From Software, the creator of Demon's Souls and Dark Souls, has released the PlayStation 4 exclusive Bloodborne action RPG that looks to be the next true evolution of the Souls franchise.
Bloodborne has players exploring eerie environments and fighting against demonic enemies with ridiculous difficulty. The game features faster combat and more enemies for a more unforgiving experience compared to its predecessors.
From Software has not been very secretive about Bloodborne, with the first 18 minutes of the game released early last month as a preview to gamers. The teaser video did not disappoint, making gamers anticipate the game much more.
Now that Bloodborne is here, does it live up to the hype?
Trusted Reviews: "Bloodborne is one of the most compelling PS4 exclusives of this generation so far ... Its difficulty level is much closer to a classic game like Megaman rather than the more recent third-person action games it may at first appear to have more in common with ... It demands effort and attention ... Bloodborne's action-heavy approach puts even more of a focus on technique and timing ... Bloodborne's journey seems more vital, more memorable, and its tense moments more heart-poundingly intense. To see all it has to offer requires upwards of 40 hours, but more than most this game is all about the journey, not the final destination..."
IGN: "The mechanical basis of Bloodborne shares much in common with the Dark Souls games, albeit with an aggressive new pace of combat that serves to strip away even more comfort from what little exists in those games ... Where Dark Souls is a heavily armored battle of creatures slugging away at one another, Bloodborne is a twitchy, naked knife fight to the death..."
Telegraph: "Yes, Bloodborne is a challenging game. No, it's not for everyone ... Ultimately, Bloodborne is a game that asks you a series of questions and leaves the answers entirely down to you ... Every time you take damage you are given a small window of opportunity within which to earn it back by inflicting wounds on your enemies ... This, in combination with a comparatively swift set of reflexes, focuses your mind more on attack than defense ... Bloodborne is one of those experiences that totally consume you when you're involved in it and working to see all that it has to offer..."
Gamespot: "As with the Souls games, Bloodborne doesn't typically tell you where to go and what to do when you get there ... After Bloodborne soaks you in its initial ironworks, it introduces greater graphical diversity ... Bloodborne is rewarding to play, impressive both in how it cribs from the Souls games as well as in how it deviates from them ... Bloodborne also takes the survival horror aspects of its close cousins to new heights..."
Gaming Age: "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."
Gaming Nexus: "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."
Reviews have been overwhelmingly excellent for Bloodborne, albeit with all of them warning gamers that the game is not for everyone. Gamers that are veterans of the Souls series and new players alike will no doubt find a masterpiece in Bloodborne, despite the infamous difficulty.
