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Bloodborne; Did The Critics Get it Wrong?

Bloodborne is a PS4 exclusive action RPG that has received critical praise across the board. It is developed by From Software, a company best know for the punishingly difficult Souls series of games. Several very interesting articles have highlighted that despite the rave reviews Bloodborne is clearly not a game for everyone and further questioned whether the critical reception of Bloodborne is a failure of gaming journalism in general.

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fromascientist.com
the_dark_one4070d ago

Oh my, we get a game ,The Order, that received alot of mixed amd low scores and straight away we get articles that that means doom for sony, now we get bloodborn, that is receiving very high scores we get articles saying critics got it wrong. Lol
Is this ever going to end when it comes to ps4 exclusives? I remember aswell articles on killzone and infamous for not being good enough. Any way for this, bloodborne, personaly is not a game that i would play, i like more to watch some streams like i did for dark souls, is getting praise from many critics cause its a good game and its being reviewed for what it is and not for what it isnt. When they say the game is not for everyone, that goes for every game out there, after all we all are different type of gamers and we have perferences of our own

ArchangelMike4070d ago

Read the article - it is asking if critics have overrated Bloodborne. The author anwers his own questin - 'no' they haven't. He acknowledges that 'games are not for everyone' and therefore encourages gamer to read review and oponion pieces.

The authors use of statistical data to prove his poisition in unecessary though.

Timesplitter144070d ago (Edited 4070d ago )

so basically it's just a clickbait?

nix4070d ago

"Bloodborne; Did The Critics Get it Wrong?"

"No."

That's the article in one word.

Thank me later.

nX4070d ago

Journalists are really poor beings, I wouldn't want to be paid for writing this kind of stuff.

ChronoJoe4070d ago

@Timesplitter

No it's not clickbait, the website in question is actually quite unique in that he uses stastistical comparisons to quantify answers to these questions. In this case he is comparing user scores, to critic scores (both present on metacritic), for statistical significance.

There is no statistical significance between them, therefore he makes the assertion that 'critics got it right'. It's an interesting approach and perspective in my opinion, although it neglects certain factors such as the often biased motivation of user scores.

Bloodborne has 10% negative scores, these reviewers rate the game, usually at 1 or 0. Now, do we think for a moment that these users made an attempt to review the game fairly? Some of them are clearly aren't genuine, while others intentionally do not use the rating scale correctly.

One user review for bloodborne writes "It's also a bit too easy for me. Not a 9/10, but a solid 6/10", then rates the game a 2? So it's a 6/10 yet you choose to rate it a 2? They rate not with intentions to provide an objective review but to influence the aggregate score in their direction as much as possible, thereby making their perspective and motivations as presented on metacritic, entirely distinct from an actual consumer and ultimately, entirely irrelevant when presented in this 1-10 numerical form.

Additionally, you get the low scores that merely exist because of the games platform exclusivity, some of the negative reviews are clearly posted by those who have not played the game. This makes the user reviews worth less and less. Heck, the star rating system on the Playstation store is technically more valid than metacritics open system. At least the storefront ensures that everyone that rates the game has actually played it.

LordMaim4070d ago

@Timesplitter14: Clickbait... from a scientist!

admiralvic4070d ago

@ ChronoJoe

No, I would still say it's click bate. While I agree with your overall point and find it sad the writer overlooked this information, there is no reason for games to be judged off their overall appeal. TV, movies, books and the like aren't judged that way, so who cares if Bloodborne appeals to a niche? It's still a good game in their eyes and ultimately accomplishes its goals, which makes it a good game.

kurruptor4070d ago

Clickbait to me.

No one was questioning the validity of the ratings. They're just looking for hits.

I also don't see the purpose in comparing critic reviews to user reviews, when user reviews are extremely biased.

XBLSkull4070d ago (Edited 4070d ago )

I had the same "complaint" or whatever you want to call it a few days ago. As you can see by the user score there are people who don't necessarily like the game. At this time the critics are 66 positive reviews and no mixed/negative. That to me just stands out that the people who reviewed this game for the most part are already fans of the souls series. There are people who won't like the game and it seems strange that not even one "critic" had an opinion other than positive.

The game is great, I would give it a positive review myself of 85/100, there are aspects of the game as this article points out that are repetitive with no good reason to be except to waste time. Overall though that metacritic score is slowly coming down to be more in line with what I think it should be. After all, an 8/10 score is still positive, and helps to balance out those nine perfect scores for a game that certainly isn't perfect.

