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Bloodborne Preview - E3 2014

Enter the dark world of FromSoftware's next action RPG

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Bloodborne is the PS4's exclusive action RPG by FromSoftware, known for their controller-smashingly difficult Dark Souls games. The title transports players to a dark and terror-filled gothic world full of deranged beings and nightmarish creatures, and we had the pleasure of watching some gameplay demonstrated at E3.

The game's story is a fairly simple one; it takes place in the ancient, forgotten city of Yharnam, renowned for its medical curious. Over the years, malady-laden travellers made their pilgrimage to the city in hopes of finding a cure, and you're one of them. Why you're going, well, we don't know just yet. But upon your arrival you find that Yharnam is also cursed with a horrible endemic illness. So, fighting for your life, you take to the hellish streets, combating stricken townsfolk and nightmarish creatures alike to discover the unearthly secrets of the town and find a cure for yourself.

Bloodborne

At the beginning of our demo, we were on the gothic streets of one of Yharnam's districts; a street littered with steampunk-powered lamps casting their murky light on broken down carriages, permanently slick steps, tight alleys, and eerie towers that hemmed us in, generating a claustrophobic air.

We were introduced to our character, with a hat obscuring his face, and lengthy duster jacket. He wielded a shotgun, and a cleaver we would soon realise could be utilised for both short and mid-range attacks. Pushing along the streets, we saw just how much "stuff" was packed into the level, from strung-up monsters that even the hellish inhabitants hunted down, to errant fires, to the tops of distant buildings, to the general detritus of life in Yharnam. And it wasn't long before we encountered our first enemy.

The more humanistic enemies were the townsfolk. They wielded stave-like weapons and their attacks were generally singular and sweeping. In these instances, you could attack how you saw fit. On several occasions, the cleaver was used, and enemies went down after a few quick and bloody slashes. There was blood in the game… lots of blood, and it flowed from enemies as if they were merely gooey, gravy-holding mannequins - there's nothing wrong with that, of course.

Bloodborne

Melee combat was reminiscent of Dark Souls, in that you had the ability to dodge and block, waiting for an opening. Alternatively, you cold press forward and batter your opponent, making combat a bit more pressing and active. Enemies had the habit of popping up out of nowhere - out of alleys, behind crates, and landing a few hits if you weren't paying attention. Combat became more interesting when there was a number of enemies involved, attempting to flank you, ensuring that you were kept aware of your surroundings, which can prove tricky on tight streets. This combination of more enemies and cluttered arenas transformed combat into a more life-threatening conflict, showing how quickly the tables can turn. To finish off enemies, you could also use a finisher/critical move that relieved some pressure and allowed you to mow down swathes of foes swiftly.

When our few cursory battles were complete, we pressed forward and were treated to the site of dozens of townspeople shambling along to some indeterminable point in the distance. We gave chase, but stuck to the elevated streets and bridges, watching them from upon high. More enemies waited for us here, and we saw an NPC character wading through his own troublesome horde of monsters. We had the option to help this character, who would in turn help us in the upcoming boss battle, but we ultimately left him to his own devices and carried onward.

Still following the crowds, we passed more strung-up monsters until we reached the town square where a humongous creature burned on a pyre. The townsfolk were gathered around it, grunting exultantly. More props for them to taking out the beast; it looked difficult.

Bloodborne

Despite the grisly scene, we continued along bridges and through streets until we reached a boss of our own that was very much alive, and very much a giant, hulking mass of muscled grotesqueness. What more did you expect?

Boss combat works similar to most other action RPGs, in that you have to be wary of big attacks and pick your moments to strike. The boss was susceptible to shotgun attacks from some distance, but could also be harassed from up close with melee weapons. It could fight back, smashing you with giant fists and knocking you away but, despite its best efforts, the beasty soon went down, ending the demo. We think a less skilled player would perhaps have a more gruelling duel on their hands than a developer who's played the game a couple of weeks straight.

Bloodborne sees an aesthetic departure from Dark Souls games, which is most certainly a good thing, and exploring a new, steampunk inspired world with its grim overtones is a welcomed sight on the PS4. Perhaps what was most striking about the trailer and gameplay was that it was reminiscent of Nightmare Creatures, a classic horror game for the PS1. Stylistically, they possess the similar Victorian/steampunk art style, along with the creatures to boot, and both have an overwhelming air of gut-twisting nausea that differentiates them from the fast-paced explode-athon action horror game we're used to.

Bloodborne, then, is a game we're definitely looking forward to on the PS4 when it's released in 2015.

Comments
Bloodborne
Bloodborne box art Platform:
PlayStation 4
Our Review of Bloodborne
87%
Great
The Verdict:
Game Ranking
Bloodborne is ranked #87 out of 1957 total reviewed games. It is ranked #3 out of 110 games reviewed in 2015.
87. Bloodborne
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Screenshots

Bloodborne
20 images added Apr 3, 2015 21:26
Videos
Bloodborne - Debut Trailer
Posted: Jun 13, 2014 03:28
Bloodborne - Gamescom Gameplay Trailer
Posted: Aug 12, 2014 15:57
Bloodborne - Gamescom Demo Gameplay
Posted: Aug 19, 2014 15:22
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