• Publisher: SCEA
  • Release Date: Mar 24, 2015
User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 13072 Ratings

User score distribution:
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
  1. Apr 16, 2015
    9
    After spending a lot of time with this game, through every boss fight and every grueling lore-ridden piece item, and screwing up a few story-lines due to ignorance, I think that I can accurately depict the essence of this game.

    As a point of honesty, I have to admit that I was avidly awaiting this game's release. Watching every trailer. Following each release of boss battle glimpses and
    After spending a lot of time with this game, through every boss fight and every grueling lore-ridden piece item, and screwing up a few story-lines due to ignorance, I think that I can accurately depict the essence of this game.

    As a point of honesty, I have to admit that I was avidly awaiting this game's release. Watching every trailer. Following each release of boss battle glimpses and interviews regarding the game. I overdosed on the news. The game has high expectations for me. I expected a game that fit into the niche that From Software carved itself in today's gaming industry. I expected a brutal masterpiece that dove into a gothic atmosphere.

    I was not disappointed.

    The game is made out of the same mold that the Dark Souls series is forged from. As an avid Souls player, the feel is definitely there, with enough new features and changes to the formula to make it feel like its own game. To those who are used to rushing in with no sense of direction and hope for the best, the game is an exercise is futility. Mistakes are not tolerated and you are punished accordingly.

    To the gamer who is willing the play the game as it is intended, it becomes a fantastic journey into a rich and thrilling world. The game comes as close to nirvana as possible as far as satisfaction while playing a game. One of the balances that From Software has successfully done is drawing the line between difficulty and innate satisfaction with completion. The satisfaction that you get from beating a difficult boss is one that I feel is unparalleled by other games. A boss that you easily breeze by isn't really a boss. Ones that reward good and tight gameplay, on the other hand, is one that makes you feel accomplished, even if the only thing telling you that is the blue flash of the phrase "Prey Slaughtered." By the end of the game, that might have been my favorite saying.

    There is a lot of hate against the game for not explaining its upgrade system, how certain items work and just pretty much throwing you in with no explanation, very little prologue (oh, and no weapons) and expecting you to thrive and learn from your mistakes. One of the main issues I saw this this was that there were people who wanted to play the first AAA title in recent memory to live up to the hype. (really when was the last one that did...The Last of Us?) and were surprised when it didn't hold your hand. Unfortunately, even with the hype of difficulty, it still made some people spend money, then get mad when they didn't have the patience to learn. That is the key to the souls games. Patience and persistence.

    From Software had a catchphrase for the Souls games essentially saying the dying is what will happen. Over and over. The first of the Dark Souls games to get a rerelease was called the "Prepare To Die Edition." From a company that does that, it makes you learn from your mistakes. It took the formula that we all inherently live by, the threw it into the video game world. A movement that went into BB is the shift towards Mobs instead of single enemies, making decisions on weapons choices, and trick weapon choices, have even more impact.

    Character Creation is fantastic. Gothic and Lovecraftian is the closest thing that can be described, with the characters becoming more and more twisted as the game progresses.

    The settings are great, graphics might be a tad on the blurry side as far as the up close scenery goes, but we are not running this on a top-of-the-line PC. This is a PS4 exclusive, and yes, there are still some frame rate issues. Graphics are done very well for the hardware, and that is where that discussion should end.

    Few Cons:
    There are a few complaints which keeps this from the ultimate masterpiece. The loading times are not the best. at a few locations, I was getting 38 seconds for loading. I am not docking points for this since it doesn't affect gameplay, but it is there non-the-less. The need for using Hunter's Dream as a hub would not normally be that big of an issue, but the problem was exacerbated by the loading screen times. Instead of loading right to where I wanted to go, I had to go through 2 loading screens to get there, making the screens all that more incessant.

    There is not an option to be able to replay a boss. I know this is a carry-over item from the other games, but I would like to be able to go back and see if I could do better, even if it meant that I didn't get Blood Echoes.

    The PVP has connection issues. period.

    A complaint I keep hearing is that there needs to be more save points/checkpoints. This is not the case. The game is so intricately laced together that the save points are perfectly spaced apart. Might be nice, but if you play well, it shouldn't be a problem.

    If you are ready for a grotesque and intricate Video game adaptation of what it would be like if Poe and Lovecraft had a baby and it ate diamonds for breakfast, you will thoroughly enjoy this thoroughly engaging and rewarding experience!
    Expand
  2. Apr 11, 2015
    9
    After playing this game for around 35 hours and edging my way towards the end, I have come to the decision that this game is a much needed mix up to the games that have been released in the last few years. This does include the Dark Souls games, because this is not like those iterations. This is a fast paced, dodge or die kind of game. Now while many will feel it is not their type ofAfter playing this game for around 35 hours and edging my way towards the end, I have come to the decision that this game is a much needed mix up to the games that have been released in the last few years. This does include the Dark Souls games, because this is not like those iterations. This is a fast paced, dodge or die kind of game. Now while many will feel it is not their type of gameplay, they are probably right. You will love or hate this game. For someone looking to be challenged, looking for fairness, looking to get their ass handed to them so they have to think in a different light, then this game will be right up your alley. But if you are a relaxed gamer who likes playing games just to earn trophies or just to feel as though you are the greatest, you will NOT like this game at all. This game will test you, it will try your patience, and it will have you frustrated. Yet you still see yourself coming back to it with a new plan, a new tactic, a new strategy. I have wanted to scream and pull out my hair because I have been brutally dismembered by certain enemies, and I have laughed hysterically revisiting the first areas and wiping the floor with their bodies as if I was a kid with an ant hill. I have had incredible amounts of fun, the combat is tight, controls become natural within the first few minutes.
    This like all FROM SOFTWARE games, does not have a very detailed story. But it definitely makes you crave to find the pieces or speak to the NPC's to learn more. The art styles, Architecture of the game, character models, and various weapons are beautifully and interestingly done. Making each area feel unique. Now there are no Mimic chests in the story just to give you that sigh of relief if you are a Dark Souls veteran on the fence about picking this up. But to quickly transition from praising this game to criticism, you will die... A LOT. So much so that I am fairly certain the UN is looking to send you support, and the Geneva convention is trying to write new rules for you. You will also feel cheated at times, even if you feel it wasn't fair or warranted. I also noticed that when using elevators unless you time walking to a platform while it still moves just right you will slide through the space and fall to your death (I recommend doing a dodge roll it avoids this annoyance). My last complaint is the Frenzy meter. While yes you can use sedatives to diminish it to 0 it is frustrating that while in combat that frenzy bar fills very quickly and will kill you or nearly eliminate all your health. When trying to focus on just survival from an enemy and having that fill up at the same time it will discourage you at times because it feels very cheap to kill you in that way. Now that is not to say there are not other ways to get around this. But you will feel angry about it at times. Overall I have loved this game from start to the final moments. I am unable to really tell you no don't pick this up. I will say this though, if you are unsure wait for a used copy or a price drop even if it takes a while. While I want to give this a 10, I cannot due to the lack of a story and the minor flaws in the game.
    Expand
  3. Apr 10, 2015
    9
    It's a great game that entertains, pleases, annoys, enrage, makes you rethink your actions and take a new approach, teaches patience, but above all rewards. That is missed in most games marketed for broad audience. Minimap, quest marker, tutorials, GPS, Map - these are the things you aren't given, so you have to use your memory, logic, judgement and take chances, even when reading someoneIt's a great game that entertains, pleases, annoys, enrage, makes you rethink your actions and take a new approach, teaches patience, but above all rewards. That is missed in most games marketed for broad audience. Minimap, quest marker, tutorials, GPS, Map - these are the things you aren't given, so you have to use your memory, logic, judgement and take chances, even when reading someone elses message. If you have missed the thrill of gaming in the past few years then give it a shot. Just try it few times. Give it a chance, its worth at least that. I finished game on easy in 38 hours. missed some bosses i think, so I am currently replaying it. BTW I was joking about easy mode, there's no such thing. Get used to it. I've played demons souls only (and finished of course), and this is like demons souls on steroids - faster, stronger and bigger. Being fair and giving it 9 it has few minor things that could've been done. I'ts one of those games that will be talked about for a long time. Expand
  4. Apr 12, 2015
    9
    After I spent more than 70+ hours for both PVE and PVP of the game. I would like to share my deep review to the community here. Noting that I had played Dark Souls 2 before (200+hours) so I can compare them effectively. Here is my thorough review.

    Single Player - 9/10 - Even though, there are a long loading time and frame rate drop when you get near campfire. Bloodborne is still a
    After I spent more than 70+ hours for both PVE and PVP of the game. I would like to share my deep review to the community here. Noting that I had played Dark Souls 2 before (200+hours) so I can compare them effectively. Here is my thorough review.

    Single Player - 9/10 - Even though, there are a long loading time and frame rate drop when you get near campfire. Bloodborne is still a fantastic game. Graphic is detailed, Enemy's AI is great, the lv designs are top-notch and especially the atmosphere its created is so dark and so bloody.tn my opinion, blood borne is much better than Dark Souls 2 in single player.However, I deduct 1 point because it is not friendly to new comers. The difficulty in this game rises up a lot from Dark Souls 2, especially at the beginning even me myself still had to spent some time to adjust to the new combat system and the first boss has many movements if compared with Last giant ( 1st boss in DS2). On top of that, you cannot up level until you get first "Insight". That makes it even harder for new new player. Another reason is that the story is ... um very unclear. the concept is interesting actually but there is not much to it. NPCs are too few. Fromsoft could improve this aspect but they chose not to. Chalice Dungeon is not attractive to the majority of people because the loots you will get are not motivating enough and it is completely separate from the main story, that is why people tend to continue playing storyline and ditch out chalice dungeon . Anyway, if you can accommodate to combat mechanic, Blood Borne is very fun to play. The variety of weapons is not as much as DS2 but every weapon has two forms so I think that make them even at this point.

