After going through over 180 hours ofElden Ring, I’m replayingBloodborne, and there is one particular flaw in FromSoftware’s 2015 PlayStation 4 game that is getting hard for me to ignore. Even with the magnificence that isElden Ring,Bloodborneis still my favorite souls game, 10 years after its release. Its unique setting that blends a gothic-era crisis with cosmic horror leads to a singular story that captivates me and keeps me going. Seeing how immersed it is in the theme of horror,Bloodborneisn’t a game I’d normally play, as I tend to avoid horror games.
However, this isn’t a horror game: it’s a game about horror. Becoming fear itself and pushing forward is precisely its core, and that’s applied to its gameplay and incredible roster of trick weapons – something that has yet to be replicated or developed further upon in other souls games. A similar theme will be explored inThe Duskbloods, FromSoftware’s upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive title. Even so, from its narrative to its gameplay loop,The Duskbloodsisn’tBloodborne 2, so players yearning for more tales about the Old Blood will have to wait until Sony decides to develop a sequel.
Bloodborne Lacks A Skill Respec Feature
I’d Grown Used To The Feature In Elden Ring
I generally believe that the 2015 game has aged quite well, despite some notable technical limitations, such as its lower quality graphics (compared to more recent titles, likeElden RingandDark Souls 3) and its notorious 30 FPS (frames per second) cap. Even with these limitations, the somber action RPG still delivers a great experience to its players, but there is something I noticed during my recent replay session that is truly annoying:Bloodbornelacks a skill respec feature. For reference, the ability to respec allows players to redistribute their stat upgrades and, essentially, alter their entire character build.
This feature is present inElden Ringvia Rebirth, unlocked after beating Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, at Raya Lucaria Academy in Liurnia of the Lakes.By revisiting the fallen boss with a Larval Tear, you’re able to ask her to respec your character. This sees her return all your invested stat points and allows you to level up the stats in a brand-new way. Technically speaking, you can change your Strength build into an Intelligence build, for example, or even start using a mixedFaith and Strength build inElden Ring. The possibilities are many with the respec feature.
Bloodborne’s Lack Of A Skill Respec Function Leads To Too Much Grinding
I Can’t Use New Weapons Without Farming Blood Echoes
Having returned toBloodborneafter so many hours spent inElden Ring, respecing and trying out new builds and new weapons, has made an impact on me. Only now have I realized thatBloodbornelacks a respec feature. In theory,it makes it impossible for me to change builds immediately and start testing out new weapons. In my most recent playthrough, I built up Strength and Skill to use Ludwig’s Holy Blade, a safe and comfortable build that’s carried me through the majority of the game. Now, I’ve ventured intoThe Old HuntersDLC and justbeat Ludwig inBloodborne.
Upon doing so, I’ve obtained access to the Holy Moonlight Sword, one of my favorite weapons in the game – which appears in different forms across various FromSoftware games, such as theDark Moon GreatswordinElden Ring. Looking forward to using it,I found myself grossly underpowered because the weapon scales on Arcane and Strength, and I hadn’t leveled Arcane one bit. After those 180 hours ofElden Ring, my first thought was to respec my character and distribute the stats so that the newly acquired Holy Moonlight Sword would become my main weapon inBloodborne.
Naturally, I was disappointed when I remembered that the 2015 game does not have a respec feature and that I would have to grind to level up Arcane and then use the Holy Moonlight Sword the way I intend to. Surely,Bloodbornehas a huge perk that allows you to grind indefinitely and essentially max out all your character’s stats. That way, I could not only be adept at the weapon I want, but also all the other trick weapons in the game. However, I see that as a poor solution for the lack of a respec feature inBloodborne.
My secondBloodborneplaythrough is actually my New Game +, so I started this run at level 120.
Leveling up in the game requires a lot of grinding, and that only intensifies as your level gets higher and the Blood Echo needs increase. Seeing that I started my second playthrough at level 120, my Blood Echo requirements were already higher than normal. Of course, enemies drop more Blood Echoes, but they don’t offset how high each level needs. I’ve found uncomfortable solace in thebest Chalice Dungeon for farming inBloodborne, which grants thousands of Blood Echoes per minute, butthis isn’t the way I wanted to become adept at using the Holy Moonlight Greatsword.
What Bloodborne 2 Should Learn From Elden Ring
The Anticipated Sequel Could Elevate The Franchise’s Status
Respecing is a simple and common feature among various types of RPGs that makes a huge difference to the overall gameplay experience. It allows players to test out various builds and, subsequently, different weapons, until they find their ideal one. I took it for granted when playingElden Ring,and now I feel the impact of its absence in my new playthrough.It’s probably too late for the game to be updated to include a respec feature at this point in time, but it is one of the lessons that thehighly rumoredBloodborne 2could learn fromElden Ring.
Even with its problems, the 2015 game is still my favorite soulslike title, but it’s undeniable that its age is starting to show. From its limited technical capabilities – worsened by the lack of a remastered version or a PC release – to the lack of a respec feature, the critically-acclaimed game is getting surpassed by more recent releases. After its tenth anniversary this year, the game will likely continue to be considered one of the greatest titles in its genre, but replaying it recently has shown me just how much a sequel toBloodbornecould elevate the series.
