The first batch of reviews for Bloodborne has gone live and it paints an incredibly positive picture for From Software’s quasi-Victorian PS4-exclusive action-RPG. Only the game’s performance seems to have been received negatively by critics, while the art style, gameplay (both in terms of core loop and ancillary mechanics), writing and sound design all receive plenty of praise.
GameSpot, 9/10.
The finest treasures are found within the city of Yharnam and the forests, lakes, and purgatories beyond it. Only Bloodborne would be so bold as to bury an entire factional player-versus-player mechanic within an optional region, which is in turn buried within a series of oblique steps you might miss if you aren’t exploring every nook and cranny, or ignore the game’s enigmatic hints. I finished Bloodborne in less time than I did Dark Souls II, yet I treasure it more in spite of its few missteps. In death there is life, and in blood, there is redemption. More hyperbole, yes, but for a game this theatrical, only hyperbole will do.
Destructoid, 9/10.
Bloodborne is an interesting mix of everything From Software has learned throughout its storied developmental career. Not everything will gel with fans old and new, but for the most part, the shift towards a combat-oriented game is a net positive. From Software is still one of the only developers left that makes you work for your satisfaction, and Bloodborne is damn satisfying.
The Jimquisition, 10/10.
Bloodborne is as glorious as it is grotesque, a harsh and unyielding exercise in getting battered mercilessly while feeling encouraged the whole painful way. While very much a Souls game through and through, the switch from methodical and slow progression to a faster, ultimately more savage environment provides just enough of a twist to give it a wholly unique feel, a more empowering journey, for both the player and the opposition. Bloodborne is something truly special a barbaric horror RPG that will giveth and taketh away in perfect measure, wrapped up in a perverse world that will refuse to let you go.
You can also hit crazy villagers with a cane that’s also a whip before toasting them with a handheld flamethrower. Because of course you can.
PlayStation LifeStyle, 9.0/10.
The PlayStation 4 finally has its exclusive killer RPG. Bloodborne is punishingly hard, but like the Souls series, not unfairly so. If you go into this game accepting of death and the lessons that it imparts on you, then you will have a much better time than if you were to approach the game thinking you were the next Kratos. With a light touch of thankfully, gratefully optional multiplayer options, Bloodborne will be played for years to come. If you see someone with a Platinum trophy for this game, you will know that you are in the presence of a badass gamer. Bloodborne cannot come any more highly recommended for RPG gamers looking for a true challenge.
The Telegraph, 5/5.
Bloodborne is one of those experiences that totally consumes you when you’re involved in it and working to see all that it has to offer. In that sense it’s the digital edition of a round-the-world trip to foreign continents, each turning of a corner providing equal helpings of excitement and trepidation. That recipe brings it own rewards by simply being a part of it, the seemingly effortless delivery indicative of a design team and philosophy that is only getting sharper.
GameTrailers, 9.6/10.
The weapons are already fascinating on their own, but get even more interesting with bloodgems. These items can be slotted into both melee weapons and firearms giving them different effects. Some simply increase raw power, while others offer augmentations like poison damage. Bloodgems are not especially inventive items since similar things have appeared in plenty of RPGs, but the concept meshes with the style of Bloodborne exceptionally well. Because the game is so difficult, sometimes it’s best to take a new approach and bloodgems accentuate that philosophy even further. They may be just what’s needed to achieve success during a tumultuous situation.
Supplementary mechanics provide even greater variety. Runes act like rings from the Souls games, giving specific benefits when equipped such as more health or increased parry damage. Unique items essentially replace magic. They cause powerful and occasionally grotesque effects, using bullets as a resource. There’s even a very special mechanic that we won’t spoil. It’s definitely a bit obtuse, so don’t be surprised if you’re confused at first. Bloodborne slowly unravels itself to the player in such a way that it feels like there’s always something to discover. The game shows even more restraint than the Souls series, giving it a sort of perpetual allure. Just when you think you have it figured out, a new twist comes along and changes things, remaining true even at the very end and beyond.
RPGFan, 95%.
