Yes, Bloodborne is available for free to PS Plus subscribers through the PlayStation Plus Collection on PS5. This gives PS5 owners access to FromSoftware‘s gothic masterpiece at no extra cost with an active PS Plus membership.
As a PlayStation console exclusive since its launch in 2015, Bloodborne has remained one of the most acclaimed titles on PS4. Now PS5 owners can experience this genre-defining action RPG as part of their PS Plus subscription.
But what exactly does this PlayStation classic offer? And is it worth playing for PS Plus members in 2024? Let‘s take a deeper look.
Overview of Bloodborne
Bloodborne is an action RPG developed by FromSoftware, creators of the influential Dark Souls series. It was published by Sony Computer Entertainment as a PS4 exclusive in March 2015.
Set in the decrepit gothic city of Yharnam, players take on the role of a hunter tasked with unraveling the mysteries of a strange blood-borne disease. This means exploring the intricate streets, bridges and buildings of Yharnam while taking on deranged mobs and hulking bosses.
Here are some key details on what Bloodborne provides:
- Genre: Action RPG with horror elements
- Perspective: Third-person
- Setting: Gothic fictional city of Yharnam
- Release Date: March 24, 2015
- Developer: FromSoftware
- Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 (backwards compatible)
Bloodborne takes the challenging combat and obscure storytelling of FromSoftware‘s Souls games and injects it into a faster-paced setting with more gothic horror elements.
Let‘s look at some of the core gameplay and design features.
Challenging Real-Time Combat
Bloodborne demands quick reflexes and good positioning with its dynamic real-time combat. Players can choose from a variety of melee weapons like saw cleavers, axes and katanas, each with their own attack speed and range.
The focus is on relentless aggression and offense rather than defensive tactics. Dodging and perfectly timed gun parries are key to creating openings for critical attacks.
Expert timing and pattern recognition is required to overcome the game‘s swift and punishing enemies and bosses. Patience and persistence is rewarded as you gradually master its combat systems.
Gothic Horror Setting
Yharnam is a decaying Victorian-inspired city overrun by deranged mobs, wolf-like beasts and disturbing Lovecraftian creatures. Bloodborne adapts gothic architecture into intricately designed environments full of secrets and shortcuts.
It also incorporates cosmic and body horror elements into its visual storytelling. The creeping madness and decaying grandeur of Yharnam combines with terrifying monster design to create a fascinating and unsettling world.
Obscure Storytelling
Bloodborne tells an ambiguous, challenging story through environmental details and vague hints rather than obvious exposition. Players must piece together the enigmatic history of Yharnam and motivations of its characters.
This allows you to speculate on Bloodborne‘s cryptic lore and develop your own interpretations. It creates an incredibly immersive experience for those willing to delve deep into its secrets.
Character Customization
You can customize your hunter by selecting a starting class and evolving their build as you progress. This involves investing blood echoes into attributes like strength, skill and arcane power.
You can also acquire and upgrade a wide array of weapons and attire, allowing you to tailor your hunter‘s abilities and playstyle to your preferences. Character building goes hand-in-hand with mastering Bloodborne‘s systems.
This overview shows why Bloodborne is considered one of the PS4‘s most important exclusives. Its masterful blend of challenging combat, horror atmosphere and obscure storytelling create an experience quite unlike anything else on PlayStation.
Critical Reception and Impact
Bloodborne was met with widespread critical acclaim upon release in March 2015. It holds a 92/100 score on Metacritic based on 100 reviews, making it one of the highest rated PS4 exclusives.
Many publications praised it as FromSoftware‘s best game yet thanks to its incredible aesthetic design, thrilling combat and engrossing world. Let‘s look at some choice review excerpts:
"An absolute, unforgettable masterpiece…. a fascinating, richly crafted world; challenging and thrilling combat; omnipresent blood and gore; and some of the most memorable boss fights you’ll ever experience." – IGN (9.5/10)
"From Software‘s finest game to date…. a master class in consistent world-building, environment design, and utterly unforgiving combat challenge." – GameSpot (9/10)
"One of the best games in years thanks to its incredible artistic substance and penetrating insight into the human psyche." – Telegraph (5/5)
"Raises the bar for the action RPG genre to near-unattainable levels with its inspired setting, visceral combat and nuanced character progression." – Game Informer (9.75/10)
Bloodborne is often considered the pinnacle of FromSoftware‘s iconic Souls formula thanks to its tighter combat, stunning gothic architecture and brooding horror tone.
It was a pivotal exclusive release that helped boost PS4 sales and received Game of the Year nominations from many outlets. Bloodborne had a major impact on gaming and remains many players‘ favorite FromSoftware title.
What Players Are Saying About Bloodborne
Bloodborne also received overwhelming praise from players upon release and is beloved by FromSoftware fans. It has a 9.1/10 user score on Metacritic based on over 2100 ratings.
Many players Call Bloodborne FromSoftware‘s magnum opus. Here are some of the most common accolades from fans:
"The intricate world design and architecture is jaw-droppingly stunning."
"Some of the most challenging and rewarding boss fights I‘ve ever experienced."
"The weapons transform into completely different styles adding amazing variety."
