Bloodbornehas an extremely loyal fanbase both inside and outside of the PlayStation family. The game was an exclusive release for the PlayStation 4 in 2015, and fans have shown much interest in a PC port or a PS5 remaster for years now. It’s a justified ask since thisFromSoftware titleis often regarded as their best.
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When FromSoftware came out withBloodborne, fans were enamored by what felt similar, yet different from theDark Soulstitles before it. From the setting to the story and characters,Bloodbornewas a great experience for gamers new and old to theSoulsbornegenre.
9Grotesquely Awesome Boss Designs
Bloodborneimmediately stands out fromDark Soulsupon the first encounters in the game. WithDark Souls, most ofthe bosses are demon-likeor wear some form of mythologized armor.Bloodbornedoes things a little bit differently. Bosses are often hairy, and bloody, or sometimes slimy and alien.
Each boss has a unique look that can intimidate the player upon entry into the boss room. Their designs are unparalleled in their grotesque horror, yet there is equal beauty in the desecration of their ungodly forms. Whether the player is gazing in fear at the beastly Vicar Amelia or the unstoppable and aggressive slime textures ofthe Orphan of Kos, each boss has its own identity.
8Diversity Of Builds
In many RPGs, the player can acquire levels to boost certain stats on their character to make them stronger in any aspect they like.Bloodbornefollows these attributes, and the player can spend Blood Echoes to level up their stats and increase things like their Stamina or Vitality. It’s simple enough on paper but can evolve into something unstoppable if the player knows what to do.
There are many builds that players have developed in the game. Some involve the use of Bloodgems, which are attachments for the weapon of choice. Yet, no builds are quite possible without the stat requirements. Arcane builds harness the secret powers of the cosmic, whereas an easier playthrough has players focusing on strength, health, and stamina. Experimentation is key to the fun inBloodborne,and in no time, the player will defeatall mandatory bosses.
7Mysterious Lore
There are many threads and conversation pieces all over the internet. Several forums and channels on Reddit and YouTube dedicate themselves to understanding the world, mystery, and intrigue ofBloodborne. The team at FromSoftware developed something special, and each item description is a piece to the large puzzle at hand.
Many aspects of the game are shrouded in speculation, which bolsters the story into greater proportions, due to the unknown aspects surrounding them. Questions arise all the time surrounding the world and its inhabitants. These questions may never be truly answered, but the fun is in the mystery, and even in thedeepened sadness of its endings.
6Eldritch Horrors
Upon initial conception,Bloodbornemay just seem like a perverse Victorian nightmare, filled with beasts to hunt and slay to bring the night to an end. Yet, as players continue to progress through the game, things get stranger. Bizarre, blue, and slime-skinned creatures appear and add further threat.
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Then, the nightmare truly unravels, as Eldritch horrors embark from the cosmic. The Eldritch horror comes from that of the Great Ones, the Eldritch beings that appear as multi-dimensional threats that exist across several planes of existence. It’s terrifying and unknown to the player, especially when getting grabbed by an Amygdala without Insight.
5Chalice Dungeons
It’s a staple of FromSoftware’s games now, in which the player will be allowed to enter New Game Plus after completion of the story. Each completion adds further difficulty and sometimes new enemy placements, making for a harder challenge.Bloodbornedoes something different where New Game Plus isn’t the only way to continue experiencing the game.
Chalice Dungeons can be created and exhumed by players and shared across all hunters. They are multi-leveled dungeons that can be started through a Chalice Ritual. There are many great lore implications in the story-orientated dungeons, includingthe Queen of Yharnam.
4Speed Of Combat
Unlike the otherSouls-type games,Bloodbornefeatured aquicker form of combat. In games likeDark Souls, it’s rewarding to play defensively. Remaining well-guarded is vital to survival, especially with the ability to block with a shield and roll to negate damage.Bloodbornelikes to do things a little bit differently.
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The player cannot roll inBloodborneand instead has to rely on quick sidesteps and dashes to dodge attacks. Their weapon also slashes quicker and more rapidly. This is rewarding, as aggression is key since if the player is hit, they can “steal” what health was lost by rapidly attacking an enemy. It keeps combating quickly, and precisely.
3Simplicity Of Weapons
Some consider theDark Soulstitles to be too hard and unforgiving to new and inexperienced players. This is in part to the abundance of weaponry that is available to the player. From staffs to chimes, to gigantic swords that seem double the weight of the player’s character.Bloodbornekeeps things simple and effective.
When startingBloodborne, players will be able to choose between three weapons, and all three of these weapons are viable, and can easily be used to complete the entire game. There are a few other weapons, but none are vital to success inBloodborne.
2The Fashion
Other than not dying, perhaps the most important aspect of theSoulsbornegames is how the player-created character looks. Not only doesBloodbornehave a great character creation screen, in which they can make the likes of Abraham Lincoln, or a ghastly monster, the attire inBloodborneis positively fashionable.
These games are often referred to as “Fashion Souls” since every player wants to look good.Bloodbornehas a wide variety of outfits, and many pieces can be mixed and matched to make the player’s Hunter ready for a bloody night in Yharnam.
1Immersive Victorian Setting
Whether players are trudging through the muddy paths of Hemwick Charnel Lane or the foggy cobbled streets of Old Yharnam, the environments ofBloodborneare beautifully crafted. The setting is perfect forBloodborne, and the game features a desolate, and demonic Victorian-era city, with villages and outfits.
The game can genuinely be quite scary, hearing the wails of those trapped in their homes, or watching the streets fill with the scourge of beasts, looking for the player so that they may attack. Everything from the lighting, to the sound design, and the details of the architecture make for a great and immersive gaming experience.
