The Duskbloods: 10 Symbols You May Have Missed In The Trailer

Summary

FromSoftware surprised fans with the Nintendo-exclusive title The Duskbloods, hinting at a Bloodborne successor.
Symbolism and hidden details in the trailer suggest connections to past titles like Bloodborne and Dark Souls.
The presence of candles, moons, and a diurnal cycle hint at dynamic gameplay elements tied to vampires and time in The Duskbloods.

In an unexpected turn of events, the unveiling of a fresh Nintendo Direct left fans astonished at the prospect of FromSoftware presenting something, let alone an entire exclusive game. The mysterious “Duskbloods” emerged seemingly out of nowhere, demonstrating that this developer isn’t afraid to juggle multiple projects in quick succession and venture into uncharted territory as well. Given the title’s reference to ‘blood’, it has sparked anticipation among fans who assume it could be a sequel or at least share ties with “Bloodborne”, or even be set within the same universe as some of their other games, given the numerous connections that could link this new world to the existing ones.

As a devoted fan, I’m well-versed in the art of mystery and subtlety that FromSoftware masterfully weaves into their games. They have an uncanny knack for hiding details and maintaining ambiguity, scattering Easter eggs and narrative threads throughout their worlds. A recent three-minute trailer has been more than enough to ignite our speculative minds, especially with the game’s release still a year or so away. It’s now up to us, the community, along with the hints and details explicitly provided by the developers, to piece together the intricate tapestry of events unfolding in the enigmatic world of The Duskbloods.

7. Symbols

Familiar Yet Distinct

The symbolism in the “Souls” series plays a crucial role since many objects and details are shrouded in mysterious symbols and codes that must be unraveled to glean a glimpse of the truth. In the trailer for “The Duskbloods”, we see a hand marked with a sigil, which is touched by an unidentified figure, potentially the narrator, at the onset, hinting at hidden meanings.

Presently, the significance of this symbol isn’t clearly defined, yet there are numerous correlations that can be made with elements seen in the trailer as well as past titles. For example, a woman says, “spin the wheel and carry him along”, possibly implying the tattooed image on his hand or something else. This could suggest that players might use these symbols to navigate the map in diverse ways, or perhaps there’s a physical wheel on the map that needs to be manipulated to reach new areas. A more speculative interpretation links this symbol with Bloodborne, as it bears a striking resemblance to a blood gem. If this is indeed the case, it would imply a closer connection between the two games’ worlds and narratives than initially perceived. Such an expansion of the world and its stories would be thrilling.

6. Here We Go Again

Have We Met Before?

In their journey through different worlds created by FromSoftware, gamers often come across peculiar armor sets and interact with strange NPCs who seem to prioritize style over practicality. One such character is Siegward or Siegmeyer of Catarina, a knight whose shape resembles an onion and appears in various games. Throughout the series, players can engage with this character for humorous dialogues and pleasant conversations. In Dark Souls 3 specifically, Siegward interacts with the notorious Patches, who has been causing trouble for players across multiple Souls titles for years. Depending on a player’s level of patience, they can follow various steps to progress both storylines.

Since then, gamers have been scouring subsequent games for characters resembling those from earlier ones in terms of traits, appearances, or even names. For instance, from Sekiro to Bloodborne, each game has its own version of Patches and oversized armor pieces, suggesting that the tradition may continue with The Duskbloods. A character or armor piece shown in the trailer seems unusual, resembling a diving suit instead of battle gear, but the similarities to FromSoftware icons are striking, hinting at Catarina’s influence persisting in the violent realm of The Duskbloods.

5. Make Contact

More Than Just A Coincidence

Over more than a decade, Blood and FromSoftware have had a complex bond, largely due to the fact that Bloodborne didn’t receive much acclaim upon release, despite dedicated fans clamoring for a sequel. With another game in development, players are eagerly searching for connections and explanations as to why blood is being mentioned again. Apart from the obvious link to vampirism hinted at in the trailer, there is a strong tie between The Duskbloods and the much-loved title of Bloodborne.