MysticStrummer4070d ago

"Several very interesting articles have highlighted that despite the rave reviews Bloodborne is clearly not a game for everyone"

No game ever released is for everyone. Several very interesting articles were written by people who liked The Order, but those were laughed at here.

"...and therefore encourages gamer to read review and oponion pieces."

I read those things, but watching streams and chatting with the streamer is more informative in my opinion.

Choosing your entertainment based only on the best reviewed examples, whether it's books movies or games, is guaranteed to show you that lots of the "best" things are things you won't like, and you'll miss out on other things that the consensus didn't like but you would have.

CernaML4070d ago

@XBLSkull You are such a bad liar its not even funny. First you say its only worth an 85/100 and now you claim the score is slowly dropping to be more in line of what you think it should be? Its at a 92 after 70 critics. It wont be anywhere near what you think it should be, troll.

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 4070d ago
fiveby94070d ago

I have to agree that there is some guerrilla marketing efforts at work here. As this is exclusive I imagine it serves the interests of another company to diminish a competing brand. So the theory goes if you can't prop up your own brand at least diminish that of your rival. Such is life in the business world but it smacks of contrived criticism.

Khajiit864070d ago

This is the too much HATE not enough APPRECIATE gen.

Antifan4070d ago

Funny that you mentioned that.
The guy who posted this article also posted the "The Order: 1886 Deserves Its Mediocre Review Scores" article.
Yeah, that pretty much exposed the hypocrisy and lack of credibility.

Kurt Russell4069d ago

He wrote an article stating that The Order 1886 deserves mediocre scores, and another stating that critics weren't wrong to review Bloodbourne highly (albeit clickbait title).

I am assuming you don't understand the definition of hypocrisy, and never went beyond reading the N4G headline.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4069d ago
Bennibop4070d ago

Hated souls series but I absolutely love Bloodborne Think it is because it plays quicker and you are more on the offence.

SilentNegotiator4070d ago

While I loved both, I can definitely see why someone could love Bloodborne but not Dark Souls. I mean, I hated all of the magic elements and how the roll button couldn't avoid the range of a karate chop from a midget.

nitus104070d ago

In the Souls series you did not have to use magic and against a player who is fairly good with shield and weapons in the game a magic user even at higher levels stands little or no chance. The exception were the Pyromancy hand flame and the Priest knock-back spell since they activate in less then a second however you have to be very close to your attacker.

Sure a hit with a powerful spell can be an one-hit kill but it takes time to release and in the interim a fighter can be up close and very personal.

Personally I found a combination of magic and weaponry with more of an emphasis on weaponry was the best way to play the game. Ranged spells while useful for weak slow moving enemies where no use in close combat. Poison arrows in Anor Londo were IMHO essential, charging was almost a sure way to die.

As for rolling I only found this useful if I was only lightly armoured and it is actually possible to do a back flip although back flipping off a cliff is embarrassing. Rolling with heavy armour is a sure way to drain your stamina leaving you wide open.

Malice-Flare4070d ago

i blame the writer for the click-bait title, but read the article. people may be missing the point here...

pivotplease4070d ago

That's usually how it goes. Journalists start by trying to prove something relatively arbitrary (especially at this point). In this case statistics are used, but there is still a lot wrong with metacritic's system. Then complete the nearly pointless observation article with a click-bait title which often implies the opposite of the article's message. Put a bow on it. Leave it at someone's doorstep on fire so that said person can step on it. Congratulations. You are now a journalist.

Scholarly articles do the exact same thing. So many crappy theses and conclusions that tend to be common sense and/or utterly useless.

nitus104070d ago

Bloodborne like the Souls series is Action/Adventure RPG with a "hack and slash" component. If a gamer does not like that genres then they will most likely not like that game. Even if a player does like that particular genres they may not like the unforgiving but fair difficulty preferring something more easier.

You definitely can't please everyone especially those who don't like a challenge in a particular genres. Still they are entitled to their opinion, however they look rather silly if they think that only their view matter.

SharnOfTheDEAD4070d ago

Luckily no they haven't got it wrong, but people that are used to being mothered in modern games might not enjoy it because to be frank they gone soft and expect the game to be played for them. This game literally kicks you out the door and says good luck, there's no great big glowing icons or hour long tutorials, this is a game you have to conquer yourself. Help comes from the community. If it wasn't for frame issues and co-op problems this game would be a solid 10, if they get fixed then it's nothing short of outstanding!

