Title: Bloodborne
Developer: From Software
Platform: PlayStation 4

Welcome to Yharnam, a run-down Gothic Victorian city home to a number of frightening Lovecraftian creatures. Everywhere, a terrible plague is turning humans into horrible monsters. Your task, as Hunter, is to join The Hunt, shed some blood, and escape from this nightmare. And die. Die lots.

While Bloodborne is technically a Japanese role-playing game, it shares little with the common definers of the genre. It's a game by From Software, the name behind the popular Souls series, and bears great similarities to the Souls series. Don't expect lengthy cutscenes or walls of text--or even a clear story-line. It's, above all, action and atmosphere.

Those familiar with the Souls series--either through experience or simply by name--undoubtedly know the single adjective most used to describe it: hard. Yes, Bloodborne is also hard. But fair. Having played Dark Souls, I can say that Bloodborne is a fair game. Fair--but hard. If you're looking for a game that will hold your hand, look elsewhere. You're on your own from the moment you start, and there's no lower difficulty to run to. There are no checkpoints in the middle of areas, and once you die, you start over and all enemies respawn. And that's the hardest thing: having to start over.

Let's start with the environment. Similar to Dark Souls, Bloodborne is made up of one large area--the city of Yharnam--with various regions that are seamlessly connected. The environment is breathtaking and completely immersive. Every building and every structure help to shape a terrifying setting. One of my bigger complaints about the Souls series is that many enemies don't fit with their surroundings. Random knights wander the woods and undead soldiers sit in streams. But in Bloodborne, nothing stands out. Everything looks to be such an intricate part of Yharnam. That makes ambushes even more unpredictable. As I wandered around Yharnam, I was filled both with awe and fear. I never once felt safe there. That's such an incredible combination of feelings to instill.

When it comes to gameplay, Bloodborne is one of the smoothest action games I've ever played. Controls are so responsive it makes Dark Souls II seem like a lagging turtle by comparison. Unlike the Souls series, there's no shield here. You get two weapons: a melee trick weapon, which holds a short and long form, and a gun. That's all you get and that's all you need. There are a good number of different weapons to choose from, but the best part is that you can make a viable build with just about any. A fair amount of clothing, too, for those who love to customize.

Boss battles are where it's at, though. If there's ever a game that gives players a sense of sheer achievement, it's Bloodborne. From the very first boss battle, it's an intense experience that will send your heart pounding heavily. No pause button, either, so find time to calm down at your own risk. But the thrill. Oh, God! The thrill of fighting a boss in Bloodborne is just indescribable. From the moment where you find your attack takes away only a fraction of the boss's health to the moment where you see that glorious "PREY SLAUGHTERED" phrase appear on the screen, you're praying and hoping you can win. And when you do, you pause in disbelief, then realise there's still much more to come.

It's hard to describe Bloodborne because the experience is so crucial in understanding it. Even watching it comes nowhere close to actually holding the controller. If you want a game that's a real adventure, this is it. It's a great challenge, but it's one of the most satisfying challenges you will ever undertake. Be prepared for a whirlwind of extreme emotions.