FromSoftware has crafted very impactful titles with its Soulsborne series.What began withDemon’s Soulshas since expanded to the three mainDark Soulsgames and one-offs such asBloodborne. What makes the Soulsborne games so appealing is their basic formula and ability to bring a rewarding challenge to the player consistently. EachDark Soulsgame has slightly tweaked the formula but has generally kept the same mechanics.
Another FromSoftware game included in the Soulsborne genre isBloodborne,which kept close to the basic formula but fairly drastically shifted the combat and playstyle.Bloodborneis still considered to be one of FromSoftware’s best titles, as it brings the familiar challenge that players have come to know and love from other FromSoftware games while providing enough change to make it stand out from the rest of the games. With that said, the changesBloodbornemakes to the classic combat and gameplay often make it difficult for players to return to the mainDark Soulsgames.
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How Bloodborne Aligns with the Soulsborne Formula
Bloodbornemay have differences from other FromSoftware games, but it is important to note that it still follows the same basic gameplay formula found in the other titles.The basic combat ofBloodbornefollows very closely to theDark Soulsgames because it relies on health and stamina management. Since the other Soulsborne games have made a name for themselves by requiring players to pay close attention to their resources, it makes sense forBloodborneto follow suit and keep the same combat mechanics in order to stay aligned with the basic combat that fans have come to expect.
Additionally,Bloodborne’s storyis just as mysterious as anyDark Soulstitle. Though players may not initially play the FromSoftware games for the story, fans playing any of the Soulsborne games are bound to become interested in the world, its inhabitants, and how the present-day events have come to be, thanks to FromSoftware’s writing. ThoughBloodborne’s story is fairly different from other Soulsborne games, it follows a similar delivery method and requires players to thoroughly investigate the game’s lore in order to discover the true story.
What Makes Bloodborne Stand Out From Dark Souls
ThoughBloodbornefollows closely theDark Soulsformula, it does have notable differences that make the one-off title stand out from the other games and ultimately make it difficult for some fans to return to theDark Soulsgames.The biggest difference inBloodborneis the fine-tuned combat mechanics. Though the basic mechanics are similar to other Soulsborne games, small changes drastically changed the way in which players approach any combat situation inBloodborne
To matchBloodborne’s fast-paced combat, the game introduces a unique mechanic that allows players to recover some health if they are able to successfully strike an enemy immediately after being damaged. This rally ability even further encourages aggressive combat and also accentuatesBloodborne’s healing items, which also differ fromDark Souls’ replenishable Estus Flasks. Instead of allowing players to recover all of their health items at a resting point,Bloodborneprovides players with a limited number of Blood Vials which must be found in the world or obtained by enemy drops, requiring players to continue to be aggressive to regain health and keep a stock of healing items.
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How Bloodborne’s Combat Differs from Dark Souls
The biggest change to combat inBloodborneis the omission of a shield. TheDark Soulsgames rely heavily on players utilizing a shieldto block and parry enemy attacks. Though it is possible to play theDark Soulsgames without a shield and only utilizing the roll to avoid damage, the combat in the games was clearly designed for players to utilize the block and parry mechanics as the pacing is dependent on waiting out enemy attacks and finding opportunities to strike. WhileBloodbornedoes include shields, there are only a couple to choose from and neither is effective in the game’s combat.
In lieu of shields,Bloodbornegives players a firearmin their off-hand which, if used properly, can interrupt enemy attacks and allow the player to perform a visceral attack, similar to a parry and riposte inDark Souls. The major difference is the utilization of the firearm and the flow of combat inBloodborne. With no shield to block attacks and avoid damage, players are encouraged to be much more aggressive and utilizeBloodborne’s quick dash to dip in and out of combat and constantly stay in motion.
Bloodborne’s main weapons provide a unique twist when compared to theDark Soulsgames. Though the weapons operate in a similar fashion with a basic and heavy attack,Bloodborne’s weapons are known as Trick Weaponsand all of them are able to transform into alternate versions that greatly vary the attack pattern, strength, and mobility of each weapon. Even though there may be fewer total weapons inBloodborne, the variety provided by the Trick Weapons allows the player to alter their combat style drastically.
Why Players Find it Difficult to Play Dark Souls after Bloodborne
It is clear that even thoughBloodbornefollows a similar structure to other Soulsborne games, there are major differences between the games. The most notable difference is in the combat mechanics of each respective game. BecauseDark Soulsgoes at a slower pace and encourages players to wait or retreat to regain ground or health, many fans of the series often play the game very cautiously. Meanwhile,inBloodborne,movement and aggression are keyto maintaining an upper hand in combat and even allow the player to regain lost health, soBloodborneplayers will find combat much more successful if the game is played aggressively.
If players were to approach aDark Soulsgame similarly to how they would playBloodborne,they’d find themselves playing too aggressively and unable to properly manage their stamina. Though the games share similar DNA, the subtle mechanical differences in the combat vary too much for players to play the games the same way. FromSoftware fans who playBloodborneget used to the game’s fast-paced combat and often find theDark Soulsgames’ combatto be too sluggish by comparison.
