Zork’s weirdest character and Miyazaki’s favorite

Step into the world of The Duskbloods, a multiplayer experience from FromSoftware that throws players into a roster of bloodsworn characters, each carrying a distinct history and playstyle. But while you scroll through the character selection screen, you’re not just seeing dark fantasy—you’re seeing a delightful collision of eras and imagination. At the far right of the lineup, a character named Zork demands attention, wrapped in deep-sea gear and sporting a peculiar, worm-like sword.

What exactly is the deal with Zork? Why does this armored adventurer sport a deep-sea diving suit and a jetpack complete with a rocket launcher backpack? This juxtaposition of the goofy and the grim is precisely what makes Zork an anomaly among the roster, yet he manages to capture the attention of the community, earning him the moniker “Zorkin’ it” across social feeds.

Director Hidetaka Miyazaki, known for his intricate world-building, shared some insight into the inspiration behind such wildly varied designs. When asked about Zork specifically, Miyazaki pointed toward mythical behemoths, revealing that the ultimate inspiration for the character stemmed from the monsters that rise from the depths of the ocean, drawing heavily from inspirations like Ultraman and Ultra Seven.

Miyazaki suggested that while the final design diverged from these initial ideas, they set the general creative direction. This philosophy extends to the entire game, which aims to span time, moving beyond the confines of Victorian Gothic or the Industrial Revolution, positioning Zork as an explorer at the far end of that timeline.

Zork’s gameplay is as unique as his appearance. He utilizes his jetpack not just for mobility, but for dynamic combat, allowing him to charge and launch himself at targets to inflict damage and create spectacular knockbacks. This mechanic adds a layer of excitement that contrasts nicely with the darker themes of the game.

Beyond the action, The Duskbloods offers rich narrative depth that unfolds through gameplay. Players can unlock story cutscenes and unique character interactions within the game’s hub area. These moments of backstory are tied directly to the gameplay, allowing players to discover the history of the Bloodsworn regardless of whether they are engaged in a match.

The game leans into a vampiric edge, where the ability to stagger enemies offers a unique mechanic: players can bite them to inflict significant damage, recover health, and turn weakened foes into their own minions. This strategic element adds a visceral layer to the combat.

The most delightfully quirky detail comes into play when Zork triumphs in battle. Miyazaki hinted at a secret reward: upon winning with Zork, a cutscene will reveal his true nature, showing that his beak extends like a straw, sucking blood just like a mosquito. It’s a perfect, witty payoff for a character that refuses to take itself too seriously.