Elden Ring's story is distinct from Dark Souls. It has its own lore, characters, and plotlines. Although both games are in the same genre and share some design elements, the stories are separate.
Elden Ring has no direct relation to the story of Dark Souls. They are developed by the same studio, but the storylines are not interwoven. Both offer unique and immersive gaming experiences in their own right.
The main difference is in the scale. Elden Ring has a more expansive open - world story. Dark Souls' stories are more focused on individual areas and bosses. In Elden Ring, there are multiple factions vying for power in a large, interconnected world. Dark Souls' story is often more about the cycle of decay and rebirth in a more segmented world.
I think Elden Ring has a more complex story. In Dark Souls, the story is mainly about the cycle of the First Flame and the fight against the darkness. In Elden Ring, there are multiple demigods, each with their own motives and backstories. There are also different regions with their own cultures and politics. All these elements interact with each other, making the story more complex. For example, in Elden Ring, you have to deal with the political intrigue among the different demigods while also trying to understand the lore of the Elden Ring itself.
The stories of Dark Souls 1 and 2 are not directly connected in a simple linear way. However, they share the same overarching theme of the undead curse and the cycle of life and death. In Dark Souls 1, the events are set in Lordran, and in Dark Souls 2, it's in Drangleic. But both worlds face the consequences of the undead problem.
Sure, Dark Souls has a connected story. It might not be straightforward or explicitly spelled out, but if you pay attention to the details, the connections become clear. Things like item descriptions, NPC dialogues, and environmental cues all contribute to building the coherent narrative.
Dark Souls' stories are linked by underlying mythologies, the history of its world, and the fates of key characters. It takes a deep dive into the game's details to truly understand the connections.