Which Is Better?: Dark Souls 3 vs. Bloodborne

Dark Souls 3 has quickly become a treasured artifact among the gaming community. It's the final Souls game to be released by FromSoftware.Its success is particularly powerful given the prestige of its predecessors, and therefore the enormously high expectations that were set before it.
Given that Dark Souls 3 and Bloodborne have released within the same era, they make for a fair and interesting comparison.

[CoNn3r_B]

Dark Souls 3, the lack of variation is the biggest downside of Bloodborne for me.

Edit: Could people stop assuming that because I don't bow to the east a praise Bloodborne means that I'm an Xbox fanboy. It's simply not true.

[naruga]

yes this was a small con for Bloodborne ..also the continuous over-the top-darkness, monochromatic visuals which didnt allow it to show its beautiful environments (ex ebrietas,woods ..DS3 has unmatched vistas and feeling of vastness)....i give the edge to BB but overall are even

[Bimkoblerutso]

Yeah, but my one gripe with DSIII is for that same sprawling diversity. It ends up kind of feeling like a "Greatest Hits" because none of the areas (diverse as they are) really ever feel like they are interconnected, and the randomly inserted characters and weapons from previous games really convolutes and confuses the narrative and setting further.

Bloodborne feels cohesive and tightly designed by comparison, though at the cost of some diversity, I suppose.

Still...there is nothing in Bloodborne that matches that view of Irithyll in DSIII....

[freshslicepizza]

will ps4 owners favor bloodborne because it's exclusive? we all know this is bound to happen. i haven't played either yet but both look very good and i do enjoy the other games.

[MeleeDamage]

Bloodborne is a fantastic game and so is Dark Souls 3. However, I do agree that there is a slight lack of variation in Bloodborne, but the overall design of Yharnam and is fantastic!
There are areas in Dark Souls 3 which lost my attention, whereas that never happened with Bloodborne. I don't think you can determine which game is better because it's entirely subjective and dependent on which combat system you prefer, story, and setting.

[philm87]

I'm a PS4 owner. As much as I loved Bloodborne I'm pretty sure I'll enjoy Dark Souls 3 more when I get round to playing it. Definitely preferred the variation etc. that Dark Souls 2 had and didn't bother using the gun in Bloodborne as it annoyed me too much.

[butchertroll]

Quote :

will ps4 owners favor bloodborne because it's exclusive?
....

That's dumb logic.

[ninsigma]

Will xbox owners favour ds3 because bb is ps4 exclusive??

Haven't played ds3 yet but looks awesome. Didn't enjoy one of the previous games due the slow paced gameplay but ds3 is faster so I'll probably enjoy it more than the previous one.

[Ezz2013]

will ps4 owners favor bloodborne because it's exclusive?

Yeah, it's impossible for Ps4 owners to just like BB more than DS3 ...amiright ?! /s

[freshslicepizza]

you all know what i said can and will happen. and yes i would imagine xbox only owners would pick ds3 which again is a problem on the forums. but i will reiterate once again that both games look fantastic.

[t-hall785]

@Philm You didn't USE A GUN in Bloodborne??? Your opinion can't be taken seriously lol. You didn't play it right.

[Oreic]

I am a huge PS4 fanboy, DarkDark Souls 3 wins hands-down with me. Praise the sun!

[agame914]

Um bloodblorne is an amazing game which you never ever played. I have both and both are great

[SpinalRemains138]

Or they prefer the game. We aren't robots and seeing as BB is an incredible title, it's actually likely ppl will prefer it.

Oh the heavens!

[WellyUK]

Bloodborne grabbed me more than DS3 i didn't come off it for several weeks but I'm already finished with DS3 sadly. But I feel DS3 is the better game it's the general theme that doesn't interest me as much.

[ninsigma]

Haven't played ds3 yet but I'd probably be the same. The whole world of bb is what drew me in. It was fascinating.

[butchertroll]

What lack variation in Bloodborne? In Dark Souls 3 i only use 2 weapons, man. Just 2 weapons and i'm near end of a game! So much about weapon variety in Dark Souls 3.

