Highlights
Elden Ring draws inspiration from Bloodborne's iconic boss battles, including the showdown with Lady Maria in the Hunter's Nightmare DLC.
Lady Maria and Malenia, the boss in Elden Ring, both specialize in melee combat, showcasing their adeptness with swords through precision and finesse rather than relying on sheer strength. They serve as optional late-game trials that conclude specific areas of the game, and their intriguing backgrounds intertwine with important characters in the game's storyline.
Elden Ring, FromSoftware's most popular game to date, pays homage to its predecessors with a rich lineage of finely crafted and incredibly challenging games. Among these is the highly acclaimed Bloodborne, which serves as a major source of inspiration for Elden Ring. Particularly, Elden Ring draws influence from one of Bloodborne's most iconic boss battles.
While Bloodborne is not without its flaws in terms of boss encounters, it shines as one of FromSoftware's best when it comes to engaging, imaginative, and multifaceted fights. One prominent example is the intense clash with Lady Maria in the Hunter's Nightmare DLC. This brutal showdown must be conquered before players can access the remarkable Fishing Hamlet, one of Bloodborne's standout locations. Despite existing in separate timelines and universes, the confrontation with Lady Maria serves as a prototype for the challenging Malenia boss battle in Elden Ring.
Bloodborne's Lady Maria Set the Stage for Malenia's Brutal Battle
The battle with Lady Maria contrasts starkly with that of Malenia. Maria, a disillusioned hunter trapped in the Hunter's Dream after committing atrocities at the Fishing Hamlet, is consumed by guilt and harbors a deep hatred for hunters. Utilizing her impressive skill and seething anger, she emerges as one of the most formidable bosses in Bloodborne. Conversely, Malenia, a member of a royal bloodline plagued by the Scarlet Rot, dedicates herself to protecting her cursed brother Miquella.
Despite their contrasting stories, a closer examination of the encounters with these two individuals reveals notable similarities. Both bosses heavily rely on melee attacks, specifically employing swords with extraordinary finesse and precision. Their swordplay unleashes rapid and devastating assaults, capable of inflicting bleed damage. Neither Malenia nor Maria relies on brute strength; instead, they strategically outmaneuver and outwit their opponents, relying on their agility and speed. This sets them apart from other formidable bosses in the Soulsborne series, such as Bloodborne's The One Reborn, whose sheer size may prove intimidating but can also be a liability in battle.
Lady Maria and Malenia have different approaches to ranged attacks. Lady Maria relies on her firearms in the first phase of the fight, while Malenia surprises players with her Waterfowl Dance, sending shockwaves from a distance. However, their similarities become more apparent in the second phase of the fight, as both resort to blood damage attacks. Maria's strikes are quick and leave trails of dangerous blood-infused energy, increasing the range and duration of each swing. Malenia exhibits a similar style of attack, making it challenging to predict and avoid, especially for those accustomed to fighting beast-style enemies in Soulsborne games.
In addition to the combat aspect, Malenia and Maria share similarities in their positioning within their respective games. Both characters serve as optional late-game challenges that conclude complex and distinct zones. While beating Lady Maria is necessary to complete the DLC, it is not required for the base game. Furthermore, they are minor characters with intriguing backstories that are intimately connected to more significant characters in the overarching narrative.
Elden Ring represents the culmination of the Soulsborne games, drawing inspiration from both Dark Souls and Bloodborne. Given Bloodborne's influence on titles like Lies of P, it will be fascinating to witness the transformative impact of FromSoftware's gothic Dark Souls spin-off on the gaming industry in the future.
You can now access Elden Ring on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
