Due to the nature of Bloodborne, I feel it’s very important to disclose my experience with From Software’s past games. To this point I have completed Demon’s Souls, Dark Souls, and Dark Souls 2 (PC). In Demon’s Souls I played a Faith build equipped with a blessed weapon and potent magic. In Dark Souls I moved to a Strength build, eventually acquiring Havel’s Armor to sustain punishing hits. Lastly, in Dark Souls 2 I played a mobile Strength build equipped with the ever-so-dependable Large Club. So, you could say that I’m not only a fan of From Software’s works, but find their difficult nature alluring.
Related: Everything You Need to Know About Bloodborne
With that said, I’ve been excited for Bloodborne since its announcement. The change of scenery is welcomed as is its willingness to adjust the proven formula. So, is it the first PS4 exclusive to blow me away? Let’s find out.
A Taste For Blood
In Bloodborne you spend the majority of your time combating enemies in third-person action gameplay. Movement and attacks are largely the same as the Souls titles. While that means combat is fluid and offers outstanding feedback, it also means that the camera isn’t always dependable. Though it closely resembles its kindred, it brings along with it several significant new mechanics.
For one, a Regain system allows you to recover health following an attack provided you counter-attack in quick order. You’ll find yourself hastily making judgment calls as to whether or not to retaliate against foes. If you hesitate or have ill-timing, you’ll pay dearly. If your precision is like that of William Marshal, enemies will struggle to bring your health bar down.
The removal of shields, or at least any that can provide worthwhile damage deflection, results in you needing to play aggressively. Passive play is not permitted in Bloodborne. This, combined with Regain and the faster-paced gameplay makes it a game that urges you to be assertive in the face of enemies. There is little in the form of safety, and by the end of the journey you’ll learn to feel comfortable within dancing distance of enemies.
Combat requires cautious aggression.
Firearms are an interesting gameplay item. They provide a means for parry that can be highly potent if timed well, but their lack of damage and the scarcity of ammunition results in them being far less utilized than one would hope. What they offer more than anything is a more reliable way to parry enemies mid-swing whether or not you’re in melee range. Sadly, you can disregard them completely and perform adequately.
The quantity of weapons in Bloodborne is underwhelming. On the plus side, the new Transform system allows each weapon to function in two different ways. For example, the Kirkhammer might appear to just be a short sword, but if you press L1 your character will shove the sword into the base of a massive hammer and turn it into a device for smashing foes instead of stabbing them. In contrast, the Tonitrus can be imbued with the power of lightning upon button press. This weapon design does make them more multi-dimensional, leading to weapon-swapping being less common in Bloodborne.
Estus Flasks have been replaced with Blood Vials. This new potion of sorts doesn’t auto-replenish upon visiting a bonfire, and you can carry 20 or more at any given time. The system allows you to heal more often, but you’ll need to farm to keep them in supply. In many locations the vials are rare, meaning that if things don’t go according to plan you’ll find yourself visiting another area just to fill up. As if a punishing difficulty weren’t enough.
Dwelling in Yharnam
Bloodborne‘s Gothic setting is an amazing place to spend time. Its cascades of old, stone buildings are decorated with fine detail. The benefits of the PS4’s hardware can be seen therein. While many of the game’s areas reside within the confines of Yharnam’s walls, you will leave them on occasion. These outdoor environments provide a great sense of freedom with multiple paths and vast openness without sacrificing too much visual fidelity. You’ll feel the immersion From Software was aiming for when cloaked in mist and drowned in ambiance.
Areas in Bloodborne can range from dark and unwelcoming to downright creepy thanks to the game’s outstanding enemy design. You’ll hear the shrieks of terrifying foes while dodging tombstones and other ominous objects. A few areas in particular summon memories of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. This is particularly evident during boss battles, where if the difficulty isn’t enough to tremble your heartbeat, their spookiness will.
The world and enemy design is some of the best you’ll see.
