It may have taken far longer than anticipated, but finally the PlayStation 4 has an exclusive to be proud of. Or at least, an exclusive that isn’t a remake – The Last of Us: Remastered was arguably the first PS4 essential.
At the time of typing From Software’s Bloodborne stands tall with a Metacritic of 93%, form of 41 reviews. Not a single review is below 8/10 (well, 4/5) and we’re confident in saying that you shouldn’t let the few slightly less than glowing scores out there cast doubt in your mind. Why? Because one starts with the words “I have to admit I never got into the Demon’s Souls or Dark Souls gamesâ€. Indeed, Game Revolution’s review is a very curious thing. Not necessarily in a bad way – it’s actually quite interesting to read the opinion from somebody who wasn’t a Souls fan, as the majority of Bloodborne reviews have cleared been penned by diehards.
Let’s take a look at what they’ve had to say about Hidetaka Miyazaki’s latest.
5/5 – The Guardian: “Game designer Hidetaka Miyazaki returns with another obtuse but enthralling masterpiece that both mirrors and subverts his previous classics”
5/5 – The Telegraph: “Bloodborne is one of those experiences that totally consumes you when you’re involved in it and working to see all that it has to offer. In that sense it’s the digital edition of a round-the-world trip to foreign continents, each turning of a corner providing equal helpings of excitement and trepidation”
10/10 – God is a Geek: “Bloodborne is an immensely intricate and tightly-designed game that arguably surpasses what From have produced before, thanks to a handful of new ideas and tweaked mechanics”
5/5 – Digital Spy: “I want to keep playing, I want to discover its secrets, I want to fight every monster, try every weapon, discuss theories and explore as many of the community dungeons as possible. To put it bluntly, I want to bleed the game dry”
10/10 – The Jimquisition: “Bloodborne is as glorious as it is grotesque, a harsh and unyielding exercise in getting battered mercilessly while feeling encouraged the whole painful way”
9.8 – GameInformer: “While this new IP doesn’t stray far from the established Souls franchise, it is a magical, wondrous work that admirably instills both terror and triumph in those brave enough to delve into it”
9.5 – EGM: “Whether you’re a Souls diehard, a fan of demanding gaming experiences, or just someone looking to add a superb title to their currently lacking PS4 library, you’ve got every reason to give Bloodborne a shot”
9/10 – The Metro: “One of the best action games of the generation and a stunning achievement in terms of gameplay, art design, and encouraging players to push themselves beyond their limits”
4.5/5 – GamesRadar: “Bloodborne lies somewhere between Dark Souls and Dark Souls 2, better than the latter but not quite as good as the former. The fourth time following the same template means the master strokes, however masterful they are, are anticipated. But take nothing away from this brilliant, brooding, brutal reinvention, because almost as great as the best game ever is pretty bloody great”
9/10 – Destructoid: “Bloodborne is an interesting mix of everything From Software has learned throughout its storied developmental career. Not everything will gel with fans old and new, but for the most part, the shift towards a combat-oriented game is a net positive”
9/10 – GameSpot: “I finished Bloodborne in less time than I did Dark Souls II, yet I treasure it more in spite of its few missteps. In death there is life, and in blood, there is redemption. More hyperbole, yes, but for a game this theatrical, only hyperbole will do”
4/5 – GameRevolution: “Bloodborne may feel like a shapeshifted offshoot of the Souls series, but it remains a beast which carries that elite badge of honor for those who can slay it”