    Ok now, Let's talk about Multiplayer

    Multiplayer - 6.5/10 - well I think it is disappointed if compared with DS2. The main problem is that it is hard to find someone to coop or pvp with (wait for 5 mins to 30 mins, depending on your luck). On top of that, for pvp, the healing potion in this game is too fast to interrupt. Therefore, if both sides keep healing, the duel can escalate to a long battle which is not satisfied because you will have to spend money on your potions and ammo later on. Unlike Estus in DS2 which it will replenish every time you back to bonfire. There are also gems that are super powerful (like +20% of dmg) and you can equip 3 of them. So, the difference between +10 weapon plus gems and +7 no gem is too huge. PVP is not as balance as DS2 in my opinion. However, it is not that mutiplayer in this game is bad (pls don't get me wrong), actually it is very good if you have never played any souls game before. You can coop with someone else or pvp with him, test your build and skill. It gonna be a lot of fun, IF you don't hav to wait so so long to get a match. It's just killing everything. [Although, many people claims that you hav to be around lv 110 and invade in nightmare areas only, well, compare to dark souls 2 you don't have to do that, squeeze crack red eye orb anywhere and u will get a match almost instantly ]

    In summary, Blood borne is a very great game. It is worth 60$ for single player alone. However, do not expect much from mutiplayer. Once you are done with the game, the replay value is not much. Playing first time, searching every nook, I spent 40 hours+ which is a good length. For new players who never played any of souls game at all, I would say, if you don't have patience, you should not buy because it will get you frustrated for sure, you need to spend sometimes to learn the game, depending on your gaming skill (maybe 2 hours to 1 week). If you are casual gamer, please stay away because this game requires you to react fast and concentrate all the time. However, if you really want to try it out, I will give you the most important tip, that is "DO NOT GIVE UP NO MATTER WHAT". If you struggle, search info from Google, watch Youtube and more importantly, use Beckon bell to call ally for help. If you can endure until you pass second boss (which you should get a hang of the game around that time), you will never want to stop playing this game again. You will become addicted and unable to withdrawn yourself from this bloody-combat challenging game. Trust me : )
    Expand
  5. Apr 27, 2015
    9
    CONS- Low framerate (Which does not affect gameplay or actual visual quality), Jumpy camera (Can sometimes be an issue in combat), Lack of storytelling (Great gameplay and item/level mechanics make up for it), Meh character design for player (Monster and NPC design is fantastic.

    PROS- Fantastic detail on textures, as well as monster and NPC character models, Engaging gameplay, Well-done
    CONS- Low framerate (Which does not affect gameplay or actual visual quality), Jumpy camera (Can sometimes be an issue in combat), Lack of storytelling (Great gameplay and item/level mechanics make up for it), Meh character design for player (Monster and NPC design is fantastic.

    PROS- Fantastic detail on textures, as well as monster and NPC character models, Engaging gameplay, Well-done level design and fun backtracking, Good multiplayer element, Fun and encouraging use of character leveling, Cool items and item upgrades you REALLY want to go for, Huge amount of enemy variety, and fantastic bosses which make their battles seem like an occasion.
    Expand
  6. Aug 27, 2016
    9
    Man, what a game!

    This thing it the absolute epitome of a "ball-breaker!" The most satisfying ball-breaker that ever was. Bloodborne had me screaming at the TV in total frustration, but then yelling in adoration upon my victory! Definitely one of the hardest games I've ever played (as I competed it on standard and New Game Plus) on my own. The satisfaction also drove me to get the
    Man, what a game!

    This thing it the absolute epitome of a "ball-breaker!" The most satisfying ball-breaker that ever was. Bloodborne had me screaming at the TV in total frustration, but then yelling in adoration upon my victory!

    Definitely one of the hardest games I've ever played (as I competed it on standard and New Game Plus) on my own. The satisfaction also drove me to get the Platinum, which again, after endless heartache in the dungeons, was a deeply rewarding experience.

    So many times I thought I wouldn't be able to do it, yet I persevered, and succeeded.

    At around 125 hours, I well and truly go my money's worth.

    A modern masterpiece.
    Expand
  7. Apr 11, 2015
    9
    I won't write a huge paragraph saying what I absolutely love about Bloodborne, Because then it will be too long. All I will say is, Bloodborne is special, It's challenging, Satisfying, It forces you to go on wildest expeditions in this lost word to discover the dark and bloody secrets. Variations in types of enemies, Bosses all give you a sense of cofinement in the otherwise very openI won't write a huge paragraph saying what I absolutely love about Bloodborne, Because then it will be too long. All I will say is, Bloodborne is special, It's challenging, Satisfying, It forces you to go on wildest expeditions in this lost word to discover the dark and bloody secrets. Variations in types of enemies, Bosses all give you a sense of cofinement in the otherwise very open structured world. You always know that even though you have the best equipment, You still are not the hunter. Bloodborne isn't different from it's spiritual predecessors, It's still challenging, And it's still marvelous.
    Overall score: 9.4/10
    Expand
  8. Mar 29, 2015
    8
    Bloodborne is an outstanding game. I've beaten it twice and look forward to NG+ and PVP. The world is absolutely incredible and combat never gets old. That being said, it simply does not have the depth of any of the Souls games. The concept of building your character is basically meaningless because of low soft caps and minimal stat requirements on basically all weapons.

    Speaking of
    Bloodborne is an outstanding game. I've beaten it twice and look forward to NG+ and PVP. The world is absolutely incredible and combat never gets old. That being said, it simply does not have the depth of any of the Souls games. The concept of building your character is basically meaningless because of low soft caps and minimal stat requirements on basically all weapons.

    Speaking of weapons, most are completely outclassed by three or four of their counterparts. You don't *really* have a choice if you are a min/max player. You can pretty much have all the DPS stats soft-capped without missing out on anything so there isn't really any incentive not to. The "spell" items are borderline useless. Damage is thoroughly medicore compared to melee weapons. Ranged weapons aren't good for much other than parrying (which is stupid easy compared to Souls) and pulling loose mobs off packs to make the fight easier. Armor makes a little bit of a difference but there are still fairly clear frontrunners that will defend against the types of damage most commonly encountered in PVP. Finally, your choice of runes is similarly hardly a choice because there are only maybe five viable endgame options anyway.

    Unless the PVP level meta is 80 or lower it just won't be interesting in the long run because everyone will pretty much be identical other than
    Expand
  9. Apr 13, 2015
    8
    I had never played Dark Souls or Demon Souls but purchased this game to see what all the hype was about. There were times where I got straight up depressed over my lack of progress. However, after grinding through the misery of repeated failure, the reward of success was well worth the time spent cursing at my screen and contemplating taking a sledgehammer to my PS4. I do not know that II had never played Dark Souls or Demon Souls but purchased this game to see what all the hype was about. There were times where I got straight up depressed over my lack of progress. However, after grinding through the misery of repeated failure, the reward of success was well worth the time spent cursing at my screen and contemplating taking a sledgehammer to my PS4. I do not know that I would recommend this to a casual gamer who has limited time to play as it does require some time invested and resiliency to survive the brutal difficulty.

    The 2 reasons it did not get a 10 from me:

    1) The load screen after death is relatively long, only amplifying the anger you feel from whatever method just caused your death.
    2) Story? 10 hours invested and I still have no idea what my purpose is exactly except to kill stuff.
    Expand
  10. Apr 7, 2015
    9
    Probably the best PS4 exclusive to come out on the system, and definitely a great stand-alone game from the developers of the Souls games. This would have got a 10 if it wasn't for the extremely long loading screens (approx 45 seconds each time) and for some of the bugs that caused the game to crash at launch. A must buy for any souls fan and for those who are up to a challenge
  11. Apr 8, 2015
    10
    brutal, challenging and highly engrossing...loving this game, it truly tests your skills as a player. there were some tense and heart-stopping moments when i fought hard and ultimately managed to kill bosses with almost no life left. cherish these forever.
  12. Apr 13, 2015
    9
    As someone who is new to the game(s) of developer From Software I went into Bloodborne only hearing of it's unforgiving gameplay and watch players die left and right from videos.
    I never played any of the Souls games either so I was hesitant on buying this game as first. But decided to put down $60 and here I am surprised of how much I actually like the game.
    I went in thinking it
    As someone who is new to the game(s) of developer From Software I went into Bloodborne only hearing of it's unforgiving gameplay and watch players die left and right from videos.
    I never played any of the Souls games either so I was hesitant on buying this game as first. But decided to put down $60 and here I am surprised of how much I actually like the game.

    I went in thinking it would have to grow on me, to only find myself enjoying it even after my first 20 times dying (I know I sound crazy) but even then I kept going back to get further into the game.

    Pros about the game such as
    *graphics are amazing and really make the game's environment feel as it should.
    *controls are solid with smooth weapon mechanics and animations.
    *the sound is well done with the enemies sounding as good as they are frighting