Yharnam’s dark and disturbing nature can wear on you. Thankfully, From Software has brought back the hub style of Demon’s Souls in the form of Hunter’s Dream. While it’s similarly inhabited by gravestones, it’s a calm place of respite where you can gather supplies, level up, and revitalize before heading back into the fray.
The problem with Hunter’s Dream is that the loading times are far too lengthy. You’ll spend an average of 45 seconds staring at a black screen with an off-center Bloodborne logo, only to return to it a moment later to teleport back to Yharnam. Since you can’t teleport from location to location without visiting Hunter’s Dream, this minute and a half of loading is something you’ll have to get used to if you want to complete the game. It also makes death more frustrating, as even respawn loading times are lengthier than just about any other AAA game this generation.
The game’s performance can also be inconsistent. You’ll find the frame rate leaving the comfortable 30 mark on occasion, sometimes hitching roughly accompanied by audio issues. Though, it never lasts for more than a fraction of a second, leaving most of the experience to be smooth and remarkable. But you’ll still wish that the kinks were ironed out.
An RPG Sacrifice
The boss design in Bloodborne is a mixed bag. The enemies themselves are impressive when it come to visual design, evoking emotions of distress and fright. Though, the encounters can be underwhelming. There are fewer memorable battles than in previous From Software titles, both in terms of encounter design and difficulty. You may find yourself defeating a sizable portion of the cast on your first try—I killed many bosses on my first try without any guides.
Speaking of difficulty, Bloodborne is less challenging and more vexatious than its predecessors. Cleverly-placed shortcuts and well-telegraphed enemies place the odds on your side. However, the long loading times and common need to farm Blood Vials adds disorder where it’s unwelcome.
If you do find yourself stuck on an area or boss, you’ll be happy to hear that co-op play is fantastic and less convoluted than previous installments. Insight, the currency used to summon help, is plentiful. Co-op play is also more balanced than previous Souls games as entering a multiplayer lobby leaves you open to PvP invasion. You’ll want to be quick and deliberate to avoid these encounters unless you’re looking for them.
Options are limited in regards to builds and equipment.
From Software’s attempt to change things up from the Souls formula has resulted in a recipe that is missing some of the RPG elements that fans look for. Treasure is rarely exciting. As a matter of fact, you may find yourself completing the entire journey with your starting weapon and armor earned only an hour into the game. Additionally, the number of effective builds is limited as magic isn’t prominent, and the firearm’s ineffectiveness makes the Bloodtinge stat unremarkable. This is a more simple game in a lot of ways, for better or worse.
As a consequence of From Software’s design decisions, Bloodborne teeters into the realm of being a hack and slash game like Bayonetta and Devil May Cry. Yes, it’s slower paced and more methodical than those titles, but aggressive gameplay and dampened RPG elements lean it in this direction. Unfortunately, it’s missing a lot of the fun and excitement of that genre, instead replaced by a better delivered atmosphere and more for you to lose from each death.
So, you can say that this is a game that seeks to be a challenge worthy of accepting for those equipped with patience rather than a game about entertainment.
Conclusion
Bloodborne is yet another challenging RPG adventure by From Software. But instead of thriving on deep, captivating RPG elements it focuses on violent and aggressive combat. It’s a more drastic change than it may appear. It relies heavily on its phenomenal environments and enemy design to keep players plugged-in rather than rewarding exploration or making player choice an important part of the equation.
Related: A Guide to Choosing Your Starting Class and Weapon in Bloodborne
It’s rare that you encounter an exclusive of Bloodborne‘s nature. This isn’t just a game that you eat up in a couple days and then move on, it’s a title that can make a lasting impression after your weeks spent conquering its seemingly insurmountable odds. For that reason it’s a recommended purchase for PS4 owners who are willing to invest time and patience, just don’t go in expecting the best that From Software has to offer.
Game provided by publisher. Bloodborne is exclusive to the PS4.
