Bloodborne

[VictorViper]

I think some people missed it when I posted it in the chat the other day, so I'm reposting it here. Some play-testers have discovered a glitch in the Demon's Souls 2 Alpha Test that reveals some upcoming secret information about the game.

UMBASA!!!

[Kong Wen]

Bloodborne has been delayed until 24 March to allow the team to incorporate some Alpha feedback.

[Sharecrow]

Bloodborne has been delayed until 24 March to allow the team to incorporate some Alpha feedback.

This one isn't on my radar yet but I'm pleased to hear that they're taking the time to improve it even if it pushes back release. I think that balance between quality and timeliness can be a tough call to make and I'm hopeful that these steps will make what'll probably be a great game a little greater.

[Kong Wen]

Here's a bunch more info on Bloodborne! This is looking more and more like the Demon's Souls sequel it truly is with each additional update. The world looks so much more complex and varied now than it did when the game was first teased at E3. In the last paragraph of this blog entry, they mention a big underground dungeon, and they seem to hint that it may be procedurally generated?! Or perhaps at least there's a different set version of the dungeon for each class.

[VictorViper]

Resurrecting this thread, since Bloodborne has arrived!

So far, it seems I'm the only one who's playing, but I know Kong will be getting to it soon, and I have a feeling Kiwi is going to cave eventually. Let's repurpose this thread for any post-launch news or updates/DLC/etc. and for the always fun character profiles!

I'll refrain from posting mine until at least one more of us has started to dig in.

[VictorViper]

I've got a character on NG+ at this point, with my "classic" Victor heavy build, but I also started a second file with the intent of making a build focused mainly on the game's new stat,

Spoiler

Bloodtinge

. It's a challenging build, especially before you can get the weapons you really want for this kind of character, but holy crap is it a menace when everything starts to come together.

Bloodborne may have far fewer weapon options compared to prior Souls games, true, but thus far, every single one I've encountered has been a blast to use and worthy of focusing an entire character around. Great stuff.

Current build below:

Spoiler

Vic's Bloodtinge Specialist

Lv 70 Waste of Skin

VIT - 20
END - 20
STR - 10 (base)
SKL - 30
BLD - 31
ARC - 9 (base)

Primary Weapon (Trick): Chikage Katana
Secondary Weapon (Trick): Rifle Spear
Primary Firearm: Evelyn
Secondary Firearm: Cannon

Intended finished build will look as follows:

Lv. 110 Waste of Skin

VIT - 30
END - 30
STR - 10 (base)
SKL - 31
BLD - 50
ARC - 9 (base)

[Kiwi the Tortoise]

Started the game up.

Origin Professional
Chose the cane and the pistol as weapons.

So far, nothing grand has happened.

Spoiler

Was worried I may have killed an NPC, but he showed up at the nexus equivalent so I think I am good.
Accidentally fell into a sewer area, survived the fall, made my way back out and opened some shortcuts.
Still found no equipment, but bought the armor set at the store in the hub.
Upgraded my cane and I have no clue how to level up yet, assume I may be missing the item.
Sometimes it feels hard to distinguish important stuff from background fluff

[Kiwi the Tortoise]

The adventures so far..

Spoiler

Found a boss, died 3 times to it wasting a lot of ressources
Realized that I now can level up... derp
Scavanged every nook and cranny of the known area, activating the elevator in the process.
Found a weapon which replaced my cane and brought it to +2
Found another amor set
Encountered an NPC hidden behind two hidden doorways
Kicked the bosses arse just to notice that it's a dead end
Went down the elevator, over a bridge and killed another boss on second try.

To be continued

Learned:
The gun is like a shield replacement, fire to interrupt enemies... especially human-sized bosses.
The game is DS at double the speed.

[VictorViper]

Just a tip: Don't expect to find much in the way of equipment. Don't assume the starting weapons become obsolete, either. Unlike DeS and DaS, BB has a small set of incredibly well balanced and truly effective weaponry, provided you build to their strengths, of course.

Spoiler

There are two new conditions in BB: Beasthood and Insight. I haven't dug into beasthood yet, so I don't have any real comments there, but I did get VERY familiar with Insight. Insight is gained by discovering bosses, with more given through defeating the bosses, as well as from madman's knowledge (like humanity items). It also has an inverse relationship with Frenzy (madness), which acts very much like bleed. I won't wreck any surprises, but insight has fascinating effects on the game.

[Kiwi the Tortoise]

Something I never missed in DS..

Spoiler

are goddamn gatling guns!
I reached Old Yharnam

Other things noticed:
It seems like currency is never fully lost. Died to something, much later returned to the spot and regained the stuff I lost for killing said enemy. Pretty sure I even stopped playing/died in between.
Lots of basic ressources drop of enemies, I hardly ever run out of healing/ammunition.

On weapons & stuff:

Spoiler

I currently use the Kirkhammer, which I just got.
Previously (and still in slot 2) is the Saw Spear, which I really like in it's basic mode (kinda like a Tonfa)
The Cane is shelved, while it may look elegant the whip mode does next to no dmg.
I've no clue how to skill yet, so I distribute it somewhat equally for now