Despite the fact that it was released over eight years ago now, FromSoftware's PS4-exclusive Bloodborne remains a frequent talking point in many gamers' conversations. The impact that the sprawling action-RPG had on the industry cannot be overstated. Cited by many as not only one of the best PS4 exclusives but one of the greatest video games of all time, Bloodborne combines many of Dark Souls' well-known elements with a faster, more aggressive style, resulting in some of FromSoftware's best combat encounters. With its 30 FPS frame rate being one of the game's biggest weaknesses, many feel it is deserving of a remake, and doing so could serve two key purposes: Not only could it fix any visual issues, but it could also add some new content, in a bid to appease those who are waiting for an elusive sequel.
Frame rate issues aside, it's tough to find many other errors in Bloodborne's formidable armor. The game's vast variety of builds complements its free-flowing combat perfectly. The level of challenge is easily on par with the Dark Souls trilogy, and many would argue that the lack of shields actually makes the game even tougher. The Lovecraftian setting of Yharnam is arguably one of the finest game worlds ever built, with some of the most creative world and enemy designs seen to date. Areas such as the Nightmare Frontier and monsters like Ludwig, The Holy Blade, are not easily forgotten. A PS5-exclusive remake, similar to what Bluepoint did with FromSoftware's Demon's Souls, is a mouth-watering proposition for fans.
A Bloodborne Remake Could Serve More Than One Purpose
With the darkly twisted world of Yharnam being such a feast for the eyes, it's hard not to imagine how much better things could look in a remake. Bloodborne is locked at a disappointing 30 FPS on PS5, and in 2023, with many other PS5 games running at a fixed 60 FPS as standard, revisiting the game can feel a little archaic at times. Even those who feel that Bloodborne is still nowhere near old enough to be remade would struggle to argue against the frame rate issue needing to be remedied.
If Bloodborne ends up being remade but doesn't get a sequel, whichever developer takes on the project could utilize the opportunity to add some fresh content into the mix. While Bluepoint's Demon's Souls remake was largely praised for its stunning visuals and crisp presentation, some fans felt that it may have been slightly too faithful in its recreation. The game is almost a carbon copy of its 2009 namesake except for the huge amount of graphical difference. It does feel like the developer may have missed an opportunity to add in new content, such as the infamous missing sixth Archstone, or at least some new optional bosses.
Bloodborne's DLC, titled The Old Hunters, introduced some of the game's best bosses and areas, and there's no reason to believe that any potential remake couldn't do the same by adding additional content. Remakes such as Resident Evil 4 and Final Fantasy 7 Remake have shown that finding the optimal balance between staying true to the source material and putting a fresh spin on well-known events can yield incredible results.
Whether a Bloodborne remake or even a sequel ever materialize remains to be seen. FromSoftware reportedly has another game in active development, aside from the upcoming Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon and Elden Ring's DLC, and many will be hoping that this mystery project could be Bloodborne related. For now, though, fans of the genre still have plenty to look forward to, with the aforementioned expansion titled Shadow of the Erdtree on the horizon, and Lies of P, a soulslike that shares many similarities with Bloodborne, set for an August release.
Bloodborne is available now on PS4.