This whole thing about it being hard, yeah it is, but how is a death any different to 10 deaths in a game of COD or BF? People that are avoiding this because it's not got a very easy mode need to get a grip and give it a go, learn to play it because Bloodborne is bloody brilliant and is without a doubt the best game on new gen at the moment.

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70°

Sony Pictures Produces Animated Film of Bloodborne Game

Sony Pictures announced at CinemaCon on Monday that it is producing an animated R-rated film adaptation of FromSoftware's Bloodborne game. PlayStation Productions, Lyrical Animation, and YouTuber jacksepticeye (Seán McLoughlin) are producing the film, with Sony Pictures and Lyrical Animation parent company Lyrical Media co-financing the film.

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animenewsnetwork.com
Yui_Suzumiya39d ago

Anything but a sequel or remaster I suppose.

CantThinkOfAUsername38d ago

Hopefully this will renew interest in the franchise and Sony can see the potential.

jznrpg38d ago

I’m sure for a sequel they would want to get Miyazaki for it and he’s a busy person, They could do it without him but he wouldn’t be happy with that and I doubt they want to upset him. Hopefully it lines up with his schedule. Who knows they could be working on it now but I won’t get my hopes up until something is announced.

Lionsguard38d ago

At this point, I'm expecting Sony to endorse Yaoi fan-fic before they even entertain the idea of a remaster or sequel or even just a PS5 upgrade.

gerbintosh38d ago

You must have missed the story where FromSoftware stated they do not want to make a sequel or remaster of Bloodborne.

But then again, maybe Sony should force them to remaster the game because people who are forced to do things they dont like always put their best effort in. /s

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 38d ago
-Foxtrot39d ago (Edited 39d ago )

So FromSoftware really went

“F*** no are Bluepoint making a remake”

To

“A YouTuber making an animated film? Of course”

Redgrave38d ago

Say what you will about Jacksepticeye's involvement, but I suppose it comes down to how much creative freedom he has in making it.

Iron Lung, while not exactly in the same conversation as Bloodborne, was a perfectly serviceable and quite well made adaptation made by a YouTuber.

Jack at least understands the fan base and such so if he doesn't experience too much corporate interference or what you may call it, it could turn out pretty good.

MrBaskerville38d ago (Edited 38d ago )

Wasn't it Markiplier that made Iron Lung?

And there's more to filmmaking and storytelling than understanding a fanbase. I want a good movie. Maybe he can do it, maybe he can't, we'll see. But i expect nothing.

Tapani38d ago

What are you on about? Sony owns the IP, not FromSoftware. They have zero say in what is done with Bloodborne.

-Foxtrot38d ago (Edited 38d ago )

No but it’s been said how they apparently didn’t want Bluepoint touching the game and Sony respecting their wishes

Michiel198938d ago

oh the youtuber/streamer hate is back, i knew it before i read the comments.So fucking pathetic, acting like they aren't humans and can't do anything right.

-Foxtrot38d ago

Lmao. Ooooft. Touched a nerve 😂

Michiel198938d ago

not really, its just that the same old tale gets repeated and repeated by a bunch people who have contributed nothing to the gaming industry and just mindlessly hate someone else who is actually trying to do something cool, but it can't be because they're a streamer/youtuber in your twisted mind.

-Foxtrot38d ago

Producing a film still puts you in the driving seat, you are responsible for so many things including picking the director, writer and the entire team to make it.

Making / producing, regardless, it’s still a big role.

gold_drake38d ago

to be fair, hes not making it per se.

and i guess hes a good fit for it, given how big of a fan he is

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 38d ago
40°

Sheffield says "[A new Bloodborne game won't] happen unless From Soft decides they want to do it"

Brandon writes: "I could find you 10 companies that have pitched a bloodborne sequel, spinoff, or remake, including my own. It's just not going to happen unless fromsoft decides they want to do it."

Benjaminkno81d ago

Everyone was criticizing Sony for not pushing for the BB remake. Turns out they gave it the green light. The original still holds up really well

STARS81d ago

Man this just fucking sucks, I respect Miyazaki and Shohida's wishes, but Bluepoint would have been the perfect studio to take on a project like a Bloodborne remake. It's still an absolute masterpiece, but the performance and frame pacing could easily be solved on the current hardware now.

