Are Bloodborne and Elden Ring Connected? Unraveling the FromSoftware Universe
The burning question for many FromSoftware aficionados: Are Bloodborne and Elden Ring connected? The short answer is no, not directly. FromSoftware has consistently maintained that each of their “Soulsborne” games – Demon’s Souls, Dark Souls trilogy, Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Elden Ring – exist within their own separate universes. However, the longer answer is far more nuanced, filled with thematic resonances, recurring motifs, and a shared DNA that invites speculation and passionate debate.
Exploring the Superficial Differences
At face value, the differences are stark. Bloodborne plunges players into the gothic, Victorian-era city of Yharnam, a place consumed by a plague turning its inhabitants into grotesque beasts. Its narrative is deeply rooted in Lovecraftian horror, exploring themes of cosmic dread, forbidden knowledge, and the corrupting influence of the Old Ones. The gameplay is aggressive and fast-paced, emphasizing skillful dodging and relentless attacks.
Elden Ring, on the other hand, transports us to the vast and sprawling Lands Between, a high-fantasy realm steeped in rich mythology crafted in collaboration with George R.R. Martin. The game presents a more traditional fantasy setting, albeit one with FromSoftware’s signature dark twist. Themes of ambition, legacy, and the cyclical nature of power dominate the narrative, and the gameplay offers a greater degree of player freedom and build diversity.
Deeper Connections: Themes and Motifs
Despite these surface-level disparities, the two games share profound thematic and design similarities. Both feature:
- Extradimensional Beings: The Great Ones of Bloodborne and the Outer Gods influencing the Lands Between share a disturbing interest in humanity.
- The Corrupting Influence of Power: The desire for power, whether through blood in Bloodborne or the Elden Ring’s shards, leads to madness and decay.
- Ambiguous Lore: Both games deliberately obscure their narratives, relying on item descriptions, environmental storytelling, and player interpretation to piece together the full picture.
- Recurring Visual and Design Elements: Eagle-eyed players have noted similarities in architectural designs, enemy animations, and even certain sound effects across both titles. These could simply be FromSoftware’s signature stylistic touches, but they fuel the fire of connection theories.
- Cycles of History: Both worlds seem to be locked into repeating cycles of rising and falling empires, where the mistakes of the past are doomed to be repeated.
These connections are not evidence of a direct narrative link, but they suggest a shared creative consciousness at FromSoftware, exploring similar philosophical and existential questions through different lenses.
Fan Theories: Bridging the Universes
The ambiguity inherent in FromSoftware’s storytelling has spawned countless fan theories attempting to connect their games. Some popular ideas include:
- Elden Ring as a Distant Future of Bloodborne: This theory posits that the Age of the Stars ending in Elden Ring, where Ranni ushers in an era of cosmic influence, could eventually lead to the events of Bloodborne. The worship of outer entities in Elden Ring foreshadows the Old Ones of Bloodborne.
- Bloodborne as a Dream Within Elden Ring: Given the dreamlike nature of Bloodborne and the presence of sleep-related mechanics in Elden Ring, some suggest Yharnam could be a nightmare inflicted upon the Tarnished.
- Shared Ancestral Influences: Some fans suggest that both Bloodborne and Elden Ring draw from a shared, ancient source of cosmic horror and arcane knowledge, acting as echoes of a forgotten past.
While these theories are compelling, they remain firmly in the realm of speculation. FromSoftware has not offered any official confirmation, and it is likely that these connections are intentional echoes designed to resonate with players familiar with their body of work.
The Power of Interpretation
Ultimately, the question of whether Bloodborne and Elden Ring are connected is less about definitive answers and more about the power of interpretation. FromSoftware crafts worlds that invite players to engage with the lore, formulate their own theories, and create their own headcanons. Whether you believe in a direct connection or prefer to see them as thematically linked but separate entities is entirely up to you.
What is undeniable is that both games share a commitment to challenging gameplay, intricate world-building, and evocative storytelling. This is what makes FromSoftware games so compelling and generates such passionate debate within the gaming community. And like Bloodborne and Elden Ring, the Games Learning Society fosters a thriving community where complex systems and engaging gameplay are explored and celebrated. Learn more about the organization at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to provide even more insight into the relationship between Bloodborne and Elden Ring:
1. Is Elden Ring a sequel to any other FromSoftware game?
No, Elden Ring is not a direct sequel to any other FromSoftware game. It is a new IP with its own distinct universe and lore.
2. Are Dark Souls and Bloodborne connected?
They are completely unrelated. FromSoftware just likes to reference older titles in most of their games, specifically, they like to reference King’s Field.
3. Which FromSoftware game is closest in gameplay style to Bloodborne?
Dark Souls 3 is often considered the closest in gameplay style to Bloodborne, due to its faster pace and more aggressive combat compared to earlier Dark Souls titles.
4. Is Demon’s Souls connected to Elden Ring?
There is no official connection between Demon’s Souls and Elden Ring. Dark Souls I – III occupy their own universe, and so do Elden Ring, Bloodborne, and Demon’s Souls.
5. Why is Bloodborne often considered harder than Elden Ring?
Bloodborne is more linear and has tighter areas, making combat encounters more intense. Elden Ring offers more options for exploration and character build customization, potentially making it more accessible.
6. How long does it take to complete Bloodborne?
When focusing on the main objectives, Bloodborne is about 33 Hours in length. If you’re a gamer that strives to see all aspects of the game, you are likely to spend around 76 Hours to obtain 100% completion.
7. Which Elden Ring ending is considered the “canon” ending?
The Age of the Duskborn ending may make the most sense as Elden Ring’s canon ending, given some hints from the art for Shadow of the Erdtree.
8. What games should I play before Elden Ring to understand FromSoftware’s style?
The common suggestion is to play Demon’s Souls, Dark Souls, Dark Souls 2, Bloodborne, Dark Souls 3, and then Sekiro before Elden Ring.
9. Which Elden Ring ending supposedly leads to the world of Bloodborne?
Some fans believe the Age of Stars ending leads into “Bloodborne” due to its themes of cosmic influence and otherworldly beings.
10. Are all “Soulsborne” games connected in one timeline?
The games in the Dark Souls trilogy follow a definite timeline—convoluted though it may be—Demon’s Souls, Bloodborne, and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice seem to occupy entirely separate universes.
11. Does Bloodborne have an endgame?
Like most FromSoft games and entries in the Souls series, Bloodborne actually has multiple endings. Specifically, it has three.
12. Is Bloodborne considered a spin-off of the Dark Souls series?
Dark Souls spawned two successful spinoff games in the shape of Bloodborne and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, with each game garnering much praise.
13. Why is Bloodborne not getting a remake or remaster?
The source code of Bloodborne is incredibly difficult to emulate or iterate upon, hacked together in a way that would be a monumental challenge to remaster without starting from the ground up.
14. Is Elden Ring bigger and more expansive than Bloodborne?
Elden Ring is significantly larger than Bloodborne in terms of its open world, number of items, and gameplay options.
15. Is Elden Ring’s lore considered better or more hopeful than Bloodborne’s?
The hierarchies of power are much more fixed in Elden Ring than they are in Bloodborne, and while this may suggest the lore of Bloodborne offers more optimism to players to transcend humanity, the game is actually much less hopeful than Elden Ring.