At the recent Nintendo Direct, there was quite a buzz when The Duskbloods was revealed, drawing immediate comparisons from die-hard Souls fans to Bloodborne. While the resemblance is evident at first glance, it appears this fresh title aims to carve a unique path by incorporating and reimagining features from a variety of past games, with nods to the likes of Elden Ring.
FromSoftware has a knack for building on recurring themes across its titles, evolving these concepts to provide richer and more intricate narratives. Elden Ring, in particular, capitalized on previously niche themes, bringing them to the forefront of its universe. The whispers around The Duskbloods suggest it may delve deeper into one such theme.
In the Nintendo Switch 2 trailer, introduced during the Direct, Miyazaki’s new project gave fans a brief glimpse into its mysterious world. A lot is left to the imagination, but one notable moment involved what seemed like a character bestowing a mysterious mark on the protagonist’s hand. This imprint, a wheel-shaped rune with lunar ties, has raised many questions.
Elden Ring left a significant mark on the genre, drawing numerous gamers into its alluring world in 2022. This epic tale leaned heavily on hand symbolism and cosmic imagery—a longstanding presence in FromSoftware’s narratives but brought to newfound prominence here. Hands played a vital role, with players guided by the enigmatic Two or Three Fingers, battling Bloody Finger invaders, and navigating a landscape laden with anatomical motifs.
In Elden Ring, being chosen by these mystical Fingers was pivotal, empowering an Empyrean to shape the Lands Between. The embrace of the Three Fingers was particularly profound, signifying a deep, almost conspiratorial connection. The Duskbloods looks to channel this cosmic destiny, albeit in a more subtle manner.
A phrase in the trailer, “turn the wheel,” was highlighted alongside the hand’s symbol. Its full meaning within The Duskbloods’ presumably intricate narrative remains unclear. Nonetheless, it echoes familiar themes present in FromSoftware’s past works.
Wheels, symbolic of cycles and change, being affixed to the hand, the tool of manipulation, suggests a shift in control over destiny. Unlike Elden Ring, where guidance came from cryptic signals, The Duskbloods may allow players to redefine the world themselves. Hands symbolize varied concepts—strength, power, action, and peace. Despite the trailer’s gritty tone, the notion of peace isn’t too far-fetched as a theme, considering how FromSoftware often concludes its narratives with the restoration of balance. Once a broken world is mended, peace reigns, with hands epitomizing the twists and turns of conflict.
The wheel rune might also be a cornerstone of the game’s power dynamics, perhaps enabling certain characters to sustain life by absorbing it from others. The trailer was rich in showcasing intriguing abilities, and FromSoftware’s meticulous attention to entwine gameplay with lore suggests that these powers might stem from this very mark. As we await more revelations about The Duskbloods, there’s plenty for fans to ponder over, with only a hint of what’s in store.
