The One Reborn: Unveiling Bloodborne’s Most Terrifying Boss Encounter
Bloodborne's The One Reborn is not only the creepiest boss design but also a grotesque manifestation of horror Its twisted form and menacing presence make it stand out as one of the most disturbing encounters in the game
Highlights
The depiction of bosses in Bloodborne impeccably depicts the essence of Lovecraftian horror, with a standout example being The One Reborn, who exudes unparalleled grotesqueness.The encounter with The One Reborn not only accentuates its repulsive design, but also seamlessly integrates its disfigured form into the intensity of the battle, amplifying the overall Lovecraftian horror experience.
The encounter with The One Reborn is heavily influenced by FromSoftware's previous titles, particularly Demon's Souls' Tower Knight, featuring a castle with a similar kill box layout, allies that attack from a distance, and an overall representation in line with the game's theme.
The bosses in Bloodborne are meticulously designed to embody the Lovecraftian horror elements, showcasing cosmically grotesque creatures and individuals who are bereft of reason. Amongst these formidable bosses is The One Reborn, whose design surpasses even the grotesqueness of other creatures like the Blood-Starved Beast in Old Yharnam.
However, The One Reborn's design goes beyond mere revulsion or dread, as FromSoftware, the developer, never settles for a basic formulaic confrontation. In this case, the boss cleverly incorporates a nod to an earlier game, which served as the catalyst for the advent of this new Souls-like era for the company. This homage can be seen in the intricately crafted battleground.
The One Reborn from Many
The arrival of The One Reborn in Bloodborne's endgame is a truly chilling moment. The player finds themselves unexpectedly surrounded by a group of bell-ringing women, swiftly leading to a confrontation with this formidable boss. A cutscene portrays the summoning of The One Reborn from the depths, emerging from a shadowy moon that ominously descends upon Yharnam. Following the revelation of the Blood Moon, the true form of the boss is unveiled, an amalgamation of repurposed human body parts. This grotesque entity must be overcome by the player's determination and skill.
After defeating Rom, the Vacuous Spider and unveiling the Blood Moon, this encounter showcases the enemy's true form in a rare manner. The enemies in the Yahar'gul area undergo a strange transformation, revealing their composite nature made up of various body parts. This unsettling theme continues with The One Reborn, a boss as repulsive as the hairless scourge beasts and scattered coffins littering the preceding streets.
What sets this fight apart is how the amalgamation of body parts influences its combat style. Unlike Dark Souls 2's The Rotten, who simply attacks with an arm made of body parts, each individual part of The One Reborn moves independently to launch its own assaults. This integration of disfigured limbs adds to the Lovecraftian horror of Bloodborne, surprising players with untelegraphed and shocking attacks.
Demon's Souls' Tower Knight Sends His Bodyguards
The encounter with The One Reborn not only features incredible design and an intense fight, but also draws inspiration from previous titles. Notably, bell-ringing women appear to summon The One Reborn and continue to attack the player throughout the fight. It is important to quickly eliminate these women before they can snipe the player while battling the boss.
This group of ranged enemies mirrors the arena and setup of the Tower Knight boss in Demon's Souls. In the earlier FromSoftware title, players are faced with a giant boss in a castle entrance, supported by archers with crossbows. The similarities in location, being ambushed in a castle killbox with a larger figure overseeing the player, further solidify The One Reborn as a nod to a classic FromSoftware boss.
Bloodborne is available now for PS4.
