BloodbornePrey Slaughtered
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8/10
Jack Gillespie @thatbadcomedian |
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DEV: From Software
PUB: Sony, Japan Studio
RELEASE DATE: 27/03/2015
FORMAT: PS4
Although it lacks the word ‘Souls’ in its name, Bloodborne undoubtedly has the weight of From Software’s critically acclaimed franchise resting on its shoulders. But does it live up to the high standards of Demom’s Souls and Dark Souls I and II? Yes and no would be the answer to that question.
To start things off, let’s look at what Bloodborne does well. Miyazaki’s latest creation oozes with atmosphere, much like the three previous games in the series. The city of Yharnam, a Victorian maze of Gothic buildings and cobbled streets, is much like the world of Dark Souls – an intricate collection of linear pathways, all interconnecting in order to create a believable world the player is able free-roam around in. It looks incredible on PS4, both technically and design-wise, but it is the sound that really brings the place to life. Screams will echo down alleyways, footsteps will pitter-patter on the rain-stained streets, and laughter and merriment will spill from the houses of Yharnam’s inhabitants as they party away until The Hunt is over.
And that’s where you come in. Without spoiling any of the story, Bloodborne sees you create your own Hunter to combat the beasts and oddities that are roaming Yharnam’s streets. ‘The Hunt’ is what the locals call it, and you’ll be desperate to join in after you try out the new combat system.
PUB: Sony, Japan Studio
RELEASE DATE: 27/03/2015
FORMAT: PS4
Although it lacks the word ‘Souls’ in its name, Bloodborne undoubtedly has the weight of From Software’s critically acclaimed franchise resting on its shoulders. But does it live up to the high standards of Demom’s Souls and Dark Souls I and II? Yes and no would be the answer to that question.
To start things off, let’s look at what Bloodborne does well. Miyazaki’s latest creation oozes with atmosphere, much like the three previous games in the series. The city of Yharnam, a Victorian maze of Gothic buildings and cobbled streets, is much like the world of Dark Souls – an intricate collection of linear pathways, all interconnecting in order to create a believable world the player is able free-roam around in. It looks incredible on PS4, both technically and design-wise, but it is the sound that really brings the place to life. Screams will echo down alleyways, footsteps will pitter-patter on the rain-stained streets, and laughter and merriment will spill from the houses of Yharnam’s inhabitants as they party away until The Hunt is over.
And that’s where you come in. Without spoiling any of the story, Bloodborne sees you create your own Hunter to combat the beasts and oddities that are roaming Yharnam’s streets. ‘The Hunt’ is what the locals call it, and you’ll be desperate to join in after you try out the new combat system.
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Although similar to the combat of Dark Souls, Bloodborne removes the ability to block and parry, and instead invites the player to attack, rather than defend, when facing enemies. In place of a shield, your Hunter is equipped with a gun, although its use it not what you’d think. Instead of using it to shoot enemies from afar, it is actually a tool for stunning them and interrupting their attacks. Pull the trigger just before an enemy hits you and you’ll ‘parry’ them, leaving them open for a visceral attack – a move which sees you rip out a creature’s heart for massive damage. These visceral attacks can also be executed from behind an enemy, but you’ll have to charge up your swing first, which takes a fair amount of time and stops the mechanic from being abused in PvP.
The weapons have changed, too. You no longer have a vast array of swords, axes, spears, etc. available to you. Instead, From Software has introduced a much smaller selection of ‘trick weapons’. Each of these weapons has two modes, and you can switch between them with the click of L1. These transformations range from an axe turning into a halberd to a mace adding bolt damage to its attacks. You’re encouraged to constantly change your weapon’s mode mid-battle, and this can lead to some nice combos and moves. However, From Software have removed the ability to two-hand weapons, and this means that the adaptable trick weapons don’t do enough to hide the staggeringly small armoury the game offers.
Another change to the game is the healing system. Gone are the Estus Flasks of Dark Souls, and in their place lies Blood Vials. These recover a large portion of the player’s health, and you can carry a maximum of twenty – this can be increased using Caryll Runes, which are Bloodborne’s version of Call of Duty’s ‘perks’ – from the beginning of your adventure. As well as using Blood Vials, you can now recover health by hitting an enemy just after it hits you in order to gain the amount of health its last attack deducted. These new healing systems are the game’s biggest flaw. Having twenty Blood Vials available to you – and it is very rare you won’t have twenty, as they are easy to find in the world – makes the game far too easy. You are no longer punished for your mistakes as harshly as you were in the previous Souls games. If you rush an area or enemy encounter, you can easily regain all the health you lost without making a dent in your Vial collection. If an enemy lands a powerful blow, you are better off button mashing in order to reclaim the health you lost rather than take a step back and reassess your options. These healing systems encourage sloppiness, rather than the attacking play the developers intended.
