Duskbloods Network Test: FromSoft's Switch 2 Debut Is a Laggy Mess
The Duskbloods’ closed network test was supposed to prove FromSoftware could deliver its signature action on Nintendo’s hybrid hardware. Instead, it delivered something far more familiar to those who’ve played Elden Ring Nightreign: a janky, stuttering mess. Playing docked — the best-case scenario for performance — I still hit framerate dips, latency issues, and hit registration that felt like I was fighting the connection as much as other players. For a Switch 2 exclusive that’s being positioned as a multiplayer showcase, this is a worrying first impression.
The problems don’t stop at the technical layer. The board game-like structure, with three rounds of PvE grinding leading to a messy three-player free-for-all, feels like Nightreign without the cathartic boss finale. The combat has an unshakable clunk that I couldn’t attribute to any single factor — connection, hitboxes, or the constant camera smear. On a handheld that’s all about crisp, immediate feedback, this is precisely the wrong kind of FromSoft experience, compounding the server meltdown that already stranded handheld fans.
A Docked Disaster With Worse Implications for Portable Play
The source’s experience playing docked — the performance ceiling for Switch 2 — was marked by framerate dips and a ‘jerky camera’ that made dodging boss attacks feel like a gamble. The Duskbloods is built around fast, airborne combat with four jumps and mid-air shooting. That demands a rock-solid frame-pacing on a 120Hz-capable handheld, but the test didn’t deliver. Expecting handheld mode to save it would be wishful thinking: Switch 2’s undocked profile runs at lower clocks, and if the docked version can’t maintain stability, portable play will likely introduce even more variable latency and stutter. Valve’s own Steam Deck has shown how demanding FromSoft games can be on portable hardware, but at least the Deck has the benefit of a mature PC version with adjustable settings. The Duskbloods is a locked Switch 2 exclusive — there’s no PC fallback, no sign of a performance mode to rescue stability, and no way to escape the developer’s PvP netcode.
When the Grind Ends in Beyblade PvP
The structure is familiar to anyone who played Elden Ring Nightreign: three rounds of looting and leveling, then a finale. But where Nightreign rewarded you with a climactic boss battle, The Duskbloods throws you into a chaotic three-player free-for-all. The source describes it as ‘marbles in a blender’ — high mobility, ranged spam, and alliances that snowball into 2v1s. On a handheld, this is a problem beyond taste. A messy PvP format demands clear spatial awareness and responsive controls, but the game’s vertical map and confusing compass make it hard to find anything, let alone read a fight. The result is the worst of both worlds: it’s not the tight, tactical duel Soulslikes are known for, and it’s not a co-op romp you can play in short bursts on a commute. It’s a grindy time commitment that ends in chaos — exactly the wrong thing for a platform where players are often looking for pick-up-and-play sessions.
If this test is representative, Switch 2 owners should hold their excitement. FromSoft’s first true handheld exclusive needs far more than a stability patch to justify its existence — it needs a fundamentally cleaner PvP experience and a better reason to grind through three rounds of busywork.