Without mincing words, FromSoftware's Dark Souls is one of the most influential games of the modern era. Though it took inspiration from the likes of Metroidvanias, The Legend of Zelda, and Berserk itself, FromSoftware's Dark Souls series has gone on to influence a whole new subgenre of action-RPGs called Soulslikes. These titles borrow Dark Souls' interconnected level design, its stamina and combat mechanics, and its obtuse approach to storytelling. But many Soulslikes actually take more inspiration from Dark Souls' younger sibling, Bloodborne.
Released back in March 2015, Bloodborne marked a new evolutionary step for FromSoftware and its usual Souls formula. While Bloodborne certainly uses the Souls formula as a backbone, it introduces its own fair share of mechanics and systems, along with introducing players to a more Lovecraft-inspired world with more Gothic visuals and more supernatural enemies. And while the Dark Souls trilogy has certainly influenced many Soulslikes, a few have been more taken with Bloodborne.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Not necessarily everyone's first choice when they think of a Soulslike, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order certainly is one, with methodical combat, punishing enemies, and an interconnected level design also inspired by Metroidvanias. Though it may seem like a bit of a reach, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order seems a little more inspired by Bloodborne than FromSoftware's most iconic series. The sheer speed of combat in Jedi: Fallen Order feels much more akin to Bloodborne than Dark Souls, especially with the combat encouraging players to parry at every opportunity. Jedi: Fallen Order's enemies are also partial to using an unblockable, high-damaging move every few seconds, which certainly feels like something ripped straight out of Bloodborne's book of bosses.
Hollow Knight
Possibly the most beloved Soulslike of all time, no list is complete without 2017's Hollow Knight. Once again borrowing from Metroidvanias, Hollow Knight's world design seems a lot closer to Bloodborne than Dark Souls. The general appearance of Hallownest and its various nooks and crannies has that eerie sense of foreboding that's present throughout Bloodborne, and its cobble streets, lampposts, and wagon system all feel reminiscent of Bloodborne's Victorian-inspired design. At times, exploring Hallownest can feel just as unsettling as walking the streets of Yarnham, with crazed monsters and beasts lurking around every corner, even if they are a little cuter in Hollow Knight.
Salt and Sanctuary/ Salt and Sacrifice
First released in 2016, Salt and Sanctuary just oozes Bloodborne right from the get go. Salt and Sanctuary takes inspiration from Bloodborne's world design just as Hollow Knight does, but it cranks it up to 11. The whole game takes place in a Gothic city, with underground sewers, manor hallways, and cobblestone streets all feeling wonderfully authentic to Bloodborne's menacing tone. On top of that, Salt and Sanctuary's boss and enemy design also reeks of Bloodborne, with plenty of shadowy beasts and lifeless husks to cleave through. In May 2022, a sequel called Salt and Sacrifice released. This sequel carried over the same dark and gloomy atmosphere of its predecessor, but also added a ton of new bosses to fight, including a handful that feel right at home with Bloodborne's beastly pantheon.
Lies of P
It may not be out just yet, but Lies of P may just be the most overt Bloodbornelike on this list. Telling a fresh take on Pinocchio, Lies of P has players slicing their way through the fictional European city of Krat. With plenty of Steampunk influences, Lies of P looks practically identical to Bloodborne in terms of visual design, albeit a little bit shinier and cleaner in places. Everything from the character design to the enemy models to the streets themselves look as though they've been lovingly inspired by Bloodborne, and hopefully Lies of P plays just as well.