Both Bloodborne and Elden Ring are exceptional games, each contributing to the legacy of FromSoftware’s unique approach to the action RPG genre.
While it’s challenging to definitively declare one as “better” than the other, we can explore various aspects of both games to appreciate their strengths.
Artistic Direction and Atmosphere:
Bloodborne is renowned for its gothic and Lovecraftian-inspired aesthetic.
Yharnam, the city where the game is set, exudes a haunting beauty with its Victorian architecture and nightmarish creatures.
The atmosphere is oppressive and mysterious, creating a sense of dread and awe. Elden Ring, on the other hand, boasts a vast and diverse open world called the Lands Between.
The game’s artistic direction is breathtaking, with stunning landscapes and a day-night cycle that enhances the immersive experience.
Elden Ring’s open-world design allows for exploration on an unprecedented scale, offering a different but equally compelling atmosphere.
Storytelling and Lore:
Bloodborne’s narrative is cryptic and requires players to piece together the lore through environmental storytelling and item descriptions.
The Lovecraftian themes explore cosmic horror and the consequences of seeking forbidden knowledge.
Elden Ring, with its collaboration between Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R.R. Martin, presents a more traditional narrative structure.
The game features a rich backstory, well-defined characters, and a compelling overarching plot.
Both games excel in storytelling, catering to different preferences – the mysterious and atmospheric in Bloodborne, and the epic and expansive in Elden Ring.
Gameplay Mechanics:
Bloodborne is known for its fast-paced combat, emphasizing aggression and quick reflexes.
The lack of shields encourages players to be proactive, relying on dodges and parries.
The transforming weapons add depth to combat, offering a variety of playstyles.
Elden Ring maintains the challenging combat mechanics FromSoftware is famous for, but introduces mounted combat and a more open-world approach.
The player can traverse the vast landscapes on horseback, adding a strategic element to exploration and combat.
Both games are demanding, yet the differences in combat mechanics cater to distinct player preferences.
Boss Design:
Both Bloodborne and Elden Ring feature memorable and challenging boss encounters.
Bloodborne’s bosses are often grotesque and intimidating, fitting the game’s dark aesthetic.
The emphasis on speed and precision is evident in these battles. Elden Ring, with its larger open-world scope, introduces colossal bosses that showcase the game’s scale.
The sheer variety and creativity in boss design contribute to the overall experience.
The subjective nature of boss preferences makes it challenging to declare one game superior in this aspect.
World Design:
Bloodborne’s interconnected world design contributes to the sense of immersion and discovery.
The shortcuts and hidden paths create a cohesive experience, even though the game is not entirely open-world.
Elden Ring, however, embraces a true open-world format with vast landscapes, diverse regions, and interconnected dungeons.
The verticality and scale of Elden Ring’s world set a new standard for the genre.
The choice between the more compact, interconnected world of Bloodborne and the expansive, open-world design of Elden Ring depends on individual preferences.
Replayability and Content:
Bloodborne offers replayability through its New Game Plus mode and various endings.
The Chalice Dungeons provide additional challenges and rewards for those seeking more content.
Elden Ring, being a larger and more open game, offers extensive exploration, side quests, and a dynamic weather system.
The sheer size of the Lands Between provides countless hours of gameplay, making it a game that players can immerse themselves in for an extended period.
The preference for either a more compact but dense experience or a sprawling open world is subjective.
Innovation and Evolution:
Bloodborne, released in 2015, marked a significant evolution of FromSoftware’s formula established by the Souls series.
The emphasis on aggressive combat, Lovecraftian horror, and the Gothic setting showcased the studio’s ability to innovate within its established framework.
Elden Ring, released in 2022, continued this trend by introducing a true open-world structure, mounted combat, and a more traditional narrative approach.
Both games demonstrate FromSoftware’s commitment to evolving the genre, and which one is “better” may depend on whether one prefers innovation within a more focused framework (Bloodborne) or a bold expansion into a larger, open-world format (Elden Ring).
Final Conclusion on Bloodborne vs Elden Ring: Which is Better?
In conclusion, the question of whether Bloodborne or Elden Ring is better ultimately boils down to personal preference. Bloodborne is a masterclass in atmospheric design, fast-paced combat, and cryptic storytelling within a more confined space. Elden Ring, on the other hand, pushes the boundaries of the action RPG genre with its expansive open-world design, a rich narrative, and new gameplay mechanics. Both games showcase FromSoftware’s ability to create immersive and challenging experiences, and the “better” game depends on what aspects of game design and storytelling resonate more with the individual player.
