Marvel Blade by Bethesda: Everything We Know About the Vampire-Slaying RPG Fans Are Hyped For

Bethesda is stepping into the Marvel universe with one of the most unexpected and exciting collaborations in recent memory — a full-fledged RPG based on Blade, the iconic vampire hunter. After years of speculation and vague rumors, Marvel Entertainment confirmed that a Blade video game is officially in development with Bethesda's support, and fans are already bracing for a dark, stylish, and blood-soaked RPG experience unlike anything we've seen from either studio.

This article breaks down everything we know so far about the upcoming Marvel Blade game — including leaks, developer interviews, setting speculation, and how it might reshape the landscape of superhero games as we know it.

Who Is Making the Marvel Blade Game?

While Bethesda is attached to the project, the actual development is rumored to be handled by Arkane Studios Lyon, the team best known for Dishonored, Prey, and Deathloop. This makes perfect sense: Arkane has a proven track record in immersive sims, stealth-heavy combat, and stylish world-building — all perfect for a character like Blade.

Bethesda will likely serve in a publishing and executive production role, while Arkane builds out the gameplay mechanics and systems.

Marvel Games has also confirmed that this is not a mobile spin-off or side project — this is a AAA single-player RPG.

When Will Marvel Blade Release?

No official release date has been announced. However, insiders suggest the game is in early-to-mid production, meaning we shouldn’t expect a full release until late 2026 or 2027 at the earliest.

Marvel Blade will likely release on PC and Xbox Series X|S, since Bethesda is now part of Xbox. It might also come to PlayStation 5 depending on exclusivity deals, which are still unclear.

Will It Be Xbox Exclusive?

Since Bethesda is now owned by Microsoft, many assume that Blade will be an Xbox and PC exclusive, similar to Starfield. However, Marvel has historically preferred multiplatform releases. Blade could be a timed exclusive on Xbox, releasing later on PS5, or it might follow the Deathloop model where it's exclusive to one platform before being ported elsewhere.

Setting: A Gothic and Gritty Urban World

Leaks and industry rumors suggest the game will be set in a fictionalized version of Paris or London, drawing on Arkane’s history of creating stylized, semi-historical worlds. This fits Blade’s aesthetic perfectly, with foggy alleyways, vampire-infested underground clubs, rooftop chases under full moons, and modern cities with gothic architecture and ancient secrets. Expect a semi-open world design where missions and exploration are layered into multiple vertical levels.

Gameplay: What Will It Be Like?

While we don’t have direct gameplay footage yet, if Arkane is leading the development, we can expect a blend of stealth and combat. Blade isn’t afraid to get loud, but he’s also calculated. Combat will likely mix stealth kills with silver daggers, gunplay with UV ammo, and brutal melee finishers with a katana.

This is an RPG at heart, so we can also expect vampire abilities like enhanced strength and senses, upgrade paths that let you lean into either tech or blood-based powers, and gear loadouts involving silver stakes, garlic grenades, and UV bombs.

Dialogue choices may allow you to explore Blade’s inner conflict — his vampire nature versus his human morality. That could translate into branching options, faction reputation systems, and narrative consequences based on who you kill or spare.

Traversal is likely to feature verticality. Blade may wall climb, use rooftops, and navigate underground passages while tracking enemies using blood trails or thermal vision. Creativity in movement and strategy will be rewarded, much like in Arkane’s past games.

Story: What Is the Game About?

Sources suggest the game will not adapt the upcoming Blade movie or the original Wesley Snipes films. Instead, it will focus on a younger Blade in his early years as a vampire hunter. The plot could revolve around Blade uncovering a vampire syndicate, a rising war between vampire houses, betrayal within his allies, and Blade being hunted by both humans and vampires.

Themes of duality — man versus monster, tradition versus evolution, and light versus darkness — will take center stage. Marvel’s creative team has described the story as a gritty origin tale with tragic weight.

Tone: A Mature Marvel Game

Blade will be Marvel’s most mature and violent game to date. Expect intense gore, strong language, and emotionally complex arcs. Bethesda confirmed the game will lean into vampire horror. Sunlight, fire, and blood are not just visual effects — they’ll play a central role in both combat and story.

If The Witcher 3 and Deus Ex merged in the Marvel universe, Blade might be the result.

Characters: Who Will Appear?

Blade is the main playable character, but the game may feature Whistler as a mentor figure. Villains like Deacon Frost or even Dracula are being speculated. Cameos from characters like Black Knight or Moon Knight are possible, but not confirmed. There may also be a customizable supporting cast, including other vampire hunters, tech specialists, or even a vampire companion. This story exists outside the MCU, which gives the devs full creative freedom.

Customization and RPG Depth

Blade’s RPG systems will likely be deep. Players may choose between different combat styles, customize weapons and outfits, and upgrade skills in categories like stealth, vampire powers, and tech. Choices will influence mission outcomes and perhaps even reshape the state of the game world. Multiple playthroughs will offer different moral angles, from righteous hunter to morally gray antihero.

Online or Multiplayer Features?

This will be a single-player experience. There are no plans for co-op or multiplayer modes. However, some rumors hint at optional bounty missions or stats tracking. Post-launch expansions could bring new characters, but the base game is meant to be self-contained.

Soundtrack and Audio Design

No official composer has been revealed yet, but the audio is expected to blend dark electronic beats with jazz and hip-hop elements. Expect pulsing nightclub music during combat and eerie ambient sounds in vampire-infested areas. Voice acting has not been confirmed, though fans are hopeful for Mahershala Ali. Even if the story isn’t tied to the MCU, having his voice would add a major appeal.

How Will It Compare to Other Marvel Games?

Marvel Blade is shaping up to be very different from other superhero titles. It’s not about saving the city or cracking jokes — it’s about survival, vengeance, and legacy. The tone is closer to Bloodborne or The Witcher than Avengers or Spider-Man.

Where Spider-Man 2 offers fast-paced open-world action and Midnight Suns focuses on turn-based tactics, Blade leans into immersive stealth RPG territory. If done well, it could become the gold standard for vampire-themed role-playing games.

Final Thoughts

Bethesda and Marvel teaming up for Blade may seem like an odd pairing at first glance, but the more we learn, the more it makes sense. Bethesda brings the narrative depth and RPG systems. Arkane potentially brings immersive worlds and player agency. Marvel adds dark lore and one of its most complex antiheroes.

If you’re bored of clean-cut superheroes and want something grittier, deeper, and soaked in supernatural horror, Blade might be the next game to keep your eyes on.

E3 or Gamescom may be where we get our first proper look. Until then, the hype keeps rising.

For more on upcoming RPGs, check out our breakdown of Wolverine for PS5 or dive into our coverage of The Midnight Walk for another dark narrative experience.