    Cons about the game
    *during online co-op play I have had some frame rate drops that have been noticeable and some lag here and there
    Expand
  13. Apr 19, 2015
    9
    By now, just about everyone has seen the commercials for the Playstation 4 exclusive Bloodborne. But, on the assumption that someone is unfamiliar with the overarching concept of the game, Bloodborne is a Victorian-era spin on From Soft’s Dark and Demon’s Souls series of games, which pride themselves on difficulty and perseverance. It has the usual From Software approach to storytelling,By now, just about everyone has seen the commercials for the Playstation 4 exclusive Bloodborne. But, on the assumption that someone is unfamiliar with the overarching concept of the game, Bloodborne is a Victorian-era spin on From Soft’s Dark and Demon’s Souls series of games, which pride themselves on difficulty and perseverance. It has the usual From Software approach to storytelling, of not saying a whole lot and leaving you to figure out basically everything. Or nothing at all, depending upon the player, and how they view the world. But what is common knowledge of the storyline, is that you are a Hunter, and Hunters hunt the monsters that appear on the night of the Hunt. And that’s pretty much all I can say that is one hundred percent accurate.
    Firstly, let me say that if this is your first foray into a Souls game, which it effectively is, same developer, and same general plot device for respawning, pick another one. If you want the absolute Souls experience, start with Dark Souls, then proceed to Dark Souls 2, and then Bloodborne. The gameplay, putting it lightly, is rather breakneck in Bloodborne, and opposed to most other games where you face downright terrifying odds, as a Hunter, you are to put aggression before defense. This is aided some by being able to heal most of the damage you have just taken by swinging a few times at the nearest enemy. Which, seems to just get me into even more trouble. That being said, I do like that From Soft is trying out new ideas, instead of the tank-fest that Dark Souls, and Dark Souls 2 usually are on first playthroughs. But, coming off of about four-hundred hours on the other two games I’ve mentioned plenty of times by now, it is a little too jarring of a change for me. The incredible change in speed in exacerbated even further in the player versus player function in the game, which basically boils down to two people rolling madly at each other, and occasionally hitting the attack button.
    Visually, the game is about as excellent as anyone could hope it to be. Vast, towering cathedrals loom just out of reach, while claustrophobic buildings hark towards the sky all around you. The monsters are visually fresh, and downright terrifying when they surprise you. You’re walking down a narrow path towards where you’ve been vaguely directed to go, and bam, suddenly, a werewolf is gnawing on your right shoulder. Not to mention the bosses being some of the most impressive, albeit not too original, fights I’ve had in any game to date. When your first boss is a Wendigo the size of a double-decker bus flipped on its tail, and that’s the least impressive boss you’ve got, you’re doing something right. And about two-thirds of the way through the game, it gets even more intense, and takes a turn from Edgar Allen Poe inspired, over to Lovecraftian Horrors. Which I would happily say is a good step from the usual knight in shining armor routine From Soft usually goes with. Sound design is very pleasant, and works very well with the feelings of the game. Whether the satisfying boom of the blunderbuss, the sound of blood splattering over your character, and his weapon, or the not-quite-right roar of some monster just outside of your sight, it all very much works with the game.
    Now, in pure comparison to Dark Souls 2, the most recent release from From Soft, prior to Bloodborne, the long and short of it is, I would prefer Dark Souls 2. Visually, my heart goes to Bloodborne, the bosses are just so much more interesting, but only by the thinnest margin, as nothing can beat the purely stunning aesthetics of a doomed castle. Story goes to Dark Souls 2, simply because we have more information to draw from in that game, due to its three expansions, and Bloodborne is very much a difficult-to-decipher game. Gameplay, to Dark Souls, I am a fan of the slower, more methodical pace that happens without the inclusion of firearms. Sound, Bloodborne, again by a tiny margin, the bosses just sound more intimidating, and unnerving in some situations.
    In finality, Bloodborne is another stellar game in the From Soft library. The gameplay is stellar, visuals stunning, and storyline as difficult to figure out as anything else they’ve made. If you like a challenge, and I mean challenge, with a capital ‘c’, and are a fan of Victorian-era monsters, this is definitely something you should be on the lookout for. Sixty dollars is more than fair for a game of this caliber, which has the capabilities to hold people’s attentions for years, and years. It may not be the finest entry into the “Souls” library, but it is definitely one that deserves to be there, and is definitely worth the sixty dollar price tag.
    Expand
  14. Apr 22, 2015
    9
    Never played DS or DS2, but I found Bloodborne to be an amazing game. Bare minimum tutorial (which still required me to do some mild exploring before I even found it) which just tells you the basic controls. The very first enemies you face are as hard as the ones you face throughout the rest of the game. Cryptic notes are left on the ground by other unseen PS4 players, warning you about aNever played DS or DS2, but I found Bloodborne to be an amazing game. Bare minimum tutorial (which still required me to do some mild exploring before I even found it) which just tells you the basic controls. The very first enemies you face are as hard as the ones you face throughout the rest of the game. Cryptic notes are left on the ground by other unseen PS4 players, warning you about a giant beast or ambush ahead. I spent several hours in the very first area; frustrated, I consulted a strategy guide with tips. Overall, the entire game (mechanics and all) felt just like Yharnam. Cold, unforgiving, diverse, and almost impossible to tackle without advice from other players. I get apprehensive every time I spawn again and venture off into a new, unexplored section of the map. If you like to be coddled through campaigns or want a story driven game, this simply isn't for you. Bloodborne is a frustrating challenge, driven by raw atmosphere and gameplay.

    Removing 1 point for the very obvious frame rate drop issues.
    Expand
  15. May 19, 2015
    10
    This Lovecraftian masterpiece is the proper 3D Castlevania that we've never had. The ancient city of Yharnam is dark, beautiful, and unsettling. The world of Bloodborne itself is a delightful fusion of Demon's Souls' hub system and Dark Souls' thoughtfully interconnected worlds.

    The Lamps that punctuate the world allow you to travel to the Hunter's Dream from which you can travel to any
    This Lovecraftian masterpiece is the proper 3D Castlevania that we've never had. The ancient city of Yharnam is dark, beautiful, and unsettling. The world of Bloodborne itself is a delightful fusion of Demon's Souls' hub system and Dark Souls' thoughtfully interconnected worlds.

    The Lamps that punctuate the world allow you to travel to the Hunter's Dream from which you can travel to any other lamp you have already lit (unless there are hostile Hunters near a Lamp, then you will need to slaughter them before the lamp can be used again). The world>dream>world transfer does introduce a superfluous loading screen but saves you from having to find and fight your way back to a prior area without destroying the cohesive world by vivisecting it into individual components.

    Yharnam itself is dark, very dark, almost opressingly so. Unless you severely cheat on your screen settings you will make good use of your hand lamp and torch. The torch itself can be used as a weapon and can afford you a tactical advantage against enemies that fear the light.

    There are plenty of optional areas and items to reward your curiosity and exploration. Intelligently crafted shortcuts can be opened to mitigate the tedium of fighting your way back to particularly difficult boss. There are also dungeons that you can create and explore.

    Up to 3 cooperators can be beckoned (2 players and 1 NPC) into a world. You can connect with specific friends easily by the use of an 8 digit code (I often use my PSN+ username). You can also invade other player's worlds (why not make a hard game even harder for an unsuspecting stranger?). There are three covenants that you can join - all of them are invasion based with their own objectives. Each covenant is at odds with another. This adds an interesting dynamic: it is possible for cooperators, who are supposed to be working towards a common goal, to become hostile towards each other.

    Of course being a 'Souls game Bloodborne is hard, not cheap-leaving-you-no-choice-but-to-memorize-enemy-positions-and-patterns hard, but you're-not-good-enough-YET hard. Bloodborne isn't difficult for the sake of being hardcore, it is difficult to make your successes sweeter. Be warned, you will die, you will get stuck, you may even rage quit, but you will always come back more - the sense of accomplishment is too great.
    Expand
  16. May 31, 2015
    10
    This game is not for everyone no doubt about that. Bloodborne is prized for it's utterly gorgeous art, theme and amazing atmosphere. The combat system is really enjoyable. I had a lot of fun pvping with other people in multiplayer. My current favorite weapon at the momment is the pimp cane. The range on that thing is godly.

    A lot of people complain that there are too few weapons in the
    This game is not for everyone no doubt about that. Bloodborne is prized for it's utterly gorgeous art, theme and amazing atmosphere. The combat system is really enjoyable. I had a lot of fun pvping with other people in multiplayer. My current favorite weapon at the momment is the pimp cane. The range on that thing is godly.

    A lot of people complain that there are too few weapons in the game but i don't think so. The transforming weapons have a lot of combo that you can mix together allowing more variations of combat style. This game isn't your normal RPG. Bloodborne has it's own world, concepts that players need to realize. It is a completely different game and i bet the reason why this is getting a lot of bad scores is that people hate anything that is different to what is mainstream. Give this game a chance it is truly rewarding.
    Expand
  17. Jul 22, 2015
    10
    Bloodborne is, without a doubt, the best game I've played this year... maybe ever. Even with solid, new releases like Witcher 3 and Batman, I find myself yearning to revisit Yharnam again and again..!

    I've never felt such accomplishment after some of these boss fights - it's a rush you NEED to experience. 10/10 recommend this game.
  18. Apr 12, 2016
    10
    This is the best game of the PS4 and the best game of the current generation.This game is amazing , the level design is amazing.Compare with Dark souls this game is better,the gameplay is faster than Dark Souls.
  19. May 15, 2016
    10
    Best gaming experience of my life. To fully understand this gem I recommend The Paleblood Hunt by Redgrave. This review I would like to thank him for his fantastic work.
  20. Jan 10, 2018
    10
    I'm a little behind on the times with this one, but I LOVE this game, it's definitely my favorite RPG on PS4!! The detail in the architecture and characters is awesome, especially the monsters. The difficulty is very high, which I love, seems most games produced nowadays are way too easy. I feel like they're aiming at the dull, brainless masses, who follow celebrities like a religion.I'm a little behind on the times with this one, but I LOVE this game, it's definitely my favorite RPG on PS4!! The detail in the architecture and characters is awesome, especially the monsters. The difficulty is very high, which I love, seems most games produced nowadays are way too easy. I feel like they're aiming at the dull, brainless masses, who follow celebrities like a religion. But if you want to make big money, that's the best way to do it, so I can't blame them. This game on the other hand, is very hard, not hard enough to make you give up, but right on the cusp. I'm almost done with the main game and, there're still enemies from earlier levels who can kill me fairly quickly, if I'm not careful. I can only hope they make another one, though it doesn't look like they will. I bought the complete digital version as well as the physical copy and digital DLC, just to add to the demand and hopefully convince From Software to make a new one. This is the only game I ever liked enough to buy the art book. I got the Japanese version, which is twice as big as the American version. The only complaint I have, is multiplayer can be a bit of a pain in the arse to use. When you ring the Beckoning Bell to ask for help, it uses Insight and, then as soon as you beat the boss from that area, the person is kicked from the game. Sometimes it takes a while for them to join as well. I like how they also add the possibility of adversaries joining to try n kill you and your partner. Overall I LOVE the game and the multiplayer issue is so minor I feel bad even mentioning it. Perfect 10 for me! Expand
  21. Oaz
    Oct 5, 2020
    10
    Gameplay 10/10
    Story 9/10
    Presentation 10/10
    Performance 9/10
    Characters 8/10
    Music 10/10

    Best Ps4 Game Ever
  22. Mar 24, 2015
    10
    The game is really awesome! It's a dark themed medieval feeling scene that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It's a tougher game than most.. just like Demons Souls and Dark Souls, so be prepared for a good challenge. It plays and looks similarly to the Souls series, but that's about it. You can't compare it to FromSoftware's other games because this is a new IP... a new series. It'sThe game is really awesome! It's a dark themed medieval feeling scene that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It's a tougher game than most.. just like Demons Souls and Dark Souls, so be prepared for a good challenge. It plays and looks similarly to the Souls series, but that's about it. You can't compare it to FromSoftware's other games because this is a new IP... a new series. It's not Dark Souls and it's not Demon's Souls, so please keep that in mind and treat it as its own game and don't compare it to something else.

