Technologies

Bloodborne Is My Favorite FromSoft Game. I’m Dreading Switch 2’s The Duskbloods

Though the new Switch 2 exclusive game has real Yharnam vibes, the main multiplayer gameplay loop has me raising an eyebrow.

I’m not the biggest player of FromSoftware’s notoriously tough Souls games out there, not by a long shot. I’ve dabbled in the original Dark Souls and the Demon’s Souls remake and I’ve conquered the Lands Between in Elden Ring. Let me tell you something though: There’s not a single PlayStation game that means more to me than the PS4-only title Bloodborne.

From the grisly streets of Yharnam to the tenebrous floating islands that make up much of the Nightmare Frontier, few games capture the futility of cosmic horror quite as well as FromSoft’s gothic action RPG. The interconnected layers of the world boggle my mind, and the rich lore that connects old gods, ancient humans and the modern Healing Church feels like it could’ve been ripped straight out of an H.P. Lovecraft story.

When The Duskbloods appeared in the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct, my heart caught in my throat.

There was an establishing shot of a clocktower and a character yapping about the moonlight and the introduction of player characters who are a group of monster hunters that «transcended human strength thanks to their special bloods» — I wasn’t the only one baited into believing this was the Bloodborne sequel we’ve all been waiting a decade for.

When the more steampunk-y elements started appearing (a jetpack and automatic firearms weren’t on my bingo card), I was a tad deflated to see that this project didn’t have any direct connections to my favorite FromSoftware game. The aesthetic of The Duskbloods is still appealing to me, however, so I was still excited to see how the game would turn out.

Now that more details about FromSoft’s latest game are trickling out, I’m starting to suspect that this isn’t a game for me.

A player-vs.-player FromSoft game doesn’t inspire confidence in me

Your average Soulsbourne game is an epic singleplayer experience that encourages players to take advantage of their character’s strengths to overcome unforgiving challenges. They’re long, grueling campaigns that are, most importantly, solo quests into the dark unknown.

If you’re able to commit yourself to learning enemy attack patterns, figuring out how to attribute your stat points properly and master the game’s combat, you can conquer any legendary knight or towering monster the game throws at you.

Occasionally, players will invade your world, and for five minutes the gameplay loop degenerates into a chicken fight hack-and-slash or spell-dodging simulator until you win or you die. In my eyes, these are some of the low points in a FromSoft game.

Compare that to The Duskbloods, which is an eight player «PvPvE» experience that pits players against each other as well as the monsters throughout the map.

No single player mode has been confirmed for the game and this isn’t a cooperative experience with a more threatening Souls challenge like Elden Ring: Nightreign, at least as far as we can tell. There’s always the chance that FromSoftware sneakily puts some PvP element into its Elden Ring spinoff to make these games more alike than we suspect.

The Duskbloods will force players into PvP combat, and I have never enjoyed FromSoft’s brand of PvP. No matter how many cool things I spot in the trailer, I can’t get excited about what is essentially a FromSoft battle royale. It’s not the style of game that many Souls fans are used to, and I find the sudden shift in gameplay to be extremely alienating.

Don’t get me wrong, there are parts of this game that sound absolutely thrilling. FromSoftware director Hidetaka Miyazaki revealed that not every match will be a knockdown drag-out free-for-all, and between Nightreign and The Duskbloods, it will certainly be fun to see how the developer builds cooperative play between multiple players.

«Players may be tasked with teaming up to take down a powerful boss enemy, or find themselves in other special circumstances,» said Miyazaki in an interview on Nintendo’s website. In fact, part of the game’s character customization will see players choosing the type of goal they want to commit to during a match.

«In online play, roles give players special responsibilities and objectives that often lead to unique interactions and relationships between players based on their corresponding roles,» Miyazaki said. «[One] example is «Destined Companion,» where one player is required to seek out another designated as their companion, which results in a special reward if they form a bond with one another.»

I’m happy that there will still be an outsized focus on delivering some kind of co-op experience in The Duskbloods, but the forced PvP action still threatens to drive me away from the game. Like most of FromSoftware’s older Souls games, Bloodborne let you tag in friends for boss fights, but the main quest was — importantly — a solo journey.

Of all the games for FromSoft and Nintendo to partner on, why The Duskbloods?

Some FromSoftware fans have voiced their anger online that Duskblood will only come out on the Switch 2. Frankly, I don’t mind FromSoft partnering with Nintendo to create an exclusive game for the latter’s new console.

By early accounts, this is a far more powerful piece of hardware than the original iteration of the console. If the Switch 2 can run Elden Ring or Cyberpunk 2077 (albeit at 40 frames per second, even while docked) then it can likely run The Duskbloods perfectly fine. I fell in love with Bloodborne while playing it at 30 frames per second, so this isn’t exactly a problem for me.

