Dark Souls Remastered Hides Early Bloodborne Level Concept

A modder has taken a prototype map ofBloodborne’s Upper Cathedral Ward from hidden data files inDark SoulsRemasteredand opened it inGrand Theft Auto 5. This allows one to drive a car in it and explore the map as Trevor.

Modder Dropoff, revealed that he found the map by scouring throughDark Souls Remastered’s files looking for any level files “m99” as these files are often associated withSoulstest files. The files containingBloodborne’s Upper Cathedral Ward was entitled, “m99_99_98_00”.

It is noteworthy that the architecture of the prototype map is not identical to the actual released level inBloodborne.The iconic bridge and gate are the same, but the area outside the building is missing. The textures are also slightly off and less detailed.

Another modder, Lance McDonald, also uncovered part of the Boleteria level fromDemon’s Soulsin the files. He did not open them inGrand Theft Auto, unfortunately.

This brings up the interesting question of how exactly Trevor and a car fit into the picture. Dropoff explains that he took the level file in question and imported it into “3D Software” in which he was capable of repacking it and opening it inGrand Theft Auto 5. There was no direct explanation for why exactly he choseGTA 5.

The fact that the prototype maps the Upper Cathedral Ward has existed since before 2011 is fascinating, and also raises some questions, specifically with the discovery of the prototype of the Boletaria fromDemon’s Souls. Could a possible remaster of either of these games be in the works?

Demon’s Soulsis the predecessor ofDark SoulsandBloodborne, and while it was immensely popular with hardcore gamers for it’s intense difficulty and lore, it received no DLC or direct follow-up sequel since it’s release in 2009. In fact, the lastDemon’s Soulsservers have recently shut down for good. However, there has been news of it receiving anew rating from the ESRB.

Bloodborneis the latest game made byDemon’s SoulsdeveloperFrom Softwareand was released to critical and commercial success in 2015.Bloodbornereceived DLC in the form ofThe Old Hunters, whichwas released in November of 2015.

While it may be a bit too early for a remaster ofBloodborne, fans have been clamoring for a sequel for years. Plus, From Software does have a tendency to revisit locations in sequels to their games asDark Souls 1andDark Souls 3feature similar locales.

Dark Souls Remasteredis available now for Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.