6
Bloodborne – Fear the Old Blood
A masterpiece of cosmic horror and aggressive combat that defines the genre. 9.2/10 Essential.
Game Info
Verdict
A flawless masterpiece of atmosphere and game design that remains essential playing despite its aging 30 FPS technical limitations.
Pros
- Unmatched gothic and cosmic horror atmosphere
- Aggressive, rewarding combat system
- Incredible weapon variety and design
- Best-in-class level design and interconnectivity
- The Old Hunters DLC is legendary
Cons
- Locked to 30 FPS with frame pacing issues
- Farming for healing items can be tedious
- Chaos of some Chalice Dungeons feels repetitive
Performance Notes
Runs at a locked 30 FPS on all PlayStation consoles with known frame-pacing issues. No official 60 FPS patch exists for PS5, though unofficial patches work on modified hardware.
Bloodborne stands as a towering achievement in the action-RPG genre, shifting FromSoftware’s formula from defensive caution to aggressive precision. Set in the Victorian-gothic nightmare of Yharnam, it remains a benchmark for environmental storytelling and combat design. Even in 2025, its Lovecraftian atmosphere and transforming trick weapons offer an experience unmatched by modern successors, despite its technical constraints. Readers will discover why this decade-old exclusive still commands a dedicated cult following and how it holds up on modern hardware.
How to Play Bloodborne
Bloodborne demands aggression; players must attack to regain lost health through the Rally system.
- Controls – Fast-paced third-person combat relying on dodging and parrying with firearms rather than blocking.
- Progression – Explore interconnected zones, unlock shortcuts, and level up at the Hunter’s Dream using Blood Echoes.
- Combat/Mechanics – Trick weapons transform between two modes (e.g., cane to whip), offering versatile movesets for crowd control or single-target damage.
- Tips – Don’t retreat when hit; strike back immediately to recover health. Learn to parry with your gun.
Who Should Play Bloodborne
Designed for players who crave challenge and atmosphere, though not for the faint of heart.
- The Explorer – For those who love piecing together cryptic lore and uncovering hidden secrets in dense, atmospheric worlds.
- The Action Purist – Gamers who value tight, responsive combat mechanics that reward skill and reflexes over gear stats.
- Horror Fans – Anyone who appreciates cosmic horror, eldritch designs, and oppressive, haunting environments.
- Skip if – You require 60 FPS fluidity or get easily frustrated by obscure quest design and difficulty spikes.
Bloodborne Platform Performance
The game remains locked to its original PS4 performance profile, even on PS5.
| Platform | Resolution | FPS | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PS5 | 1080p | 30 | Locked 30 FPS via Backward Compatibility. No official patch. |
| PS4 Pro | 1080p | 30 | Stable 30 FPS, frame pacing issues persist. |
| PS4 (Base) | 1080p | 30 | Frequent frame drops and severe frame pacing issues. |
| PC/Xbox | N/A | N/A | Not officially supported. Emulation (shadPS4) in early alpha. |
Bloodborne System Requirements
As a PlayStation exclusive, no official PC specs exist. Values below reflect hypothetical emulation needs.
| Component | Minimum (Emulation) | Recommended (Emulation) |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10/11 64-bit | Windows 11 64-bit |
| CPU | Ryzen 5 5600X / i5-11400 | Ryzen 7 7800X3D / i9-13900K |
| GPU | RTX 3060 / RX 6700 XT | RTX 4070 Ti / RX 7900 XT |
| RAM | 16 GB | 32 GB |
| Storage | 40 GB SSD | NVMe SSD Required |
Similar Games to Bloodborne
If you’ve exhausted the Hunt, these titles offer comparable challenges and dark atmospheres.
- Lies of P – A spiritual successor featuring Victorian aesthetics and a similar aggressive parry/rally mechanic.
- Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice – FromSoftware’s faster, deflection-focused title that rewards precision over leveling.
- Elden Ring – Open-world evolution of the Souls formula, though slower-paced than Bloodborne.
- Thymesia – A budget-friendly indie alternative focusing on plague weapons and fast dodging.
Bloodborne vs Competitors
Bloodborne holds its ground against modern Soulslikes through art direction and combat flow.
| Feature | Bloodborne | Lies of P | Elden Ring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $19.99 (Often Free w/ PS+) | $59.99 | $59.99 |
| Playtime | 35-40 Hours | 30-35 Hours | 80-100+ Hours |
| Multiplayer | Co-op & PvP | No | Co-op & PvP |
| Metacritic | 92 | 80 | 96 |
Bloodborne Story & World
Players arrive in Yharnam during the Night of the Hunt, seeking a cure for a mysterious illness. The narrative unfolds through item descriptions, environmental clues, and cryptic NPC dialogue rather than traditional cutscenes. Starting as a gothic beast-hunting tale, the story gradually descends into cosmic madness, revealing Ancient Ones and nightmare realms. The world design is masterfully interconnected, looping back on itself in surprising ways that reward exploration.
Bloodborne Multiplayer & Online
The online features are unique but tethered to the game’s lore and consumable items.
- Co-op – Summon up to 2 other players using the Beckoning Bell to help with bosses.
- Invasions – Players can invade your world to hunt you if a Bell-Ringing Woman is present.
- Messages – Leave notes for other players to warn of traps or point out secrets.
- Cross-Play – Not supported; restricted to PlayStation ecosystem.
Bloodborne DLC & Expansions
The Old Hunters expansion is widely considered the best content FromSoftware has ever produced.
- The Old Hunters – $19.99. Adds new areas, brutal bosses (Lady Maria, Orphan of Kos), and weapons.
- New Weapons – Introduces favorites like the Whirligig Saw and Holy Moonlight Sword.
- Season Pass – N/A; only one major expansion was released.
- Free Updates – No active development; servers remain online.
Bloodborne Community & Support
Despite its age, the community remains vibrant, hosting annual “Return to Yharnam” events.
- r/bloodborne – A massive, active subreddit for lore discussion and help.
- Discord – The “Tomb Prospectors” community maps randomized Chalice Dungeons.
- Mod Support – Unofficial 60FPS patches exist for jailbroken PS4s only.
- Updates – Development has ceased; no PS5 patch or PC port announced.