By Ian Rapoport
Executive Arts Editor
The Playstation 4 has been available for over a year now, but the lineup of games still lacks anything truly noteworthy. It is because of this drought of games that the release of the video game “Bloodborne” feels like a godsend.
Developed in conjunction by From Software and Sony’s Studio Japan, “Bloodborne” is the spiritual successor to the difficult “Souls” series.
Frustrating load times aside, the game’s streamlined mechanics make for both the most difficult and rewarding entry in the series to date. The macabre world makes a setting that is as scary as it is entrancing.
“Bloodborne” is set in the fictional gothic nineteenth century-esque town of Yharnam, which has been struck with a plague that is turning its inhabitants into werewolf-like beasts. The player assumes the role of a hunter who must figure out what is going on and stop the plague, fighting hordes of monsters along the way.
While the word “souls” is not in the title, the gameplay in “Bloodborne” embodies the main aspects of the “Souls” series, with constant brutually difficult combat. However, what makes “Bloodborne” special are the many small deviations from the established franchise.
The major change in the game is that shields have been swapped out for firearms. This change keeps the player from hiding behind a shield and slowly waiting for openings in his enemy’s attacks, instead forcing the player to dodge around foes.
The aggressive transition makes each encounter considerably harder, but the added challenge, combined with how daring darting around the legs of a giant monster feels, make each victory immensely satisfying.
The other major change to the game is how the progression system and number of items to find have been stripped down. The number of skills to level up has been reduced considerably, and weapons and pieces of armor are rare.
Each weapon has a distinct characteristic, such as high damage and low speed, instead of the various items with minor differences like in previous games.
While this change does limit the player’s customization, it simplifies what used to be an exhaustingly complex system and allows the player more ease when experimenting with different playing styles.
The real standout is the location of Yharnam. With shadow and monster-filled cobblestone streets and gothic buildings, the location feels like a Halloween version of London from the recent “Sherlock Holmes” films.
While it is not particularly varied, Yharnam is so original when compared to war-torn cities and fantasy worlds that litter most video games that it more than makes up for it.
One of the game’s major hooks is the story. There is no structured narrative, forcing the player to figure out what is going on by exploring the world and finding clues. It takes work, but each development is so unexpected that it is worth it.
The only real complaint that can be levied against the game is its technical handicaps. The load times between death and fast traveling can be upwards of a minute, and in a game where dying is very common, as much time can be spent looking at a loading screen as playing the game.
Thankfully, this frustration is almost entirely overshadowed when compared to how much “Bloodborne” has to offer. It has one of the most fascinating settings in recent memory, and the skill demanding combat and complex story provide a sense of satisfaction still unrivaled by other major games.
“Bloodborne” is rated M and available for $59.99 on the Playstation 4.
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