Bosses are another Miyazaki specialty, and Bloodborne continues his winning streak. The first couple of encounters are going to cause some thrown controllers and cries of indignation on message boards, to be sure. The Cleric Beast, as expected, proved a bit too much for the lock-on camera, so make sure to switch that off and run round him to gain the advantage. As for Father Gascoigne, well, try not to panic and remember that you can dash after getting knocked down (though you’d better time it right or you’ll end up right back on the ground again). The best part about these bosses is how careful analysis and observation will always yield the best results. I didn’t think there was any way I could beat some of the bigger monstrosities lying in wait, but I was able to overcome every obstacle in the main campaign without asking for co-op help (which is a first for me as a Souls veteran). Sure, my hands were shaking and my heart felt like it was going to explode, but I persevered and slaughtered my prey.
It must be said that Yharnam is one of the most consistent and engaging environments I’ve had the pleasure of exploring in any video game. The Victorian-era-inspired art design is flat out fantastic, with incredible vistas and gorgeous landscapes filled with an eerie sense of dread that looms over everything. With this consistency in vision comes a slight lack of variety, however. Where Dark Souls II featured lava castles, mining sites, and the pirate’s cove from The Goonies, Bloodborne keeps everything in a dark fantasy setting that can feel a little samey at times. It’s all amazingly realized and very immersive, but don’t expect to see too much cheer or whimsy in Yharnam. Thankfully, the level design combines the best aspects of Demon’s and Dark Souls. The Hunter’s Dream serves as the hub area where you can upgrade your character and gear like the Nexus in Boletaria, while the world is interconnected and set up like a maze straight from Lordran. The verticality of the environments also evokes The Tower of Latria (possibly my favorite Souls level ever), as do the dreaded chime yielding maidens who I’ll leave you to discover on your own…
God is a Geek, 10/10.
Bloodborne is an immensely intricate and tightly-designed game that arguably surpasses what From have produced before, thanks to a handful of new ideas and tweaked mechanics. A system that promotes repetition to refill your consumables, and a difficulty that encourages level grinding in the opening few areas and at various intervals throughout feel like minor missteps, but they’re tiny ones at that. Despite a few minor performance issues, Bloodborne is an epic, compelling, heart-pounding triumph.
GameInformer, 9.75/10.
If there are any qualms about Bloodborne, perhaps one of the only ones is the long load times associated with entering new areas or death these long affairs can become quite irksome during the frequent, inevitable deaths that go along with playing the game.
Bloodborne is a blood-drenched horror gem that has only the faintest of cracks in its façade. Bloodborne succeeds through sparse storytelling, lush atmospheres (conjuring up notions of the best of Lovecraft’s work), and tight combat that forces you to be aggressive. While this new IP doesn’t stray far from the established Souls franchise, it is a magical, wondrous work that admirably instills both terror and triumph in those brave enough to delve into it.
The Guardian, 5/5.
Miyazaki is, perhaps, the medium’s greatest world-builder. His storytelling is always fragmented (the game is so relentlessly hostile that, when you happen upon a friendly character, who offers you encouragement, information or some kind of useful item, the sense of relief may bring you close to tears), but there’s a sense that the iceberg of the fiction sits deep and heavy. This is evidenced in the way in which the world pieces together like a grand and elegant contraption. You will spend an hour questing through some knotted area of Yharnam, praying for a lamp to light, only to find a set of gates that, when heaved open, will create a passageway that brings you back to a previous safe point. While different sections of Yharnam’s surrounding area are accessed via different portals in the hub world, most of these areas can be trekked between on foot. The world is vast but, more wonderfully still, it’s clockwork.
There are, however, places in Bloodborne that are less precise in their layout. Aside from the main quest, it’s possible to create randomly generated dungeons using a concoction of items swirled together in a chalice. These multi-tiered dungeons generate (glyphs), numerical keys that can be shared with friends, allowing them to download its layout to their game and share in your pain and frustration.
Metro, 9/10.
Of course no game is perfect, but Bloodborne does come tantalisingly close. And yet we admit it’s not a game for everyone; it’s too demanding for that, although the only absolute requirement to master it is time and patience. Give it that and Bloodborne will reward you a thousandfold, for this is not just the best game on the PlayStation 4 this is one of the best games of all time.
Hardcore Gamer, 4.5/5.
