Ever since FromSoftware released Bloodborne in 2015, the gaming world has been collectively wondering when a sequel to the fantastic action RPG might be forthcoming. As the years roll by and FromSoftware moves on to other projects, the odds Bloodborne will be turned into a series constantly diminishes.
With the publisher remaining tight-lipped about any games beyond the upcoming Elden Ring, anyone desperate for a return to Yharnam (or someplace similar) is left with no choice but to turn to rumors. That starvation for information gave birth to Velvet Veil, a spiritual successor rumored to be in the works. Here is everything rumored about Bloodborne 2.
Updated November 3, 2021: Although nothing has been announced regarding a Bloodborne sequel, spiritual successor, or remaster, the game's enduring popularity ensures its future will continue to be a point of discussion. FromSoftware's Elden Ring has been delayed to February 25, 2022, so players will have to wait slightly longer to get their hands on the studio's next big release. After Elden Ring's launch, it might only be a matter of time before FromSoftware or Sony reveals a new project, be it something related to Bloodborne or another beast entirely.
Velvet Veil – Is This Bloodborne's Successor?
In June 2021, a rumor made the rounds that stated FromSoftware was working on a project entitled Velvet Veil. While evidently a new IP, this game would be a spiritual follow-up to 2015's Bloodborne, according to the leak.
The Velvet Veil Rumor
Like most rumors, Velvet Veil came out of Twitter:
RUMOR
A From Software está trabalhando em um exclusivo de PS5 juntamente com a PS. É um sucessor espiritual de Bloodborne, mas não será uma sequência nem um prequel. O codinome do projeto é Velvet Veil.
O leaker falou sobre Sekiro, Deracine e Elden Ring anos atrás.
RUMOR
— Ruancarlo Silva (@ruancarlo_silva) June 17, 2021
This roughly translates to "FromSoftware is working on a PS5 exclusive with PlayStation. It is a spiritual successor to Bloodborne, but it will not be a sequel or prequel. The codename of the project is Velvet Veil. The leaker is the same one that talked about Sekiro, Deracine, and Elden Ring years ago."
The rumor doesn't provide any significant information about Velvet Veil beyond its existence and its connection to Bloodborne. However, the Twitter chain continues on to mention that Velvet Veil's release date would be sometime in February or March 2023. It also states the game would be a PS5 exclusive, which makes sense since Bloodborne was released solely on Sony's PS4.
Is The Velvet Veil Rumor Credible?
As enticing as the prospect of a Bloodborne spiritual successor is, any rumor should be taken with a grain of salt, especially one so devoid of any notable information. More importantly, the leaker referenced by the tweet has confirmed that they did not announce anything about Velvet Veil. Consequently, this rumor has no credible source to back it up.
Even if the Velvet Veil rumor stood on firmer ground, it would remain in the realm of fantasy until FromSoftware officially announces something. This turn of events doesn't mean that a Bloodborne successor will never happen, but it does suggest that Velvet Veil might not be the answer.
Bloodborne 2 – Will It Happen?
Bloodborne was a huge success for both FromSoftware and the PS4. Averaging an impressive 92 on Metacritic, the action RPG is the 11th highest-rated game on Sony's console. Bloodborne also tops FromSoftware's catalog when it comes to Metascores, eclipsing Dark Souls 2 and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice's averages of 91. Within roughly six months of its release, Bloodborne had sold more than 2 million copies, and Sony went on to confirm that the game performed better than anticipated commercially.
Bloodborne was both a critical and financial success. Taking all of that into account, it only makes sense that FromSoftware would wish to capitalize on the IP's brand recognition and produce a sequel. The studio is well-known for being tight-lipped when it comes to projects, so silence doesn't necessarily mean that Bloodborne 2 is not in the works. That said, the company and Hidetaka Miyazaki, the director of most of the Soulsborne games, have largely stepped away from sequels in recent years.