What I can’t abide by is the fact that the one game FromSoft chose to partner with Nintendo on is its multiplayer-only project. Look, Switch Online is better than any of Nintendo’s other stabs at facilitating an online multiplayer experience, but it’s still one of my biggest pain points on the console.

Frustratingly, many Switch games still use peer-to-peer connections instead of dedicated servers — and FromSoft has historically done the exact same thing, so although we don’t yet have all the details on The Duskbloods, I don’t expect a break from tradition with this game.

I see the potential peer-to-peer networking, buggy netcode and exclusivity on the Switch 2’s hardware and it’s throwing up multiple red flags for me.

Will this game really be able to consistently handle putting eight people in one lobby and ensuring all of them are able to play at the same level of fluidity? I don’t know if I buy that.

Getting ganked by someone you effectively can’t hit never feels good: The main conceit of The Duskbloods is that you’re constantly at risk of getting jumped by another player. That’s just not my idea of a fun time.

Perhaps Nintendo and FromSoft will be able to pull this off and The Duskbloods will become one of their most lauded games yet. But I think I’ll stick to my co-op adventures in Yharnam and the Lands Between.

Technologies

Drag x Drive Proves the Switch 2’s Mouse Mode Controls Are Fantastic

Nintendo has done it again with a great new way to play games on its just-launched console.

Nintendo’s next summer title — and one of the few new games for the Switch 2 soon after its June launch — is the multiplayer wheelchair basketball game, Drag x Drive. It uses the console’s new Joy-Con mouse controls to simulate moving the wheels of your chair (or vehicle, as it’s referred to in-game) while playing short three-on-three matches. While it does take some getting used to, it shows off how well this new input mode works and harkens back to an era of motion-controlled gaming made popular on Nintendo’s Wii.

Playing Drag x Drive is unique, reflecting the Switch 2 new tech. You detach each Joy-Con 2 controller from the system, place the sensors face down on a surface (which can range from a table to even your legs), and slide the controllers forward and backward to move the wheels respectively. I actually found it more comfortable on my wrists to use the controllers positioned a little wider on my thighs instead of straight up and down on a table.

Learning to play has a steep curve, and I found my shoulders getting tired quickly as the game kept reminding me that longer strokes would move my character faster on the court. For anyone who experienced Tennis Elbow back when WiiSports came out, Drag x Drive’s bodily wear-and-tear will be familiar.

The mouse’s controls are good — better than I expected, in fact. They feel snappy, and I was able to pull off some higher-level maneuvers when I got used to it. And as you move, you can feel a subtle vibration in each hand to help you dial in how much force you’re inputting. Moving the controllers at different speeds will adjust the turning radius. Braking (by pressing the R or L buttons) can be done independently of each wheel to further your control. There are even tricks you can pull off by using breaking and lifting the controllers in specific combinations, which the game points out will help you perform more advanced blocks and interceptions.

Controls are the big novelty of Drag x Drive and take time to get used to, though the court and game modes offer their own unique challenges.

Read more: I Played Donkey Kong Bananza. It’s the Switch 2’s Killer Ape

Moderately deep mechanics for a $20 game

The primary mode is a 3-minute three-on-three game that’s reminiscent of Rocket League (without the jetpacks). There’s an indicator always pointing toward the oversized ball. Rolling into it will pick it up. If you’re going fast enough (represented by a flashing light on your back) and crashing into someone head-on will knock it loose. And if you raise one of the joy-cons off the surface, you will lift the ball, flicking your wrist will make a shot.

Since the court is kind of a skateboard-style bowl, you can even roll up into the air from the sides and shoot or dunk from above. These trick shots will award players with more granular points, for example, an aerial shot might award you 2.3 instead of the standard two you’d see in typical basketball. But you can still land a three-pointer from outside the boundary, but you’ll have to be lined up real well while the other five players aren’t slamming into you.

Defense also works just like you’d expect, with positioning playing the most important role. Pressing the R and L buttons together will pass the ball to a teammate. If an opponent is in the way, they can intercept. This is key since I witnessed many teams pass a ball way down the court to an isolated player while we tried to race after them to stop the shot. Like every sport, you’ll want to spread out and cover someone instead of clumping all together around the ball, like most new players often do.

While Drag x Drive curiously doesn’t refer to anything as a wheelchair (or even highlight the awesome and inclusive sport of wheelchair basketball), it’s really wonderful to see this representation. The characters can also be swapped out for one of three unit types: defense, forward or guard, all with different speed and power stats. From there, you can customise your character’s outfit and gear, with more to unlock as you play.