Make no mistake: Bloodborne will put hair on your chest. There will be disagreement on whether or not it’s harder than the Souls series, but it’s clear From Software did not dumb down the formula. It will be interesting to see how the general public reacts to such a punishing experience, but those who brave it will be rewarded with a true sense of accomplishment rarely felt in the medium. This is an expertly designed action title that blows most every other game in its genre out of the water. The stages are clever, featuring layouts that perfectly flow in and out of each other, while the Gothic style is a perfect fit for the gameplay and boasts some truly inventive beasts throughout the adventure. On a technical level, the presentation boasts strong framerate and a stunning visual palette that evokes some of the greatest classical horror imagery. The one blemish are the abhorrent loading times, which is a shame as they’re simply an optimization issue rather than a design one. Expertly crafted on practically every level, Bloodborne is a deviously delicious experience that deserves to be experienced by anybody valiant enough to conquer it.
Gaming Age, A.
Instead of holding your hand and telling you where to go and what to do every 5 minutes like many other action games, Bloodborne simply puts you in a hostile world and lets you decide how to survive only providing you with the bare necessities along the way. For some this might seem like an impossible task, although others may see it as a great challenge to overcome. It is true that some players may feel that making any progress is far too difficult, I felt the same way when I began playing, but trust me this is not a game you want to skip. Don’t be scared to try it, Bloodborne is a wonderful addition to the PS4 library and I cannot recommend it enough.
RPGSite, 9/10.
Armor is synonymous with defense and while the game does sport a selection of attires to choose from, there isn’t much differentiation from one to the next. Each armor will give a boost to defense and resistance, but you aren’t giving many options to upgrade them. Armor only serves to deck out your character visually for the most part. While this may seem disappointing, the absence of focus on armor only accentuates the game design’s offensive philosophy.
One of the ways that Bloodborne has slimmed down on its predecessor’s complexity is through the amount of items in the game. Just like how there are few weapons in the game, the amount of usable items is also low. While this may seem like a detriment, this trimming of inventory is actually implemented perfectly. The types of items you can use use in combat feel varied and thoroughly practical, almost like the assortment found on Batman’s utility belt. While there may not be a lot of individual items to choose from, the fact of the matter is you’ll only be able to use a few in the heat of battle.
PlayStation Universe, 9.5/10.
From Software’s Bloodborne is a triumphant success in what’s arguably been a lackluster generation thus far. It’s taken just over a year for PlayStation 4 to get its first fully fledged must-have title. Thankfully for us, it’s finally arrived. Bloodborne is an undisputed revelation.
EGM Now, 9.5/10.
The one addition I’m not yet entirely sold on is the Chalice Dungeon system. Designed to offer an endless amount of replayability through procedurally generated dungeons, the concept is strong, but the execution seems somewhat lacking. While the pool of potential enemies and bosses includes quite a few not found in the main game, the three main chalices I’ve experimented with so far (out of a total four) start to feel remarkably similar after a short while. Sure, you’ll get a bit of sand on the ground here, a few puddles of poison there, but they’re all built atop the same set of interchangeable rooms and enemy mobs, and after a while, more for the sake of more starts to lose its luster. Part of what makes From Software’s action-RPGs so great is their handcrafted feel, and the Chalice Dungeons don’t come anywhere close to capturing that.
Worse is the necessity of grinding to move up to the higher-tier, more challenging dungeons. Since the rituals required to access them require specific ingredients, all of which are most readily obtained by replaying earlier dungeons, progress can come in frustrating fits and starts, with a lot of mindless repetition on the way. I have no doubt that plenty of players will love their inclusion and the longevity they potentially bring, but they’re certainly not for everyone, especially if you don’t have a stomach for the lack of personality or variety.
Comics Gaming Magazine, 9.5/10.
All in all, the game is exactly what Souls fans have been hoping for in this new generation of consoles. It’s gorgeous, terrifying, relentless and highly addictive. There’s so much depth to this game that it’s impossible to go over everything, and there will be many surprises in store over the next few months as swarms of Hunters descend on Yarnham and explore its twisted alleyways and endless secrets.
Trusted Reviews, 9/10.
This attention to detail and an above-and-beyond architect-like approach to world-building is another important part of the game, though, not just the level designers showing off. Continue points are scarce, and Bloodborne often routes you back to one unlocked previously. They’re called Lamps here, a slightly more modern take on the bonfires of Dark Souls 2. That feeling of being ‘˜back at square one’ is a deliberate oppressive move, but every unlocked door is progress.
By routing you around the same alleys, Bloodborne also makes you as familiar with its world as its creators are. Rarely does a game make you have such an intimate a relationship with environments this awful.