    This game is a great reason to own a PS4! The first party exclusive titles are always premium and why I've loved and chosen PlayStation since 1995. Here's to another great exclusive. Congrats, Sony! The fans appreciate it.
    Expand
  23. Mar 24, 2015
    10
    Alright my negrossss its that time agian when papa tdog tells you all about the new gamezzz, listen up kiddos real talk this game be mad **** ya dig, its got it all form the big boss fights to the mad hella combat, right now that all that is out of the way real talk me and uous s s s yuo all be some real retarddd peeeps buying theis game like for realzezz its sucks dickaaa and yor all dumbAlright my negrossss its that time agian when papa tdog tells you all about the new gamezzz, listen up kiddos real talk this game be mad **** ya dig, its got it all form the big boss fights to the mad hella combat, right now that all that is out of the way real talk me and uous s s s yuo all be some real retarddd peeeps buying theis game like for realzezz its sucks dickaaa and yor all dumb whores for buying it for trallalalzzzz this be my sick nasty opinion and im spreading the truth one mind at a time, lololololololo you all such queers you love being bummed by from sfotware and all theier HIV infected BLOOD Expand
  24. Mar 24, 2015
    10
    From someone who has had no experience with the Souls games, or fighting/RPG games for that matter, this game is truly incredible. I've never enjoyed a game that I sucked at as much as I am enjoying Bloodborne. The gameplay is truly innovative (to me at least since I have not had these previous experiences) and the graphics and atmosphere make the game super immerse. GOTY contender,From someone who has had no experience with the Souls games, or fighting/RPG games for that matter, this game is truly incredible. I've never enjoyed a game that I sucked at as much as I am enjoying Bloodborne. The gameplay is truly innovative (to me at least since I have not had these previous experiences) and the graphics and atmosphere make the game super immerse. GOTY contender, system seller, for sure. This game is receiving great press for a reason, clearly. Expand
  25. Mar 24, 2015
    10
    Blood borne is the proof for the PS4 and Next Gen about Epic Games and epic Exclusives, and proof for the miyazaki is the master abaut this gender in the PS.
  26. Mar 24, 2015
    10
    This is a really well done game! The world is incredibly intriguing, the combat is solid, and the sound effects are strong! Not only that, but the game is quite the challenge and really gives a run for your money in terms of skill. Though, there are issues of a not always stable frame rate during intense moments, at times wonky camera, and load times that are not so great (Though, it'sThis is a really well done game! The world is incredibly intriguing, the combat is solid, and the sound effects are strong! Not only that, but the game is quite the challenge and really gives a run for your money in terms of skill. Though, there are issues of a not always stable frame rate during intense moments, at times wonky camera, and load times that are not so great (Though, it's gonna be patched soon!). These problems are just blemishes to an overall incredible game! (Finally, a universally agreed killer app for the system!) Expand
  27. Mar 25, 2015
    9
    Not only by far the best game on the PS4, it is also one of the best games I've ever played period, and could easily shift the 'Console War' the way of Sony permanently once word of this PS4 exclusive gets out.

    It is psychologically draining to play through as you wait and watch for the next surprise attack to clobber you into submission. It is brutally difficult - which is what you'd
    Not only by far the best game on the PS4, it is also one of the best games I've ever played period, and could easily shift the 'Console War' the way of Sony permanently once word of this PS4 exclusive gets out.

    It is psychologically draining to play through as you wait and watch for the next surprise attack to clobber you into submission. It is brutally difficult - which is what you'd expect from a Souls inspired game. Key word there is 'inspired' - this isn't a carbon copy Souls experience, as it has a life and character of its' own.

    It's graphically above average, but not next gen mind-blowing stuff - but it's the art style that impresses, and that's more important than graphical fidelity. It has a few minor hiccups in frame rate, but they are sporadic.

    And in terms of issues with the game, that's it. Everything else is more or less flawless.

    In my opinion, this is the Halo/Gears of War etc. moment for the next-gen consoles that we have been waiting for. A console justifier, basically, that is not only worth the price of the game, but it also justifies the cost of the console itself.
    Expand
  28. Mar 27, 2015
    10
    It's been a really long time since I've came across a new game that just completely blew my balls off. I started playing Bloodborne at 2 in the morning, pitch dark, with my headphones on. Good god. I was about to crap my pants, I was frickin' terrified. I never played the Dark Souls games which everyone seems to compare this to, because I never owned a PS3 or Xbox system. The last consoleIt's been a really long time since I've came across a new game that just completely blew my balls off. I started playing Bloodborne at 2 in the morning, pitch dark, with my headphones on. Good god. I was about to crap my pants, I was frickin' terrified. I never played the Dark Souls games which everyone seems to compare this to, because I never owned a PS3 or Xbox system. The last console I purchased besides the Wii U was the Playstation 2. Yeah I'm dating myself, I know. Enormous gothic castles, extremely dark overtones, creaky gates, the lumbering footsteps and heavy breathing of an enormous beast you can't see, and oh god don't you wish you knew where it was. it's just absolutely amazing and beautiful. What a way to start off my experience with the PS4. A+++

    The only complaint I could possibly have is the loading times. I die, a lot. Having to look at that loading screen on a regular basis and fiddle with my phone until its over does detract from the experience a bit. I heard they're trying to patch that issue, and when that happens this game will legitimately be flawless.
    Expand
  29. Mar 26, 2015
    10
    Bloodborne is easily an early contender for game of the year and is perfect in all aspects. All the new settings and mechanics keep the game feeling fresh even while it retains many familiar aspects from the Miyazaki games.
  30. Mar 24, 2015
    10
    if you like dark souls or demon souls you will surely like this game. it's one or the best exclusive and game that the ps4 has offer until now. THIS IS GREATNESS
  31. Mar 27, 2015
    10
    Every other reviewer has already said what I was going to say. So I will proudly stamp my 10/10 and leave you with this parting passage.

    May the good blood guide your way.
  32. Mar 24, 2015
    10
    Never playing any of its predecessors, Bloodborne has a certain feel to it that is hard to distinguish. In one hand you feel powerful as you take down a group of enemies or boss. In the other you encounter 2 npcs and they drop you like a box of rocks. This game feels incredibly rewarding yet disgustingly unforgiving. one mistake may cost you your life causing you to replay everything youNever playing any of its predecessors, Bloodborne has a certain feel to it that is hard to distinguish. In one hand you feel powerful as you take down a group of enemies or boss. In the other you encounter 2 npcs and they drop you like a box of rocks. This game feels incredibly rewarding yet disgustingly unforgiving. one mistake may cost you your life causing you to replay everything you have just accomplished. Furthermore, may individuals are complaining that the game is to hard, from software is know to put out products that are discerningly difficult. keep this in mind when you make this purchase, the game is graphically amazing and the score to boot, character design is amazing through and through, and the replayability is high due to a new game + and multiplayer. this may be a game to keep your eye on, and definitely a must buy for PS4 owners. Expand
  33. Mar 24, 2015
    10
    This game is a true masterpiece. I am a die hard fan of the souls series been playing it since 2009 Demons Souls, and this is truly Demons Souls caliber of difficulty.
    Love it and would recommend to all, the load times arent that bad, 10seconds for my brother on his PS4 (SSHD 1TB) and my PS4 6seconds on SSD 1TB.
    So just upgrade your hard drive and stop crying ya.
  34. Mar 25, 2015
    10
    I´ve been playing games since the Atari era, and played through all the generations, but this is my first review in here. This game combines perfectly two of the best games I´ve ever played: Demon´s Souls (obvious) and Castlevia: Sotn. Yes, it is that good, and it´s as addictive as Dark Souls 1, you just can´t spot thinking of the game when you´re not playing it. An easy 10/10
  35. Mar 24, 2015
    10
    best next gen game so far 20 hours in nowhere near complete anyone giving it low scores seem to be people who have not played the game and xbox one or pc gamers who want it on their platform lol
  36. Mar 24, 2015
    10
    This game is absolutely perfect! the thrill of killing beasts and fast pace dodging is amazing ! i really really can't stop playing bloodborne one of the best exclusives on the PlayStation 4!
  37. Mar 24, 2015
    9
    Several hours in, game looks amazing, the atmosphere, movement, boss designs all ooze quality. Loses a point for some issues that need to be ironed out, load times, some framing problems, hopefully both will be addressed in patches over the next few weeks. Overall, another amazing Souls experience, I'm not 100% sure that it beats Demons Souls, my current favorite, but by the time I'm done,Several hours in, game looks amazing, the atmosphere, movement, boss designs all ooze quality. Loses a point for some issues that need to be ironed out, load times, some framing problems, hopefully both will be addressed in patches over the next few weeks. Overall, another amazing Souls experience, I'm not 100% sure that it beats Demons Souls, my current favorite, but by the time I'm done, it just might. Expand
  38. Mar 25, 2015
    10
    Greatness Awaits ! and Its Here ! Great game I cant stop playing ! Very hard.. Plays yesterday about 8 hours of pure fun. a lot of content and crutirs ..........................................................
  39. Mar 25, 2015
    10
    The first real, serious, "you must play this game" on a next-gen console (when do we start calling this current-gen?). Sure, there have been plenty of worthwhile games so far, but this one is one of those rare, not-to-be-missed titles along the lines of Bioshock Infinite, The Last of Us, etc. Do not miss this game.
  40. Mar 25, 2015
    10
    I really liked this game, I love the atmosphere and the pacing. It is more approachable than the Souls games but it is really hard too, it is a good kind of frustration.
  41. Mar 25, 2015
    10
    I just keep getting stomped over and over again, though there is many fps drops here and there, it is not anything really game-changing. I am a few hours into the game and as disappointed I was by Dark Souls 2, I am very amused by this game. Beautiful scenery, creative enemies, more challenging than previously, not as linear. Definitely a 10/10 must buy for every Souls fan and/orI just keep getting stomped over and over again, though there is many fps drops here and there, it is not anything really game-changing. I am a few hours into the game and as disappointed I was by Dark Souls 2, I am very amused by this game. Beautiful scenery, creative enemies, more challenging than previously, not as linear. Definitely a 10/10 must buy for every Souls fan and/or Playstation 4 owner. Expand
  42. Mar 28, 2015
    10
    this is the best exclusive for next gen. no doubts, even with the loading screen issues that got patched :). and frame rate that drops not by much for me. this game is amazing
    awesome combat. dark souls is a very difficult game. so also this one is for me :)
    this game has one of the best graphics on next-gen. i said about the order 1886 the same. but it dissapoints the **** outta me.
    this is the best exclusive for next gen. no doubts, even with the loading screen issues that got patched :). and frame rate that drops not by much for me. this game is amazing
    awesome combat. dark souls is a very difficult game. so also this one is for me :)

    this game has one of the best graphics on next-gen. i said about the order 1886 the same. but it dissapoints the **** outta me. this one didn't.
    story is interesting. fights are fantastic. great soundtrack. great controls.
    amazing atmoshpere.

