Bloodborne's Epic Transformation: Revitalizing FromSoftware's Classic Features

Highlights

Bloodborne's unique approach to healing with blood vials and limited resources creates both challenges and rewards for players, encouraging skill and exploration.

The lack of shields in Bloodborne compels players to partake in rapid and unrelenting combat, heightening the intensity and necessitating constant movement.

Guns in Bloodborne serve a dual function, enabling players to interrupt enemy attacks and execute powerful Visceral Attacks, altering the dynamics of parrying within the game.

FromSoftware gained immense popularity, especially among western audiences, in the late 2000s and early 2010s thanks to the release of Demons Souls and the Dark Souls games. With the launch of Bloodborne in 2015, which can be seen as a spiritual successor to the Souls games, many of the design principles from the earlier releases were retained. However, numerous alterations were made, resulting in Bloodborne standing out significantly from FromSoftware's previous successful titles.

Bloodborne's impact on the gaming industry has been significant, as it continues to influence new releases today. Despite this, prior to its release on the PS4, there were doubts regarding its potential success. FromSoftware's flagship releases were characterized by medieval, high-fantasy action-RPGs featuring intense combat, enigmatic lore, and diverse character development options. In contrast, Bloodborne presented a completely different aesthetic inspired by the gothic atmosphere of the 1800s, more reminiscent of Van Helsing than The Lord of the Rings. The inclusion of firearms, the near absence of shields, and the overall fast-paced and intense combat added a unique and captivating flavor to the game. While some fans of the Souls games may have initially been hesitant about these changes, it was precisely these deviations that ultimately contributed to the game's success and made it stand out.

Bloodborne Got Rid of Estus Flasks

The debate about whether Bloodborne is harder than other FromSoftware games is ongoing, but its difficulty is certainly influenced by how healing works. Unlike in Dark Souls, Sekiro, and Elden Ring, where healing charges are automatically replenished, Bloodborne requires players to collect blood vials as a resource for healing. These vials cannot be regenerated upon death or resting at a checkpoint; they must be found and stored throughout the game.

This aspect of Bloodborne is highly debated. On one hand, linking healing to a finite resource can force players to search for vials and restock their inventory, especially in challenging sections. This can interrupt the flow of action and make the game feel like a repetitive task at times. On the other hand, this system rewards skilled players, as they will have more vials available if they successfully navigate an area or defeat a boss without sustaining much damage, making them better prepared for tougher trials. It also promotes exploration, as blood vials are valuable resources scattered throughout the game world. Moreover, it allows players to utilize the rally mechanic, which enables them to regain some lost health by aggressively attacking enemies, further encouraging a proactive playing style.

The Removal of Shields Makes Bloodborne More Intense

The rally mechanic promotes aggressive fighting, while the removal of shields is what necessitates it. FromSoftware games are notorious for their difficulty, but even experienced players struggled with Bloodborne's unique approach to combat. While the moment-to-moment fighting shares similarities with the Souls games, such as a focus on positioning and invincibility frames, Bloodborne completely eliminates the option to use a shield, which is a vital tool for many Souls players.

Although this removes a defensive option, it also compels players to fully engage with the game's fast-paced and relentless combat. Bloodborne can be likened to Dark Souls on high-speed, with enemies and players alike capable of swift movements. In addition to the classic dodge roll, a slick side-step maneuver is introduced in Bloodborne. Even with the use of heavy weapons, the combat is notably quicker, tighter, and places a stronger emphasis on constant movement compared to the Dark Souls games, a trait that wouldn't be fully realized until Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.

The Arrival of Guns Changed How Parrying Works in Bloodborne

Keeping in line with the aggressive and offense-focused nature of combat in Bloodborne, the game introduces guns as a replacement for shields. Unlike typical shooting games, these guns do not provide precise aiming capabilities. Instead, they serve a hybrid purpose by allowing players to disrupt enemy attacks with a well-timed blast. By hitting an even smaller timing window, players can stun enemies, creating opportunities for powerful Visceral Attacks. This unique inclusion of guns in Bloodborne adds a dynamic blend of offensive and defensive options, solidifying their significance as one of the game's key features.

Bloodborne De-Emphasized Armor and Weight Classes

In previous FromSoftware games, armor played a more significant role. Not only did it provide defensive buffs for various damage types, but it also influenced character weight. If a character wore heavier armor, their rolling speed would decrease based on their endurance stat. On the other hand, lighter armor sacrificed protection for enhanced mobility, allowing for diverse play styles. While Bloodborne armor still offers protection against different damage types, it no longer affects the player's mobility or has a weight stat.

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Similar to blood vials, the incorporation of armor in Bloodborne has both positive and negative aspects. While the armor adds a stylish touch to the game, its lack of weight relevance diminishes the significance of selecting appropriate armor. However, this can also be seen as a benefit, as players are able to view armor as merely cosmetic, offering situational advantages without affecting the core gameplay and movement.

FromSoftware took a risk with Bloodborne, diverging from the easy route of creating another Dark Souls game or simply reimagining Dark Souls with a darker theme. Instead, the developers decided to create a distinct and unique experience at every turn. With fans eagerly hoping for a PC port or remaster of Bloodborne, it is clear that the game's innovative approach to familiar FromSoftware elements has made a lasting impression on players. Hopefully, these dedicated fans will eventually witness the return of Bloodborne.

Bloodborne is currently available on PS4.