There’s beauty in them too, of course. This is far from one of the PS4’s best-looking games, but there are plenty of grand vistas that act both as eye candy and a way to stop Bloodborne’s oppression from weighing too heavily. It’s a dungeon crawler in some respects, but its environments are as often epic as claustrophobic. From Software has been very careful about that particular balancing act.
GamesRadar, 4.5/5.
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.
Crave Online, 8.0/10.
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.
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.
Tom’s Guide, 4/5.
If you go into Bloodborne expecting Dark Souls III, you’ll come out disappointed. But if you, like From Software, are willing to try something new, it’s hard to put this game down. The newcomers out there should pick this one up. If you like it, there are three more where that came from.
The Sydney Morning Herald, scoreless.
Regardless, Bloodborne is a triumph, a title that takes everything that was great about an existing series and marries it to a host of excellent new ideas. The high difficulty and epic length means it will not be for everyone, but Souls fans who own PS4s should buy it immediately.
Digital Spy, 5/5.
I want to keep playing, I want to discover its secrets, I want to fight every monster, try every weapon, discuss theories and explore as many of the community dungeons as possible. To put it bluntly, I want to bleed the game dry.
Gaming Trend, 95/100.
Bloodborne takes what made Souls amazing in the past, and infuses it with speed, risk-reward play, and a haunting atmosphere. Only a few technical hiccups hold back a masterpiece from Miyazaki and From Software. This is a must-play game for any PS4 owner with a masochistic side.
Bloody Disgusting, 9.5/10.
As I’m sure you’ve gathered by now, Bloodborne is very much a Dark Souls game. Many of the ideas are here, they’re just presented in a Gothic horror package that’s darker, bloodier, scarier and so much better. From Software has learned a lot from their Souls series, and that knowledge has clearly led the direction they took with this.
GamesBeat, scoreless.
Bloodborne is the system seller for all dedicated gamers that don’t already own a PS4.
Granted, From Software will need to issue some serious rapid-fire patching in order to make sure no one quits in frustration after being stuck-in-grass-to-death. But the majority of Bloodborne’s faults can be literally ignored without the smallest consequence, save for the most masochistic of completionists. The wait-for-the-weakpoint approach we all have fallen into it since Demon’s Souls is no more, replaced with an arguably superior make-your-own-weakpoint system of offensive risk. But what will make Bloodborne a lasting triumph is the almost gleefully nightmarish world it is too keen to force-feed you to.
NZGamer, 8.9/10.
Bloodborne lends heavily from its forebears, but transforms the combat into a fast-paced dance of death. It rewards aggression rather than hanging back and waiting for opportunities to present themselves. While some technical, design, and pacing issues mar parts of the experience, Bloodborne is the freshest playing entry in a genre that has very narrow gameplay constraints.
Stuff.tv, 5/5.
Bloodborne is a tricky beast. It’s not for everyone. But if you’re looking for something a little different, something that’ll really challenge and involve you a bit more than your average eight-hour shoot-a-thon, you need to check it out.
You may not make it to the end. You may not even make it half-way. But this isn’t really a game you need to finish in order to come away with some great memories. The same rules just don’t apply here.
Feeling brave enough to give it a go? Just keep your gamepad-throwing arm in check – you don’t want a smashed TV.
Attack of the Fanboy, 4.5/5.
The Souls series has generally fell flat on building a believable world. Bloodborne takes it a step further in creating something that feels not only connected, but cohesive. Not just by joining the areas by secret and unlockable paths, but in the general gothic, plague-ridden theme of the game that persists throughout. Yarnham and its surrounding areas all feel well thought out and in their place, while offering a good deal of variety. Helping to build this cohesive world is the upgrade in visual fidelity that Bloodborne sees over the previous Souls games on consoles. The world is richer, it has more detail than we’ve seen before. Bloodborne puts the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of those previous games to shame, and is a significant upgrade. It’s also prettier than the PC version of Dark Souls 2, though it doesn’t run anywhere near as smoothly. Frame rate issue do pop up from time to time, and panning the camera can be dizzying. Bloodborne is clearly taking advantage of the powerful PlayStation 4 hardware. It can be a beautiful, beautiful game at times. At others it can seem limited, choking on its own beauty. It’s also got some serious load times. In case you haven’t noticed, these new consoles aren’t the best for loading times, and the many deaths you’ll experience playing Bloodborne are accentuated by 30-40 second loads in some cases. Looking at a screen with only the Bloodborne logo no less.