    a sure contender for GOTY 2015

    now, another thing i should mention. cod fanboys. **** you, go away
    Expand
  43. Mar 30, 2015
    10
    10/10 one of the bests games I ever played. Love this game!
    Awesome story. Awesome fight mechanic. Awesome graphic! Thank you so much!
    Game hard enough.
  44. Mar 24, 2015
    10
    The Game is Perfect...Just The loading time...it gets a -1 for that of course.
    It deserves every penny. But if loading times doesn't bother you. get it now because the game is awesome!
  45. Mar 26, 2015
    10
    This game defines what a game should be. To all other company's the bar has now been raised. Bloodborne is a fantastic game that takes you into another realm and forces you to fight strategically in order to survive. I have only had a week with it and it is by far the hardest game i have ever played. The story has not taken effect yet but it is vast and wonderful. The graphics are amazingThis game defines what a game should be. To all other company's the bar has now been raised. Bloodborne is a fantastic game that takes you into another realm and forces you to fight strategically in order to survive. I have only had a week with it and it is by far the hardest game i have ever played. The story has not taken effect yet but it is vast and wonderful. The graphics are amazing and the game plays very smooth and has very few problems, if any. Expand
  46. Mar 25, 2015
    9
    A lot of the negative reviews on this game are "it is annoyingly hard and therefore not fun at all". This is odd to me because that is one of the things that make this game unique is that it prides itself on being hard. There is no easy mode and it shouldn't have to have one. I do not play Madden and complain I cannot slam dunk, its not NBA2K. Both sport games but both very different. ThisA lot of the negative reviews on this game are "it is annoyingly hard and therefore not fun at all". This is odd to me because that is one of the things that make this game unique is that it prides itself on being hard. There is no easy mode and it shouldn't have to have one. I do not play Madden and complain I cannot slam dunk, its not NBA2K. Both sport games but both very different. This is not a normal hack an slash where you own everything. It is more of a puzzle, each enemy has a new "Style" of combat you figure out and over come, everything is a threat. It is not Dynasty Warriors were you run in and slash armies away with a swing of the spear. Love this game. Fun mechanics, clever and difficult layouts to levels, fun note system (yes from Dark Souls I know), and difficult. This game is for people who want a challenge. If you want easy to learn hard to master go play Devil May Cry, COD, or any sports game, because this game is probably not for you, but do not buy this game and play it for a few hours, get pissed and give it a bad review because it was "Hard". My only wish is that the game continues to get harder and more challenging than it already has been 30 hours in. To me, it's difficulty is what makes it so very memorable. After beating the first boss, I could clearly draw you a map of the areas I went to leading up to boss, and exactly where and what creatures spawned in the area, not because the graphics were the coolest thing ever, because I died so many freaking times I learned from my mistakes and got further and further on each attempt. In short this game will be a love hate, either you will love and embrace the difficulty to the game or you will hate it. Everything else in this game doesn't matter, it is all about the challenge of climbing the corpse mountain that is Bloodborne. Expand
  47. Mar 25, 2015
    9
    I'll start off by saying I've never played a souls game before. I started by underestimating the game thinking: ''Hey it cannot be THAT hard''. I was really wrong. I died numerous times but you really feel like you get better every time and that's mainly what brings me back to the game even though I did rage quit a couple of times.

    Game is beautiful, hard and fun.
  48. Mar 27, 2015
    10
    Dark Souls 2 started to be a little bit annoying, since it was more of the same. So we were expecting to see this Bloodborne and find out if it would represent the end of the Souls saga or its renovation. Fortunately, Mizayaki did it again, creating a game that keeps all the magic from the previous games, but changes what is necessary to be definitively innovative. A must have for everyoneDark Souls 2 started to be a little bit annoying, since it was more of the same. So we were expecting to see this Bloodborne and find out if it would represent the end of the Souls saga or its renovation. Fortunately, Mizayaki did it again, creating a game that keeps all the magic from the previous games, but changes what is necessary to be definitively innovative. A must have for everyone that considers itself a gamer. Expand
  49. Mar 27, 2015
    10
    small changes to be perfect, include (more) PvP. Open worlds are a reality of games, could explore anymore of this. The difficulty is ecstasy of this game.
  50. Mar 27, 2015
    10
    Phenomenal. Hands down the best PS4 release to date. What I love about the Souls series - except for DS2 - is how tight and fluid the controls are. I thought DS1 was the best of the series but Bloodborne takes it to another level as far as how fast-paced the combat is. Not finished with the 1st campaign yet and haven't PVP'd, will do that after my first play through. But it is addictingPhenomenal. Hands down the best PS4 release to date. What I love about the Souls series - except for DS2 - is how tight and fluid the controls are. I thought DS1 was the best of the series but Bloodborne takes it to another level as far as how fast-paced the combat is. Not finished with the 1st campaign yet and haven't PVP'd, will do that after my first play through. But it is addicting and rewarding and exactly what I was looking for as a follow-up to DS1. And the best part is the depth - I know I am just scratching the surface in terms of how much more there is to do and learn about the game. Expand
  51. Mar 28, 2015
    10
    If you like a challenge and overall solid, fun, addictive game mechanic, then this game is for you. Try not to let the difficulty scare you off too much; since skill and (sometimes) grinding can easily over come this area.
  52. Mar 24, 2015
    9
    A must buy for any souls fan out there. the game is amazing in every aspect. and as usual for a from software game it has a great replay value. is not surprise that this is the best game on ps4. i give it a 9/10 and it not reaches the 10 just for the frame drop and the loading time. im just having the best fun playing this game, something that didnt happen in all 2014.
  53. Mar 26, 2015
    10
    I love this game my biggest gripes with the souls series have been answered. No more being afraid to engage an enemy now you just have to use different strategies to get past parts. I have used a stealth strategy as well as a divide and conquer one but in the end I still suffered defeat. This game is hard if you like a challenge but it and the character customization is outstandingI love this game my biggest gripes with the souls series have been answered. No more being afraid to engage an enemy now you just have to use different strategies to get past parts. I have used a stealth strategy as well as a divide and conquer one but in the end I still suffered defeat. This game is hard if you like a challenge but it and the character customization is outstanding imagination is your only limits. Some may prefer the traditional shield but for me the 2 weapon system works a lot better. Maybe one day we will see this game on PC with a modding community. I don't give out 10's but this game deserves one 9.5 is my real score so I rounded up to a 10! Expand
  54. Mar 26, 2015
    10
    Bloodborne is the best thing happen to me in terms of gaming till today. Some lowlife giving this game low score since they are too afraid to use their brain. I can challenge to any of you reading this review, you would not find any game in the market that is worth playing like this except may be when Witcher 3 would be released. Till then, bye bye and long live FromSoftware.
  55. Mar 24, 2015
    9
    Bloodborne is more of a spiritual successor to Demon's Souls than it is to either Dark Souls or its sequel. Like Demon's Souls, the story is heavy and morose, and the area design is part open world and part level-based. If you are a fan of From's work, you'll find yourself at home in Yharnam. If you have not tried their games, Bloodborne is the most accessible game to date, but it isBloodborne is more of a spiritual successor to Demon's Souls than it is to either Dark Souls or its sequel. Like Demon's Souls, the story is heavy and morose, and the area design is part open world and part level-based. If you are a fan of From's work, you'll find yourself at home in Yharnam. If you have not tried their games, Bloodborne is the most accessible game to date, but it is also the least forgiving. This may be a AAA title, but it doesn't have the full AAA audience appeal. Bloodborne expects your full and undivided attention, and the gameplay necessitates that.

    The Good: excellent level design that rewards exploration without being incomprehensible, dark brooding atmosphere and soundtrack, the kind of gameplay and story you've come to expect from the creators of Demon's Souls and Dark Souls

    The Bad: poor loading times (patch is apparently incoming), some mild pacing issues, the streamlined design makes it feel slightly lean by From Software standards.
    Expand
  56. Mar 26, 2015
    9
    Dark Souls 3 with some twists. I won't go in-depth as many others already have but I'll give some quick pro's and con's for those unsure of purchasing yet.

    Pro's: Beautifully designed, this is a stunning piece of art brought to life to awesome effect. Scary, dark and it draws you in completely. As a long time PC gamer I didn't expect too much from my PS4 but wow can it deliver some
    Dark Souls 3 with some twists. I won't go in-depth as many others already have but I'll give some quick pro's and con's for those unsure of purchasing yet.

    Pro's: Beautifully designed, this is a stunning piece of art brought to life to awesome effect. Scary, dark and it draws you in completely. As a long time PC gamer I didn't expect too much from my PS4 but wow can it deliver some stunning visuals. Challenging, if you like your hand held and don't like dying this game will frustrate and generally infuriate you. Souls vet's know what to expect here and relish in it even. Great combat that still rewards skillful timing and approach. This is perhaps the single biggest draw to the game as beating a boss with skill is extremely rewarding. I love this aspect of the game. Finally, sound design deserves a mention here. The roars, screeches and thumps are genuinely frightening and immerse you even deeper into this twisted world.

    Con's: I was really hoping we were done with framerate issues after DS 1 and 2, but it's back and worse then ever. The framerate can drop to single digits at times. This is no fun to anyone and I really hope they can patch the game to alleviate some of these issues. Loooong load times. It seems next-generation games generally take much longer to load. This is unfortunate especially considering how you have to warp back to the hub, wait for it to load, then warp somewhere else and again wait for it to load. A strange oversight from a developer known to pay attention to detail and it must be fixed.

    Neutral: As with DS 1 and 2 the game is convoluted both in terms of story and on how you should build your character. I both dislike and like this as it adds mystery to the world but at the same time I don't like putting my points into a stat only to find out later on I wasted them and the game didn't tell me this was possible. Be very careful. Also, the game is too similar to Dark Souls which may or may not appeal to you. Me personally, I would have liked Bloodborne to be more different but as I love the Souls games I can't say I'm not satisfied.

