Dark Souls 3 vs. Bloodborne: Which do you prefer?

I've started playing DS3 again after quite a while and not putting too many hours into it initially and I've been comparing the game subconsciously to Bloodborne quite a lot. The dark atmosphere, the relatively fast-paced combat, the score have all reminded me a lot of Bloodborne.

Now, I've been asking myself which of the two I prefer. In terms of both story/lore as well as combat and weapons, I'd probably go for Bloodborne for sure. However, I've enjoyed the level design of DS3 a lot more in comparison.

Which of the two do you prefer and why?

7 comments

BB is the better game but it lacks build variety which hurts its replay value very much. I have a lot more hours on DS3, especially since that game has mods.
If you're only going to play through it once, my vote goes to Bloodborne. Otherwise, DS3
DS3: my first souls game, many playthroughs and different builds, best bosses in the DS series, really good DLCs and especially the DLC bosses. Still looks great. Besides covenant grinding for 100% I still appreciated the replay value including hunting down every ring (ER 100% was a big disappointment, way too easy). Medieval aesthetic which is my jam.
BB: being held hostage on a console I will never buy thanks to Sony, some sort of Victorian(?) aesthetic that isn't medieval therefore less appealing to me, apparently less build variety. Never played it yet, but I will eventually.
DS3 is my pick of course, and I don't think that actually playing BB will change my mind on that, but we'll see. I've purposely tried to keep myself blind to it for that sweet first playthrough.
Given i only recently played bloodborne and have probably 30x the hours in DS3, i have to say DS3. I'm just much more familiar with it in terms of combat, lore, level design, etc that it isn't a fair comparison. I did like bloodborne, though i struggled to get ahold of visceral attacks ( i never parried before sekiro lol).
I do agree i like level design of DS3 better. I wasn't sure if i was just missing parts of bloodborne but it just felt fairly linear within areas. It's a bit like comparing DS 1 and DS 3 in terms of world design vs level design where DS3 has a linear world but complex leven design, and DS1 had interconnected world design but linear level design.
- BB can feel a bit linear If you don't go for every nook and crannie, (and it does have some very linear segments) but I'd recommend going back to it if you have only played it once, since it has some cool areas that are easy to miss.
Ew soulslikes..
- Get out of my lawn!
- okei

7 comments