Bloodborne is marking its 10-year anniversary today, March 24, 2025. In light of this milestone, we take a closer look at the often-misunderstood Chalice Dungeons, which have gained new appreciation following the release of Elden Ring.
A decade after its debut, Bloodborne stands tall as one of the greatest titles on PlayStation. Its eerie environments and intricate enemy designs have captivated players and commentators alike. However, the game’s Chalice Dungeons remain a topic of debate among fans, with many considering them a lackluster feature that goes unnoticed by a significant portion of the player base.
Despite their flaws, the Chalice Dungeons represent an innovative aspect of the Souls series, foreshadowing the expansive underground areas found in Elden Ring. As anticipation grows for a potential Bloodborne sequel, it’s an opportune moment to reassess this overlooked segment of the game and recognize it as a means to enhance the Bloodborne experience for those still eager for more after all these years.
Bloodborne’s Chalice Dungeons are procedurally generated mazes designed to reflect the cursed depths beneath Yharnam. Players can access their first dungeon after defeating the optional boss, the Blood-Starved Beast, which rewards them with the Pthumeru Chalice. Progression through the dungeons involves collecting ritual materials needed to venture into increasingly difficult encounters against tougher versions of familiar foes.
Critics often point to the Chalice Dungeons as one of the game’s notable shortcomings. Much like the Covenants in the original Dark Souls, these dungeons can leave players wondering if more developmental time might have improved their design. The dark and convoluted layouts often lead to confusion, and the primary rewards—additional Chalice Dungeons—can feel underwhelming, especially for those pursuing the Platinum Trophy.
However, when examined from a broader perspective, Bloodborne’s Chalice Dungeons emerge as a surprisingly polished addition to the game. For avid players, these dungeons provide the thrill of unpredictability and surprise. They are home to some of Bloodborne’s most memorable bosses, including the Watchdog of the Old Lords and the Pthumerian Queen. Additionally, lore enthusiasts will find plenty of intriguing item descriptions and hidden interactions among lesser-known foes.
Players exploring higher-level dungeons will encounter formidable enemies capable of testing even seasoned players’ skills. The once-familiar adversaries can become deadly in the maze-like environments. The introduction of optional modifiers—Fetid, Rotten, Cursed, and Sinister Rites—adds further complexity, particularly the Cursed variant, which halves player health, elevating the challenge.
A major reason for the ongoing undervaluation of Chalice Dungeons is the lack of guidance, leaving many players uncertain of how to maximize their experience. It’s crucial to note that the initial dungeons leading to the Pthumerian Queen are fixed and do not yield the significant rewards available from Depth 5 Chalices, the game’s most difficult dungeons. To acquire these rare rewards, players must complete the static content first and then use Root Chalices to generate new challenges.
Root Chalice Dungeons boast some of the finest loot in Bloodborne, including Lost and Uncanny weapon variants, top-tier Caryll Runes, and high-quality Blood Gems. This loot can greatly enhance character abilities, making them essential for optimal builds. While there are ways to access guaranteed loot through community-generated glyph codes, the real challenge lies in facing these unpredictable dungeons, representing the culmination of skills developed throughout the game.
Bloodborne has faced criticism for its perceived lack of content and replayability compared to the Souls series. However, by adopting a dungeon-crawling mindset, players can uncover a wealth of engaging content that rivals even Elden Ring. Despite the time that has passed since Bloodborne’s release, the absence of a revisit to this system by the developers remains notable—especially with Elden Ring’s upcoming expansion exploring a roguelike format.
As players delve back into Bloodborne, it’s worth giving the Chalice Dungeons a fair chance. Investing time into this randomized content can lead to the creation of powerful builds and add layers to the gameplay experience. While they may not rival the main levels in design, these dungeons serve as a compelling experiment, providing additional content in the ongoing wait for a sequel that fans believe is long overdue. Until then, the Chalice Dungeons represent the best extension of Bloodborne’s unique experience.
