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Rank all the souls games and bloodborne

I'm not ranking Dark Souls 3 yet; right now I'd put it at the top as the best mix of quality and quantity, but I still need to try more builds and wait for patches and DLC for it to find it's final place.

Bloodborne>Dark Souls 1=Dark Souls 2>Demon's Souls

Bloodborne+DLC: Mentioning the DLC is important because I'd only rank it above Demon's Souls without it, but the DLC injected just the content it needed in terms of weapon variety and bosses that actually force you to learn the mechanics. While shorter than Dark Souls 1 and 2 this is the most consistent game of them all, and while I found the pre-DLC/chalice ones pretty easy, I also think it has the best set of bosses too. The only major issue is the OP gem grinding bullshit which forces chalices on you in the endgame and results in PvP coming down to people killing each other in a couple of hits.

Dark Souls 1=Dark Souls 2: Dark Souls 1 has the highest highs overall but also the lowest lows with with several of the mandatory endgame areas and bosses being complete ass and destroying my motivation half the time I play through it (I basically treat the DLC final boss as the true final boss half the time). Dark Souls 2 is lower overall, but, outside the optional extra areas in the DLC, it's lows are just mediocre rather than awful which results in me finding it easier to get through generally. DS2's main DLC areas also remain possibly my favourite content in the whole series. On top of that it's the only one I've found the multiplayer consistently functional (it's also the most balanced with it being possible to make almost anything effective).

Demon's Souls: As the first in some ways I still have the fondest memories of playing this one, but I just don't think it holds up to the sequels overall. There's lots of little jank vs the sequels that adds up, all but a few bosses lean too much on gimmicks which can be exciting the first time but makes them one-note on replays and the upgrade system is an abomination. I do like how special effects like regeneration actually have a use, but I can see why it was changed for the sequels. The level design is also still godlike and some of the best in the series.

Demon's Souls = Dark Souls = Dark Souls 2 = Dark Souls 3 = Bloodborne

Honestly my ranking could just as easily be this.
 
Honestly I've spent way too much time in Dark Souls 1 just wandering around the huge areas, it takes forever to get anywhere in the early game and the treks take a long time.

That's still why I think DS1 is the best. No fast travelling until you know the world, it's such a great choice. I constantly felt like I was exploring a real place, discovering connections to areas I thought were miles apart.

None of the others were able to do that. Bloodborne felt too linear for me.
 
I'm not even half way through DS3, but it's already so much better than the overrated Bloodborne.

DS3 (if it keeps the same level of quality) >DS 1 =DeS > DS2 >>>>BB

For me. DS3 feels like the cultmination of the series and took the only thing from BB that's worth preserving (combat feel/ improvements to hit detection) while retaining most of Dark Souls RPG elements and variety.
 
It seems like opinions are pretty divided for the most part, a sign of a great series. I've only played Bloodborne and Dark Souls 1 so far, though I stopped playing DS1 40mins in whilst going on to Platinum BB. DS1 just seemed to lack the thick, malicious atmosphere that kept me so engrossed with the horror of BB whilst feeling choppier and less fluid . Then again, with 40mins of experience my opinion doesn't mean much.
 
Demon's Souls- playing the import version with absolutely nothing being spoiled by Wiki,internet etc.. This sense of discovery and punhishment stands alone.
Bloodborne
Dark Souls
Dark Souls 3
Dark Souls 2

Nothing can ever top the first Souls experience IMO.
 
I can't decide if I like Dark Souls (900 hours) or Dark Souls III (80 hours) more. Both are pretty much the GOAT. Demon's (70 hours) and 2 (470 hours) are also good but I like them less.

Bloodborne (under 40 hours, not counting the countless hours waiting around for multiplayer connections that never happened) is alright but the shoddy multiplayer, ugly art style and horrible chromatic aberration, streamlined gameplay and lack of content put it at the bottom of the list. It's not a souls game and does not match up to them. It is a poor imitation.
 
0) Dark Souls 2 DLC
1) Dark Souls
2) Dark Souls 3
3) Bloodborne
4) Dark Souls 2
5) Demon's Souls

DS2 DLC is probably my favorite part of any Soulsborne game, even with that godforsaken blizzard-section.

All of these are very close, and my opinion on the order will probably change from time to time
 
That's still why I think DS1 is the best. No fast travelling until you know the world, it's such a great choice. I constantly felt like I was exploring a real place, discovering connections to areas I thought were miles apart.

Agreed. The near perfect bonfire placement throughout acts like a safe heaven in hostile territory where you can level up (the only game in the series where you can do this seamlessly without taking you out of the experience) and heal before striking out again. The bonfire doesn't feel half as iconic or important in DS2 and 3.

Dark Souls 1 does so many things right that the following games doesn't (the world design, no level-up-waifu among other).
 
