March is the month of Bloodborne. I love the mix of horror with the brutality that only From Software can bring. The game looks punishing and rewarding, with that perfect neo-Victorian aesthetic that always gets me hyped up. Edge got a whole bunch of hours with the game so that they could review it, but even that was enough for a review. But at least we got more info about the game.
Issue 278 of Edge magazine has a six-page preview of Bloodborne. Okay, preview isn’t quite the right word. They managed to play for 40 hours and write this piece. But it doesn’t have a number at the end of it and it doesn’t include reviews of several elements (including Insight which is still a totally unknown feature of the game). Scans of the full article are available here which is how I’m able to share with you some truly interesting tidbits.
First up, the hub system is back:
From Demon’s Souls comes a hived-off hub area called The Hunter’s Dream, where you level up; buy weapons, armor and consumable items; access item storage; and modify weaponry. From here, you can warp to any lantern checkpoint you’ve discovered out in the world, but Dark Souls II’s overfriendly abundance of bonfires is a thing of the past. Like Demon’s Souls, the reward for powering through an area is more likely to be a shortcut back to a lantern rather than a new one, and immeasurably more satisfying approach to level design, with some here rivalling Firelink Shrine’s number of access routes. Like Dark Souls, these deiscrete areas also flow together to create a believable world.
it’s nice to gain a greater understanding of the world as a whole in Bloodborne, and that it’s following more of a Demon’s Souls approach. Interestingly, unlike those other games that gave out a whole bunch of gear if you had the skills or currency early on, in the 40 hours of gameplay, Edge only found approximately six weapons and six guns. That’s really not a lot comparatively and means that players will probably become even more attached than usual to their gear of choice. That gear can be leveled up using Bloodgems to customize attributes to customize them according to your play style.
There is a whole lot of information in the review for those who need to know more. However, I need to see it to believe it. Luckily, the game is less than two weeks away.
Last Updated: March 12, 2015
Dean
March 12, 2015 at 15:45
The six weapons thing is a little misleading. They state that there were others on sale but weren’t worth what the already had (the six they talk of).
In any case, it actually doesn’t give much more than what is already out there in wild.
Umar
March 12, 2015 at 15:51
People lost their mind over that 6 weapons thing lol Gaf was going crazy.
Dean
March 12, 2015 at 15:53
I know, the reddit is filled with “Why u people crazy” threads. Funny as hell.
Umar
March 12, 2015 at 15:58
Haha…Well hey, it is quite the small number compared to previous games, but doesn’t mean you have to lose all your tits lol
Pariah
March 12, 2015 at 15:59
A person only has 2 tits, which is only 1/3rd of the weapons you’ll use in 40 hours.
Metal Rabbit
March 12, 2015 at 16:06
Math checks out.
Pariah
March 12, 2015 at 16:08
I’m not Geoff. 😀
*RUNS
Metal Rabbit
March 12, 2015 at 16:20
Geoff’s dad XD
http://www.knowmemes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/High-Expectations-Asian-Father-Back-Home.jpg
Pariah
March 12, 2015 at 16:00
Still, getting a new (worthwhile) weapon after every 8hr 20m of gameplay is a touch slow, isn’t it? Destiny seems to have a higher drop rate…
Umar
March 12, 2015 at 16:02
Don’t know exactly how it works, but each weapon has multiple transformations too, you have guns as well and the bloodgem system to customize weapons too.
Pariah
March 12, 2015 at 16:05
Sounds as grindy and dull as DS. I’m out.
Umar
March 12, 2015 at 16:06
*kicks your butt on the way out* Beat it, sucker!
Pariah
March 12, 2015 at 16:08
Oh, I’m not the sucker. 🙂
K1FF J1MB0B (sizzle edition)
March 12, 2015 at 15:53
Dear From Software, please take my monies. xxx
Spathi
March 12, 2015 at 16:06
Kifflom brother brother
Pariah
March 12, 2015 at 16:02
Fans will insist “but you have to go to the wiki and spend 50 hours per 10 hours in game to get everything out of the game.”
Just like Dark Souls.
Umar
March 12, 2015 at 16:19
No, no you don’t.
Pariah
March 12, 2015 at 16:22
You are the first DS fan I’ve heard who disagrees.
Umar
March 12, 2015 at 16:36
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve consulted the wiki from time to time, but I was never dependent on it. Exploration felt natural to me.
Pariah
March 12, 2015 at 16:39
Lol, I love bashing DS and its ilk. I’ve never enjoyed it, but the fan boys rage so hard. I do find it dull, but that’s my taste more than a flaw in the game. 😛
Umar
March 12, 2015 at 18:02
Lol I’m a crazy DS fanboy but F that bull, no time to get mad over a game. We all like different things. Now if you were bashing Final Fantasy however, then I think we need to take this outside.
i picked a name
March 12, 2015 at 19:21
Completely agree with you here, explore the whole damn game haha. I checked the wiki but never used it as my main resource. I found things in DS 2 that were not even on the wiki when it came out.
Pariah
March 12, 2015 at 20:16
Isn’t Final Fantasy that super kak series of games that nobody likes and everyone wishes would just end already?
*RUNS
BooGa Brown
March 16, 2015 at 07:44
I definitely destroyed dark souls, got everything, and never used a wiki to do so.
Hammersteyn
March 12, 2015 at 16:09
I think six weapons and six guns is fine. It’s stream lined and you wont end up wasting bloodgems on the wrong gear.
Pariah
March 12, 2015 at 16:10
Besides, it’s not about variety. It’s about doing the same thing over and over and over until you get lucky enough to move on to the next thing. Who needs options anyway?
Hammersteyn
March 12, 2015 at 16:11
Well you’re gonna do them over and over and over till you stop dieing
Pariah
March 12, 2015 at 16:12
Oh I’m going to be laughing at the people who call this fun and spend money on it. Meanwhile, I’ll be playing my perma-death rogue-likes and swearing and breaking keyboards.
Wait… Shit…
Bob GutSmasha
March 13, 2015 at 23:34
Souls games aren’t that masochistic, roguelikes on the other hand… Cataclysm Dark Days Ahead kicks my butt.