FromSoftware’s Rumored Pirate Game Should Definitely Be More Bloodborne Than Elden Ring

FromSoftware, the studio behind popular games like Elden Ring and Dark Souls, is generating buzz with new rumors about their upcoming projects. While they’re already confirmed to be developing a Nintendo Switch exclusive called The Duskbloods, whispers suggest they’re also secretly working on a pirate-themed game. Since FromSoftware hasn’t commented on these claims, it’s best to take them with a grain of salt until an official announcement is made.

Whether or not the rumors about a new FromSoftware game turn out to be true, I’ve been imagining what I’d want it to be like. While everyone has their preferences, I still think Bloodborne represents FromSoftware at its best. Although Elden Ring is their newest release, I didn’t connect with it as much as their older games, and I’m hoping this rumored project draws more inspiration from those classics instead of focusing on the large open world of Elden Ring.

Elden Ring’s Open World Could Definitely Work for a Pirate Game, But It Needs to Embrace Bloodborne’s Tighter Focus

While details are scarce, rumors about the upcoming pirate game suggest sailing and island exploration will be central to the gameplay. Though not strictly required, an open-world design would likely be the best approach. However, a truly great open-world game doesn’t need to be enormous. For example, Elden Ring‘s map is similar in size to GTA 5‘s, and sometimes feels unnecessarily large. Of course, map size is a matter of personal preference – some players enjoy vast landscapes, as demonstrated by the popularity of Crimson Desert. But FromSoftware, the developers, excel at creating immersive experiences within more focused, compact worlds.

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Reducing the map size, even slightly from Elden Ring, would be a good improvement. While many games have large maps and are still great, Bloodborne‘s smaller world encourages players to return because it feels less overwhelming. The ideal size would fall somewhere between Elden Ring and Bloodborne. The intricately connected city of Yharnam could be expanded somewhat to allow for exploration by sea.

Bloodborne’s Combat Feels More Well-Suited for a Pirate Adventure

I enjoyed the combat in Elden Ring, and the slower, more strategic boss battles can be very rewarding. However, the quicker, more frantic fighting style of Bloodborne feels like a better fit for a pirate game. While Bloodborne encourages a more aggressive playstyle, that shouldn’t be the only factor in designing the gameplay. Surprisingly, the limited number of weapon choices in Bloodborne is actually a strength. Like its map, Elden Ring tries to offer players absolutely everything, and its weapons reflect that. But more options don’t always make a game better. Bloodborne’s smaller selection of weapons might be less about freedom, but each one is uniquely designed and feels distinct, adding a richer personality to the game’s world.

Two Words… Gun Parry

Learning to use the gun parry is one of the most rewarding skills in Bloodborne. The game has many incredibly challenging fights, and successfully performing a gun parry for the first time feels fantastic. Unlike simply defending, the gun parry encourages aggressive, fast-paced combat and gives you a real adrenaline boost.

If FromSoftware is making a pirate game, it’s likely to include firearms. It would be surprising if it didn’t! However, knowing FromSoftware, they might intentionally leave guns out to defy player expectations. If they do include guns, many fans will be hoping for the return of the excellent gun parry system from Bloodborne, and perhaps even an improved version of it.

Giving Bloodborne’s Cosmic Horror a Pirate Twist is Too Good a Combo to Pass Up

Many gamers would love to see a game that combines pirates with the terrifying cosmic horror of H.P. Lovecraft. While there are already good Lovecraft-inspired games, a pirate game made by FromSoftware in that style could be truly exceptional. FromSoftware’s Bloodborne showed they excel at creating dark, unsettling worlds filled with a sense of inevitable doom. Their game Elden Ring features a stunning world that can even feel peaceful at times. A pirate game with a similar relaxing atmosphere wouldn’t be a problem, but the combination of pirates and horror is largely unexplored. This crossover has huge potential, and FromSoftware is uniquely suited to bring it to life.

Another Pirate Game Already Has the Sunny Vibes Covered Anyway

Many gamers are eagerly awaiting the release of Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced. This installment in the Assassin’s Creed series is widely considered a favorite, not only within the franchise but also as one of the best pirate games ever made, offering a surprisingly relaxing experience. The release date for Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced is nearly here. While there’s no word yet on when FromSoftware will respond to rumors of their own pirate game, fans hope it will be soon. If FromSoftware does create a pirate game, it will need to be distinct from Black Flag Resynced to offer something new.

I might be getting ahead of myself, but a bright and cheerful version of Black Flag Resynced combined with a darker, more challenging game from FromSoftware would be amazing. It would be the perfect combination for pirate game fans. Pirate games haven’t had much attention lately, and hopefully, both Black Flag Resynced and this new game from FromSoftware will change that.

While recent pirate games such as Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii and Return to Monkey Island have been enjoyable, a new project from FromSoftware – potentially called Black Flag Resynced – could truly revitalize the genre. For now, we can only wait to see if FromSoftware is indeed developing a pirate game, and hope it leans into the exciting possibilities of a cosmic horror experience similar to Bloodborne.

2026-05-21 23:37