Bloodborne’s Level Design May Be the Antithesis of Elden Ring’s

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Bloodborne's Level Design May Be the Antithesis of Elden Ring's

Key Takeaways

  • Bloodborne’s level design stands out due to its detail and verticality, creating a visually striking and immersive experience.
  • Elden Ring’s level design, while different in structure, also impresses with grand open vistas and well-populated spaces.
  • The Realm of Shadow DLC for Elden Ring showcases the game’s potential by blending spaces for an ethereal atmosphere, similar to the level of intimacy found in Bloodborne.

As a gamer who’s had his fair share of FromSoftware titles, I can confidently say that both Bloodborne and Elden Ring have left indelible marks on my gaming journey. Each has offered unique experiences that have kept me enthralled for hours on end.

Bloodborne is one of FromSoftware’s most acclaimed and recognized intellectual properties, celebrated for its breathtaking visuals, atmospheric environments, and eerie yet enticing narrative. Its challenging but fair combat system, unique fashion designs, and intricate, haunting themes have solidified it as a cornerstone of the dark fantasy genre and an action RPG classic in the gaming world. In much the same way, its younger counterpart, Elden Ring, is gaining similar recognition for comparable reasons, offering different themes and presentations but sharing many strengths with Bloodborne.

Among FromSoftware’s RPGs, one standout feature is their exceptional level designs. Before the creation of the Soulslike genre, such intricate detail and environmental storytelling were rarely seen in action RPGs. Bloodborne’s success can be largely attributed to the meticulous crafting of its setting, offering a unique blend of verticality and robustness within seemingly linear dungeons and levels that few games have been able to match since. Despite its dark gothic atmosphere and influences from eldritch horror, Bloodborne’s level design maintains visual grandeur in every frame without ever feeling cramped or underdeveloped, even when limiting the player’s movement to create a sense of foreboding uncertainty about what lurks around each corner.

Timeless Level Design Helps Bloodborne Keep its Crown, and Offers Elden Ring its Own

The regions in Bloodborne such as Old Yharnam, Cathedral Ward, Forsaken Castle Cainhurst, and Nightmare of Mensis showcase FromSoftware’s impressive level design skills. These areas appear larger than they first seem due to their vertical layout, secret hidden spots, and intricate details that enrich the game’s lore through visual storytelling. Alongside detailed item descriptions and well-crafted dialogue, these elements combine to form an immersive and satisfying single-player narrative that stands out among gaming generations.

The unique level design found in Bloodborne has yet to be replicated by FromSoftware themselves. A significant factor contributing to Bloodborne’s enduring popularity over the past nine years lies in this exceptional design.

  • satisfying combat mechanics
  • imposing but memorable boss fights
  • ‘cool’ factor regarding its fashion and armaments
  • well-implemented worldbuilding elements
  • rewarding progression gameplay loop
  • superb lore through non handhold-y storytelling

Elden Ring’s Alternate Route to Level Design Success

Compared to Bloodborne, Elden Ring opted for a distinct method in designing its levels to suit an open-world environment. While Bloodborne’s levels were divided and segmented, Elden Ring is essentially a vast sandbox, leading to a more expansive, fluid, and sometimes irregular layout. The breathtaking landscapes of Elden Ring, with their expansive vistas and sprawling plains, are delightful to explore on horseback or simply marvel at their grandeur. FromSoftware excelled in filling this expansive space with elements that create an immersive and unbounded experience. In a way, Elden Ring’s level design shares similarities with Bloodborne’s, particularly in the legacy dungeons it offers.

The Raya Lucaria Academy, Cainhurst Castle, and Volcano Manor in Elden Ring are stunning examples of high/dark fantasy settings reminiscent of George R.R. Martin’s work, although none quite match the intricate use of space seen in Bloodborne. However, it’s important to note that there are still areas with verticality and tight spaces filled with atmospheric storytelling. The game didn’t fully realize its potential until the Realm of Shadow map was released as part of the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC expansion.

In a unique and captivating manner, The Realm of Shadow’s open-world design subtly hints at nearby points of interest and seamlessly merges them, resulting in an appropriately mysterious and melancholic ambiance laced with poignant sorrow. Similar to Elden Ring’s main game overworld, the dungeons are impressively grandiose, but the DLC expansion appears to have allowed FromSoftware to fully explore and maximize Elden Ring’s potential. Dungeons such as Belurat, Tower Settlement, and Enir-Illim effectively use expansive spaces that define Elden Ring’s dungeons while retaining the intimate feel reminiscent of Bloodborne. Essentially, the DLC dungeons can be thought of as a more sprawling version of what Bloodborne might have been.

In a more conversational manner: FromSoftware rarely falls short when it comes to making good use of game space, and while Elden Ring and Bloodborne approach level design differently, you can still see the same genetic makeup in them. The allure of these games is as satisfying as savoring a delicious meal, despite their contrasting themes. Though they seem to be opposites in some ways, both games excel brilliantly at delivering what they promise.

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2024-09-14 02:34