The remaining humans in Bloodborne's dead city of Yharnam think you're making a mistake to even consider this new adventure. When you talk to them, they say that there's nothing here for you, that it's a nightmare. They're incorrect on both counts.

Great variety of new weapons; Mysterious characters and artifacts excite your imagination; Captivating environments

Disappointing AI companions

Dark Souls and Dark Souls 2 took many, many days away from me. Anyone who has played From Software's action RPGs, or as I'd like to call them punishment simulators, will tell you that it's all part of the experience. That's just how it goes.

Exciting; daunting; challenging; huge; captivating is only a few words Id use to describe Bloodborne

Technical issues like causing lengthy load times and other issues

From Software and Sony's Japan Studio teamed up to release Demon's Souls as a PlayStation 3 exclusive back in 2009. They might not have guessed it at the

Comprehensive combat options for the pro-active player; Plenty to uncover through thorough exploration; Great enemy and boss design; Cohesive world

Story is cryptic and vague; Long load times

A brutal breed of RPG that continues the Dark Souls style of gameplay. Perfectly developed story, RPG elements and graphic combat. Unique insight currency that alters the game world. Plenty of exploration and item hunt. Only on PlayStation 4.

Combat – Setting – Item hunt and exploration

Variety isn't as high as other games

is an amazing, exacting, and exhausting pilgrimage through a gorgeous land that imposes the feeling of approaching the bottom of a descent into madness. Though extended load times and minor frame-rate hitches have an effect on the pacing, it's otherwise an intensely challenging and rewarding game.

Stunning world artistry; Fast; tactical combat; Creature/boss design; Level design

Frame rate; load times

Bloodborne: The Old Hunters is worth your time and money if you enjoyed the base game. For the most part, it's more of the same done better. The environments and some of the bosses are a cut above, enemy placement and interaction really stuck out, and wreaking havoc with the new weapons is almost...

The new areas are creepier than anything in vanilla Bloodborne; The rivers of gore, background elements that move and struggle on their own, and unsettling noises will feel somewhat nostalgic for Souls fans who remember the unpleasantness of Demon's Souls' Tower of Latria, New enemies are incredibly...

One of the bosses is incredibly annoying; Not just because he's difficult, but because he has a wonky hit box, an attack that can sometimes register multiple hits if it catches you wrong, and he constantly wails and shrieks in a way that grates on the nerves quickly.

HIGH Charging up an axe attack that stuns large dudes so I can rip their innards out. Neat! LOW The Chalice Dungeons look and feel almost identical no matter which variations are triggered. WTF The 'real' ending. Who thought that would be a satisfying conclusion to a forty-plus hour adventure?

Charging up an axe attack that stuns large dudes so I can rip their innards out; Neat

The Chalice Dungeons look and feel almost identical no matter which variations are triggered

Bloodborne is amazing. I'll admit, I come in with some Souls experience, but I'm still fairly bad at tough video games. Bloodborne simplifies the minutiae contained in the Souls experience but keeps the core things that make it great.

Methodical rewarding combat; expansive areas; challenging boss fights

Long load times; necessity to grind for materials

The story to Bloodborne is seemingly brief, but yet very deep and meaningful at the same time. That sounds like an odd blend, but it's one that works remarkably well as you find yourself immersed in its world.

Brutal; but yet addictive gameplay; Captivating gothic world to explore; Enchanting soundtrack; Meaningful levelling up and upgrade system; Fantastic creature design; Clever level design; with hidden rewards and smart short-cuts

Difficulty may put off some

One of the best action games of the generation and a stunning achievement in terms of gameplay, art design, and encouraging players to push themselves beyond their limits.

Superb combat system is elegantly simple and hugely versatile; Amazing world design and wonderfully disgusting enemies; Great online features and role-playing elements

Long load times can be hugely frustrating; Some minor frame rate problems, and the Chalice Dungeons need some tweaking and bug-fixing