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by Samuel Carney
Bloodborne, released on the 24th of March 2015 by FromSoftware, is an incredibly beautiful game, with some of the best combat in a game I have ever seen. The art and design are stunningly beautiful and photorealistic, which really helps to ramp up the horror as eldritch abominations try their hardest to squash you.
The game has a H.P Lovecraft esque feel due to many of the monsters you will encounter on your journey through Yharnam. The feel of the locations are very unique and interesting, such as: a twisted nightmare version of Victorian London, an endless river to nowhere, an impossibly tall tower and many more. The gameplay suits the alien feel of the game as the speed and pacing make every fight feel like a frantic bout for survival, as you hunt down and slay disgusting monstrosities that were once human.
The story is not told to the player during cutscenes like in most video games, but must be actively sought after through reading item descriptions, talking to characters, discovering secret locations and progressing through the nightmare. The game also boasts 3 possible endings, and 2 of them are very easy to get. The 3rd requires significant exploration to find, rewarding truly observant players.
The bosses are THE most grotesque creatures imaginable, with many deformities and depressing backstories. Almost every boss fight is a thrilling bout of the most animalistic savagery possible, and winning them is an extremely satisfying experience.
Overall, Bloodborne is a beautiful game with incredible level and enemy design, paired with nearly flawless gameplay, incredible challenge and fear inducing set pieces.
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