Summary
WhileBloodbornewas a tour de force and a new take on FromSoft’s Soulslikes genre, the fact that the game still hasn’t received a sequel after so long since its release is arguably a sign it will be retired to the developer’s history as a unique one-hit-wonder. Despite receiving critical acclaim with fans so eagerly anticipating a sequel that initial teasers forSekiro: Shadows Die Twicewere mistaken for a potentialBloodborne 2, it seems thatBloodbornewill remain as just a standalone game. Yet as disappointing as it might seem to its community of fans, this could be the best-case scenario forBloodborneand its future.
Between FromSoft moving on to other projects such as its most recent and equally successfulElden Ringand other indie Soulslike gamesachievingBloodborne-like statuses such asLies of PorRemnant 2, the initial niche Bloodborne itself had found may now have become much more mainstream for FromSoft’s liking. As a result, thoughBloodbornehad established a deep, complex Lovecraftian universe, it seems that FromSoft is playing to its strengths in the dark and high fantasy genres. So with leaks around FromSoft’s next game already hinting at this shift in development, it might be time to retire fans' hopes of aBloodbornesequel.
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Bloodborne Redefined the Future of Soulslikes
ThoughDark Soulswent on to lay the initial groundwork for the concept of Soulslike games, it wasn’t until the release ofBloodbornethat the genre truly came into its own, owing to the alternative term Soulsborne as a combination of the two FromSoft properties. BeforeBloodborne,FromSoft’s Soulslike games were defined by common featuressuch as world exploration, difficult gameplay, and interpretive storytelling, but based onDark Soulsalone many believed that these games also needed to be dark fantasies. However, this limited scope was radically expanded and redefined following the release ofBloodborne.
Including its significant departure fromDark Souls' focus on defense and evasion,Bloodbornewas a much different approach to the Soulslike format that instead prioritized aggressive gameplay as FromSoft aimed to broaden the game’s appeal to a larger community of players. From the first-time addition of guns in place ofDark Souls' shields and its contrasting Victorian Gothic setting,Bloodbornerewrote what many had thought was a strict formula for Soulslike games to become the Soulsborne genre. Arguably, if it weren’t forBloodbornepaving the way for others to travel, many currently beloved critically acclaimed games couldn’t have followed, such as:
Bloodborne Will Forever Be A FromSoft Cornerstone
Even a decade after its releaseBloodborneremains just as popular as it did at launch, proven by calls for both its sequel and a remake, many new Soulslike games seen as its spiritual successor likeLies of P, and even the bizarre fan-made demake spin-offBloodborne Kartsoon to be officially released on July 09, 2025. Since then, however, FromSoftware has put distance between it andBloodborne, as followingSekiro: Shadows Die Twicethe developer returned to replicatingDark Souls' dark fantasy style withElden Ring. Whether intentional or not, it seems thatFromSoft has no priorities regarding aBloodborneremakeor sequel for the time being.
Though this might be disappointing to some, this still could be with everyone’s best interests in mind as regardless of what FromSoft has in store for future development,Bloodbornewill always be one of its most distinctive and formative games. Having already inspired and been compared to many like-minded games,Bloodbornehas set as much of a standard as theDark Soulsseries did. So while FromSoft can focus on its talents with dark fantasySoulslikes as with its upcomingElden RingDLC, its experimentalBloodbornecan remain a timeless standalone game that leads the way for the Soulsborne genre.
Bloodborne
WHERE TO PLAY
Hunt your nightmares as you search for answers in the ancient city of Yharnam, now cursed with a strange endemic illness spreading through the streets like wildfire. Danger, death and madness lurk around every corner of this dark and horrific world, and you must discover its darkest secrets in order to survive.A Terrifying New World: Journey to a horror-filled gothic city where deranged mobs and nightmarish creatures lurk around every corner.Strategic Action Combat: Armed with a unique arsenal of weaponry, including guns and saw cleavers, you’ll need wits, strategy and reflexes to take down the agile and intelligent enemies that guard the city’s dark secrets.A New Generation of Action RPG: Stunningly detailed gothic environments, atmospheric lighting, and advanced new online experiences showcase the power and prowess of the PlayStation(R)4 system.Ever-changing Chalice Dungeons to Explore: Use holy chalices to gain entrance to a network of vast underground ruins, filled with traps, beasts, and rewards, to explore and conquer alone or with others. These procedurally generated dungeons offer brand new challenges to master, and can be uploaded or shared with friends.
