14 DAY TRIAL // Bloodborne is the newly announced PlayStation 4 exclusive action role-playing game from Japanese developer From Software, revealed during Sony's E3 2014 press conference event.
The game development process is being led by Demon's Souls director Hidetaka Miyazaki, who has taken the time to explain that the upcoming game is not simply a follow-up to the Souls game, as rumored.
Miyazaki has been asked by Japanese video game magazine Famitsu why his team decided to pursue a new IP instead of making a highly sought-after sequel to Demon's Souls. He has then replied that they were approached by Sony Computer Entertainment, asking them whether they would like to work on a next-gen title for the then-upcoming PS4.
"Back in 2012, before the announcement of the PS4, [Sony Computer Entertainment] originally approached us with the idea, 'would you be interested in making a new game for new hardware?' so this was never considered as a Demon’s Souls II. For us, the idea of new hardware was appealing and I remember feeling enthusiasm from SCE for a new game," Miyazaki replies.
The game's setting is very different from the ones seen in the Souls games, taking place in an entirely different era, in a Victorian urban setting, reflected by the period-accurate architecture, with slight steampunk elements, and a bit of gunplay.
"There are several reasons, the first of which is the combat," Miyazaki offers in response to a question regarding the major change in settings between Bloodborne and From Software's previous games.
"We were already thinking of a shift to a combat system where you would enter battle more actively than the sword and shield-based combat of Demon’s. So we adopted the idea of guns, but there was a prerequisite that we didn't want the game to turn into a shooting game, and the Victorian age fit perfectly. It's an era where the imagery of old guns still remains," the designer explains.
"The enemies are strong and fierce, and if you wait passively to respond, you're going to be eaten and killed. So, in order to get out of a fix, you need to actively advance," Miyazaki points out, continuing that the game will not rely on defense and reactive strategy as much as the Souls games.
In case you missed it, somebody decided to man up and shoot a bit of off-screen footage from Bloodborne, during a behind-closed-doors session at E3 2014. Naughty behavior, but then again, isn't that what the Souls games are about? Pushing our limits and accomplishing what others don't dare do?
As even the minute-long video shows, The PlayStation 4 allows for a much richer experience, and the game world already looks much slicker that the one in Dark Souls 2, the most recent title from the Japanese developer.
Bloodborne is expected sometime during 2015, exclusively for the PlayStation 4.