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

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.

I walk through the hallways of a Victorian hamlet, cautiously advancing, mindful of even the slightest shift of a shadow in the dull moonlight. It is the night of the hunt, where beasts roam the streets and civilians hide inside, in fear of the lycans and crazed, plague-infested madmen.

Combat is smarter; faster; and bloodier; Trick weapons add versatility and personality to your arsenal; Engrossing atmosphere and themes; Bosses and enemies are varied and exciting; Chalice Dungeons and NG+ provide tons of replayability

Framerate can get spotty in some areas; Load times range from short inconvenience to almost a full minute wait

Bloodborne is an Action RPG that will transport players to a dark and terror-filled gothic world, a world full of deranged beings and nightmarish creatures.

It may seem impenetrable at the beginning but Bloodborne rewards perseverance and dedication.

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

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.

One of the more anticipated PS4 exclusives, Bloodborne, has finally arrived. Is this the standout new IP we've been waiting for? Let's make no bones about it – the hopes for Bloodborne have been sky high, and to a certain extent, understandably so.

Fantastic; immersive world; Beautifully detailed; Fluid combat; Challenging enemies

Little story at the outset; Some long load times

Death isn't often a massive topic of discussion, so embracing it as a part of a game can become quite a challenge. When we die, we leave all our troubles behind, we finally find peace and an escape from our nightmares, but in Bloodborne , your death is a mere nothing in the nightmare that surrounds...

Disturbingly Beautiful | Wonderful Atmosphere | Great Combat | Lots of Fun

Loading Time | Early Bosses are Very Tough | Character Create

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.