It's been a bit of a rough start for the PS4 when it comes to AAA retail exclusives. Both inFamous: Second Son and The Order: 1886 were disappointing to one degree or another and that has left Bloodborne as the great red hope of the console's initial exclusive retail line-up.

Dark Souls was about the futility of life, or rather, immortal life. Trapped in their personal prisons amongst the ranks of crazed, Hollowed Undead, the tired souls and sad sacks mocked the player for fighting against an unbeatable fate.

You wake up to find a strange man staring at you, only to get eaten by strange zombie-like creatures just seconds later in what looks like the end of your story before it even began.

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

One thing's for sure though, Sony has done very well for themselves by nailing Bloodborne down as a PS4 exclusive. As enjoyable as Infamous, DriveClub (eventually) and Killzone were, they never rode such a continuous wave of hype after release.

Rewarding enemy encounters; The game world design is stunning; Regain system encourages aggressive style

Long loading times; Combo variation is very limited; Attack interruptions can be inconsistent

A masterclass in design, and a lesson for other developers.

Watch a full 20+ minute video review of Bloodborne from Joaby embedded above Bloodborne is an action RPG created by FROM Software, a Japanese company most famous for its Souls series of games.

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

I bought this on it's phenomenal reviews. After spending an entire day getting killed and more or less transported back to the start minus the resources you've expended along the way I gave it up. I know some people love this kind of game, but not me.

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