3/5 ★ – Smabbott's review of Bloodborne.

A flawed Hunt https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tzhp6ghImE&t=1097s&ab_channel=Smabbott Bloodborne is known as From's Magnum opus, the best of their work personified in one unforgettable experience. Well, it's an experience alright. I feel sorry for Bloodborne, by all rights it should be From's best work. The world is interesting, the lore is spectacular and the game has the best souls like combat system out of them all (Sekiro isn't a soul's like) And yet, it's a mess. There's no other word for it, the experience is rather mediocre for From's standards. This is illustrated through the lack of change in environments. Although the game is set in one location known as the city of Yarnham, there is little in variation in the levels in terms of visual design or thematic design. A perfect example being the first area of the game Central Yarnham looks identical to a late game area Yar Al Gol. This is understandable as obviously the whole game is set in one city, so the visual aspect cannot stray too far. This would be fine, but unfortunately the structure of each level is the same. At the beginning it was fresh, a gate would block your way to the bridge so you had to go through the entire town to open it. You open the shortcut and the level loops back to the start once again. Good level design, a nice moment of peace after trying to map the area in your head. However, this mechanic is then used throughout every single area in the game. You arrive at an area, you walk forward you see a door and all that goes through your head is, oh I guess I'm gonna open this later then. This interesting concept would become tiresome. No area, bar Central Yarnham is very memorable or interesting in its level design or individuality. The other problem with Bloodborne are the bosses. From Bosses are the main aspect of why these games have the popularity they do, there is nothing quite like the Bosses in these games anywhere else. So with his being said, it is upsetting to say that nearly all of the Bosses in this game are rather naff. Standouts of the base game are Gascoigne, Amagdala and Gerhman. The dedication of the structure of the narrative forces every single Boss to be two fights. Beast or Hunter. This is a massive problem as every beast fight you encounter feels the same, a massive camera destroying Being with little control over their moves as they flail like a wild dog until you beat them to death swinging mindlessly. Hunters on the other hand are better to an extent, but the way the game teaches you how to use your gun as a parry trivialises all the Hunter fights. Unless they're NPCs, then they're so broken it's annoying. However, there is a saving Grace. The DLC. The DLC is great, just like all the other DLCs From does. It consists of 5 Bosses, 3 areas and 5 new weapons. In actuality, there are 3 new Bosses which are good and only 2 of the areas are new and interesting. Ludwig, the first Boss you encounter is the answer to the problem with both forms of Bosses in the game. The first phase, a beast crawling on all fours, manic and crazed. But it's small enough to see the entire Beast. Phase 2, a hunter beast fight with a perfect move set and the best theme in the game. The second Lady Maria is a great fight, if you don't parry spam her. Again, the problem with Hunter fights. The three phases of this fight are frantic and difficult through the use of blood and flame. Again, the theme is amazing as well as the arena and the area she inhabits. Third is absolutely insane. Orphan of Kos. The most frantic, scary, fast and difficult Boss in Bloodborne and possibly all of From (before Elden Ring) A desperate fight of survival against a crazed Being of impossible explanation. An absolutely fantastic fight which will frustrate and terrify anyone willing to fight it. And again, an amazing theme. The DLC completes Bloodborne as a package. I admire Bloodborne through the incredible atmosphere, brilliant combat, fantastic weapons and memorable moments. But to say that this is the best From has to offer is just false I'm sad to say. It's too flawed. To the point where a main Boss of importance has the exact same theme as the first Boss. Just, why?!? I don't understand why it was done and I'm pretty sure I'm probably the most annoyed person in the fandom when it comes to this point. Bloodborne Bad.