Bloodborne vs Dark Souls III
The short answer
Bloodborne if you want to be fast, Dark Souls III if you want options. Bloodborne removes the shield and pushes you forward with the rally system, so hesitating is punished. Dark Souls III lets you play defensively, magically, or at range, and has far more build variety.
What they have in common
Same studio and largely the same combat skeleton, with the same appetite for bosses that reveal a second phase you were not ready for.
Pick Bloodborne for aggression and atmosphere.
Yharnam is the strongest setting the studio has built, and the transformation weapons give every fight two rhythms. It is PlayStation-only and locked at 30fps, which some people cannot get past.
Pick Dark Souls III for build freedom.
Shields, sorceries, pyromancies, ultra greatswords, bows — you can solve almost any fight the way you prefer, and respec if you get it wrong. It is also on far more platforms.
Frequently asked questions
Should I play Bloodborne or Dark Souls III?
Bloodborne if you want to be fast, Dark Souls III if you want options. Bloodborne removes the shield and pushes you forward with the rally system, so hesitating is punished. Dark Souls III lets you play defensively, magically, or at range, and has far more build variety.
What do Bloodborne and Dark Souls III have in common?
Same studio and largely the same combat skeleton, with the same appetite for bosses that reveal a second phase you were not ready for.
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* Affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
More head-to-heads are on the comparisons page.
