FromSoft at their very strongest. Atmosphere, design and gameplay come together in perfect thematic harmony, enthralling players with tight, tense combat and endorphin-loaded dodging against a horrific menagerie of brilliant creatures and iconic bosses. The crowning glory that is Bloodborne's soundtrack brings what is already near-perfect gameplay to heights never again achieved--even in the likes of Sekiro and Elden Ring.

The farming of Blood Vials and the downright awful rogue-like "Dungeon Chalice" system are good ideas--making players nervous about using their copious yet limited powerful heal and providing what is in essence an infinite amount of content sound like they would suit perfectly, but end up lackluster and annoying - the former especially sometimes going so far as to gatekeep people from enjoying the game as a whole.

You go to face the monster.

The monster is too fast and strong for you and defeats you effortlessly.

You fight it a few more times and you start learning its patterns, getting familiar with its moves, anticipating to its attacks.

Suddenly, almost by mistake, you kill it at the last second, the mission, what brought you to its lair, is accomplished.

But you come back.

Now you kill its brothers and sisters, each time faster than the last.

You become so accustomed to its kind that they are not even nuisances in your path, your weapon designed specifically to hurt them, your clothing made from their corpses.

You are no longer the prey. You are the hunter.