Bloodborne • Transfusing elements of action and horror
Admittedly, FromSoftware’s library of games have only recently been discovered by me. That is not to say they were completely unknown, in fact Dark Souls‘ impact on the gaming community was prolific for years and still is today for its notoriously crushing difficulty. For years I was put off of their catalogue because of this, assuming the games to be hard for hard’s sake. Come Christmas holidays just gone, I purchased Dark Souls because I was bored and because it was only $20 and I quickly found out how wrong I was. I fell in love with their format and blasted through the Dark Souls series and have recently finished their second IP, Bloodborne, in time for my next review.
Don’t B-Negative
At the forefront of any FromSoftware title is its gameplay. Largely the same format across games, with minor tweaks to keep things fresh and title specific, it is notoriously challenging. Bloodborne offers very little in way of a tutorial and works with the philosophy of experimentation and persistence leads to reward and accomplish. You are told from the start to choose a weapon for your right hand, to take a gun for your left to counter enemies, and to mind your health and stamina bars. Soon, it becomes apparent that with every health-ravaging enemy slain you receive something called Blood Echoes (Souls in other titles) that act as the game’s currency for levelling up the character, buying supplies and increasing damage on weapons. There’s a lot more to be said, but the important thing to remember is that for every impossible enemy there is always a weakness, and for every failure there is always a way to get better. This game masters the balance between difficulty and fairness, and the player will love it.
A story a little on the anemic side
Fans of FromSoftware titles herald the studio for their approach to storytelling. Revere it. In some way, I do too. It is definitely engrossing. If you’re willing to be a little bit academic about it. Much of Bloodborne‘s story is told through some often chance encounters with NPC’s, through item descriptions, and through (which I think is remarkable) implication in landscape design – a favourite of mine is in Yahar’gul where the sides of buildings appear to have thousands of bodies casted into the side of them as if they were fossilised there years ago trying to escape something, and it’s just there and never specifically mentioned in game at any point. The story is never laid out for you fully and clearly, and requires player interpretation and collation. Roughly though, you are a hunter tasked with purging the land of Yharnam from foul beasts that roam around terrorizing civilians. If you want any more than that, you’re free to play the game or watch the thousands of hours on YouTube of people dissecting the story for you.
Horror is in the game’s veins
Bloodborne is not exactly set in Victorian England, but it may as well be. The game revels in its dark and gothic locales, and the denizens of the world are all fitted into 1800s vampyric outfits that emphasise a love of archaic horror akin to Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Frankenstein, Dracula etc. Outside of this gorgeously rich and creative atmosphere, the influence of H.P. Lovecraft is palpable. The player’s overarching antagonists are ‘The Old Ones’ who are made to resemble Lovecraft’s eldritch beings. Outside of this, most regular enemies and bosses also take on horrific forms that defy laws of humanity and really draw out the elements of insanity and incomprehensability that Lovecraft is known for. Additionally, the game pulls off horror more tangibly with a few jumpscares from surprise enemies here and there. Oh, and there’s also just the constant fear of loosing your Blood Echoes if you die and just the constant fear of failure and just the constant fear of ‘Oh God, I am wasting so much time trying to beat this boss’.
Blood cells
For all these elements combined, this game is not one to be missed. If you can put aside your fears (as most horror lovers can, or like to indulge in) of failure and your hesitance at a non-narrated story, you’ll find a lot to love here. There is a reason that FromSoftware has changed the world of gaming for good, and Bloodborne is another flawless example of their talent. If I did have to ding it a little bit, I’d say it’s a little easier than the Dark Souls series. Four and a half Cthulhus out of 5. More to be read here.
(4.5 / 5)
Gaming
Lovecraft Meets Junji Ito in WORLD OF HORROR
WORLD OF HORROR is a cosmic horror roguelite game developed by Paweł Koźmiński and published by Ysbryd Games.
WORLD OF HORROR is a cosmic horror roguelite game developed by Paweł Koźmiński and published by Ysbryd Games. The game is available on macOS, Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. This review will cover the Steam (Windows) version of the game.
You must explore the strange goings on around Shiokawa, Japan. It appears that eldritch forces have influenced the town in incomprehensible ways. So, attempt to comprehend these forces and maintain your sanity to save the town. Plan your investigations, choose between cases, and fight for your life.
