Home Gaming Bloodborne makes you regain your will to fight

Bloodborne makes you regain your will to fight

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GC Bloodborne

Bloodborne is a whole new game brought to you by the creators of Demon’s and Dark Souls. The Souls games had a very specific mythos and style, one of which has garnered a whole bunch of fans. Bloodborne seeks to find that delicate balance between remaining true to existing fans while still adding in some cool new things that might just attract new players to the games.

Bloodborne is based on three key themes: exploration of the unknown, truly perilous combat and unique online concept. During my session about the game, we delved into a bit more depth when it comes to combat.

Demons Souls changed the genre by making difficult games popular again. However, it’s not just a matter of making games harder and harder – at a certain point the game will become impossible. Instead, there’s a new mechanic that has been added to the game: the Regain System. This is designed to add a new strategy to combat.

When the player is hit in battle, a certain amount of health is lost. However, that is not lost forever. If the player manages to rally and release attacks on the enemy, that health can be regained. This becomes a delicate balancing act: do you go in to try to get your health back and maybe get hit again, taking further losses, or do you bide your time, accept the loss and prepare for a valiant return to victory?

Miyazaki is too much of a genius to just call this a regenerating health bar, though. Instead, he sees the red bar as a gauge of the character’s power of will. As you lose it, you’re actually plunging into despair to the point of death. However, as long as you’re alive, you can regain hope.

The new game out of From Software has also separated out the healing item from the rest of the inventory. This opens things up for unique strategies using items – douse an enemy in oil before throwing a Molotov cocktail, or throw a pebble at one monster to lure it away from a group and make it easier to take out. It’s quite a nice innovation and will freshen up the inventory tactics that we usually see in these games.

Items and weapons are varied in this game. Most weapons can transform, changing their usage, damage, range and speed depending on the form. Thanks to the addition of firearms, there isn’t as much blocking in this game. Offense can be the best form of defence as players are forced to kill or be killed. Some weapons are even made to be intentionally difficult – shorter range, longer reload times – all just to give players a challenge and ensure that YouTube will be filled with bragging videos showing off how some players cleared entire areas with the most difficult possible weapon types.

Built using an all new engine, the game is also designed to evoke some different feelings from players and represent an all new time-period. Unlike the fantasy approach of the Souls games, Bloodborne uses some 19th century elements. It blends these with Gothic and Victorian vibes, perhaps including in some classic Eastern European designs.

While they were adamant about stressing that the game isn’t based on any particular town or country, it’s nice to know that these aspects will be prevalent in the game. Also, as you progress through the game, the enemies and environments become more dark and twisted, ensuring that players are tense throughout the experience.

The game is looking rather gorgeous, but I get the sense it is still a long way off. Don’t get too amped for this game just yet – you might be waiting for a good many months.

Last Updated: August 14, 2014

55 Comments

  1. Sith JJ

    August 14, 2014 at 08:14

    So it’s open world-ish environment? This is looking very damn cool.

    Reply

  2. Pieter Kruger

    August 14, 2014 at 08:21

    “When the player is hit in battle, a certain amount of health is lost. However, that is not lost forever. If the player manages to rally and release attacks on the enemy, that health can be regained”. New mechanics?! My head just exploded…….

    Reply

    • Sir Rants A Lot: On Pandora

      August 14, 2014 at 08:39

      Life on hit without needing item stats or skills to give life on hit…..

      Reply

    • Cockbox

      August 14, 2014 at 08:45

      Somebody is sour he lost his “exclusive” Tomb Raider.
      Dont worry, you still got sunset overdrive, pity its a crap game.

      Reply

      • Pieter Kruger

        August 14, 2014 at 08:48

        Kisses! ???? Now run off and start sending Ubisoft death threats because The Crew will not be coming to PS3……

        Reply

        • Cockbox

          August 14, 2014 at 08:50

          meh, not too phased about that, got plenty more to look forward to.

          Reply

          • Pieter Kruger

            August 14, 2014 at 09:05

            Cough “Indies” cough!

          • iAmWeasel

            August 14, 2014 at 09:09

            Don’t worry bud, you’ve got Space Engineers to look forward to.. oh and Goat Simulator.

          • Pieter Kruger

            August 14, 2014 at 09:18

            I know I shouldn’t and probably will be very disappointed, but there’s just something about that Goat sim……..

          • iAmWeasel

            August 14, 2014 at 09:20

            I suppose at least it’s something to fill in those huge gaps between Forza and remastered Halo games.

          • DoucheBox1

            August 14, 2014 at 09:23

            Has it got something to do with a desire to fuck a goat?

          • Pieter Kruger

            August 14, 2014 at 09:25

            Yeah, beastiality not really my thing, but whatever rocks your boat! ????

          • Kensei Seraph

            August 14, 2014 at 09:28

            O_O
            It’s the first sign of Ragnarok, a fanboy successfully keeping calm while debating with an opposing fanboy.

            Do you know what this means?!
            The ANC are going to lose the next election.

          • Cockbox

            August 14, 2014 at 09:10

            The only people who have problems with indies are Transformers fans, not enough pew pew bright lights, and you lot are worse than hipster hippies.

      • Pieter Kruger

        August 14, 2014 at 08:50

        So you actually played SO? Nice going, now you made me angry AND jealous! ????

        Reply

        • Cockbox

          August 14, 2014 at 08:51

          We all know you dont need to play a game to be judgmental and predict its failure, get with it..

          Reply

          • Pieter Kruger

            August 14, 2014 at 08:57

            OK, let me try: “Hohokum, what a load of shit! Indiestation now selling screensavers as games that doesn’t even work?” How was that? ????

