Bloodborne – ブラッドボーン Buraddobōn – is a 2015 action role-playing computer game directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki, developed by From Software, and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 4.
Bloodborne features action role-playing elements similar to those found in director Miyazaki’s other games Demon’s Souls and Dark Souls. Players can return to a safe zone, known as the Hunters Dream, from lanterns spread throughout the world. Doing so replenishes health, but repopulates monsters in the game world. Combat is fast paced and requires an offensive approach in order for players to combat dense hordes of enemies.
The player character is agile and is able to perform sweeping dashes around enemies while locked on. The new risk versus reward style of gameplay is emphasized through Bloodborne ’s health regain system, which allows the player to, within a small window of time, recover portions of lost health by striking back at the player’s attacker.
Most melee weapons can transform into two alternate states; each state encourages a different approach to combat. The Saw Cleaver, for example, in its initial state can be used to quickly dispatch enemies in cramped areas, but when transformed into its secondary state it becomes an extended blade more suited for crowd control. The player can also wield a firearm in their left hand that can be used to stun enemies, which can then be followed up with a critical attack from the player’s melee weapon.
Similar to Dark Souls, enemies drop experience points in the form of Blood Echoes. Should the player die, their blood echoes will be lost at the location of their death. If they are able to reach that point again they can regain them. Also, Blood Echoes may be captured by an opponent, typically identified by glowing purple eyes. Defeating this opponent will return lost Blood Echoes. Enemies also drop Blood Vials, used as healing potions, and Quicksilver Bullets, generic ammunition for ranged weaponry.
Multiplayer is present as well. By expending a consumable item, players can summon other players, to help with boss battles or large groups of enemies.
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Reviews:
‘Bloodborne lies somewhere between Dark Souls and Dark Souls 2, better than the latter but not quite as good as the former. The fourth time following the same template means the master strokes, however masterful they are, are anticipated. But take nothing away from this brilliant, brooding, brutal reinvention, because almost as great as the best game ever is pretty bloody great.’ Ben Griffin, Games Radar
‘It’s terribly hard and more obscure than a bad Russian translation of a James Joyce novel, it also takes place in one of the least inviting settings you can imagine. It’s set in a grim old world, is Bloodborne. However, if you can embrace the gloom and hold on tight through its many hard-as-nails sections, you’re rewarded with one of the most involving and rewarding games of the current generation.’ Andrew Williams. Stuff.tv
‘As of this writing, there’s nothing I want to do other than play more Bloodborne, but honestly, what I’m most looking forward to is how much mileage the Souls community will get out of this experience. There’s so many lore videos to make, speedruns to shatter minds, and discussions to be had about just what the hell’s up with Bloodborne‘s twisted, Gothic world. And I can see myself staying up way too late for the next year wrapping my brain around all of it.’ Bob Mackey, US Gamer