1. Demons Souls - played this unknown "rare" game at the time and ooooh boy did I get flashback from NES days particularly Megaman where it was difficult at first, but it was fair and fun as you get to know the ins and outs of the game.

2. Bloodborne and Dark Souls 1 - Needless to say I was excited for a sequel which came in the form of Dark Souls and it was glorious all the way up to Anor Londo then it went down hill and then up again with Artorias DLC. Bloodborne is tied with this as the art direction was fresh and after 3 medieval souls, I wanted a new perspective to the series and Bloodborne surely delivered. Sure the pvp was jank, but Bloodborne's combat was the tighest out of all the series and it was glorious and the ambience can't be beat.

3. Dark Souls 3 - It's like Dark Souls 1 all over again, but with a tighter combat and linearity (BB inspired?) It represented the culmination of the series and what a ride it has been. Fitting end to the medieval setting if you ask me. Come on From surprise me again.

4. Dark Souls 2 - I don't know if it was Soul fatigue or just the 3 straight game of the same setting, but this is the one that least clicked with me. It is a good game mind you, but I feel they've gone try hard with this sequel and it felt uninspired. Would I recommend? Yes, as it is still better than most of the game out there, but to me it is the weakest link of the whole series. Best pvp though.
 
For me it goes:

1. Bloodborne. Its by far the best game for me. One of my favourite games of all time infact. Its length is perfect, its more focused and its visually amazing. The combat is far superior to the others and the atmosphere just cant be matched.

2. Dark souls 1 and 3 are pretty much even to me. i see them as very good games but not the greatest thing of all time like many others do. Dark souls 1 had that air of mystery and discovery about it as it was the first one i played. While the first half was really good i didnt think the second half was much fun. Dark souls 3 is technically a better game in many ways. Visually and gameplay wise. But its issue is that it retreads famiar ground far to often. I really enjoyed the first half despite the familiarities but then it started to grate on me. It didnt really feel new and exciting anymore. By the 80% of the way through mark i just wanted to finish it and often felt bored.

3. Dark souls 2. Its a good game. But the changes they made to the world design, movement and bosses brought it down a lot. These issues really hampered my enjoyment at first. Eventually (pretty much after completing it) i managed to accept it as it's own thing and still enjoy it. But its not as good as 1 and 3.

I would also like to say that bunching bloodborne with these games always feels off to me. It shares many aspects with the souls games but over all its a very different experience.
 
Dark Souls 1 would've definitely been the best one if it was more consistent; the below-average end-game areas bring it down a lot. I also tried going back to Demon's Souls some time back (after having played through DaS1, 2) and it didn't hold up as well as I remembered, especially with its super-obscure world tendency stuff. Bloodborne never reaches the peaks of Dark Souls 1, but its average level of quality is higher.

Still playing through Dark Souls 3, but it's quickly climbing up the rankings. The only thing I wished from it was a more interconnected world instead of the Dark Souls 2-like split paths, and more viable builds (e.g. heavy weapons are quite worthless).

Ranking (without DLC):

1. Bloodborne = Dark Souls 1
3. Dark Souls 3
4. Demon's Souls
5. Dark Souls 2

Ranking (with released DLC):

1. Bloodborne
2. Dark Souls 1
3. Dark Souls 2
4. Dark Souls 3 (my guess is this game will climb fast when its DLC is released)
5. Demon's Souls
 
1. Demons' Souls - Because it was a totally new concept.
2. Dark Souls - First half was better than Demon's Souls and the openness of the world was amazing, but then Lost Izalith and Crystal Caves happened
3. Dark Souls III - sits here because I have yet to beat it, still early in the game. Hopefully it doesn't butcher the level design later, right now it's fantastic.
3. Bloodborne - Still absolutely amazing, but I think it might have been a bit too actiony and have too few 'things' in it for my taste (secret areas, weapons, items etc). Still my GOTY 2015.
4. Dark Souls 2 - I like it, but the world and level design is a bit bland/makes no sense and the end goal doesn't feel important at all. Bear in mind I haven't played this since the DLC and SOTFS came out - I heard it improved things significantly but I can't judge that...
 
1. Bloodborne
2. Demon's Souls
3. Dark Souls 3
4. Dark Souls
5. Dark Souls 2

I think I liked BB the best because of the atmosphere and the crazy weapons.
 
I haven't played Demon's Souls so I can't make a complete ranking but I cannot fathom how anyone could think Dark Souls 2 is better than Dark Souls 3. When I play Dark Souls 2, it feels like I have 8-directional movement instead of 360-degrees. That alone makes the controls feel stiff enough for me to not enjoy the game nearly as much compared to Dark Souls 3, which controls exactly as I'd expect it to.
 
Bloodborne up top for sure. So fuckin good. Easily the best combat in the soul series.
Dark Souls/Dark Souls 3 gets to share second place.

