After spending ten hours in the network test of FromSoftware’s upcoming multiplayer title, the author repeatedly loses in PvP and questions whether the final game will ever be enjoyable for a PvP‑challenged player. The limited maps, characters, and solo‑only matchmaking raise concerns about the game’s longevity.
- Consistent PvP defeats shattered confidence during the test.
- Solo/duo‑only matchmaking prevented playing with friends.
- Only one map and six characters made matches feel repetitive.
FromSoftware’s much‑anticipated multiplayer project The Duskbloods wrapped its public network test last week. A veteran of Elden Ring Nightreign with over a hundred hours logged, the writer spent ten more hours in the new title only to discover a relentless string of defeats.
The core grievance was simple: no matter which character—whether the agile Trang Lanh or the bullet‑raining Layla—the author chose, other players repeatedly ambushed and murdered them. “I finally beat my ‘sworn enemy’ selected by my sigil, only for him to hunt me down again and again,” the writer notes, illustrating how demoralizing constant PvP losses can be.
Beyond personal losses, the test’s structural limits raised bigger questions. Only a single map and six playable characters were available, whereas the full launch promises three maps and ten characters. If the variety does not expand, the experience risks becoming stale, as the author observed, “every match felt painfully similar.”
Social play suffered as well. The writer usually enjoys trios with a partner and a close friend in Nightreign, but the test supported only solo and duo queues. “We hoped to queue together and compete,” they explain, urging that the final game include robust co‑op options to restore the communal fun that defines FromSoftware’s multiplayer legacy.
Still, several aspects shone. The movement system—quadruple jumps, air dashes, and the dinosaur‑form Senator—was praised as “super fun.” Hidden locales like underground ruins and the clock‑tower’s top room added layers of exploration, while the visual design of characters and Trespasser bosses impressed.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that FromSoftware’s future hinges on delivering a balanced PvP‑PvE ecosystem while expanding content depth. If the network test’s constraints persist into the final release, the studio risks alienating both competitive and casual audiences.
“Without a well‑tuned multiplayer loop, FromSoftware may lose the very community that made Elden Ring a phenomenon,” says industry analyst Maya Patel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Will the final game allow full party play with friends?
A: Developers have hinted at cooperative modes, but official confirmation will come closer to launch.
Q2: How many maps and characters will be available at launch?
A: FromSoftware announced three maps and ten characters for the initial release, promising greater variety than the test.