As the trailer reaches its climax, a mysterious figure adopts an unusual posture, neither a combat stance nor an aggressive one, but rather a more theatrical, taunting pose. The instant this occurs, lightbulbs illuminate, and a correlation is made to the “Make contact” gesture from Bloodborne. Remarkably similar, this gesture appears to serve an enigmatic purpose within the game, which might be explained in the upcoming title. If players perform this gesture before a hidden adversary at the end of the game, they are rewarded with the Moon Caryll rune. Given the abundance of moon symbols and imagery displayed in this new trailer, it seems these gestures not only resemble each other but are connected by some celestial or lunar power source.

4. Glass

A Window Into The Soul

In the trailer, various characters are depicted peering through shattered stained-glass windows or standing near large broken panes, providing glimpses of the broader environment. Although there are countless interpretations that could be derived from the symbolism of these windows within the narrative, the intriguing aspect lies in the religious undertones associated with stained glass and how faith might harmoniously coexist with a universe filled with darkness, vampires, and supernatural powers that defy understanding.

The scene unfolds with a gradual camera movement focusing on a grand stained-glass window, filled with multiple figures arranged around a central figure clad in red. The backdrop, adorned with more red glass, suggests themes of Christ’s blood and forgiveness of sins, yet there are interpretations linking the color red to hope and optimism as well. Regardless of the specific messages, it is evident that faith and religion will significantly influence the narrative – a topic that FromSoftware has explored before, making it intriguing to discover how they delve into this aspect of the world in this installment.

3. Diurnal Cycle

Time Ticks Forward

A less noticeable yet significant element found in the trailer is the recurrence of the cityscape at various times of the day, from nighttime to daylight and everything in between. This could be connected to either gameplay mechanics or storytelling. In the game Elden Ring, we saw a similar approach with weather and time of day influencing enemy spawns and creating a more immersive environment.

With the debut of Nightreign, day and night assume critical roles in gameplay dynamics, transcending mere thematic elements for creating a more atmospheric setting. The concept becomes intriguing when considering vampires as part of this universe since they are traditionally depicted with an aversion or dread towards sunlight. This may result in characters needing to seek refuge indoors during the day and endure the sun’s rays until nightfall. Regardless, it is evident that the world will not remain constant and that numerous dynamic alterations will unfold throughout gameplay sessions to maintain an engaging experience each time.

2. Candles

The Fire Fades No More

In the trailer for Duskbloods, some aspects are clearly visible while others are subtly hinted at. For instance, throughout the Souls series, candles have served dual purposes as both weapons and obstacles, contributing to a chilling yet comforting ambiance in the game environment. Interestingly, in the Duskbloods trailer, candles are abundant, adorning rooms indoors and even scattered outdoors. The peculiarity lies in their presence in areas submerged in water or well-lit spaces, suggesting they may hold significant roles in gameplay or the storyline that we’re yet to uncover.

In various cultures and beliefs, candles symbolize tranquility, serenity, and happiness. However, in Soulslike games, they may serve as indicators of safety zones or regions untouched by the vampiric influence. While it’s plausible that they are included for aesthetic purposes, their frequent appearance in trailers seems unusual. It wouldn’t be uncommon for there to be a lighting mechanic involved to aid players while navigating the game map.

1. The Moon

It’s Always There

If the image of a colossal, winged moon didn’t already seem unsettling, FromSoftware thought adding a row of teeth would be sufficient to induce nightmares. This striking visual remains etched in memory from the trailer, and it is uncertain whether it will represent a boss character, an NPC, or an environmental feature that cannot be interacted with directly. However, upon closer examination, it becomes apparent that astrology and moons appear in various instances within the game. For instance, consider the blood moon perched atop a stained glass wall, oddly located within a church, which may hint at some form of dark religious cult that venerates lunar phases as if they were a deity.

Additionally, the moon in this universe is notable for its winged structure, resembling biblical depictions of angels, yet maintaining a somewhat ominous aesthetic. This contrast between the celestial and sinister aspects will undoubtedly impact the storyline and gameplay mechanics in The Duskbloods, influencing player-world interactions and helping players unravel the narrative hidden within dialogues and cryptic messages scattered throughout the game.

2025-04-04 18:10