Haven't played DS2 or Demon Souls.
 
Haven't finished DS3 yet, but for now it would probably rank 2nd.

1 - Dark Souls
X - Dark Souls 3
2 - Dark Souls 2
3 - Demon Souls
4 - Bloodborne

Love them all, but the lack of variety and less replayability makes Bloodborne quite worse than the rest in my eyes.
 
So far for me, as I've not finished Dark Souls III (Heading to
Anor Londo, right now)

Dark Souls/Bloodborne>Dark Souls III>Demon's Souls>Dark Souls II
 
After having the hype settle down this is how I'd rank em.

Bloodborne>Dark Souls 1=Dark Souls 3>Demon's Souls>Dark Souls 2

Movement/Character control
BB=Ds3>DeS=Ds1>Ds2

Boss Design(Art)
BB>DeS=Ds3>Ds1>Ds2

Boss Design(Moveset)
BB=Ds3>Ds1>Ds2>DeS

Boss Design(Mechanics)
BB=Ds3>DeS>Ds2>Ds1

Level Design(Shortcuts within levels/Size)
Ds3>=BB=DeS>Ds1>>>Ds2

World Design(Unexpected connections between areas/Cohesiveness)
Ds1>>>BB>>Ds3>>>Ds2>>>DeS(N/A)

Overall Art Design
BB>DeS>=Ds3=Ds1>>>Ds2

Replay-ability(NG+ Changes/Amount of miss-able NG content;May vary depending on what you look for in Souls)
Ds2>=DeS>Ds3=Ds1>>>BB

Build Variety
Ds2>=Ds3>Ds1>DeS>BB

Lore(May revisit this after diving a bit more into Ds3's Lore)
BB>>Ds1>DeS>Ds3>Ds2

Online Connectivity(Ease/Speed of connecting w/others)
Ds2>=Ds3>DeS>Ds1>BB

Online Aspects(Covenant Implementation)
Ds2>=Ds3>Ds1>>>BB>>>DeS(N/A)

PVP Combat Mechanics
BB>Ds3>DeS=Ds1>Ds2
 
I've played Dark Souls 1 and Bloodborne, and am 5 bosses into Dark Souls 3. I'm really liking it, and though it has improved over DS1 and Bloodborne in a number of aspects, I'm not getting quite as much out of the overall experience just yet. Still great, though.

(subject to change)

1. Bloodborne
2. Dark Souls
3. Dark Souls III
 
Dark Souls >>>>>>>>DS3-Bloodborne-Ds2

I enjoyed Dark Souls so much, the others are awesome game but they didn't scratch me as the first one.
 
1. Dark Souls
2. Dark Souls 3
3. Demon's Souls
4. Bloodborne
5. Dark Souls 2

That's how I feel at this point in time, but Dark Souls 3 and Demon's Souls are trading places on my list constantly.
 
Bloodborne (under 40 hours, not counting the countless hours waiting around for multiplayer connections that never happened) is alright but the shoddy multiplayer, ugly art style and horrible chromatic aberration, streamlined gameplay and lack of content put it at the bottom of the list. It's not a souls game and does not match up to them. It is a poor imitation.

My god it's like some people don't even try to hide the bias anymore. This is embarrassing.
 
My fucking god it's like ppl don't even try to hide the bias anymore.

I don't like Bloodborne and I will never play it again. The dark art style is quite ugly and the chromatic aberration gives me a severe headache and eye strain unless I wear my tinted computer glasses while playing. There are very few armor sets and weapons and the gameplay is extremely streamlined compared to dark souls. The multiplayer is broken/dead unless I do password matching or invade in two terrible areas (mergo's loft middle and nightmare frontier). I also don't like the chalice dungeons and would have preferred a few more areas (or completed areas like byrgenwerth that were cut or not completed in time) rather than recycled randomly generated content. On top of that you have a shitty framerate in certain areas when you manage to get a multiplayer game going and extremely long loading times that were even worse at launch.

I am guessing they had a small budget and had to work with it. Not sure what you want from me.
 
A challenging proposition, OP.
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#1 Bloodborne
The setting, art style and improved combat are just too good.

#2 Dark Souls 3
Best gameplay implementation and pacing in a Dark Souls game. Some of the levels fell a bit flat but overall were great.

#2 Dark Souls 1
Love the gameplay and world design but fuck the third act.

#3 Demon's Souls
Stopped at the Valley of Defilement and never went back.

#4 Actual Garbage

#5 Dark Souls 2
ADP was a mistake. It's nothing but trash.
 
My god it's like some people don't even try to hide the bias anymore. This is embarrassing.

Right. As if the guy who created the genre is trying to imitate himself in a spiritual successor not connected to Souls in any other way than DNA. Lol
 
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