Perfection for the PS4

Platform: PS4
Bloodborne is more than a game. Wrought with exhausting challenges and enthralling environments, and capable of delivering one of the most rewarding experiences ever found in a video game, Bloodborne is an enticing work of art; its clutches are nigh inescapable. 

In Bloodborne, you play the role of a hunter in Yharnam, a city marred by a virulent plague which turns men into beasts. Such a plague's roots lie in the city's obsession with the manipulation of blood (known as bloodministration in the game). This manipulation allowed the citizens of Yharnam to be cured of any ailment which afflicted them. But alas, the blood that was used for such purposes became corrupted and thus the plague spread.

From Software, the masterminds behind the Souls series, are the ones have made the game. Thus, Bloodborne retains various elements that are prominent in all Souls games. Bonfires, which are the only savepoints, make a return in the form of lamps scattered all across Yharnam. All the unique areas of Yharnam are interconnected with one another barring a central hub world known as the Hunter's Dream in which you can buy new weapons, armor and consumables, and upgrade your hunter. The subtle role playing elements also provide depth and complexity to the character.

The world design is heavily influenced by Victorian London and German architecture. Bold, castle-like buildings are dotted across the cityscapes while stone pavements and intricately designed steel grates accentuate the look and feel of the city. Such beautiful fantasy ends here, however. Danger lies behind every corner, posed by grotesquely horrifying enemies. 

Speaking of enemies, even the lowest ranking minnows are capable of obliterating the player with two hits. Thus the combat system beckons to be mastered. It seems very daunting at first but once the player becomes a master of it, the gameplay resembles a graceful dance of death while the hunter delicately (or not so delicately) dispatches foe after foe. The combat is deceptively simple but once the player delves deep into it, many hidden complexities emerge. Hit timing, spacing, dodging, item usage all have to be taken into account if the player wishes to stand unscathed after a savage battle. 

Bloodborne features some of the most unique bosses I have ever seen in a game. Each of them has unique traits, characteristics and abilities which make each fight feel fresh and rewarding. And how rewarding it is! The feeling of finally beating a boss after hour-long bouts is beyond compare. This rewarding feeling is exactly why I kept on coming back even after going through such relentless punishment. 

The game's sound design is marvelous. The music is epic and beautiful. Every track fits the sections of the game they play in. The game's music composers have created moving pieces which usher in goosebumps every time the player hears them. 

All in all, Bloodborne is perfection; a certain type of perfection that is extremely uncommon nowadays in the world of gaming.