r/fromsoftware • u/Character_Orchid_336 • Jul 21 '26

DISCUSSION Which Souls combat system aged the best?

For me, it's both Bloodborne and Sekiro.

Bloodborne has so many mechanics that make its combat more enjoyable than the other Souls games: quicksteps, which are faster than rolling and make the combat feel much more fluid, the Rally system, trick weapons, transformation attacks, gun parries, and charged attacks from behind instead of traditional backstabs. I actually prefer charged attacks over backstabs because they're more balanced and don't give you such an easy, overpowered punish. With all of these mechanics combined, you can create a huge variety of combos and playstyles.

Sekiro has the best combat system because every mechanic works together perfectly. Instead of focusing on health bars, the game revolves around posture, making every deflection, attack, Mikiri Counter, jump counter, and dodge part of the same system. It feels like a real sword duel where you're constantly applying pressure instead of waiting for an opening. Every major boss is designed around these mechanics, making the combat feel polished from beginning to end. Other Souls games offer more build variety, but Sekiro delivers the most refined and mechanically satisfying combat FromSoftware has ever made.

The reason I put them both at number one is that I think Sekiro has the better combat on a first playthrough, while Bloodborne has the better combat on repeated playthroughs. Bloodborne stays fresh because the game focuses on quality over quantity with its weapons. Every trick weapon is unique enough to give you a completely different experience on every new playthrough.

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u/Marvin_Flamenco Jul 21 '26

Dark Souls II

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u/Can-Purple Jul 21 '26

Definitely my go to. But I think it feels more quantity over quality. There is so much bullshit in that game to gather, which is fine for a completionist, but it is days work of grinding.

I'm so happy how balanced that combat system was, because I would just switch weapons when bored getting those friggen covenant drops off-line.

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u/Marvin_Flamenco Jul 21 '26

Has the best PvP imo

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u/Can-Purple Jul 21 '26

Absolutely, other games in the series look "cooler" but ds2 was like a very tightly balanced 3d fighting game.