IMO, Bloodborne > Dark Souls 3. Better fighting mechanics, better usage of weapons, more combo variations ( short-long weapon combo and firearms combo ), better art style, better connected world.

[nowitzki2004]

For me its Dark Souls 3. It feels like Bloodborne a bit, but I just find it to be the most fun out of any in the series from FromSoftware.

[magiciandude]

Both great games, but Dark Souls III by very far.

[boodi]

not very far really , the thing that i noticed the most difference is the speed.. the rest is not that far

[Aloy-Boyfriend]

I'm enjoying the variety of classes, customization, and depth in DS3. However, that's just three things that BB lacks compared to what BB really offers.

BB is a more agressive approach and slighty more fun. The enviroments, the bosses and their design, the gothic world, the atmosphere, and the lore is more in depth and complicated. To me Bloodborne is the better game overall.

Also The bosses in DS3 have been pretty lackluster. I can only count a few that have been great. Even the lords of cinders have exploitable weaknesses when they should be the hardest of all. Pointiff Suleyvan was much bjgger challenge, ans it wasn't even a lord.

Also for the people who though BB was aimed to casual, well it looks like DS3 has been nerfed compared to the previous games as well. Bonfires are too close to each other. They feel like checkpoints. That should be a plus but it is rather annoying imo.

[Alexander1Nevermind]

I only game on PS4 and PC (I've never owned an Xbox). I played and beat Bloodborne and will beat DS3 by the weekend. Both are excellent games and I have a hard time choosing.. but if there can be only one then.......................... ............................... ............................... ...... DS3 by a Dragon's Tooth. There I said it.

[gangsta_red]

Both are very excellent games. But I am getting my a** kicked in DS3, much, much more than I ever did in Bloodborne.

Both are fantastic games but I am also going to say that DS3 beats BB by hair.

[FITgamer]

Haven't picked up DS3 yet, but if it better than Bloodborne, i wouldn't complain. So far it's my favorite game this gen.

[DaGR8JIBRALTAR]

Yeah man Bloodborne was my introduction to these type of games and I'm so glad I took the plunge. Currently playing thru DS3 , and while it's equally spectacular, I'd pick Bloodborne.

[Zerii]

Depends on people taste i think !!

[Kyosuke_Sanada]

That one......you know the one.......the one with the sword.

[bloodybutcher]

soooo...Darkborne or Blood Souls?

[SpinalRemains138]

Lol!

[cyber_daemonx]

So all the xbots reckon DS3 lol. Go figure.

Tbh both are fantastic games not much between them. Even so Bloodborne is the best exclusive/new ip so far this gen by a mile.

[Manubiggs]

Only half way through DS3 and the only other souls game I've played is Bloodborne. Coming from Bloodborne, this is definitely a tougher game, but the Estus Flask setup, the numerous weapons and character classes and the bonfire travel system make it feel like a more rounded experience so far (Although it does sometimes feel like assets were just resused from bloodborne in parts). I love both games, but I think DS3 probably has more replay value

[Eiyuuou]

I prefer Dark Souls 3 a little bit due to having more weapon variety and different playstyles.

[Gardenia]

Bloodborne's atmosphere grabs you from the start and you are literally walking in a nightmare. Having no shield is going to make things a bit more difficult and intense. Dark Souls is also great but more straightforward

[Braxmapoutras]

I love both of them and I change from one to the other depending on my mood :)

[slappy508]

Dark Souls 3 has better co-op and more varied inventory so that gets my vote

[Intentions]

I like both, but if i had to choose Dark souls 3.

[pyroxxx]

I patinumed both,.. have about 300 hours in both,..

Think DKS3 is better (simply more variety/npcs/ builds,.. more of everything,.. lots of things to do or try regardless how nonviable some builds are)
Think Bloodborne actually flows and plays a bit better,..At least parry window feels better,.. (it is almost instant like Des and DKS1,.. feels really good,..

