PS4 Bloodborne

IMPRESSIONS
No comments about multiplayer or covenants beyond what we already know as the servers still don't work. Though I can't imagine they will drop this game any lower than masterpiece standard. Some observations overall that I am allowed to share, mostly impressions I guess, and thoughts about the game design and Miyazaki's work

Game design overall then, is fantastic. Miyazaki is a beast himself. I have never seen someone with a track record so progressively better, at least in recent memory. The tightly polished experience and rush of adrenaline I first experienced with Demons Souls combat is ever so much more satisfying in Bloodborne. The world is intricately woven together in such a way that you never feel a 'lost izalith' moment or that any part was rushed. I love the final district and it's atmosphere, though I'm not sure if it's possible to get here before the end game, so may not be the 'final area' at all.

I tip my fedora to the sound designers as well. Their work here is stellar, boss themes are so memorable and I have the melody from the Dream stuck in my head, which is a welcome thing.

I need a lot more time to gather my thoughts, but there are SOME negatives, to be expected, but they are pretty minor gripes and I expect a lot of it is subject to change in future patches and the day 1 launch patch.

Negatives:

Not much variety in locations. I am sorry to say it, but this was my biggest bug bear and although the areas are all stunningly detailed and beautiful, it begs for more than just Victorian houses and foggy forests.

Difficulty is there, but it's sporadic. Especially when you consider how tight the combat feels it gets annoying to die to so many world traps and one hit kill bullshit strikes, but then I think about how that is somewhat a staple in the series, learning and progressing, so not sure it is too much of a negative. Pending on my thoughts for this one in general. Some areas are a cakewalk to a souls veteran, while others are an absolute minefield of crazy traps and sneaky enemies. There is absolutely a 'Valley of defilement' moment which involves a lot of giant worms and poison affliction. I spent more time dying here than anywhere else.

As for 'concerning' negatives, that is all I've got. So on to the nitty gritty bits. - Some weapons and buffs are ridiculously overpowered. Once I found a certain Scythe I rarely needed to use anything else.

Guns are useless later in the game. Think it just needs a bit of balance tweaks here and there to damage and stun time.

Lots of consumables that don't seem to do much of anything when used.

Occasional framerate derps and a strange bug that causes the sound to 'buzz' every once in a while, though I expect patches will fix.

Same goes for the above, some sound bugs here and there like looping enemy footsteps that remain when you have killed an enemy, sounds not firing correctly here and there. Nothing major though.

One or two 'recycled' enemies and movesets from dark souls 2 with different skins.
Some slow loading times with 'Bloodborne' text feel a bit awkward.

That is seriously all I have at this point for negatives. I will do my best to answer questions that are aimed at the mechanics of the game, rather than story spoilers because I feel this game deserves the secrecy. Everyone should experience that incredible final few hours as I did, blind and terrified!