Following Bloodborne, Miyazaki went on to direct the following games:
- Dark Souls 3
- Déraciné
- Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
- Elden Ring
With the exception of Dark Souls 3, Miyazaki has spent the last five years primarily working on new IPs, albeit ones that build upon the foundations of previous FromSoftware games.
While the director doesn't often speak about released titles, Miyazaki did state in a 2019 interview with GameSpot Brazil that "Bloodborne 2... Unfortunately, it's not up to me." So, Bloodborne 2 has not been announced or even hinted at in any way by FromSoftware.
Sony Owns The Bloodborne Trademark
While developed by FromSoftware, Bloodborne was published by Sony Computer Entertainment. Sony also owns the trademark for Bloodborne, so the creation of a sequel is ultimately at the discretion of the PlayStation company. As things stand, Bloodborne 2 would be a PS5 exclusive, although there is always the off-chance that a follow-up would be given the Horizon Zero Dawn treatment and make its way to PC.
Bloodborne was not the first time FromSoftware and Sony teamed up for an exclusive, as 2009's Demon's Souls received the same treatment, but this practice has become rarer in recent years. The Dark Souls trilogy, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and the upcoming Elden Ring are all multi-platform; in fact, since 2013, FromSoftware has only released two console exclusives, Bloodborne and Déraciné, and the latter is a PlayStation VR game.
If Bloodborne 2 Were To Happen, What Could Be A Realistic Release Date?
Currently, FromSoftware is building steam for the release of Elden Ring, an action RPG that looks set to be the studio's biggest game to date. Elden Ring will debut on February 25, 2022, for the PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC. The company will presumably spend the foreseeable future supporting this project, potentially including the creation and distribution of expansions. With the exception of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, FromSoftware's recent games have generally spawned substantial DLC packages:
Games | Release Dates | Expansions | Release Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
Dark Souls | September 22, 2011 | Artorias of the Abyss | October 23, 2012 |
March 11, 2014 |
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| |
Bloodborne | March 24, 2015 | The Old Hunters | November 24, 2015 |
Dark Souls 3 | April 12, 2016 |
|
|
Presuming Elden Ring continues this trend, an expansion could drop approximately six months following the game's debut. If the RPG is especially successful, FromSoftware might very well support Elden Ring into 2023 and beyond.
While Dark Souls 2, Bloodborne, and Dark Souls 3 followed an annual release cycle, FromSoftware generally separates its big releases by at least 3 years. 2016's Dark Souls 3 was followed up by 2019's Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, which in turn will be succeeded by 2022's Elden Ring. If this schedule is maintained and Bloodborne 2 happens to be FromSoftware's next project, the game's release date is unlikely to be before 2025.
Bloodborne's Influence
The title might change, but the core remains familiar. Even if not directly linked through a license, FromSoftware and Miyazaki's games tend to naturally flow from their predecessors. Bloodborne's gothic aesthetic and more aggressive gameplay influenced Dark Souls 3, leading to the most fast-paced entry in that series.
While Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a more singular entry, Elden Ring seems set to act as some sort of culmination of FromSoftware's various projects. The game offers the customization options of Dark Souls, the stealth elements of Sekiro, and the architecture of Bloodborne. Even if Bloodborne 2 never comes to fruition, Yharnam's presence can be felt in many of FromSoftware's subsequent releases.
There is also always the chance that a Bloodborne PS5 port might be greenlit.
Is A Bloodborne PS5 Remaster Or Remake In The Pipeline?
Bloodborne 2 might be the holy grail of announcements, but the sequel is not the only prospect that has been subjected to rumors. Leaks regarding a Bloodborne remake for the PS5 have become almost commonplace.
In 2020, a French retailer leaked a Bloodborne remaster, which ultimately did not go anywhere. A few months later, Bloodborne was once again the topic of speculation as rumors circulated that a remaster was in the works. In July 2021, Bloodborne: Hunter's Edition started to gain steam. The latter is the most credible rumor of the bunch, but it is still suspect.
