The Sinister Secret: Unveiling Bloodborne's Lovecraftian Horror Masterpiece

Highlights

The enigmatic and surreal narrative of the game draws deep inspiration from the masterworks of H.P. Lovecraft.

The Cosmic Eye Watcher Badge in the game unlocks items, but its description paints a frightful yet captivating portrayal of the cosmos, effectively utilizing cosmic horror in Bloodborne.

In addition to its challenging gameplay reminiscent of other titles by From Software, Bloodborne is renowned for incorporating elements of cosmic horror in a gothic backdrop. The setting itself almost takes on a life of its own, with its atmosphere constantly evolving as players delve deeper into its environments, gradually unraveling the dark secrets of Yharnam's history.

The game's story intentionally lacks outward explanation, resulting in a dream-like ambiance that swiftly transforms into a harrowing nightmare. It frequently draws comparisons to the captivating works of H.P. Lovecraft, as Bloodborne's lore, although entirely original, undeniably pays homage to the author's influential creations. Despite item descriptions providing crucial insights, this haunting atmosphere remains ever-present, intensifying further with the inclusion of specific objects.

The Cosmic Eye Watcher Badge Helps Enforce Bloodborne's Lovecraftian Horror

Bloodborne's Cosmic Eye Watcher Badge is a relatively straightforward item in the game. Similar to other badges, it expands the range of purchasable items in the various shops located within the Hunter's Dream. These items encompass a variety of useful elements, such as consumables like the somewhat extravagant Poison Knife, as well as upgrade materials for weapons like the Twin Bloodstone Shards. However, the most intriguing aspects of this badge lie beyond the mere items it grants access to.

The Cosmic Eye Watcher Badge holds a unique significance, distinguished by its poetic nature. While most brief descriptions are straightforward, this badge, intended for the esteemed members of the Healing Church's Choir, transcends such simplicity. It declares that the eye symbolizes the vastness of the cosmos.

This depiction holds true, showcasing an eye encompassing the very essence of the universe. However, the subsequent passage delves further, revealing how the Choir had a profound realization that, despite their earthly existence, the cosmic realm loomed just above them. It is a concise yet captivating description that evokes both beauty and a sense of awe.

The fragment content beautifully depicts the act of gazing at the stars in the night sky, creating a vivid scene. However, this sight also instills an indescribable fear within the observer, as the presence of the stars shatters any notions about the vastness of the universe.

Effectively portraying cosmic horror is a challenging task, particularly in video games, but the description provided by the Cosmic Eye Watcher Badge in Bloodborne helps to illustrate why it is so impactful. The game leverages the inherent beauty of celestial bodies, yet their mysterious nature elicits a sense of terror. In Lovecraftian horror stories, many creatures originate from distant corners of space that humans may have observed but can never truly comprehend due to their immense distance.

The game exploits human curiosity by portraying a world where factions, such as the Healing Church, connect with unfathomable forces and acquire forbidden knowledge. It suggests that the fate of the people in Yharnam was inevitable as otherworldly beings and deities converged. An intriguing aspect of their interaction with humans is the blurring of the line between dreams and reality, where dreams feel just as tangible as reality itself.

Bloodborne is a brilliant masterpiece of cosmic horror, even though it technically falls outside the horror game genre. The storytelling stands alone as a dream-like encounter, but this sensation is heightened when one delves into the deeper meanings conveyed by items like the Cosmic Eye Watcher Badge.

Bloodborne is available on PS4.