Dark Souls vs. The Elder Scrolls

Attribute	Dark Souls	The Elder Scrolls
Genre	Action RPG	Action RPG
Developer	FromSoftware	Bethesda Game Studios
Setting	Dark fantasy	High fantasy
Combat	Challenging and methodical	Real-time and strategic
Open-world	Partially open-world	Open-world
Character customization	Limited	Extensive

Gameplay

Dark Souls is known for its challenging and punishing gameplay. Players must carefully time their attacks and dodges to survive encounters with tough enemies and bosses. The combat in Dark Souls is methodical and requires patience and skill to master. On the other hand, The Elder Scrolls series offers a more open-world experience with a focus on exploration and questing. Players can choose their own path and playstyle, whether it be as a stealthy assassin or a powerful mage.

World Design

Dark Souls features interconnected and intricate level design that rewards exploration and attention to detail. The world of Dark Souls is dark and foreboding, with a sense of mystery and danger around every corner. In contrast, The Elder Scrolls games offer vast open worlds with diverse landscapes and cities to explore. Players can wander off the beaten path and discover hidden caves, ruins, and dungeons.

Character Progression

In Dark Souls, character progression is tied to the player's skill and knowledge of the game. Players must carefully allocate their souls (currency) to level up their stats and improve their equipment. The difficulty of Dark Souls means that every decision matters, and mistakes can be costly. On the other hand, The Elder Scrolls games offer a more traditional leveling system where players gain experience points to level up their skills and abilities. Players can specialize in different playstyles and experiment with various builds.

Storytelling

Dark Souls is known for its cryptic and atmospheric storytelling. The lore of Dark Souls is hidden in item descriptions, environmental details, and NPC dialogue. Players must piece together the story of the world through exploration and observation. In contrast, The Elder Scrolls games feature more traditional storytelling with questlines, dialogue options, and branching narratives. Players can make choices that impact the world and its inhabitants.

Difficulty

Dark Souls is infamous for its high difficulty level and punishing gameplay. Players must learn from their mistakes and adapt to the challenges presented to them. The sense of accomplishment from overcoming a tough boss or area is a hallmark of the Dark Souls experience. On the other hand, The Elder Scrolls games offer a more forgiving difficulty curve, allowing players to adjust the challenge level to their liking. Players can also use mods to further customize their gameplay experience.

Community

Both Dark Souls and The Elder Scrolls have dedicated and passionate communities of players. Dark Souls players often share tips and strategies for overcoming tough challenges, as well as lore discussions and fan theories. The Elder Scrolls community is known for its modding scene, with players creating new quests, characters, and gameplay mechanics. Both communities contribute to the longevity and replayability of their respective games.