    Final Thoughts: I am very pleased with most aspects of Bloodborne and I will be sinking a-lot of time into this game without question. If you have not played Dark Souls and are going in blind with Bloodborne just remember to give it some time. At first you will be frustrated but as you learn the game you will discover the beauty and challenge to be rewarding. Long time Souls vets, this is an easy buy and you already know that. Cheers!
    Expand
  57. Mar 27, 2015
    9
    Its progressive, challenging, thoroughly polished bar load times and some points where frame rate suffers. Its an adult experience that like the spiritual predecessors deserves your time, patience and skill as a gamer. The best compliment I can give apart from a 10/10 is that there is no real alternative for you to buy.
  58. Mar 27, 2015
    10
    I’ve beat Demon Souls, Dark Souls, and Dark Souls 2 a bunch of times, its personally one of my favorite games on Last Gen. If you’re a fan of those game you will love Bloodborne. I put in about 15 hours so far exploring and leveling up. The combat is very fun and victory is satisfying. The graphics are amazing, very beautiful environments and character designs. People are complaining aboutI’ve beat Demon Souls, Dark Souls, and Dark Souls 2 a bunch of times, its personally one of my favorite games on Last Gen. If you’re a fan of those game you will love Bloodborne. I put in about 15 hours so far exploring and leveling up. The combat is very fun and victory is satisfying. The graphics are amazing, very beautiful environments and character designs. People are complaining about long load times but I haven’t had any issues with it and they'll be patching that soon to make them shorter. I love the gameplay, fluid controls just a great game all around. If you’re new to the series or never played any of the Dark Souls games I can see why you’d get frustrated with it but the game is challenging and extremely satisfying once you get into it. Highly recommend it. Expand
  59. Mar 28, 2015
    10
    Another game that comes by From Software, it has an engaging world and heavy emphasis on high octane dodging and weaving through more angry, violent, and aggressive foes that will make your circle button file a rape charge.
  60. Mar 28, 2015
    9
    The first big game for the ps4.
    I honestly think that there is no better thing for us , gamers, to play a neat title and literally mess with our emotions. It could be a horror game , a dramatic game or obviously an action RPG . The fact is that arouse emotions , are any , is a complicated task in any artistic medium . With Bloodborne , I live a relationship of love and hatred , every day
    The first big game for the ps4.
    I honestly think that there is no better thing for us , gamers, to play a neat title and literally mess with our emotions. It could be a horror game , a dramatic game or obviously an action RPG . The fact is that arouse emotions , are any , is a complicated task in any artistic medium . With Bloodborne , I live a relationship of love and hatred , every day , intensifies.
    .
    Expand
  61. Mar 28, 2015
    9
    This game is great. To be honest it frustrated me for the first set of hours (10). After that things started to make sense and click and then just before I beat the first boss I got it. I understood what the game was about and how to actually play. It's fun, I'm lost in the world and I have only beaten 2 bosses. It's challenging but fun.
  62. Apr 7, 2015
    10
    This is the first system-seller of the new generation, in my opinion. Having played it nonstop for a couple of weeks now, I can safely say that I feel it is the best Souls series game released to date (granted, it's not technically a Souls game, but it may as well be), topping Dark Souls 1. It's difficult and punishing but it is also fair and overwhelmingly fun. I have no desire to playThis is the first system-seller of the new generation, in my opinion. Having played it nonstop for a couple of weeks now, I can safely say that I feel it is the best Souls series game released to date (granted, it's not technically a Souls game, but it may as well be), topping Dark Souls 1. It's difficult and punishing but it is also fair and overwhelmingly fun. I have no desire to play any other game at all. Expand
  63. Apr 9, 2015
    9
    Not since my first playthrough of DS have i been this excited about a game. Lovecraft + Souls = My Girlfriend is Leaving Me (and i couldnt care less)
  64. Mar 24, 2015
    10
    Well..reviewing a game that has already 93 overall rating is kinda..useless.This is an insta classic game.And i mean it.Dark souls fans..i expect you already have purchased it.Non dark souls fans..beware...call your boss..call your girlfriend..call your mom and dad..and tell them you wont see them for the next week.
    The game takes place in the gothic, ruined city of Yharnam which is
    Well..reviewing a game that has already 93 overall rating is kinda..useless.This is an insta classic game.And i mean it.Dark souls fans..i expect you already have purchased it.Non dark souls fans..beware...call your boss..call your girlfriend..call your mom and dad..and tell them you wont see them for the next week.
    The game takes place in the gothic, ruined city of Yharnam which is rumored to house a potent medical remedy. Over the years, many travelers make pilgrimages to the city seeking the remedy to cure their afflictions; the player takes the role as one of these travelers. Upon arriving in the city, however, it is discovered that the city is plagued with an endemic illness that has transformed most of its denizens into bestial creatures. The player must navigate the streets of Yharnam and overcome its violently deranged inhabitants and horrifying monsters in order to survive.
    Blood,too much blood,fast paced action,terrific environment,challenging enemies and more challenging bosses,amazing soundtrack.This game does what dark souls did,but better.Some people found dark souls a bit slow and boring,gameplay perspective,but not this.This is fast,engaging and fun.You dont have to be a hardcore rpg or dark souls fan to love it.You will love it eitherway.You will be drown in the depth of the sureal relion theme story of the game.You will lost in the dark style filth streets of the city of Yharnam and you will beg for more.From your first swing of your sword,from the first gun fire and the first spill of enemy's blood..you will know..that no swings,no gunfires,no blood will be enough..As the says at the start..you will be human no more..cause you will be drown in your own world.
    As i already said,gameplay is fantastic.You can either solo the game(i dont recommend it) or summon friends to help you with your adventure killing enemies and especially bosses.You can also invade others with one only purpose.To eliminate the other players.You must kill or be killed.The hunting at an invasion is thrilling.You dont know where to expect the enemy,what build has or weapons.What is his playstyle.You will find it..the hard way.Every time..every encounter is a new chapter.You will be hunted and you will hunt.Pve is good.No.is terrific.To be honest..online is the main reason to buy this game.
    Soundtrack is great also.The dark,heavy melodies fits perfect this world.From the very first notes of music to the intense fast melodies at bosses,music is amazing.
    Be ware dear friends..this game will consume you..Will tranfuse your blood in your body with his dark addictive liquid.And you will want more.Stay away if you want continue playing happy games and have time for your life.But if you want to be drown in the next few months in some other world..Then...this is the time..And if you dont have a playstation 4 **** it..i mean..Just GET IT.
    Expand
  65. Mar 24, 2015
    10
    This game convinced me to buy PS4, and boy it was worth every penny.
    I haven't completed it yet, but so far I liking it more than other souls game.

    Great combat, great world design, great enemies, great soundtrack. While the load times are quite long (around 15 seconds), it doesn't lessen my enjoyment at all. Easily one of the best game in years.

    10/10
    From Software's Magnum Opus.
  66. Mar 24, 2015
    10
    Everything I expected and more. The music is outstanding, the atmosphere is immersive, and the gameplay is spot on. A worthy title for game of the year.
  67. Mar 24, 2015
    10
    Beautiful game, coming by From Software, I expected something like. Great Soundtrack and Scenery, Immersion and everything good can define this game, for sure a must buy.
  68. Apr 9, 2015
    8
    Great game but the bugs, load times and the repetitiveness of it forced me to drop it's score abit. Parts of the game are unfinished and unimplemented and the combat ends up being far too samey when every encounter boils down to avoiding and timing attacks. It needed a more in depth leveling system and beast system (which was talked about and shown before release but then neverGreat game but the bugs, load times and the repetitiveness of it forced me to drop it's score abit. Parts of the game are unfinished and unimplemented and the combat ends up being far too samey when every encounter boils down to avoiding and timing attacks. It needed a more in depth leveling system and beast system (which was talked about and shown before release but then never implemented, hints of it are still in the game) Expand
  69. Mar 25, 2015
    10
    Racing games annoy me, because the cars dont look shiny enough, In Bloodborne I found very little in the way of motor vehicles, let alone a chequered flag. But I digress. Bloodborne is a game I haven't even played, however that doesnt stop metacritic allowing me to post up a score which affects the overall user score of the game. So I recommend you go out and buy this game because likeRacing games annoy me, because the cars dont look shiny enough, In Bloodborne I found very little in the way of motor vehicles, let alone a chequered flag. But I digress. Bloodborne is a game I haven't even played, however that doesnt stop metacritic allowing me to post up a score which affects the overall user score of the game. So I recommend you go out and buy this game because like most of the reviews for this game on metacritic, this is silly. Expand
  70. Mar 24, 2015
    10
    This is the best game you will get on any next game console and i can see it being my game of the year. If you have a PS4 there is no reason what so ever not to run and get this game. Awesome.
  71. Mar 26, 2015
    10
    This game is a must have for a ps4 owner. The game is so much fun, many things to do and I recommend it for all ps4 owners. Great atmosphere, boss fights, enemies and co-op.
  72. Mar 26, 2015
    10
    This game is not for the casual gamer. It's very difficult indeed, but that feeling you get when finally defeating that one boss you've been stuck at for hours makes up for it. The learning curve is steep (a f**king brick wall, more like) so be prepared for a lot of dying the first hours of the game, depending on personal skill too, of course.

    If you enjoyed any of the Souls' games this
    This game is not for the casual gamer. It's very difficult indeed, but that feeling you get when finally defeating that one boss you've been stuck at for hours makes up for it. The learning curve is steep (a f**king brick wall, more like) so be prepared for a lot of dying the first hours of the game, depending on personal skill too, of course.

    If you enjoyed any of the Souls' games this is a must have.
    Expand
  73. Mar 26, 2015
    10
    You will love it if you like souls games. LOVE IT! The graphics are so nice and the scenes and map designs are wonderful. So much fun to explore! The loading time is a little (sometimes 15-20sec) long but it's worth waiting:) Even though the attacking style is different from previous souls games, it is a lot of fun~ Last but not least, PRAISE THE SUN!!! God job from software.
  74. Mar 28, 2015
    10
    Would recommencd to any Hardcore Player This new kind of soul game is simply awesome and whatever Noob player Say about every game should be accessible to everyone **** off. I don't want this game transforming into a lazy assasin creed or game that genre.

    This new title bring you into a new way to pley it harder easier and sometime even more frustrating but Oh god I love it.
    Would recommencd to any Hardcore Player This new kind of soul game is simply awesome and whatever Noob player Say about every game should be accessible to everyone **** off. I don't want this game transforming into a lazy assasin creed or game that genre.

    This new title bring you into a new way to pley it harder easier and sometime even more frustrating but Oh god I love it.