Bloodborne also looks better ,.. (Bloodborne has about 10 times the geometry on everything) and not just environments,.. Everything is more detailed,.. pollycount is just bigger everywhere (even in chalice dungeons) and it is not just Ghotic vs Middle ages,.. Models are more detailed as well)

Well I love them both,.. as far as me playing one more,.. Probably DKS3,.. since it is newer and I can try out crazy builds in PVP etc

[mocaak]

Are you saying that you played DS3 for 300 hours in 2 weeks?

[pyroxxx]

Well got one character about 100 hour at SL 120 ,.. another one at around 125 hours with NG++ till twins (needed just Lingering dragoncrest +2 after dragon armour boss),.. I also just hang around and help people with nameless king for hours on end,..also for platinum you do spend a lot of time farming covenant items ,.. and with base luck of knight, it takes a long time even with coins,..
So yes almost 300 hour I'd wager (don't know how much is iddle time),.. and it is almost 3 weeks,.. if I had a Japanese version 2 ,.. would be almost 2 months
Souls is serious business ,.. Also got it a day earlier,..
200 would be more accurate actually,.. 300 for BB definitely

[Free_Fro]

saying anything pro darks souls gets you disagrees, hilarious ^_^..
I'm still playing bloodborne, but I'd guess dark souls 3 would be more fun/better game overall.

[goldwyncq]

It's N4G, home of the Sony fanboys, what do you expect?

Both are great games, but DS3 did a lot of things better than Bloodborne.

[DragonDDark]

More weapons and armour. What else?

[butchertroll]

@goldwyncq

Quote :
Weapon and Armor variety
Bosses
Level Design
Online
....

So much about weapon variety in DkS3 when i use just 2 weapons in entire game and 2 different types of armour. Every weapon in Bloodborne is unique ( with that long-short weapon transformation ) unlike weapons in DkS3. Well, i prefer Bloodborne bosses design and fights are much more memorable. And also prefer Bloodborne world design. Better art, better graphics, world is better connected and also, much, much better atmosphere. Love that horror atmosphere in Bloodborne. Online....i agree. DkS3 is better here.

So, looks like DkS3 doesn't have so many things that are better in Bloodborne. Isn't it.

[butchertroll]

@goldwyncq

Quote :

but DS3 did a lot of things better than Bloodborne.

...

Things like...?

[Slevon]

Both games are amazing but i would argue the main thing is weapons, armor, and magic which really limits your play style in bloodborne. The only other difference between them and the one that pushes ds3 to the clear winner (for me) is the pvp in bloodborne wasnt good. The pvp in DS3 so far has been amazing besides balance issues which will likely be fixed like they always do but bloodbornes pvp couldnt really be fixed. I think that bloodborne is the best current gen exclusive easy but theyre so similar that more weapons/magic plus pvp pushes ds3 ahead at least for me

[goldwyncq]

Weapon and Armor variety
Bosses
Level Design
Online

[Trez1234]

I prefer ds3 but it doesn't have a better level design, bloodborne level design n bosses have to go to bloodborne. That Gascoigne! !
Oh and combat is better on bloodborne but I prefer ds3 variations without a doubt

[butchertroll]

Nvm

[Germany7]

And you playing the victim card always is also hilarious.

[WelkinCole]

Its weird getting back behind a shield. Its a lot easier game for me. To be fair I have played all the souls and the single blood game.

Bloodborne gets the edge for me because like with Demon Souls it was very dark and depressing. More so than Demon Souls I would say.

The combat as well is brutal. One mistake and you are a goner.

[Nivekki]

What's your psn? You can give me a hand with The Nameless King :)

[q8kik]

Since I like fast paced Hack'n slash games I would lean towards Bloodborne.
Faster action, less turtle-ing.

[asadachi]

Dark Souls 3 in my opinion. They are both great games, as is the whole souls series for me, but I admit, BB confused me as to what was going on.

[TwoForce]

Well, Bloodborne is faster and non stop combat sequence.

[asadachi]

Guess I should have clarified. I have no problem with the combat mechanics, it was the story that lost me.

[Trez1234]

Exactly how I feel. Bloodborne is all about combat n the adrenaline rush when facing a new enemy is what made bloodborne a masterpiece to me

[vastolorde666]

Play both....

[OpenGL]

Bloodborne because the weapons and move sets are better.