The weapons have changed, too. You no longer have a vast array of swords, axes, spears, etc. available to you. Instead, From Software has introduced a much smaller selection of ‘trick weapons’. Each of these weapons has two modes, and you can switch between them with the click of L1. These transformations range from an axe turning into a halberd to a mace adding bolt damage to its attacks. You’re encouraged to constantly change your weapon’s mode mid-battle, and this can lead to some nice combos and moves. However, From Software have removed the ability to two-hand weapons, and this means that the adaptable trick weapons don’t do enough to hide the staggeringly small armoury the game offers.
Another change to the game is the healing system. Gone are the Estus Flasks of Dark Souls, and in their place lies Blood Vials. These recover a large portion of the player’s health, and you can carry a maximum of twenty – this can be increased using Caryll Runes, which are Bloodborne’s version of Call of Duty’s ‘perks’ – from the beginning of your adventure. As well as using Blood Vials, you can now recover health by hitting an enemy just after it hits you in order to gain the amount of health its last attack deducted. These new healing systems are the game’s biggest flaw. Having twenty Blood Vials available to you – and it is very rare you won’t have twenty, as they are easy to find in the world – makes the game far too easy. You are no longer punished for your mistakes as harshly as you were in the previous Souls games. If you rush an area or enemy encounter, you can easily regain all the health you lost without making a dent in your Vial collection. If an enemy lands a powerful blow, you are better off button mashing in order to reclaim the health you lost rather than take a step back and reassess your options. These healing systems encourage sloppiness, rather than the attacking play the developers intended.
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Another flaw lies in the game’s use of enemies. Although well designed and difficult to overcome, you’ll find yourself encountering the same foes over and over again as you progress through the game. The starting enemies are used throughout From’s RPG, and it feels as though some of the later areas could have done with their own unique enemy designs, rather than overpowered versions of the first area’s inhabitants.
At least the standard enemies are difficult to beat, though. Bloodborne’s bosses are undoubtedly the easiest in the entire series. I’m far from a great Bloodborne player, and yet I managed to defeat 90% of the bosses on my first attempt. Far too many of them are big punch bags – too slow to catch a dodging player and too stiff to adjust their attacks in order to hit you. For the most part, standing right next to a boss ensures they won’t be able to touch you, and this is an unforgivable flaw in a game which promises challenging encounters.
Other flaws include the lack of interesting characters outside the main story – you will struggle to find any intriguing side-stories or encounters – and the game’s areas lacking variety – if you aren’t fond of Gothic cities, Bloodborne might not be for you. Not only do the levels lack variety, but they sometimes feel like a carnival ride, rather than a real place. Houses will omit the same audio over and over again, and knocking on doors will trigger limited dialogue to play. Yharnam could easily pass as a haunted house attraction if it got tired of being a living world. To top it all off, the online multiplayer component is limited to certain areas and conditions. You will rarely be invaded unless you are in one of the later areas with two coop summons, and you will rarely invade someone else unless they are playing under the similar conditions. The simplicity of Demon’s Souls’ multiplayer mechanics would have been much more welcome.
Flaws aside, Bloodborne is easily one of the best games on PS4 – and it’d also be one of the best on PC and Xbox One if it was released on those platforms – but it is arguably the worst in the Souls series.
Farewell, good hunter.
At least the standard enemies are difficult to beat, though. Bloodborne’s bosses are undoubtedly the easiest in the entire series. I’m far from a great Bloodborne player, and yet I managed to defeat 90% of the bosses on my first attempt. Far too many of them are big punch bags – too slow to catch a dodging player and too stiff to adjust their attacks in order to hit you. For the most part, standing right next to a boss ensures they won’t be able to touch you, and this is an unforgivable flaw in a game which promises challenging encounters.
Other flaws include the lack of interesting characters outside the main story – you will struggle to find any intriguing side-stories or encounters – and the game’s areas lacking variety – if you aren’t fond of Gothic cities, Bloodborne might not be for you. Not only do the levels lack variety, but they sometimes feel like a carnival ride, rather than a real place. Houses will omit the same audio over and over again, and knocking on doors will trigger limited dialogue to play. Yharnam could easily pass as a haunted house attraction if it got tired of being a living world. To top it all off, the online multiplayer component is limited to certain areas and conditions. You will rarely be invaded unless you are in one of the later areas with two coop summons, and you will rarely invade someone else unless they are playing under the similar conditions. The simplicity of Demon’s Souls’ multiplayer mechanics would have been much more welcome.
Flaws aside, Bloodborne is easily one of the best games on PS4 – and it’d also be one of the best on PC and Xbox One if it was released on those platforms – but it is arguably the worst in the Souls series.
Farewell, good hunter.
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+ Atmospheric world,
+ Excellent sound design, + Interesting enemies, + Challenges the player at times, + Reworked combat works well… - … but it also encourages sloppiness, - Healing system makes things too easy, - Bosses aren’t challenging enough, - World lacks variety, - Enemies reused throughout game, - Online play needlessly restricted, - Few weapons and armour sets to choose from. |
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