    Therefore Some people will tell you this game is too hard for you If you think it is Its probably!
    Expand
  75. Mar 29, 2015
    9
    Would give it a 9.5 for the loading times, but outside of that, it's a great game that handles well and differently from its Demon Souls and Dark Souls predecessors. Interesting lore and boss fights make the game mechanics more enjoyable while giving the player a nice environment to play in.
  76. Mar 31, 2015
    9
    This game is not a 10. It's extraordinary and exquisite and a huge cut above your average game but it isn't a better souls game. It's much on par with DS2. Long load times and frame rate drops along with an easier NG than most souls series games (Although an extremely difficult NG+) it boasts a wide array of enemies and is really good but it falls short of DS1.

    As with many Souls games
    This game is not a 10. It's extraordinary and exquisite and a huge cut above your average game but it isn't a better souls game. It's much on par with DS2. Long load times and frame rate drops along with an easier NG than most souls series games (Although an extremely difficult NG+) it boasts a wide array of enemies and is really good but it falls short of DS1.

    As with many Souls games this is yet another flawed masterpiece.
    Expand
  77. Mar 24, 2015
    10
    Best current-gen console game. Thats all. GOTY candidate. Nice graphic, brilliant gameplay, amazing design and incredible sound. Choose betwene xbone and ps4? Bloodborne only on ps4, lol!
  78. Mar 24, 2015
    10
    This is my first souls type game and I have to say that it is fantastic. The City is so incredible, it's ;like you can almost smell the smells and feel the cold, damp stones around you. Every step forward is a step into your fears and the game is a journey that one cannot help but feel helps you grow as a gamer and as a digital warrior. The game is unique in that it's an action game thatThis is my first souls type game and I have to say that it is fantastic. The City is so incredible, it's ;like you can almost smell the smells and feel the cold, damp stones around you. Every step forward is a step into your fears and the game is a journey that one cannot help but feel helps you grow as a gamer and as a digital warrior. The game is unique in that it's an action game that requires you to think and adapt quickly, rather than just being difficult for the sake of it. In short, it is fantastic. Expand
  79. Mar 24, 2015
    10
    One of the best games of this generation .If you thinks videogames are no more whay they used to be . Well guess what . blood
    Borne will remind you why play videogames is not for everyone

    The gameplay . Bosses . Sound and direction is superb. They need to fix a little bit frame rate and loading screen and it will be a masterpiece
  80. Mar 24, 2015
    10
    HAHAHAH I had a friend lets name him "Bayonetta" for now, this "Bayonetta" guy used to **** on PS4 every **** day since the console came out, when the Order 1886 crashed he spent the whole month trolling over the internet to celebrate, but deep within his mind he knew he couldnt keep doing it for long, because soon after the PS4 would rise, and it did. Oh boy it did!

    I already know why
    HAHAHAH I had a friend lets name him "Bayonetta" for now, this "Bayonetta" guy used to **** on PS4 every **** day since the console came out, when the Order 1886 crashed he spent the whole month trolling over the internet to celebrate, but deep within his mind he knew he couldnt keep doing it for long, because soon after the PS4 would rise, and it did. Oh boy it did!

    I already know why Sony decided to delay Uncharted 4, and that's because only one game can be GOTY.

    Trust me on this guys, my Bayonetta friend suddenly dissapearance is related to the quality of this game, I wouldnt be surprised if he already commit suicide. I've spent the whole day playing this and IT SURPASSES DEMON SOULSS!! harder than demon souls, and with more content, better dialogues, better story, better atmosphere, better soundtrack, better boss fights, there are some bosses that you will never forget in your life.

    You-Got-To-Buy-This-Game.
    Expand
  81. Mar 24, 2015
    10
    Absolutely perfect game by From Software!!! Soundtrack, scenery everything is perfect! If you like Souls games and you have PS4, then of course you must buy this game!
  82. Mar 24, 2015
    10
    9.5/10
    Easily the best game this generation a lot of the user reviews that are negative are obviously trolls I mean some guy put 'another game that is nothing but cutscenes like the order' I am 25 hours in and probably had an hour or so cutscenes the easiest and best way to review is in pro's/con's form so here you go.
    Pros -Brilliant world in which you will get totally immersed
    9.5/10
    Easily the best game this generation a lot of the user reviews that are negative are obviously trolls I mean some guy put 'another game that is nothing but cutscenes like the order' I am 25 hours in and probably had an hour or so cutscenes the easiest and best way to review is in pro's/con's form so here you go.

    Pros
    -Brilliant world in which you will get totally immersed either playing the game as you do killing or roaming around exploring.
    -Gripping story
    -Fun gameplay
    -Easier controls to master compared to the Soul's game
    -Combat is a lot better and more fluid.
    -Very challenging.
    -Excellent value for money.

    Cons.
    -Load times after dying.
    -When you look at the likes of Killzone,inFamous and Order visually it's not the best. (but don't forget the game is HUGE to make a game like this look like the order it would take 9 or 10 years.

    As an avid gamer with both and X1 and PS4 I have to say this is easily the best exclusive out there (as much as i loved Sunset Overdrive) and a real System Seller.

    BUY NOWWWW
    Expand
  83. Mar 24, 2015
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Fantastic! The better exclusive game of the next-gen consoles. Nice graphics, nice mechanics and awesome atmosphere. The better game of the better console.
    This is the best game of From Software so far. Great music and scenery! From top to bottom, combat in Bloodborne feels designed to break the habits of old Souls players.The pace of combat has dramatically, and depending on how you've played these games in the past, you might be in for a rude awakening
    Expand
  84. Mar 24, 2015
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game is amazing. Every from software fans dreams. Goty all the way. Dont listen to trolls. I would have given it 9, but cause the trolls it's a 10.

    Play this game, this is one of the best.

    gotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygotygoty
    Expand
  85. Mar 24, 2015
    10
    Best game Ever. On PS4 only.
    Better than Dark Souls. A fantastic experience.
    Level Design is unbelievable.
    Gameplay is so far better than Dark souls, more action.
    Thanks Sony, Thanks From Software for this masterpiece.
  86. Mar 24, 2015
    10
    Already died 20 times and 5 of them with the first boss; cursing at him for all the health i loos when I try to to change blood for silver bullets and fail to recover that blood. Loving this game.
  87. Mar 30, 2015
    10
    BloodBorne is the game that makes the Playstation 4, a must buy. It's painstakingly brutal, unforgiving and time consuming. This is if Dark Souls was combined with Dragon Age with Vampires and creative ways to kill them. When BloodBorne was announced at E3, I was amazed at how From Software and Hidetaka Miyazaki pulled off such detail and clarity in this PS4 exclusive. The game runs at aBloodBorne is the game that makes the Playstation 4, a must buy. It's painstakingly brutal, unforgiving and time consuming. This is if Dark Souls was combined with Dragon Age with Vampires and creative ways to kill them. When BloodBorne was announced at E3, I was amazed at how From Software and Hidetaka Miyazaki pulled off such detail and clarity in this PS4 exclusive. The game runs at a smooth 60 frames per second, and pulls a glazed graphic detail than any other PlayStation exculsive. Not only that, there is a LOT of dying. Players will be raged at how much BloodBorne requires skill and precision to defeat bosses and complete puzzles. Miyazaki's masterful description of his masterful direction shows off in BloodBorne. The Hunter you play as is as mysterious as is the gothic city of Y'harnam. With brilliant voice acting from Allan Courdner as Old Hunter Gehrman, and a looting system that is even better than the one in Borderlands 2. BloodBorne is a game to die for, it easily tops PS4's best exculsive, The Last Of Us Remastered and gives a hearty amount of fun, rage and silence. Buy it, it seriously is the best game on the console. #GoGetAPS4ForBloodborne Expand
  88. Mar 24, 2015
    10
    This game is amazing and since we havent gotten such a good game in a long time i will definitely support it. Bloodborne is a must play for every ps4 user who likes to challenge himself. Every single penny you invested in buying this game is worth it, at least for me. The only things that kind of bother me is that the character still ripostes with his fist and the other thing is that youThis game is amazing and since we havent gotten such a good game in a long time i will definitely support it. Bloodborne is a must play for every ps4 user who likes to challenge himself. Every single penny you invested in buying this game is worth it, at least for me. The only things that kind of bother me is that the character still ripostes with his fist and the other thing is that you cant respec (I didnt find anything about that, this could be my fault though, there may be respec but I still dont know of it and neither does the internet as of now). These things arent gamebreaking and for some these are nitpicks and as I said i really want to support good games. Thats why I am giving Bloodborne a 10/10. Expand
  89. Mar 27, 2015
    10
    I am giving this game a 10 not only to try and negate the 166 negative 0 scores from haters, but also because holy **** this game deserves a 10. Incredible graphics, smooth gameplay, keeps you on edge the whole time, completely unforgiving gameplay that pretty much says **** you if you die, get better". Honestly I dont really have a single complaint about this game other than I wish II am giving this game a 10 not only to try and negate the 166 negative 0 scores from haters, but also because holy **** this game deserves a 10. Incredible graphics, smooth gameplay, keeps you on edge the whole time, completely unforgiving gameplay that pretty much says **** you if you die, get better". Honestly I dont really have a single complaint about this game other than I wish I could play this game again for the first time. I know the loading times are slow for most people, but if you are like me and own a different HDD with a faster RPM or just an SSD than you will load very quick...takes me about 20 seconds max and FS already said they are working on a patch.

    You cant buy this game if you are a casual gamer, you wont enjoy it and will most likely never make it past the first boss...but if you are someone whos down playing one of the hardest but most satisfying video games ever made? Look no further than Bloodborne on PS4. Greatness awaits. Your turn, Xbox.
    Expand
  90. Mar 24, 2015
    10
    This game is amazing, great atmosphere and mechanics. Haven't had this much fun with an rpg since Oblivion. The high difficulty is very noticeable right from the start, this game is brutal and it won't hold back. The sense of accomplishment is greater than anything i've played since the souls series.
  91. Mar 24, 2015
    10
    This game has amazing graphics,it is a beautiful game,coming by From Software.This game has new weapons,new town,called the ancient Yharnam town and the gameplay and the mechanics of this game are extremely amazing.It is the best exclusive ps4 game.Congratulation to From Software for their amazing job.
  92. Mar 24, 2015
    10
    First of all, I love and respect Miyajaki Hidetaka the director of BloodBorne and Souls Seriese! and I thanks to all of developers at FROM SOFTWARE.

    I think this game(not only BloodBorne, but also Souls series) is the best game i have ever played, because this is not a game to make strong a character but a game to make strong the player. VERY HARD GAME, SO VERY WORTH PLAYING in these
    First of all, I love and respect Miyajaki Hidetaka the director of BloodBorne and Souls Seriese! and I thanks to all of developers at FROM SOFTWARE.

