'Bloodborne (2015)' doesn't make a good first impression. It drops you straight into its world with very little in the way of a tutorial, communicating its basic inputs rather than its mechanical complexities. The harsh difficulty, infrequent checkpoints and lack of clear goals can make for a frustrating experience, especially since each death all but robs you of your blood echoes (and, therefore, progress) and makes it feel as if you've achieved very little. This harshness is increased if you've have never played a 'Souls' game before. In all honesty, I didn't enjoy the first hour of the game. In fact, I very nearly didn't return to it. I'm glad I did, though. Once I started to understand the game's complexities (of which there are many) and improve at playing it the way it is meant to be played, I began to really enjoy my time with it. Ultimately, it's a fantastic experience. It isn't friendly, but it's worth it. It's designed in a distinct way that initially feels counterintuitive but eventually works really well. The infrequency of the checkpoints, for instance, is actually mitigated by the level design, which features several shortcuts that can be unlocked and weaves back into itself in interesting ways. I do wish there was a map of some kind, but the levels can be navigated by exploration alone and the lack of a map arguably increases the enigmatic nature of the experience. The story is also a big part of that; it isn't told to you in a straightforward way. It is cohesive, though, and is really intriguing if you seek it out. It's told using environmental cues, incidental dialogue, enemy design and item descriptions, which is definitely a unique way of conveying narrative. It helps heighten the sense of being lost within this gothic, eventually Lovecraftian world. The combat is brutal, but typically fair (the battles can definitely can be quite frustrating on occasion, though). Its relative simplicity is part of the reason that it works so well, which is also something that can be said of almost every aspect of the piece. The combat has plenty of essentially unexplained complexities that eventually make it even more satisfying, too. You have to figure out what works best for you by experimenting with different weapons and strategies. The 'boss rush' style of the game compliments its overall attitude towards learning; progress in the piece is basically split into unlocking shortcuts, improving your character and gear, improving your personal skills, learning enemy attack patterns and, finally, using what you've learnt to beat intimidating bosses and progress to the next area(s). The variety of boss enemies is impressive and they often instil a genuine sense of fear, not least of all because there can be a lot at stake when you face them (especially if they're unexpected). For instance, your blood echoes, which are primarily used to upgrade either yourself or your equipment, are lost upon death and can only be retrieved by reaching the spot where you died (which may just be at the feet of an imposing boss). Plus, items don't respawn on death, so using too much equipment could leave you with a much more difficult second attempt. A lot of the experience surrounds preserving your items and upgrading your character to an appropriate level, both of which can be achieved by making runs though areas of the game you've already completed since they're both tied to killing enemies. I'm probably not doing a fantastic job of explaining the title's unique systems and I've certainly missed out some stuff, but I primarily want to convey the fact that, since success is intrinsically tied to actual improvement and perseverance, the piece feels as though it is causing quite a bit of personal growth when it comes to your ability in playing it. The game demands that you 'get good', but it also subtly teaches you how to (if you're willing to put in the time and effort). It's surprisingly fun, actually. It's also really satisfying to look back at where you started and see how far you've come. Ultimately, the game is a highly entertaining and demanding experience that's almost unlike anything else you're likely to play ('Souls' series aside). Its aesthetics are superb, its mechanics are highly refined and its quality is consistent across the entire affair. It's a brilliant game. Just make sure to stick with it for a while, even if you don't exactly like it to begin with. 8/10.
Review of Bloodborne
Bloodborne
(2015 Video Game)
Demands that you get good, yet subtly teaches you to do so.
5 January 2022