Summary
Bloodborneis one of FromSoftware’s most iconic and renowned IPs to date for its stunning visuals, environments, and ambiance, its elusive and macabre yet deeply alluring storytelling, its relentlessly unforgiving but fair combat, inspired fashion, and hauntingly intricate themes. It is far and away an epitome of the dark fantasy genre and a Hall of Fame action RPG title as far as the gaming world is concerned; there is no underscoring its mass appeal. Likewise, its younger sibling,Elden Ring, approaches the same notoriety for similar reasons, differing in themes and presentation, but boasting the same strong bones asBloodbornein a slew of ways.
One of the strongest attributes of any FromSoftware RPG, however, is the level design. Prior to theinvention of the Soulslike genre, very few action RPGs boasted the considerable detail and environmental storytelling that FromSoftware has garnered its fame for.Bloodborne’s popularity is due in large part to the masterful execution of the setting, featuring a breadth of verticality and robustness within otherwise linear dungeons and levels that few games measure up to even to date.Bloodborne’s level design presents a visual extravagancein every frame, despite its gothic atmosphere and eldrich horror influences. Though it often has the player confined in tight spaces to create a sense of looming disquiet about what could be around any corner, the level design never feels limited or underdeveloped.
Timeless Level Design Helps Bloodborne Keep its Crown, and Offers Elden Ring its Own
Bloodborneareas like Old Yharnam, the Cathedral Ward, Forsaken Castle Cainhurst, and the Nightmare of Mensis are prominent examples ofFromSoftware’s level design accomplishments, possessing far more explorable area than initially meets the eye through the aforementioned verticality, as well as cleverly hidden areas, and accents to the worldbuilding lore through visuals. These, in addition to item descriptions and carefully written dialogue, come together to create one of the most satisfying single-player narratives of a gaming generation.
Bloodbornepossesses a kind of level design that even FromSoftware itself hasn’t recaptured yet.Bloodborne’s persisting 9-year relevance is due in large part to its:
Elden Ring’s Alternate Route to Level Design Success
Elden Ring, by comparison, had to take a different approach for its level design to accommodate its open world. WhereasBloodbornehad its levels sectioned off,Elden Ringis well and truly a grand sandbox, and as such, its level design finds itself stretched, chopped, and skewed. The open vistas and sweeping plains ofElden Ringare a joy to traverse on horseback or merely to drink in the magnitude, and FromSoftware didn’t drop the ball when it came to populating the space in such a way that presents an unbridled immersive experience. However,Elden Ringis closest toBloodborne’s level design with its legacy dungeons.
Raya Lucaria Academy, Cainhurst Castle, and Volcano Manor are splendid graphical depictions of high/dark open-world fantasy worthy of being affiliated with the works of George R.R. Martin, who had a hand in creating the lore, yet none come even remotely close to the utility and proficient use of space to be found inBloodborne. That is not to say there exists no verticality or close-quarters areas densely packed with atmospheric storytelling, but it wasn’t until theRealm of Shadow map released with the Shadow of the Erdtree DLCexpansion thatElden Ringtruly stepped into the crux of its potential.
The Realm of Shadow, though also an open-world map, does a stupendous job of teasing adjacent areas of interest and blending the spaces together in a complementary way, creating and maintaining an auspiciously ethereal atmosphere with poetically tragic undertones. LikeElden Ring’s main game overworld, the dungeons are magnificent, but with the DLC, FromSoftware seemed to feel more at home with havingElden Ringstep into itself and its capabilities.Dungeons like Belurat, Tower Settlementand Enir-Illim optimally utilized wider spaces that characterizedElden Ring’s dungeons while also maintaining that level of intimacy thatBloodborneis known for. The dungeons in the DLC are likely whatBloodbornewould be if it were more spread out.
FromSoftware is almost never guilty of under-using space, and thoughElden RingandBloodborneapproach level design is somewhat differentways, the DNA is definitely still the same, and the appeal is as sweet is to savory. Though the games may be antithetical to one another in this way, the point that they both work extremely well for the content that they represent stands ever tall.
Bloodborne
WHERE TO PLAY
Hunt your nightmares as you search for answers in the ancient city of Yharnam, now cursed with a strange endemic illness spreading through the streets like wildfire. Danger, death and madness lurk around every corner of this dark and horrific world, and you must discover its darkest secrets in order to survive.A Terrifying New World: Journey to a horror-filled gothic city where deranged mobs and nightmarish creatures lurk around every corner.Strategic Action Combat: Armed with a unique arsenal of weaponry, including guns and saw cleavers, you’ll need wits, strategy and reflexes to take down the agile and intelligent enemies that guard the city’s dark secrets.A New Generation of Action RPG: Stunningly detailed gothic environments, atmospheric lighting, and advanced new online experiences showcase the power and prowess of the PlayStation(R)4 system.Ever-changing Chalice Dungeons to Explore: Use holy chalices to gain entrance to a network of vast underground ruins, filled with traps, beasts, and rewards, to explore and conquer alone or with others. These procedurally generated dungeons offer brand new challenges to master, and can be uploaded or shared with friends.
