Bloodborne (PS4)

R16

A few years ago an online gaming friend recommended a game called Dark Souls but warned me that it was quite a challenge and perhaps unlike anything I may have played previously. It was produced by a Japanese software team, From Software, under the leadership of Miyazaki San, a game designer of growing repute, he assured. Undeterred, I found a second hand copy and set to … 150+ hours later (spread across a few months and yes, I know, slow time but I like to have a good look around!) I completed it and almost immediately I started it again. I was hooked.

In my opinion Dark Souls is a masterpiece of game design, setting, innovation, storytelling and offers an unparalleled level of immersion. Bloodborne is in a very similar vein to that title but significantly ups the game in terms of it's overall design and in particular the newer faster-paced combat system. I will avoid spoilers and just try to outline the basic premise, world and mechanics.

Key pluses: *Bloodborne is a natural successor to proven “Souls” formula and is a third person action orientated RPG. *Evolving story which keeps you gripped all the way through *Amazingly detailed and thought provoking world built as individual levels with interlaced areas that open out as you explore *Fast paced combat that will challenge even the most tough and durable gamers *Co-op and PvP modes for online play *New “Chalice Dungeons” provide further, procedurally generated, arenas for online play *It is difficult but ultimately very rewarding [personal choice]

Key negatives (when being extraordinarily picky!): *Loading screen *Moving between levels can only be via the Hunter's Dream *Minor clipping issues and very occasional frame rate drop *It is too difficult … [again, personal choice but you can always sell your copy early for someone that appreciates a more cerebral challenge which is how I got into it …]