this happens now rather than on release day, but thankfully, I was able to get into the later sessions and didn’t experience any other major issues during the Network Test.

With several hours in The Duskbloods now, I’m excited to say that it’s simultaneously the spiritual Bloodborne successor we hoped for and not at all the traditional PvPvE experience we feared. We might never see an official Bloodborne sequel or Bloodborne Remake, though I’m more than happy to put on my clown makeup with everyone else and keep wishing, but The Duskbloods is the next best thing.

My time with The Duskbloods kicked off the way most FromSoftware games do. After watching the same opening cutscene shared in the initial announcement trailer, I took on the role of Albert, one of the Bloodsworn available in the test.

Albert was used to progress players through the tutorial, where I learned the basics of combat, movement, and features unique to The Duskbloods, such as howling to stagger enemies and drinking blood to drain an enemy's HP while restoring my own, which can also turn weak-willed enemies into minions.

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