    I think this game(not only BloodBorne, but also Souls series) is the best game i have ever played, because this is not a game to make strong a character but a game to make strong the player.
    VERY HARD GAME, SO VERY WORTH PLAYING in these days.
    If there is anyone who want to feel a victory, then must play this and Souls series.
    Expand
  93. Mar 26, 2015
    8
    I beat the game in 32 hours. There were a lot of highs and lows throughout the journey. In a nutshell, I loved the setting, fluidity of combat, enemy design, and a couple mechanics such as Insight and Regain. Though, I found the lack of RPG elements that the Souls games had to be disappointing. I also found several bosses too easy, and the game lacking the fun factor I was looking for.I beat the game in 32 hours. There were a lot of highs and lows throughout the journey. In a nutshell, I loved the setting, fluidity of combat, enemy design, and a couple mechanics such as Insight and Regain. Though, I found the lack of RPG elements that the Souls games had to be disappointing. I also found several bosses too easy, and the game lacking the fun factor I was looking for.

    This is definitely a game specifically designed for those seeking a challenge, and ultimately that is what determines whether or not you'll get a lot out of Bloodborne.
    Expand
  94. Apr 2, 2015
    10
    *Incredibly immersive artwork, music, sound, setting, character designs, and graphic animations.
    *Consistently beautiful and disturbing environments and enemies to look at.
    *Spot-on precise controls. Challenging varied combat. Addictive gameplay built on a gambling foundation of double-or-nothing risk/reward. Frustrating and rewarding. *I love that there isn't a difficulty setting
    *Incredibly immersive artwork, music, sound, setting, character designs, and graphic animations.
    *Consistently beautiful and disturbing environments and enemies to look at.
    *Spot-on precise controls. Challenging varied combat. Addictive gameplay built on a gambling foundation of double-or-nothing risk/reward. Frustrating and rewarding.
    *I love that there isn't a difficulty setting (makes it feel like the challenge is universal as intended),
    *I like the choices in weaponry (most of the inventory management comes from planning your attire, runes, and items toward your next challenge),
    *I love that there is no blocking (you are the hunter, the aggressor, and it's that rapid dodging/striking plus mixing up items in the heat of the moment without save or pause that makes Bloodborne so unique and so thrilling).
    *You should already know that this not a huge open dialogue driven RPG like dragon age. This game is all about combat (risk/reward, the experience of learning, fast paced and frantic, and the exploration therein)
    *There are occasional frame rate drops and minor glitches but the load times are now much improved to take usually less than 30 seconds.
    *Story and lore are all painted into the aesthetics- make of it what you will- this is a game to be played for the joy of learning: the experience of learning from your mistakes, planning, and executing in the moment to the thrill of success.
    *Bloodborne is an excellent game.
    Expand
  95. Mar 24, 2015
    10
    This is my review coming from someone who didn't play Dark Soul I & II. This game is hard, hard, hard... but i like it. This is one of the few games I have ever played where you can't just breeze through the story with no difficulty. This game is very challenging but enjoyable. The graphics are beautiful, soundtrack is great, and the whole theme of the game is amazing. I have played theThis is my review coming from someone who didn't play Dark Soul I & II. This game is hard, hard, hard... but i like it. This is one of the few games I have ever played where you can't just breeze through the story with no difficulty. This game is very challenging but enjoyable. The graphics are beautiful, soundtrack is great, and the whole theme of the game is amazing. I have played the game for five hours now, and it seems I just barely completed a tiny tiny portion of the game. This is a MUST buy exclusive, the hype is real, the Metacritic scores don't lie.

    here is the bloddborne amazon link : http://amzn.to/19jE4br
    Expand
  96. Mar 26, 2015
    10
    Is it hard? Yes, it is. But it is fair, too. It is very well balanced - you just have to take the time to discover its mechanics. That is one thing this game is about: Taking time. You see this motive even in the story, it seems like an timeless and endless dream. ...and in spite of this the action itself is very fast and wild. A perfect contrast!
    The game is unforgiving. I died a lot,
    Is it hard? Yes, it is. But it is fair, too. It is very well balanced - you just have to take the time to discover its mechanics. That is one thing this game is about: Taking time. You see this motive even in the story, it seems like an timeless and endless dream. ...and in spite of this the action itself is very fast and wild. A perfect contrast!
    The game is unforgiving. I died a lot, but I learned from every death.
    There are not many games that have to be explored step by step so carefully. But step by step you master the games secrets. Every little success feels like a great victory - there is more adrenalin and satisfaction in this game than in most games of the last years.
    A brilliant Gothic setting, marvelous atmosphere, very good graphics und sound.
    The only small flaw I saw: There are a few (a very few) camera problems. Sometimes (seldom) the camera rotates into a box or behind a wall. But than again: you can correct it in a blink of an eye manually. So I give a 10 because there is no 9.8...
    Thank you, From Software, for this masterpiece!
    Expand
  97. Mar 28, 2015
    10
    First of all, I've played Demon's Souls and Dark Souls. Both with platinum trophies. Just to make clear that I am a fan of Demon's Souls and Dark Souls (yes, I am leaving out DS2 on purpose) and had an opinion before going in this game.

    The game is hard. It is like the first 2 Souls games on the PS3. Just a tiny bit harder in my opinion. I don't know if it has anything to do with the
    First of all, I've played Demon's Souls and Dark Souls. Both with platinum trophies. Just to make clear that I am a fan of Demon's Souls and Dark Souls (yes, I am leaving out DS2 on purpose) and had an opinion before going in this game.

    The game is hard. It is like the first 2 Souls games on the PS3. Just a tiny bit harder in my opinion. I don't know if it has anything to do with the lack of a shield, or just the enemies. I am glad they simplyfied the STATS. I thought Demon's Souls had the best set of STATS compared to the Dark Souls games. The STAT list became too big. Now with Bloodborne the STAT list is nice and compact. Not very difficult and the R3 button for INFO on the STATS. What they do and upgrade. The look of the game is something different from the Souls serie. Where I loved the Demon's Souls look, with the brownish/dark colors, Dark Souls was a bit too colorful and bright for my liking. I am glad that Bloodborne brought back the dark look. No more green fields of grass with tomb stones like Dark Souls had. No crystal cave with all the light and bright colors. Just this dark color pallette. Love it. It just breaths atmosphere. The soundtrack also adds a lot to this atmosphere. Fits perfectly.
    What I also love, is that they brought back the hub/nexus play style. Like we had in Demon's Souls. 1 central hub/nexus where you can spawn to any lantarn you've activated. It gives you a better overview of the world and makes it easier to remember where what is. In Dark Souls I was constantly lost or spawning at the wrong place. Just to buy something. No more in Bloodborne! 1 central place where you can level, fortify and upgrade your weapons, store items, buy or sell stuff. Makes it a lot more practical compared to Dark Souls where I felt it was a bit spread out.
    1 issue that I have, there are some framedrops noticable in Old Yharnam. Don't know if this will occure anywhere else. Think it has to do with the drawdistance and the amount of floors/enemies. It is only at the beginning of the spawnpoint. So no biggy when you are on the move and making your first kill from this spawnpoint. It's just because you respawn several times (Yes, you WILL die) you will notice this over and over and over. Which brings me to the next point: loading after death. I am no programmer, but why is it taking soooo long? You would think that with an 8GB RAM system, the game could keep things like the enviroment in it's memory and just reset boxes/crates/enemies to their original spawnpoint? I dunno. I am no expert but I think it is ridiculous to wait almost a full minute to respawn after you are dead.

    NEWCOMMERS: It looks very good, not great. But breaths atmosphere. Framerate is smooth, except for 1 instance I noticed. Music is superb. Difficulty is HARD. Very hard. Don't go jumping in this, thinking this is God of War. No. This is in every sense, a Souls game. You die? Great! You lose EVERY SINGLE Blood Echoes (currency to buy anything and to level up). You can recollect them at the point where you died. 1 problem; while you respawned, so did every enemy that is not a boss. This can be frustrating, but it is NOT unfair. You die most of the times by not thinking, going in underpowered, or just rushing, thinking you can get past enemies and get yourself caught in an ambush.
    - Just use your head.
    - Watch the enemy.
    - Take your time.
    - Use your Blood Echoes in the hub at every oportunity possible. Even consider backtracking to a lantarn just to USE your Blood Echoes so you can't lose them.

    Do this and you will get through this game. Yes it is hard, but you will scream out loud when you finally beat that f-ing monster and no other game gives you that feeling of accomplishment. It feels so rewarding.

    SOULS PLAYERS: Just an instant buy. Don't think. Just buy.
    Expand
  98. Apr 1, 2015
    10
    Best exclusive game out there, you got to try this game, you can't miss it. This be the game you should buy on the ps4. This is a fantastic beautiful, awesome, and the best game to play. A must play game.
  99. May 19, 2015
    9
    Bloodborne is an excellent game, hard but fair at the same time. It was slightly disappointing that I had finished the game so quick though. I wish there had been more to the game. Hopefully we will get an expansion like Artorias of the abyss down the road. Graphics/Art design are some of the best on the PS4, and the combat is more fluid than demon's/dark souls. Overall this is a highlyBloodborne is an excellent game, hard but fair at the same time. It was slightly disappointing that I had finished the game so quick though. I wish there had been more to the game. Hopefully we will get an expansion like Artorias of the abyss down the road. Graphics/Art design are some of the best on the PS4, and the combat is more fluid than demon's/dark souls. Overall this is a highly recommended game that every ps4 owner should try! Expand
  100. May 23, 2015
    10
    All I can say is wow. The game looks and plays beautifully. The difficulty at first is a little overwhelming, but with patience and practice you become a killing machine. Played many hours of this and got the Platinum trophy. My only gripe about the game is the spotty co-op but when it is working it is extremely satisfying.
Metascore
92

Universal acclaim - based on 100 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 99 out of 100
  2. Negative: 0 out of 100
  1. Playstation Official Magazine Australia
    May 26, 2015
    90
    Visually striking, nerve-shredding and a fascinating streamlining of the Souls formula. Bloodborne is an exclusive jewel in the PS4 crown and you need to own it. [June 2015, p71]
  2. Games Master UK
    May 24, 2015
    90
    What a world. What a combat system. What a game. You don't want to miss this. [June 2015, p.56]
  3. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    May 20, 2015
    90
    It offers unparalleled player agency when dealing with From's wonderful third-person combat. [May 2015, p.79]