How Bloodborne’s Unappreciated Chalice Dungeons Paved The Way For Elden Ring

by

Today marks the 10-year anniversary of Bloodborne, on March 24, 2025. Below, let’s take a fresh look at the controversial Chalice Dungeons, which have grown in charm over time considering the release of Elden Ring.

After a decade since its debut, it can be safely asserted that Bloodborne is widely regarded as one of the best PlayStation games ever made. From the terrifying late-game dreamscapes to the eerie creature designs, every element of its Lovecraftian universe has been thoroughly analyzed and critiqued in countless adoring YouTube videos. However, there’s one feature of Bloodborne that’s often criticized by many: its Chalice Dungeons, a system of optional, procedurally generated content that some players rarely or never explore.

Though Chalice Dungeons in the original Bloodborne have their flaws, overall, they represent an inventive expansion of the Souls series formula, foreshadowing the vast subterranean labyrinths and prison-like structures found in Elden Ring. Given that Bloodborne fans like us are eagerly anticipating a potential sequel even after all these years, it might be worthwhile to reevaluate this undervalued part of the game with new perspective. Instead of judging it as something that’s only good or bad, let’s view it as an element that offers more Bloodborne for those of us who still crave more than a decade later.

For those who need a reminder, Bloodborne’s Chalice Dungeons are like endless, randomly created mazes hidden beneath the city of Yharnam, symbolizing its cursed underworld. To enter your first one, you have to defeat an optional boss called Blood-Starved Beast in Old Yharnam. This fight rewards you with a Pthumeru Chalice. After that, you gather more chalices and ritual materials by defeating other bosses within these dungeons. As you progress, the corridors get tougher, and you’ll face stronger versions of enemies you encountered in the main game.

It’s often pointed out that Chalice Dungeons in Bloodborne are one of the game’s few shortcomings, similar to how some players question the Covenants system in Dark Souls 1 when scrutinizing them closely. Upon closer inspection, these randomly generated dungeons may leave you pondering if From Software could have spent a little more time perfecting their design.

These subterranean labyrinths often feel dark, narrow, and disorienting in design, making it challenging to discern the optimal route, not always in a fulfilling manner. The primary issue with Chalice Dungeons lies in the fact that the primary reward for conquering them is… more Chalice Dungeons, particularly during the initial stages. The ornate treasure rooms and oversized chests you acquire after defeating these bosses can seem less impressive when you discover they usually yield the same ritual components needed to progress further along each chalice branch. Given that most players enduring these dungeons are likely doing so to secure the Platinum Trophy, it’s not surprising that they may voice their frustrations over its drawbacks.

Contrary to their seeming insignificance within the game, Bloodborne’s Chalice Dungeons are remarkably sophisticated when looked at holistically. For regular players of this Lovecraftian action game, these randomly generated parts can offer fresh challenges and surprises. Many of Bloodborne’s toughest boss battles, like Watchdog of the Old Lords, Bloodletting Beast, Abhorrent Beast, and the Pthumerian Queen, are found within the Chalice Dungeons. For those who enjoy exploring the game’s lore, these dungeons hide intricate details such as unique item descriptions for rare drops and interactions between lesser-known enemies that are not immediately apparent.

Enemies found in higher-level dungeons can be quite formidable at times, able to dismantle even seasoned players if caution isn’t exercised when pulling them out individually. In the base game, these foes might not have posed much of a threat, but in a dice-rolled dungeon, they can transform into lethal adversaries. You might even encounter rare versions that few have witnessed before, including bosses wandering about as common enemies. The addition of optional difficulties like Fetid, Rotten, Cursed, and Sinister Rites only intensifies the challenge, particularly Cursed, since it reduces your health by half. Consequently, these labyrinths have the capacity to push you to your very limits.

One major factor contributing to Chalice Dungeons being undervalued continues to be their complexity, making it challenging for players to fully utilize them without referring to online tutorials. Here’s a crucial point: The foundation dungeons you need to finish to reach the Pthumerian Queen are fixed and typically lack the abundant rewards found in Depth 5 Chalices, which are the most challenging in the game. To acquire the loot from these difficult chalices, it is necessary to first secure Root Chalices by completing the static content, and then use them to generate new, randomly-generated dungeons.

Root Chalice Dungeons are where you’ll find some of the finest loot in Bloodborne, such as superior versions of weapons (which can be crucial for perfecting your character), premium Caryll Runes, potent Blood Gems, high-tier ore for weapon upgrades, and essential items like Blood Rock. These treasures significantly impact your character’s power level. Moreover, you can employ glyph codes from the Bloodborne community to access instances with guaranteed loot, but where’s the thrill in that? Instead, these demanding levels test every ounce of skill and finesse you’ve gained as a Hunter. If they become too tough, they provide an opportunity for cooperation with your friends—a rare aspect in this game.

As a passionate fan, I often find myself defending Bloodborne against criticism that it lacks content or replayability compared to the Souls series. However, if you approach the game with a mindset of exploring dungeons, Bloodborne’s Chalice Dungeons are filled with an abundance of material to delve into – enough to rival even Elden Ring. It’s fascinating that From Software hasn’t revisited this system in the decade since its release, but considering Elden Ring: Nightreign has adopted a roguelike structure, it seems this could be the unforeseen legacy of Bloodborne’s most undervalued feature.

Next time I dive back into Bloodborne and feel a sigh at the prospect of tackling those Chalice Dungeons again, let’s give them another go. Why not invest a few hours on these random seeds for a shot at crafting my most potent character yet? Although they may not match up to the game’s main levels, they serve as an engaging exploration that offers a steady trickle of content for this game that’s been waiting patiently for its well-deserved sequel. Until then, these dungeon runs are all we’ve got – let’s make them count!

Read More

2025-03-24 18:44