80°

Bluepoint pitched a Bloodborne remake, but FromSoftware turned it down, not Sony

Just days after Sony decided to close remake masters Bluepoint Games, a new report claims that wasn't PlayStation itself that stonewalled the idea of a Bloodborne remake by Bluepoint, but developer FromSoftware.

Read Full Story >>
eurogamer.net
BABY-JEDI83d ago

Sony should have proceeded with Bluepoint remaking Bloodbourne. Or even had the sense to get Bluepoint to make a sequel to Demons Souls. Through the broken Giants gate. It was all thereto build upon.
Idiots

Lexreborn283d ago

The more information that comes out, it keeps seeming like the studio really was just relying on redoing other people’s work. If they would’ve just had a team working on an original product aside from remaking bloodborne, a god of war game THEY admitted they just couldn’t get off the ground.

They would’ve had more staying power, clearly they were to dependent on being a port and remake company. And last I remember EVERYONE hates Sony for constantly remaking and re-releasing games. Then they also hate Sony for GaaS. But, Sony stops investing in. Both and pivot and they are terrible right?

neutralgamer199283d ago

And what is wrong with that again this industry is full of remasters and remakes and they were the best at it Sony has so many dormant IPS they could have used

You make it sound like remakes and remasters are a bad thing when the industries full of them Sony themselves have remade The Last of Us just this generation

82d ago
Chard82d ago

“You make it sound like remakes and remasters are a bad thing”

They are

“when the industries full of them Sony themselves have remade The Last of Us just this generation”

That’s bad

Christopher83d ago

There's a plethora of PS3 games that could do with being remade. inFamous series, MotorStorm series, Resistance series, all the PS Eye games w/VR updates, Heavenly Sword, Haze, Killzone series, LBP series, White Knight chronicles, Warhawk. Lots of good things just on PS3 that could be remade for modern consoles and ensure forward compatibility.

Lexreborn283d ago

All of those games can and probably will be remade in-house and with updates that the original developers want to add to them. Just how the GoW Remake is being done in house with upgraded mechanics.

We gotta stop pretending like this was some type of only Bluepoint could do it. If they could, then they would’ve had the green light.

People are so quick to blame the head as the only issue. But just like with Scalebound, perfect dark and several other games that were promised. The devs bit off more then they could chew. And in a sea of complaints of half baked games, decisions like this are sometimes necessary.

Christopher83d ago

***All of those games can and probably will be remade in-house and with updates that the original developers want to add to them.***

(x) Doubt

Lexreborn283d ago

@christopher

Not sure how you can doubt when give an example. But okay, that’s you

Christopher83d ago (Edited 83d ago )

1. It's a remake, not a remaster.
2. The other games have already been remastered before BluePoint even joined Sony.
3. BluePoint has been with Sony since 2021 after doing Demon's Souls and did zero remake jobs since there but helped Sony Santa Monica with Ragnarok and didn't succeed on a GoW Live Service game. That's five years of potential not utilized.
4. If Sony didn't use them during those 5 years to do a single remaster, I highly doubt Sony wants the other studios to focus on doing as such when they could instead focus on new games and IPs.

Lexreborn282d ago

They literally remade shadow of the colossus and demon souls. And still to my point, if Sony Santa Monica is Remaking their own game franchise. Miyazaki stated he would rather do the remake for bloodborne. What makes you think other companies with the umbrella wouldn’t want to remake killzone, infamous and the rest themselves.

If you worked for a company for 5 years, had no original ideas. Failed at the project that was given to you. And your last ditch effort STILL relied on someone else’s work/IP. Why would you expect to keep your job?

That makes no sense and this is literally the most forced hate I’ve seen to date.

Christopher82d ago (Edited 82d ago )

***They literally remade shadow of the colossus and demon souls.***

Before Sony bought them. And afterwards? Again, **NOTHING** since purchase in 2021. NOTHING. Five years of nothing.

***What makes you think other companies with the umbrella wouldn’t want to remake killzone, infamous and the rest themselves***

Because if they did, it would be done by now. Santa Monica wanted it with GoW. It's done. They did it last generation. Now, they want to completely remake the first 3 games, not just remaster? Sony is letting them.

