It’s rare for DLC reviews to go out before the actual DLC, but this is the case for The Old Hunters, the only add-on planned for From Software’s latest action-RPG, Bloodborne, which was released exclusively on PlayStation 4. Most of From Software’s output for the last 5 or so years has been very well-received from critics and players alike, and while we don’t know about the latter part of the equation yet, critics have definitely been very favorable to The Old Hunters so far.
Destructoid, 7.5/10.
I might sound down on a lot of aspects of The Old Hunters, but ultimately, it will satiate most fans out there. The fact that it was supposed to be two DLCs that were merged into one makes sense, as part of it feels like cut content, and the other half seems like wholly original work. While I’m glad I had an excuse to drop into the world of Yharnam once again, there’s a part of me that feels disappointed that this will be the last, and only add-on for Bloodborne.
Push Square, 9/10.
Bloodborne: The Old Hunters is much more of the same from what is already an outstanding game. The new environments and boss encounters add hours to the main experience, but it’s the deluge of additional equipment that will keep veterans most occupied. If you’ve been yearning for a reason to return to Yharnam, then this DLC practically demands your Blood Echoes. Just remember that the life of a hunter is defined by death and you’re going to die a lot.
IGN, 8.0/10.
The Old Hunters is another shot in the arm of the same serum that coursed through Bloodborne’s veins. Though diehards may pillage its secrets quickly, my approximate 15 hours spent delving its depths and gleefully employing each new destructive tool felt satisfyingly dense. The Old Hunters is an impressive return to From Software’s oppressive and rewarding universe, and while it retreads much of the same path, it’s very much a path worth taking.
PSNation, 9.0/10.
The Old Hunters is simply more Bloodborne, and a decent sized chunk at that. I’ve already spent ten or so hours exploring the new areas and there’s still plenty I haven’t found. With at least four new bosses to challenge and a handful of new weapons to play with, this is a great addition for any hunter looking to jump back into the world of Yharnam.
WorthPlaying, 9.0/10.
Bloodborne: The Old Hunters is a solid and enjoyable expansion that adds some much-needed new content to the game in exactly the right places. The addition of extra weapons helps flesh out repeated playthroughs, and the new enemies and new challenges should provide a welcome burst of excitement to those who’ve long since worn out their runthroughs of chalice dungeons and New Game+. There’s a tons of content both remixed and new in The Old Hunters, and it’s a delight. The price tag is high, but Bloodborne fans will easily find $20 worth of fun in this new release.
RPGFan, recommendation.
The Old Hunters is exactly what an expansion should be. It enhances and improves the main game, tackling some of the criticisms leveled back in March and expanding the scope of the adventure. It’s a necessary purchase for anyone who enjoyed their time in Yharnam and closes out the hunter’s journey in dramatic fashion. The new areas, enemies, weapons and bosses feel like an extension of the core ideas and fundamentals of Bloodborne, and shows that From Software’s willingness to drop the shields and focus on visceral combat has paid off.
PlayStation Universe, 9.0/10.
From Software has delivered some of the most brutally difficult games over the last ten years, but The Old Hunters takes the cake. But with this journey comes the kind of emotional roller-coaster and mysterious storytelling that makes the Soul series and its offspring so special. The creature designs and locations I visited are easily the most shocking and enthralling of recent memory. With the inclusion of some great new weapons and crazy boss battles, The Old Hunters is a great expansion to one of this year’s best games. It’s just a shame it’s the only one that Bloodborne will receive.
Attack of the Fanboy, 4.5/5.
The Old Hunters is for better or worse, more Bloodborne. If you’re looking for a reason to return to Yharnam, this is a worthy expansion for the game. It’ll give you just about everything you’ve come to expect from From Software RPGs new enemies to fight, new weapons and items to uncover, a big new map to explore, and of course, the soul crushing defeats.
Hardcore Gamer, 4/5.
Bloodborne: The Old Hunters is a solid add-on to an already outstanding game. While it fails to try anything new and is relatively short, the bosses make this something worthy of trekking through, especially for existing fans. There’s a bevy of weapons to add to your arsenal, additional lore to accumulate in your journal and luscious environments to keep your interest. It’s a shame the majority of the new areas are rather straightforward and the standard enemies don’t really offer much of a challenge, but there’s something about figuring out the strategies of each boss and exploring every nook and cranny of the world that will leave you satisfied. There’s a masochist in everyone and Bloodborne: The Old Hunters helps bring it out in people.
GameInformer, 9.25/10.
The Old Hunters has questions, has answers, and has some glorious new secrets to be uncovered. If you have already experienced Bloodborne, this add-on is absolutely essential. If you haven’t, it’s the perfect time to join the Old Hunters and journey through the streets of Yharnam and the new nightmares that follow.
GamingTrend, 90/100.
For the most part, The Old Hunters feels like a tight, good bit of content that fans of the original game will thoroughly enjoy. The Old Hunters ratchets up Bloodborne’s difficulty quite a bit. But in doing so, the satisfaction of beating bosses only gets stronger. Found throughout the confines of the expansion are a host of new weapons and armor, all of which are welcome additions. The visual design is stronger than ever, as well. From Software has confirmed that there are no current plans for future Bloodborne expansions, meaning The Old Hunters is more than likely the bow on top of Miyazaki’s 2015 project. If that is the case, it is a solid outing for one of the best games of 2015.
Digital Chumps, 8.0/10.
There’s nothing else like this! Bloodborne and its Souls brethren spin a cycle of punishment and encouragement wholly unique in its medium. A task that appears impossible (somehow) always melts in the light of applied skill, and Bloodborne enables a dedicated player to master this transition. The Old Hunters isn’t as different or progressive as I would have liked, but even in relative normalcy it’s still an incredible supplement for a game that I adored. Perhaps I’m inundated with Bloodborne’s fashionable brand of design and maybe I can’t see its flaws. After enjoying four successive games in FromSoftware’s disconnected series it’s safe to say I’m one of them and incapable of proper judgment. On the other hand, does that matter? The Old Hunters is awesome.
Metro, 9/10.
Bloodborne pushes you so that you push yourself, and the rewards are unparalleled in gaming or indeed beyond. This is interactive entertainment in its purest form, where the majesty of the game world means nothing unless you are willing to engage with it as more than just a passive observer. The Old Hunters is a great expansion and Bloodborne itself is one of the best games ever made.
GamesRadar, 4.5/5.
The Old Hunters’ biggest accomplishment is building up Bloodborne into an even greater version of itself. It gives us greater insight into that sick and broken world, and elicits that same feeling of intense humility when faced with a towering Lovecraftian monster. Its improvements are incremental, but stand out enough that they’re easily recognizable, and bring a great deal of value to the overall experience. So while you would still have a good time playing Bloodborne without touching The Old Hunters, you’d only be hurting yourself. With that extra bit of content, Bloodborne as a whole feels bigger, fuller, and better.