A Bloodborne remaster could serve as a stopgap between Elden Ring and whatever happens to follow it, with a 2023 release seeming like a smart bet. However, FromSoftware is unlikely to announce anything prior to Elden Ring since it wouldn't want anything that distracts from the upcoming game's hype.
Even if a remaster or remake never happens, PS5 owners can still play Bloodborne through the console's backward compatibility.
Which Studio Would Be A Reliable Choice For a Remaster?
A PS5 remaster of Bloodborne would need a studio that is up to the job, especially since FromSoftware is unlikely to handle the project in-house. The obvious pick is Bluepoint Games, as the Texas-based developer has a history of remastering games for PlayStation systems. Since its formation in 2005, the studio has worked on the following remasters and remakes:
- God of War Collection (2009)
- The Ico & Shadow of the Colossus Collection (2011)
- Metal Gear Solid HD Collection (2011)
- Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection (2015)
- Gravity Rush Remastered (2015)
- Shadow of the Colossus (2018)
- Demon's Souls (2020)
Although Bluepoint Games initially specialized in remasters, the studio has recently transitioned to remakes with 2018's well-received Shadow of the Colossus and, more relevant to Bloodborne, 2020's Demon's Souls. Bluepoint has already proven it can respectfully modernize a FromSoftware property without diminishing the charm and magic of the original game. Unlike 2009's Demon's Souls, Bloodborne would be fine with just a remaster since its gameplay and visuals hold up well.
In September 2021, Sony Interactive Entertainment bought Bluepoint Games as a subsidiary, a development that doesn't hurt the chances of the studio working on a Bloodborne remaster.
Bloodborne To PC?
Another persistent rumor that usually accompanies talk of a Bloodborne remaster is that the game might be ported to PC. A few years ago, a PlayStation exclusive making its way to Windows would have been considered little more than wishful thinking; however, the ports of Horizon Zero Dawn and Days Gone have proven that Sony is nowadays willing to share its projects with PC owners. There is precedent, but that does not mean that Bloodborne will eventually find itself on Steam.
In October 2021, Santa Monica Studio revealed that 2018's God of War, one of the PS4's best exclusives, will be making its way to Windows on January 14, 2022. Even more so than Horizon Zero Dawn and Days Gone, God of War's port is a gamechanger since this is the first time that Sony's flagship property will be expanding one of its main entries outside of the PlayStation ecosystem, not counting PS Now on PC. This news might have disappointed FromSoftware fans hoping for a Bloodborne PC port announcement, but if God of War can make the jump, that means no game is off-limits.
So, Is There No Way To Play Bloodborne On PC?
Although a PC port could eventually happen, at the moment, Bloodborne can only be played on PC through Sony's PS Now service. Along with games like God of War and Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, Bloodborne can be streamed through the subscription service's PC app. It is not a perfect system since the performance will vary from person to person and some lag can still be present even in the most ideal of situations, but PS Now at least provides an option.
News & Recommended Readings
Currently, there is no concrete news regarding Bloodborne 2, with everything coming down to rumors, speculation, and wishful thinking. Here are some relevant articles concerning FromSoftware and Bloodborne:
- Bloodborne 2 Should Address the Original's Weapon Problem
- Bloodborne 2 is Proof That FromSoftware May Become the Next Bethesda
- Bloodborne 2 Has a Laundry List of Possibilities on PS5
- Bloodborne 2 Has An Elder Scrolls 6 Problem
- Will Elden Ring Make Souls Fans Forget About Bloodborne 2?
- Bloodborne 2 and The Future of Souls Games on Next-Gen Consoles
- Bloodborne 2 on PS5 Should Take One Combat Detail From Sekiro
- Bloodborne 2 on PS5 Only Needs To Make One Small Change To Beat The Original
Bloodborne is currently available on PlayStation 4.