"The gothic horror vibe is absolutely phenomenal."
"It rewards persistence, patience and mastering its combat intricacies."
However, some issues that get criticized include:
"The 30 FPS cap causes occasional choppiness."
"The load times are painfully long on base PS4 hardware."
"It‘s extremely difficult and can be frustrating early on."
"The multiplayer features feel a bit sparse."
Overall though, Bloodborne remains intensely beloved by fans who praise its many standout qualities and view it as one of FromSoftware‘s finest achievements.
Ongoing Popularity on PS5 Thanks to PS Plus
Bloodborne was already considered a classic PS4 exclusive prior to the PS5‘s launch. However, its inclusion in the PlayStation Plus Collection has introduced FromSoftware‘s masterwork to a whole new wave of players.
The PlayStation Plus Collection provides over 20 defining PS4 games playable on PS5 through backwards compatibility. This gives PS5 owners immediate access to acclaimed exclusives like God of War (2018), The Last of Us Remastered, Uncharted 4 and Bloodborne.
According to figures from Sony, over 25% of PS5 owners who redeemed games from the PlayStation Plus Collection downloaded Bloodborne as of June 2022.
This means possibly millions of PS5 owners have now experienced Bloodborne for the first time thanks to PlayStation Plus. User reviews reflect new fans falling in love with the game 7 years after initial release:
"Can‘t believe I‘m only now playing this absolute gem of a game. The world design and combat are incredible." – Kayla M.
"Bloodborne hooked me hard. The setting/aesthetic is perfect and overcoming the tough bosses gives such a rush." – Bryan P.
"Downloaded from PS Plus and was blown away by the intricate combat and level design. An instant classic." – Max R.
For both returning fans and new players, Bloodborne continues thriving on PS5 thanks to PS Plus backwards compatibility and the Collection. It remains a pivotal release demonstrating PlayStation‘s strengths.
Does Bloodborne Still Hold Up in 2024?
For newcomers to Bloodborne in 2024, does the experience still hold up almost 8 years later? Let‘s evaluate some key factors:
Visuals – The gothic architecture and creature design still look excellent, creating a haunting atmosphere. However, the 900p resolution and 30 FPS target feel dated.
Gameplay – The smooth, challenging combat built around offense and aggression is still phenomenal. Mastering the complex weapon movesets and enemy patterns remains highly rewarding.
Performance – Unfortunately, the frame pacing and load times are rough on base PS4 hardware. The PS5 provides welcome improvements via backwards compatibility.
Content – The main game offers a meaty 30+ hour experience, but only one story DLC was ever released. Many hoped for more expansions.
Accessibility – Bloodborne is still punishingly difficult for the uninitiated. The lack of difficulty options prevents some newer players from appreciating it.
Overall, Bloodborne absolutely still holds up as one of the PS4‘s best titles, especially when played on PS5 hardware. However, some technical aspects like resolution, frame rate and load times do show their age.
Thankfully the timeless combat and explorable mystery of Yharnam continue to make experiencing Bloodborne‘s blood-soaked streets an engrossing joy. It remains a must-play PlayStation exclusive.
The Future of Bloodborne
So what does the future hold for Bloodborne? Will this PlayStation classic ever leave its exclusivity or receive a full sequel?
PC/Xbox Port – Sony owns the IP and seems unlikely to port it. But if Demon‘s Souls can get a PC port, hope lives on for Bloodborne leaving PlayStation one day.
PS5 Remaster – Seeing an updated 4K/60 FPS "Bloodborne Remastered" on PS5 seems like an obvious win. But no official remaster plans have been announced yet.
Bloodborne 2 – Director Hidetaka Miyazaki expressed interest years ago but nothing is confirmed. A sequel by FromSoftware could reignite interest, so fans continue to hold out hope.
Bloodborne‘s journey appears far from over. Between recurring remaster rumors and overwhelming demand for a sequel, this PS4 classic seems destined for exciting developments down the road.
For now, PS5 owners can experience FromSoftware‘s gothic masterpiece via backwards compatibility on the console where it all began – PlayStation.
Final Verdict: Essential for PS Plus Subscribers
FromSoftware‘s Bloodborne remains an essential PS4 title that still shines bright in 2024. It represents the pinnacle of their formula with an engrossing gothic setting, phenomenal boss fights and demandingly precise combat.
While some technical quirks show the game‘s age, its artistic brilliance and gameplay excellence remain timeless. Bloodborne deserves its status as a generation-defining PlayStation exclusive thanks to its masterful design.
PS5 owners with an active PS Plus subscription can download Bloodborne right now via the PlayStation Plus Collection and experience this dark gem at no added cost.
Sony will continue leveraging Bloodborne as a flagship PS4 title that demonstrates the strengths of PlayStation exclusives. And millions of new players on PS5 have FromSoftware‘s nightmare to dive into thanks to its inclusion with PS Plus.
So for any PS5 gamer who hasn‘t yet ventured down Bloodborne‘s gas lamp-lit streets into the madness of Yharnam, it comes highly recommended. This PS+ Collection title offers one of the most rewarding and memorable challenges on PlayStation.
