GameSpew’s Game of the Year 2015
Ed and Alistair: Bloodborne
[divider]Ed:[/divider]
Although you’re trapped in a nightmare throughout, it’s far from a nightmare to play. Its dark atmosphere and beautiful Gothic architecture make sure you’re cautiously fighting your way through a world that begs to be explored. Bloodborne borrows from itis brother Dark Souls and is as cryptic as you would expect from FromSoftware. Allowing players to create their own stories and engage with the lore adds a compelling layer to a game crammed with mystery and intrigue. As you wander the stricken streets of Yharnam it’s hard not to be completely absorbed in its tragic tale and you’ll be utterly drenched in blood by the end of its lengthy story. Repulsive enemies surprise and they’re genuinely terrifying in nature, providing a real challenge to defeat as you dart in and out of their attacks. Combat never feels like a chore; never once did I feel bored or think that things had become a little stale. It’s dynamic, brutal and a lot faster that Dark Souls which was a little odd adjusting to, but in the end it felt fantastic. I really felt like I was beginning to master the mechanics by the end of the game, putting in some hard graft which culminated in a rewarding fight everytime. And you’ll need to better yourself, to get the better of the visually stunning and thoughtfully crafted bosses you’ll be facing every step of the way.
I wish I hadn’t played Bloodborne, just so I could experience it all over again.
[divider]Alastair (aka TheLibrarian):[/divider]
There are many games that we as gamers play and discard. Fun can be a major part of a great game, so can a sense of achievement – but a game that is both fun and addictive without atmosphere or narrative will never get under your skin like the best of what the medium can produce. A PlayStation exclusive action/survival horror/RPG, Bloodborne is one of the most keenly defined exercises in brooding tone that has ever kicked its way into my subconscious.
Building on the superlative Demon’s Souls and Dark Souls before it, creator Hidetaka Miyazaki’s most recent masterpiece takes place in gorgeously crafted world dripping with gothic beauty, filled with mysterious allies and increasingly terrifying Lovecraftian enemies. The gameplay this time around focuses more on action – shields replaced by well-timed dodges, with Brotherhood of the Wolf-infused Victorian longcoats and caps taking the place of heavy armour. Whipping out a pistol can stun an enemy for a well-placed attack, but with foes more fiendish than ever the challenge never wanes. Gorgeous, creepy, haunting, bloody and bloody well written: Bloodborne is my Game of the Year 2015.