The Independent, 5/5.
It’s unquestionably the best game of the generation thus far, but it is also more than any of the accolades it deserves. It’s a gorgeously gruesome envisioning of a world that offers no rational level of negotiation or pity, where the only natural reaction to its abject bleakness and psychological oppression is vicious and primal. Re-born out of blood, what will you become?
MMORPG.com, 9/10.
I could go on about Bloodborne, but I won’t. I’ll simply say that it’s one of the best action RPGs I’ve ever played. It’s brutally difficult, but never cheap, and it’s one of the most atmospheric games in recent years. If you fancy hard games, if you love a good deep RPG that doesn’t hold your hand, then you owe it to yourself to play this one. It’s a shame it’s only on the PS4, but frankly, Bloodborne is worth buying the system to play.
Daily Star, 5/5.
Overall, a strong game that looks fantastic, plays well and will give you literally hundreds of hours of fun.
But be prepared for a frustrating hell ride.
And if you’re a real novice to gaming I suggest you avoid altogether.
Cheat Code Central, 4.0/5.
Bloodborne is not a game for everyone. It simply is not going to appeal to the mass audience. However, I can say that in the time I ended up spending with the game I grew very fond of what was before me. It’s not punishment just because, it’s more in line with challenging you to become a different type of player when enjoying these games. You can’t just hack your way through things, even when you feel like your latest upgrades should make you unstoppable. You have to have a strategy to how you play no matter what. For that, I say this is probably my new favorite title of next-gen consoles, but then again I could have just become assimilated to enjoy the pain. Now I just have to figure out if I should say thank you or just sit quietly until my next punishment.
MMGN, 9.5/10.
As a single player RPG experience, it’s unmatched or unlike any other – aside from its spiritual predecessors. With multiplayer servers going live upon release, the franchise’s signature co-op and PvP play is sure to extend the playtime and possibilities of Bloodborne by a huge amount, especially with the introduction of Chalice Dungeons into the mix.
Neoseeker, 9/10.
From Software, with Demon’s Souls, created a type of experience unlike anything else on the market. They’ve since capitalized on their invention and somehow continued to impress, but the fear that the well was running dry was certainly in the realm of reality. Bloodborne should wipe those fears away. Not only has From Software shown that Bloodborne’s highly challenging action paired with beautifully constructed worlds still has much to offer, but also that From knows exactly where the magic lies and they are continuing to work at purifying it. Bloodborne is the product of those efforts and it is spectaular because of it.
The PlayStation 4 has found its star exclusive. Bloodborne, a macabre, highly punishing, entirely too terrifying experience, is that game. It’s a joy and a terror to experience and I can’t recommend enough that everyone join me in this nightmare. It’s really unlike any other game out there.
Gaming Nexus, 9/10.
Despite the manner in which it will punish and abuse you, Bloodborne will have you crawling back to it and saying, “Thank you, sir, may I please have another.” It’s a gorgeous and dreadful world that sucks you in, and then kills you. Beautiful in every single aspect of the game and sense of the word, this progression of the Souls franchise is more accessible and addicting than ever.
GameZone, 9/10.
Even without grinding, your natural progression makes you quite powerful. The difference between fighting an optional boss the moment you can or waiting until later in the game is night and day (sometimes quite literally). I get the ‘˜duh’ in that statement but I mean the slope is steep. Leveling up your damage and upgrading your weapons has an extremely noticeable effect. Since your ‘˜defense’ state is difficult to raise via armor, it raises with every level which all comes to play in this. If you’re have trouble with a boss, I’d imagine grinding a few levels or upgrading your weapon further will truly make the encounter that noticeably easier. Also, Fire Paper, holy sh*t. I don’t know if this consumable is broken but its increase to DPS is ridiculous.
What you may have to farm are Blood Vials. Think of these are your .rass’ if you’re familiar with Demon’s Souls. When these run out, they run out. For those who are used to the Estus Flasks of Dark Souls, this may suck for you. What this means is that every time you teleport to a new location or die, your health potions aren’t getting replenished. Sure lots of enemies drop these and are farmable if you want to take the time to do so, but that can break your flow. You can also purchase them but the price increases as you get later in the game. There is nothing worse than almost beating a boss to realize you only have 4 pots left and you have no Blood Echoes. Time to grind!