There are a few game modes but three difficulty spikes. The easiest is a specific case with some random events. This mode teaches you the basic mechanics of the game. The harder difficulties give you access to an apartment and choices on which case you investigate. Completing objectives earns you customization options for the customized mode.
What I Like About WORLD OF HORROR
Running on GameMaker Studios, the pixelated aesthetic shows influences from Lovecraft and Junji Ito, though the latter more so than the former. WORLD OF HORROR haunts its viewers with its aesthetic, allowing the pixels to evoke those horror legends.
Random generation remains a key feature of the game, with various options and choices giving a massive variety. Your character also has some limited customization to access perks and further development. I will bring up some weaknesses later, but it is surprisingly vast. Adding to this variety, WORLD OF HORROR provides mod accessibility.
The combat allows for a great deal of thought and planning. You select your character’s actions within an action bar and perform the tasks (or combos) to beat an opponent. This JRPG style provides variety in action that makes it engaging and unique.
The random generation and variety make each playthrough different. You might acquire a devastating katana in one playthrough only to bleed out unceremoniously in another.
While not a terrifying gaming experience, WORLD OF HORROR strives to provide an eerie and intense experience. At this, the game is a success. The weird and unnerving collide to invest the player in this strange world.
Tired Tropes and Triggers
Body horror deserves a mention, but the aesthetic and pixels doesn’t particularly evoke realism. Regardless, many designs evoke body horror.
Aside from this, here are some points of consideration. First, WORLD OF HORROR uses JRPG turn-based combat, which seems a point of division among some gamers. However, there are enough interesting mechanics and complexities beyond clicking an action and waiting your turn.
Second, WORLD OF HORROR isn’t a cult detective. You’re experiencing events and choosing how your character responds. Some sage wisdom I heard for WORLD OF HORROR is to focus on the whole campaign instead of a single case. Failing a case isn’t a game over, so prioritize your character’s longevity.
What I Dislike About WORLD OF HORROR
Only a few issues hindered my experience. Some scenarios replay on a single case, let alone a playthrough, which becomes repetitive. Some scenarios have multiple solutions to add variety or require perks to access new options, but that’s not always true. This issue makes the randomization taxing at times.
This next issue is likely a bug or an oversight. After losing my reason (sanity), I found myself still able to investigate despite the game claiming that means death. An unrelated event finished me off, but I can’t help but assume this is a bug.
Final Thoughts
WORLD OF HORROR has its quirks but earns massive replay value and surprising depth. It’s a unique and ambitious indie title worth the price. If Junji Ito’s style or cosmic horror is your particular brand of horror, WORLD OF HORROR delivers an experience you’ll likely enjoy. Though this combination synergizes well, few games combine these elements successfully. (4.5 / 5)
Step into the mind-bending world of Eldritch Automata as we sit down with Game Designer Nick Francia at GenCon 2024!
Uncover the secrets behind this Lovecraftian mecha-masterpiece and get a glimpse of what’s to come.
In this exclusive interview, Nick Francia shares:
• The intricate game development process • Inspirations behind the eerie Lovecraftian elements
• Unique mecha-infused gameplay mechanics Calling all Lovecraft fans! Dive into a world where eldritch horrors meet steam-powered marvels.
Eldritch Automata promises an unforgettable gaming experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
👉 Ready to embrace the madness? Check out our playable demo at a con near you! #EldritchAutomata #GenCon2024 #LovecraftianGaming #IndieGameDev
Prepare for a spine-chilling experience as Jim Phoenix delves into the shadows with Trick or Treat Studios at GenCon 2024!
In this exclusive interview, we uncover the terrifying secrets behind their latest bone-chilling creations: “House of 1000 Corpses” and “Halloween II” board games.
These games aren’t just about rolling dice – they’re about immersing yourself in the blood-curdling atmosphere of beloved horror films. With unique survival (and kill!) horror mechanics and cooperative gameplay, you’ll feel the terror coursing through your veins with every move!
But wait, there’s more! With the Kickstarter to House of 1000 Corpses shipping soon, we have an in-depth review coming up for that game, Halloween II–AND…Chucky. BOOMMM!!!
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