[HAHAHAHAHAHAHA]

I can't pick. Love them both!

But i won't be mad at an announcement of bloodborne 2 :P

[Antnee534]

Bloodborne is leagues better than dark souls franchise, but it depends where you stared. Dark souls controls are terrible, and the game is way to slow paced.

[bloodybutcher]

depends on your playstyle,man.

[Master-H]

Hmmm. Too early to tell for me, but I do love both. Platinumed BB, finished it at least 4-5 times, and finished the DLC. It's not fair for me to compare till I do that for DS3, which I'm still in the second run of.

[Liqu1d]

I think Bloodborne is slighty better. Both games are pretty different though so comparing them is rather pointless.

[Moe-Gunz]

BB for me.

[Vanfernal]

Haven't finished DS3 yet, but overall the world design in Bloodborne was superior. DS3 feels pretty linear. Also since the combat in BB was pretty standard across builds, boss fights had clear strategies and weak points that you could exploit and they felt much more engaging imo. In DS3 you just kinda spam something until the boss is dead. Don't get me wrong, I'm liking DS3, but I feel BB was a better thought out and more polished game.

[SynestheticRoar]

Bloodborne.

[Izalith]

I have only two bosses left in Dark Souls 3 and I have only died 10 times totalt on bosses. This game is too easy for me. Bloodborne dungeons and DLC for Bloodborne is much harder since im at NG+5. I play these games alone, without any coop as me as a host.

Both great games, but for me it is BloodBorne>Dark Souls 3.

[CoryHG]

I'm glad someone took a look at this.

[esmittystud101]

I can't decide. I love everything From Software brings to the table. I'm on my first run through Dark Souls at the moment. The only big differences I can see between the games (I can't speak for DSIII yet, waiting to play through DS,DSII:SOTFS still) :

Dark Souls has alot more NPCs and rightfully so. From Software likes to explain all there lore through NPCs/items/weapons/magic. Bloodborne story wise just didn't need a ton of NPCs or items to figure things out. So thats why I think Bloodborne lacked in the amount of NPCs/items. Bloodborne does have the Chalice Dungeons, which a Depth Five Dungeons, if you used the Moon Caryll Runes that boost your blood echoes when killing an enemy. It would net you over 1,000,000 blood echoes in like twenty minutes or less probably more if you used all three Runes at once. So you could say I had some fun the Dungeons.

The level design in both games are great. Those interconnecting map setup is the best in gaiming. Can't wait to play DS II and DSIII once I'm finished with DS. I'm 85 hours into the game and not even close to finishing it yet though.

[Movefasta1993]

if dark souls 3 was exclusive to ps4, and bloodborne was multiplat, playstation fanboys will say ds3 is better and xbox fanboys will say bloodborne. You are all wack, i love both, there is no best for me since they play so differently and theyare both overall great games with their pros and cons.

[BG11579]

I thought that it would be hard for me to choose between these two games. But in the end, no.
Bloodborne take my pick. BB seems to be lacking in terms of quantity when compared ( less weapons, less enemies, less techniques, less objects), but. It make it up we its general ambience. There isn't a boss that isn't memorable. Every weapon is edgy and unique. Every little story seems amazing and terrifying at the same time. The lore in BB is amazing. Not to say the chalice dungeons, with are a great challenge, that is definitely lacking in DS3.

Yep, Bloodborne is my favorite.

[butchertroll]

How many weapons did you use in DkS3, hm? And also, every weapon in Bloodborne is unique ( with that long-short weapon transformation ) unlike weapons in DkS3.

[Gamesgbkiller]

Bloodborne is easily better overall. yes, it does not have much content like DS3, but at least in BB they did it very very well!

[rezzah]

https://www.kickstarter.com...

Both recieved enough praised to have table top games made after them. This link is for Dark Souls board game with detailed figures.

[Number-Nine]

Bloodborne by FAR. Combat I found to be more engaging. DaS3 goes back to the roots but I fell in love with the fast pace of BB. General gameplay was also better and so far more challenging.

Environments are much gorgeous looking as well as the Victorian setting. I prefer it over the fantasy like setting of the previous games.

