Summary
The Chalice Dungeon feature is one ofBloodborne’s most memorable and unique, if not its most universally beloved. With aBloodbornesequel seeming less likelyas the years go by, FromSoftware should instead evaluate the Chalice Dungeon system, extract its strengths, and inject them into a future, non-Bloodbornerelease.
Chalice Dungeons essentially present an infiniteBloodborneexperience, allowing players to use in-game items to seed dungeons that can either be fixed or randomly generated depending on which materials are used. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the methodology surrounding the creation and completion of these dungeons is a bit convoluted and obtuse, but once players figure out how they work, they can offer novel, satisfying, and rewarding ways to engage withBloodborne’s combat and exploration. Sadly, FromSoftware never truly revisited this system, with the closest parallel beingElden Ring’s minor open-world dungeons, though these are notably different in several key ways.
In true FromSoftware fashion, Chalice Dungeons are closely linked toBloodborne’slore, making them more than just a non-canon side activity.
Future FromSoftware Games Could Benefit from a Chalice Dungeon Equivalent
Chalice Dungeons Serve a Useful Role in Bloodborne
AlongsideBloodborne’s co-opand NG+ features, Chalice Dungeons are one of the game’s deepest fonts of replay value. While the fixed dungeons are predictable upon repeated playthroughs, the Root Chalice Dungeons, which are randomly generated, lay the foundation for theoretically infinite, fresh combat and exploration opportunities.
This is not only great for veteran players looking to squeeze everything they can out of theBloodbornegameplay loop, but also for novices looking to hone their skills and farm Blood Echoes and other key materials.
For better or worse,Bloodborne’s brand of Soulslike combatrelies heavily on finite consumable resources, primarily blood vials for healing and quicksilver bullets for sidearm use and various special abilities. The Chalice Dungeons, accessible directly from the Hunter’s Dream hub world, offer a convenient and fairly enjoyable way to acquire not just QS bullets and blood vials, but also blood gems, insight, and even the Beast Claw, a weapon that can’t be looted in the overworld.
Chalice Dungeons are thus a reliable way to improve player skill, level up, and collect essential gear and consumables without resorting to overly repetitive grinding. It’s also worth mentioning that there are several bosses exclusive to Chalice Dungeons, including:
Future FromSoftware Games Can Laser-In On the Best Parts of Chalice Dungeons
Chalice Dungeons shake upBloodborne’s core gameplayand serve a practical purpose, but they aren’t without their flaws. For one thing, the actual process of seeding the dungeons via ritual materials can be somewhat confusing and ultimately underwhelming, adding an unnecessary and inconvenient layer to the whole process.
Another common criticism is the lack of exclusive loot, which can undermine Chalice Dungeon progression and the risk-reward balance for some players. But if a future FromSoftware game could isolate the strengths of Chalice Dungeons—convenience, XP- and consumable-farming potential, and meaty endgame content—while axing some of its lesser elements, it could make for a great inclusion in any kind of game.
Whether this hypothetical game has the mechanical framework ofDark Souls,Elden Ring, orSekiro, anevolution ofBloodborne’s Chalice Dungeons, perhaps without the needlessly complicated ritual material process and with more unique rewards, it could offer better replay value and a solid challenge for players who have exhausted the mandatory base-game content. At the very least, adaptingBloodborne’s approach to Chalice Dungeons could make farming and material acquisition a more convenient, less bland process.
Bloodborne
WHERE TO PLAY
Hunt your nightmares as you search for answers in the ancient city of Yharnam, now cursed with a strange endemic illness spreading through the streets like wildfire. Danger, death and madness lurk around every corner of this dark and horrific world, and you must discover its darkest secrets in order to survive.A Terrifying New World: Journey to a horror-filled gothic city where deranged mobs and nightmarish creatures lurk around every corner.Strategic Action Combat: Armed with a unique arsenal of weaponry, including guns and saw cleavers, you’ll need wits, strategy and reflexes to take down the agile and intelligent enemies that guard the city’s dark secrets.A New Generation of Action RPG: Stunningly detailed gothic environments, atmospheric lighting, and advanced new online experiences showcase the power and prowess of the PlayStation(R)4 system.Ever-changing Chalice Dungeons to Explore: Use holy chalices to gain entrance to a network of vast underground ruins, filled with traps, beasts, and rewards, to explore and conquer alone or with others. These procedurally generated dungeons offer brand new challenges to master, and can be uploaded or shared with friends.