Why are they able to do these things but not others? Because they want to do them. Pretty sure Sucker Punch is the golden child of Sony right now. If they wanted to remaster/remake inFamous, Sony would not say no as long as they pump out Ghost games every 3-4 years.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 82d ago
Michiel198982d ago

BECAUSE SONY FORCED A GAAS GAME ON A STUDIO NOT EQUIPPED FOR IT, OFCOURSE THEY CANT DO IT YOU DUMB FUCKING CUNT. God you're the grossest sony pony i've seen in a while, anything but blame daddy sony or you're a retard, I'm not sure yet. You thinking that Epstein is the godfather of mtx makes me lean to the latter.

Lexreborn282d ago

Sounds more like you don’t like a stranger on the internet the. The topic of actual business practices. You also see to have a weird vendetta from me FACTUALLY stating Epstein influenced MTX with activision.

Maybe you need a nap if you think me saying a company that hasn’t made a SINGLE product except someone else’s work may have dug their own grave. But, hey must be a Sony pony for thinking about the whole situation and not just rage bait headlines saying things like Sony made a mistake closing a port company.

Seek help seriously

shinXseijuro83d ago

Seems pretty clear that they’re focused on moving foward and giving us new games ? Sure they can do bloodborn but why go back if it’s already great ?

BABY-JEDI83d ago

Every sequel builds upon the successes of previous games. Bluepoint had many games they rebuilt. In which they could have developed sequels to. Sony & Bluepoint should have seen the obvious in front of their eyes. The base assets were all already built. This is an example of severe Managerial failure

shinXseijuro83d ago

Tbh I doubt fromsoftware needs anyone to rebuild a game for them … having to share profits etc . I’m sure they can release it on their own when the timing is right .

Chard82d ago

Ridiculous. That would be like the Foo Fighters trusting a cover band to create their next album, or like George RR Martin trusting the game of thrones show producers to finish writing the ASOIAF story beyond what the books had covered.

shinXseijuro83d ago (Edited 83d ago )

Seems like they’re focused on bringing new games to the table and moving forward instead of clinging to the past ? I understand why the matter is not urgent . bloodborn still holds up pretty good

Sorry for double post the website got major lags nowadays .

-Foxtrot83d ago (Edited 83d ago )

I don’t get this

Sony has said they love Bloodborne

Hidetaka Miyazaki loves Bloodborne, it’s like his baby but is super busy with other projects.

Bluepoint pitches a remake like they did with Demons Souls

Sony rejects it because apparently Miyazaki wants to work on it himself and they want to respect his wishes

Miyazaki decides to do The Duskbloods instead…on the Nintendo Switch 2

I don’t understand the issue here, is Miyazaki annoyed with Sony or something. Are those rumours about him not being happy with the Demons Souls remake true? Like this could have happened years ago if they wanted, it should have been the next project after Elden Ring. It’s sad because if Bluepoint was allowed to do this it might have saved them from being shut down.

BABY-JEDI83d ago (Edited 83d ago )

Seemingly Miyazaki had conflicted feelings about Bluepoint’s Demons Souls Remake. IMO all Miyazaki Souls games could learn from Bluepoint’s aesthetic approach/detail/refinement of the originals.
Sour grapes

oldenjon82d ago (Edited 82d ago )

double post

oldenjon82d ago

Fans of the original generally don’t agree with this sentiment though. Bluepoint got a lot of things completely wrong and took away from the atmosphere of the original. It’s weird to say that souls games, which are highly regarded for their unique art direction, should takes notes from the westernized aesthetic changes bluepoint made to their games.

Deathdeliverer83d ago

Miyazaki is especially close to bloodborne. He said it is the perfect game that embodies everything he has ever wanted to make and the best of his teams efforts. It’s Sonys game, but do you think they would risk losing him as a dev because they did something he wanted to do himself? It’s like Miyamoto. You think him saying I want to make Mario a space duck in the next entry Nintendo will shoot him down? Some devs have earned that “superstar” status and unfortunately Miyazaki will have to leave gaming, one way or another, or decide the time is right to do it himself. Look at what’s going on with the metal gear series now when you have pissed off the GUY. Exactly. Nothing.

Chard83d ago

I’m relieved Bluepoint will never touch Bloodborne. Have a look into what Bluepoint changed from an artistic perspective in the Demon’s Souls remake. Those changes are an affront to god and should be damn near illegal. Bloodborne would’ve better served with a framerate and resolution patch.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 82d ago
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