MP also seems to be better in BB. Messages got rated frequently and I was invaded quite a bit. I do get summoned rather quick in DaS3 so that's a plus.

I do like the variation of weapons and armor in DaS3. I loved the transforming weapons but I prefer quantity and an emphasis on armor.

[IIFloodyII]

PvE wise, Bloodborne, the enemy variety and design is my all time favorite. Also like how each weapon and armor piece is way better designed and much more detailed than almost everything in Dark Souls 3, suppose that's the benefit of having less to work with. The bosses are about 6 billion times better in Bloodborne too, outside of the Nameless King and Abyss Watchers, nothing has came close to even Bloodborne's meh bosses (the non important Chalice Dungeon ones) for me.

PvP wise, Dark Souls 3, it's not even close either, the Bell system was garbage and didn't really work until the Old Hunters, besides the auto summon covenants never working for me (except the Aldrich one), Dark Souls 3 is pretty great.

Overall, both are fantastic, but Bloodborne is my favorite, the artstyle, playstyle and bosses top it for me, and at this point in it's life cycle I was already well into NG+3 with Bloodborne, still haven't finished NG with Dark Souls 3 yet.

[Nucler100]

Bloodborne for me. DS3 is still great though.

[spektical]

I think bloodborne. The bosses in dark souls3 have been a cake walk. That's not to say the game isn't fantastic, it is, it's just not as difficult. I hope their are more quality DLC plans for DS3 as bloodbourne only had one :/

[JonnyBigBoss]

Dark Souls 3 has become one of my favorite RPGs of all-time. Bloodborne was great, but not at the same level of consistency and polish of Dark Souls 3.

[zen_hydra]

Despite Darksouls III benefitting from Bloodborne's lessons-learned, they feel like very different games to me. I felt more powerful from the start with Bloodborne. Bloodborne's combat is relentless, and the best defense is an overwhelming offense. Dark Souls III goes back to the deliberate give-and-take the 'Souls games are known for. I've put hundreds of hours into all of the various incarnations of the 'Souls series (including Bloodborne) and Dark Souls III still managed to make me feel underpowered and outclassed at times (I try not to grind/overlevel in my first playthrough of these games). I don't know that I could really pick a favorite between the two. I hope that From's declaration that the 'Souls series is finished doesn't mean that they will abandon their winning formula completely. This is possibly my favorite game series of all time.

[Tsunade]

I am a Soul fan since demons souls and I like Bloodborne more. Also, I asked my friends online while playing DS3 and they think the same. It is not that DS3 is a bad game, not at all, I just liked Bloodborne way more. So I hope that new game From is developing is Bloodborne 2.

[Scrivlar]

Love them both but looking at it objectively I have to say DS3 is the better game overall. Everything BloodBorne has Dark Souls has and more, for example - Weapons, various locations, NPC'S, armour/Clothing, All different kinds of magics, better PVP. Dark Souls 1 is still the masterpiece or me though.

[jts1891]

In terms of combat, I liked Dark Souls 3 more. It's borrowed some cues from Bloodborne, but is more varied. Though, I preferred the story and lore of Bloodborne. The endings of Dark Souls 3 are kinda meh.

[cimerians]

Bloodborne is a bit faster and overall more creepy. Prefer Bloodborne but all the games are great. Still wish a Demons Souls remaster would happen but they keep going forward which is a good thing.

[GrimDragon]

So hard to say both have equal pros and cons. I love ds3 variety and deep rich vistas and lore. But I hate it's suspect and unbalanced difficulty. While I feel bloodborne truly had fair and stable difficulty among the bosses and progression I could feel the power and see the difference in my bloodborne character as I leveled up. But with ds3 that was never the case even at level 75 the abyss watchers were far more trouble than they should have been. Where as by level 100 I could totally hold my own against any boss in bldborne. But that's never the feeling in ds3. Maybe that's how it's meant to be I don't know. What I do know is that if I decide to spend hours and hours grinding for level ups I should see a difference that I never could in ds3. So the edge goes to bloodborne for me. Due to a clear feeling of progression in the level up process. Needless to say I rage quit on abyss watchers for this reason. And stare at the ds3 game disk with contempt daily.

