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Preview: Bloodborne

Through its initial announcement-like leak as Project Beast, the videos that appeared on NeoGAF, its announcement at E3 as Bloodborne and the whole storm of hype and excitement that’s followed, I have given absolutely zero f*cks about From Software’s PS4 exclusive. That is, until I spent time with it recently. Now I think I may be in serious trouble, because I’m hooked.

I never fell into the Dark Souls hype. I didn’t get it. Honestly, I didn’t give it a chance. Being constantly bombarded by people day in, day out about why I ‘needed’ to and ‘had’ to play it put me right off. Then hearing details — like the game never actually explaining anything — about Dark Souls and its sequel put me off even more. A game that actively tried to confuse and piss off the player? No thanks. So why then did the hour I spent with Bloodborne set my gaming senses ablaze? I’m still not sure, but let’s try and unpack it.

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The preview I played let me select from one of four classes. Initially I chose the default character, the one we’ve all seen in the trailers. He had a sense of weight to him, yet moved fluidly through the world. As I tend to do I explored a little, hacked some boxes to pieces and generally plodded along trying to make sure I didn’t miss anything. Apparently Bloodborne was having none of that. As I rounded a corner a hideous, almost inhuman enemy appeared and tore me a new one. In fact it tore me several new ones. And there ended my first foray into the S&M simulator that is From Software’s specialty.

Opting to stick with the default character I again explored, this time even more carefully. At the point my killer appeared the first time I readied myself and when he burst forth I took him out swiftly. “Hahahahah!” I laughed. “Too good for you,” I thought, only to be smacked from behind by two other baddies and mercilessly destroyed. Things were not going well. I’m supposed to be good at games. I play them all the time, I write about them. I simply could not let Bloodborne beat me.

I booted up the preview for a third time. Then a fourth, fifth, sixth and so on. Each time I incrementally reached further into the level. I discovered new techniques, hidden enemies, alternate paths and fighting styles that helped me to survive a fraction longer. That’s when I finally understood the obsession with Souls and why Bloodborne is destined to be a huge hit. That desire, nay, need to prove yourself worthy. To not let a pathetic computer program beat you. Surely as a human you are smarter, faster, stronger and more determined than a collection of ones and zeroes. So I persevered.

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I switched characters to a dual dagger wielding speedster who suited my play-style much more and I immediately noticed an increase in my skills. I was countering, dodging and killing like a pro, all without taking damage. I took out hordes of enemies and had a ‘Homer Simpson jumping Springfield Gorge’ moment as I neared the level’s boss. I thought I was ready for the giant, tentacle covered wolf-thing that stood before me. I was not. I died very, very quickly. It had taken me 45 minutes of trial and error, of starting again of experimentation and gradual improvement to make it to the boss and it utterly humiliated me. You’d think my first reaction would be to fling my controller into the nearest volcano and shuffle sullenly home, defeated. But you’d be wrong. I wanted nothing more than to try again, but alas my time was up.

Aside from the demonically punishing difficulty (for Souls noobs at least), Bloodborne has so much else working in its favour. It’s gorgeous. The shadowy, gothic city I was exploring played host to a range of intricate details and atmospheric elements. Standing at one precipice I could look out over the sprawling buildings below and imagine what nightmares waited. Wet pavement and cobblestones slick with mist shone in the sickly moonlight. Fires crackled and played shadows across the ground and nearby walls. Grotesque enemies reeked of disfigurement and disease (perhaps alluding to the title) and moved throughout the city in a slow, deliberate pack.

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Bloodborne is oppressive in every single way. Despite being set out in the open it feels claustrophobic. The level design is taut and deliberate, creating choke-points and moment to moment stress. I never once felt safe or at ease while playing which qualifies Bloodborne as a horror game in my book. The ambient sounds and music feel as though they’re designed only to increase player anxiety, but in a way it helps. Anytime I relaxed, I died. Bloodborne demands your full attention and once it has it, it really doesn’t want to let go. Neither did I.

While it won’t be available until late March 2015 Bloodborne is shaping up as something for PlayStation 4 fans to celebrate. Despite Dark Souls 2 coming to current-gen consoles, PS4 is the only place you’ll be able to play Bloodborne and it’s going to be a hell of a ride.

Bloodborne will be available exclusively for PS4 on 25 March 2015.

Stevivor was flown to Sydney as a guest of PlayStation Australia to spend hands-on time with a range of PlayStation titles, including Bloodborne. Thoughts and feelings on the game are the writer’s own.


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