| Bloodborne | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | Gameplay & Story | DLC & Pre-Order | Review |
| Release Date | |
|---|---|
| NA March 24, 2015 PAL March 25, 2015 More Details |
|
| Genre | |
| Action, RPG, Soulslike | |
| Platforms | Price (MSRP) |
 |
$19.99 |
| Developer | Publisher |
| FromSoftware Japan Studio |
Sony Computer Entertainment |
| Number of Players | Age Rating |
| 1-3 Players (Online Co-Op) | ESRB Mature 17+ |
| Time to Finish | Cross Platform Play |
| 30-50 Hours | No |
| Official Website | Official Website for FromSoftware |
Bloodborne Latest News
⚫︎ Bloodborne Fans Wait with Bated Breath as Iconic PS4 Exclusive Turns 10 Today (Push Square)
⚫︎ Bloodborne Remaster Hasn’t Happened Yet Because Miyazaki Is "So Busy" (The Gamer)
⚫︎ Bloodborne Remake Rumors Revive After PlayStation 30th Anniversary Trailer Drops (Game8)
⚫︎ Bloodborne Remaster Speculation Runs Wild Due to Official Instagram Posts (Game8)
Bloodborne Overview
Bloodborne, released in 2015, is a standalone title within the broader genre of action role-playing games developed by FromSoftware. Though not a sequel or prequel to any other specific title, it shares thematic and mechanical similarities with FromSoftware’s Souls series.
The game plunges players into the gothic, Victorian-era city of Yharnam. This once-grand metropolis is now consumed by a mysterious blood-borne disease that has transformed its inhabitants into grotesque beasts. As the Hunter, an outsider who arrives in Yharnam seeking a cure, players must delve into the city’s secrets, encountering deranged townsfolk, eldritch entities, and cryptic figures who hint at a far greater cosmic horror beyond the bloodshed.
In contrast to Dark Souls, Bloodborne’s combat is more fast-paced and emphasizes aggressiveness, thanks in part to the Rally system, which allows players to regain lost health by striking back at enemies shortly after taking damage. The game replaces traditional shields with trick weapons—melee arms that can shift between two modes, such as a saw cleaver that extends into a long-reaching blade. There are also firearms that are primarily used for parrying rather than damage.
| Digital Storefronts | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PlayStation |
|||||
| $19.99 |
Bloodborne Gameplay
Bloodborne’s combat is built around speed, aggression, and calculated risk. Players are encouraged to stay on the offensive, as hesitation can quickly lead to being overwhelmed by enemies. The Rally system reinforces this approach by allowing players to recover a portion of their lost health if they strike back immediately after taking damage.
Players have access to a selection of melee and ranged weapons, with the ability to carry two of each at a time and switch between them as needed. Most melee weapons, known as Trick Weapons, can transform and alter their attack style and range. For instance, a single weapon can shift from a swift, one-handed tool to a heavier, two-handed version. Firearms serve as both ranged weapons and tools for interrupting enemy attacks to set them up for a Visceral attack, which inflicts a ton of damage. Additional secondary options include torches, cannons, and shields.
Progression is tied to Blood Echoes, a resource that functions as both currency and experience points. Upon death, a player’s accumulated Blood Echoes are left at the site of their demise. They must then return to retrieve them, but if they die again before doing so, the echoes are permanently lost. In some cases, enemies may absorb the dropped echoes, requiring players to defeat them to reclaim their resources.
Bloodborne Reviews
Still Universally Acclaimed After a Decade
Bloodborne remains a critically acclaimed title a decade after its release, boasting a remarkable score of 92 on Metacritic. This universal acclaim is reflected in perfect 5/5 scores from publications like The Guardian and New York Daily News, both of which lauded the game’s world-building and combat system.
Near perfect scores also came from IGN and Game Informer . These outlets similarly praised Bloodborne’s innovative concept and refined combat mechanics, while noting minor drawbacks such as occasional frame rate issues and lengthy load times.
Player sentiment on Metacritic mirrors the critics’ praise, with a generally favorable user score of 8.9. Fans frequently cite the game’s atmospheric world and compelling gameplay as highlights. However, like the critics, some users pointed to the long load times and the genre’s inherent steep learning curve as drawbacks.
Bloodborne Announcement Trailer
Debut Trailer
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