[Ilwrath]

I prefer the horror environment of Bloodborne

[PutridPlop]

Oh I'm sure that because Bloodborne is a PS4 exclusive it's the better game.

[majedx9]

Bloodborne 4 me

[hugogs]

I think Bloodborne gets a big plus on weapon design, every weapon in that game felt amazing, on the other hand I have to give the edge to DS3 online experience. Overall I think both are great games, that apeal to diferent tastes.

[Umbasa]

Dark souls 3 hands down!

[Germany7]

Bloodborne is unique, i'm playing Dark Souls 3 right now and it's not so different about the two Dark Souls games.
Bloodborne is better.

[PigsR4Eating]

50 hours into dark souls 3, and not one element of this game holds a candle to Bloodborne. Iv'e made it to lothric castle, tried a few different characters. I was hopeful when I read that BB would lend a little of its fast pace to DS3, sadly you are still a slug. I am glad that the game is doing well, and by all acounts this is the game that souls fans seem to have wanted. I suspect despite having miyazaki's name on it, this is still a B team game, albeit a good one. Looking forward to what A team cooks up next, and hoping that that B team will be turned loose on their own project. Before I get accused of being a fan boy I bought a PS4 for BB, have extensively played all souls games, owned a xbox/ 360, bought and sold an xbox one on acount of halo 5, and am a long time PC gamer. Again just my personal take!

[oldenjon]

Definitely a B team game, but with Miyazaki polish this time. Also can't wait for the new IP. I hope it's inspired by the Mountains of Madness, or Alien or some shit. That would be amazing!

[HawaiianDreads]

Bloodborne for me only because of the LoveCraft, not many games with that element.

[SpinalRemains138]

Both have their obvious merits, but overall I prefer Bloodborne for the style and the pace. Enemy design in BB is top notch too. There are areas in the DLC which actually frightened me while playing with headphones.

Dark Souls 3 is really great though. I'm just not a fan of hundreds of weapons of which 80% I will never use. It's like a jack of all, master of none type feel, whereas Bloodborne was asking you to select a weapon and that weapon is your life and you grow with it.

Dark Souls 3 is definitely harder for me, and I love that.

The lack of dungeons kind of stinks though. The dungeons in Bloodborne were so very cool and added hundreds of hours. Also, the fact that your character retains and wears the blood that has been shed, is AWESOME! Walking around bathed in blood is great!

[ShadowKnight]

I like them both. I do prefer the Gothic setting over the medieval setting though. I beat Dark Souls 3 pretty quick which I was surprise

[PurpHerbison]

If we are just talking Bloodborne without the DLC versus Dark Souls 3 then I think Bloodborne is better but only by a little bit. Bloodborne as a complete package with the DLC stomps all over Dark Souls 3.

[oldenjon]

Bloodborne without a doubt. Having each played all the souls games promptly after their release, I think that each has felt a bit less inspired then it's predecessor. Yes the vistas/graphics have improved, but the bosses feel formulaic, the traps more predictable, the secrets fewer, etc. etc. DS3 was an improvement on DS2 for sure, but it doesn't hold a candle to DS1. Bloodborne, however, felt fresh and full of the inspiration that made Dark Souls and Demon's Souls so memorable. I'll never foget making contact with the Brain of Mensis! I think more creativity was poured in the deveolopment of Bloodborne, and i think the news that Miyazaki and his team are eager to work on new IPs comes as as no surprise after playing DS3. That's my two cents anyways

[Sentient09]

I enjoyed Bloodborne more.

[WelkinCole]

Seriously. Who think DS3 is even remotely hard?.

I think its best that they are stating a new IP.

[Hotabang]

demons souls

[Maxor]

At first I missed Bloodborne but after a few levels its DS 3 by a mile. There are a ton of weapon and armor variety and best part of it was that I didn't have to farm boring as hell Chalice dungeons for the upgrades.

[Idree]

I platinum'd both games.

I enjoyed Bloodborne a lot more.

The world of Yharnam and being a hunter, and the tight gameplay is just so satisfying.