Outside of the online play, there are also nine different bot difficulties you can take on, so the game is playable in single player. There are also several minigames stationed around the hub area. These include a timed race and a rebound mode where you need to chase after a bouncing ball in the hub before time runs out. They’re pretty short and not all that interesting, but they will reward you with medals to unlock gear. There are also some obstacles positioned around to play with. One example is a giant jump rope that you can bunny hop over.

There isn’t a typical career or story campaign to work through — the main draw is the one core multiplayer mode. Considering the low $20 entry price, I wouldn’t expect anything super in-depth, making this more of a unique application of the Switch 2 Joy-Cons’ mouse mode than a long-lasting play experience.

Drag x Drive is a shallow experience, but the skill ceiling has a lot of potential. Its low entry price makes it an easy recommendation, even if you’re just interested in trying out the new mouse controls that the Switch 2 offers. If Nintendo chooses to support the game with more content in the future, I would love to see limited-time events and more game modes get added, building on the bones of one of the most unique sports games to come out in years.

Drag x Drive comes out on Switch 2 on Thursday.

Technologies

Bag the Premium Sonos Ace ANC Headphones for Just $299 in Your Choice of Color

Save $100 on a new pair of high-end ANC headphones while you still can.

It might have taken longer than anyone expected, but Sonos’ entry into the premium ANC headphone market soon made waves. The Sonos Ace headphones come with everything that we expect in 2025, including a hefty price tag.

But, thankfully, most retailers are now offering a solid discount that slashes the price to just $399. That price means that you’re saving $100 off the usual asking price without the need to do anything special — no coupons and no codes are needed. You can also choose between the black and white models when ordering, but we don’t know how long this new price will last. Consider placing your order soon, before it’s too late.

CNET’s headphones expert David Carnoy liked the Sonos Ace a lot, remarking that «overall, they deliver a more premium listening experience, as well as better noise-canceling and voice-calling performance» than many other options at this premium price range, but did state that the price tag itself was an issue. They’re comfortable, have strong spatial audio and they look good to boot.

Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.

These headphones boast support for lossless audio via Bluetooth and their USB-C port, while plush memory foam ear pads ensure a comfortable fit all day long. You’ll also get up to 30 hours of battery life even with ANC enabled, while just three minutes on the charger gets you up to three hours of playback.

The newness of the Sonos Ace headphones and the rarity of Sonos deals make this one of the best headphone deals right now, especially if you like having the latest devices.

HEADPHONE DEALS OF THE WEEK

Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones (Navy):

$298 (save $50)
Soundcore Life Q20 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones (Black):

$40 (save $20)
Beats Studio Pro Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones (Black):

$300 (save $51)
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless ANC Over-Ear Headphones (Black):

$299 (save $151)
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e ANC Over-Ear Headphones (Black):

$220 (save $180)

Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article.

Why this deal matters

The Sonos Ace headphones are currently available at a significant discount. You can save $100 on these if you’re quick. This is very nearly the lowest price we’ve seen, so we recommend ordering your new headphones sooner rather than later.

Technologies

Today’s Wordle Hints, Answer and Help for Aug. 13, #1516: Did You Know This Word?

Here are hints and the answer for today’s super-difficult Wordle for Aug. 13, No. 1,516

Looking for the most recent Wordle answer? Click here for today’s Wordle hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.

Today’s Wordle puzzle is a pretty tough one. It describes a drink that most Americans have probably never tried before, and the letters aren’t super common, either. If you need a new starter word, check out our list of which letters show up the most in English words. If you need hints and the answer, read on.

Today’s Wordle hints

Before we show you today’s Wordle answer, we’ll give you some hints. If you don’t want a spoiler, look away now.

Wordle hint No. 1: Repeats

Today’s Wordle answer has no repeated letters.

Wordle hint No. 2: Vowels

Today’s Wordle answer has two vowels.

Wordle hint No. 3: Start letter.

Today’s Wordle answer begins with K.

Wordle hint No. 4:Drink up

Today’s Wordle refers to a beverage.

Wordle hint No. 5: Meaning

Today’s Wordle answer refers to a fermented milk drink with a sour taste, which originates from the Caucasus Mountains.

TODAY’S WORDLE ANSWER

Today’s Wordle answer is KEFIR.

Yesterday’s Wordle answer

Yesterday’s Wordle answer, Aug. 12, No. 1515 was NOMAD.

Recent Wordle answers

Aug. 8, No. 1511: IMBUE

Aug. 9, No. 1512: NASAL

Aug. 10, No. 1513: MINTY

Aug. 11, No. 1514: SOUTH

What’s the best Wordle starting word?

Don’t be afraid to use our tip sheet ranking all the letters in the alphabet by frequency of uses. In short, you want starter words that lean heavy on E, A and R, and don’t contain Z, J and Q.

Some solid starter words to try:

ADIEU

TRAIN

STARE

NOISE