          • Cockbox

            August 14, 2014 at 08:58

            Sunset Overdrive is like a Transformers movie. All shiny and exciting
            to look at, but when you look closer, its dull, repetitive, boring and
            people with even an average amount of intelligence wont sit through it
            until the end.

          • Sk3tz0

            August 14, 2014 at 08:59

            Sunset Overdrive reminds me of 3D cinema.. KAK AND NOT WORTH THE TIME OF DAY.. and anything thats voted BEST XBOX by IGN is a going to be kak

          • Pieter Kruger

            August 14, 2014 at 09:01

            Even more kak is the fact that PS4 had no exclusive games nominated for Best PS4 game! ROFL! ????

          • Ryanza

            August 14, 2014 at 09:55

            Sony doesn’t pay for it. Unlike…

          • Kensei Seraph

            August 14, 2014 at 09:00

            You forgot to end your quotes and you need more bile but you’re going in the right(wrong) direction.

          • Pieter Kruger

            August 14, 2014 at 09:02

            Fixed the quote ending thnx! Awaiting next bile delivery…..

          • Hammersteyn

            August 14, 2014 at 09:05

            XD

          • FoxOneZA

            August 14, 2014 at 09:20

            They see Pieter rollin, they be hatin’, he be catchin em trolin’, he be catchin em trolin’…

          • iAmWeasel

            August 14, 2014 at 09:26

            We all love Pieter dude.. that level of deluded behavior is endearing.

    • iAmWeasel

      August 14, 2014 at 08:49

      As much as it might pain you to admit it, I think even you can appreciate the fact that a new IP souls games from the guy who created the whole thing is pretty big deal. Probably the closest thing to a system seller that we’ve seen from both of these new consoles thus far. It’s ok though, keeping hating.

      Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      August 14, 2014 at 09:04

      • Pieter Kruger

        August 14, 2014 at 09:06

        Exactly! ????

        Reply

  3. iAmWeasel

    August 14, 2014 at 08:40

    “I get the sense it is still a long way off”… the guy at the Sony briefing said its releasing within 6 months.

    Reply

  4. Kensei Seraph

    August 14, 2014 at 08:57

    The hype is slowly rising for this one.

    Reply

  5. Pieter Kruger

    August 14, 2014 at 09:04

    Wait, wasn’t this called “The Order” at E3?

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      August 14, 2014 at 09:06

      I thought it was called “Dark Souls but with guns”

      Reply

    • Cockbox

      August 14, 2014 at 09:07

      I though it was called “Not on Xbone”?

      Reply

      • Kensei Seraph

        August 14, 2014 at 09:15

        With a name like Cockbox I would have thought you’d be a huge Xbone supporter.

        Reply

        • Xboxsuxcock

          August 14, 2014 at 09:16

          Is this better?

          Reply

          • Kensei Seraph

            August 14, 2014 at 09:19

            It more accurately describes your views but it’s even more crass.
            I’d suggest something like XbonerForVice to imply you want it to come second in the console war or something more subtle.

          • Pieter Kruger

            August 14, 2014 at 09:21

            “Cockbox”, “Xboxsuxcock”….you really love cock don’t yah? ????

          • TitsBoxnomnomnom

            August 14, 2014 at 09:27

            Better?

          • Kensei Seraph

            August 14, 2014 at 09:30

            Actually, yes it is better.
            A lot better in fact.
            Not as good as iAmWeasel so I’m not sure why you changed it.

          • Munchdabox

            August 14, 2014 at 09:30

            I fear you have the wrong person.

          • Kensei Seraph

            August 14, 2014 at 09:33

            Not really (refresh for pic).

          • Theboxisalie

            August 14, 2014 at 09:36

            Im super cereal, im not the weasel, promise.

          • Pieter Kruger

            August 14, 2014 at 09:40

            “Weasel”, well, that could possibly explain the preference towards beastiality….

          • Boxlikesalltypes

            August 14, 2014 at 09:43

            What can I say, meat is meat and a man must eat.

  6. Hammersteyn

    August 14, 2014 at 09:06

    Gonna buy this, I just know it

    Reply

  7. Ryanza

    August 14, 2014 at 09:22

    Big fan of Dark Souls and no fan of Dark Souls 2. The guy who directed and produced Dark Souls and not Dark Souls 2, is making Bloodborne. So I’m excited to play this title.

    Reply

  8. FoxOneZA

    August 14, 2014 at 09:31

    I still don’t see what the hype is about this game. Could be another “Last Guardian” for all I care. It’s just another Dark Souls 2.1 clone.

    Reply

    • iAmWeasel

      August 14, 2014 at 09:36

      I still don’t see what the hype is about Forza Horizon 2.. looks like just another Forza Horizon clone. <<< fanboi logic

      Reply

      • Ryanza

        August 14, 2014 at 09:42

        I don’t get the hype about Forza Horizon 2. It’s not even a proper Forza game made by Turn 10. Just like the hype for Halo without Bungie.

        Reply

    • Ryanza

      August 14, 2014 at 09:38

      There is a place for Dark souls. There is no place for Dark souls 2. I’m excited for Bloodborne because I like games like this. So if this was a Dark Souls 1.2 I’ll be happy.

      Reply

  9. Peet Luckhoff

    August 14, 2014 at 09:36

    Isn”t it exclusive for PS4?

    Reply

    • Pieter Kruger

      August 14, 2014 at 09:41

      Yes it is!

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        August 14, 2014 at 15:23

        But is it a timed exclusive? 😛
        Just kidding, I had to get it out though.

        Reply

  10. fred

    August 14, 2014 at 09:38

    They have my money already.

    Reply

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