"Welcome home, good hunter.
What is it you desire?"

If anyone asks me what game I wish to erase from my memories so I can play it blind again, the answer would be Bloodborne. There are a few others I'd like to mention but that's another shrine for another day.

Bloodborne was developed by a Japanese video game company, FromSoftware, Inc., and published exclusively for the Sony Playstation 4. It’s a dark fantasy, action role-playing game played from a third-person perspective. One of the best things about Bloodborne is you can customize your character’s build according to how you want to play. I chose to have a PvE build with a strong focus on vitality and strength because I very much enjoyed using the Hunter’s Axe, which is one of the two starting weapons the player can choose at the hunter’s workshop. I know axes are known to be slow but I couldn’t deny my enjoyment of watching it transform into a halberd and using it to sweep enemies off their feet. It's great fun when it comes to keeping enemies at bay. It almost feels like I'm mocking them to come at me.

Source: Bloodborne Wiki

In-Game Description
One of the trick weapons of the workshop, commonly used on the hunt.
Retains the qualities of an axe, but offers a wider palette of attacks by transforming. Boasts a heavy blunt attack, leading to high rally potential.
No matter their pasts, beasts are no more than beasts. Some choose this axe to play the part of executioner.

It's no secret Bloodborne is, actually, was the hardest video game I've ever played. If I'm only talking about FromSoftware games, then it's Bloodborne. However, back in 2018, I almost quit the game which I'll discuss later. Initially, it wasn't so bad but as time went on the game proved to be much more difficult for me. It didn't deter me from my enjoyment though. There are lots of areas to explore, mysterious NPCs to speak to, and cryptic lore pieces to puzzle together. Not to mention, the beauty of how every area in the main game are all connected together. Just when I thought I was done exploring an area there's even a special way to unlock another area.

Forsaken Cainhurst Castle is a perfect example.

Source: Bloodborne Wiki

I'm using this concept art since I don't have the screenshot for it. I'll come back to update this shrine when I have one available.

I remember pausing at the bridge and staring at the castle in awe. In fact, I frequently stop in interesting areas of the game to do copious amounts of staring. Of course, I have to get rid of enemies first before doing so. I've always been fascinated with Gothic architecture ever since I was a teenager. I'm not sure why but I've always been drawn to them.

Seeing the gatekeeper's lamps are always a welcome sight.

I've previously mentioned almost quitting Bloodborne back in 2018. The reason for this is I couldn't get past Rom, the Vacuous Spider. I found her surprisingly difficult especially her third phase. I tried every strategy I could think of and even used up all of my fire paper. I think all her flailing around and arcane shower attacks made me panic. My thumbs were hurting me to the point where I didn't want to play the game anymore. Additionally, I felt bad for killing her. She was unprovoked after all. I did went to go do some leveling up but by then, I told myself I should take a break from this game. Though, my break took longer than expected. Blame it on other video games keeping me busy. Anyway, so I did picked it up for a bit in mid 2019 and finally finished it in 2020. I kept telling myself not to do the same shameful quitting I did with Demon's Souls. Little did I knew then, Bloodborne was what motivated me to go back to it.

Hey, Rom, thanks for pushing past my limits and to be my very best at this game!
Source: Bloodborne Wiki

The Cryptic Lore Behind Rom, the Vacuous Spider
"The spider hides all manner of rituals, certain to reveal nothing, for true enlightenment need not be shared."

"The Byrgenwerth spider hides all manner of rituals and keeps our lost master from us. A terrible shame. It makes my head shudder uncontrollably."

"Ahh, Kos or some say Kosm... Do you hear our prayers? As you once did for the vacuous Rom, grant us eyes, grant us eyes." - Micolash, Host of the Nightmare

Bloodborne's story is quite a long one. The best way to delve deep into the lore is listen to videos on YT but the general story is our protagonist, in this case my character's name is Helaina, she takes on the role as a hunter and her main objective is to seek a cure for her mysterious ailment as well as learning about the origin of the plague. I never got to find out what Helaina had but I would imagine she has some kind of cancer. The place she goes to is called Yharnam, a Victorian era-like fictional city with a Lovecraftian feel to it. There are a lot of interesting Gothic architecture and intricate detailing in every interior. Yharnam's vibes gives off a very haunting and unsettling presence yet, it still has beautiful characteristics to it. Unfortunately, many of the residents express a lot of resentment towards outsiders including our protagonist. Some are crazed, many are infected with the plague, and mobs of citizens often hunt those who are sickened with the plague. All matter of beasts roam the areas preying and waiting to scare the player.

Source: Bloodborne wiki

Upon waking up, Helaina finds herself in a clinic. Little did she know, she is doomed to fight all matters of beasts until she returns to the waking world. Or to become a part of it...


It looks like Helaina spent too long in the nightmare.
The sky looks a little creepy but I think it's beautiful too. It would be really cool if I could have a few yards of fabric dyed with the sky's color palette and maybe sew a dress out of it.


My favorite location besides the Cainhurst Castle is the Hunter's Dream. Low-key would like to "live" here. It would be nice if I could get away from the real world and jump into this place to relax in front of the fire.


The messengers look a bit creepy but also cute at the same time. I remember my mom walked past by me and asked if these things were ghosts. (ᵔ◡ᵔ) She doesn't watch me play games though, she often asks me what I'm playing if something catches her eyes on the screen whenever she's in my room to have a short chat.

I don't like ranking things because it's difficult so I'm just going to list in a random order.

Favorite Boss Fights

Source: Bloodborne Wiki

Martyr Logarius: If I didn't know about Cainhust Castle, I would've missed him. I love how he gradually comes to life in the cut scene and he starts doing his skull spell right when I get into the fight. I love how the soundtrack made it even more fun to go up against him. Honestly, the idea of fighting on a rooftop is more fun compared to fighting on a bridge. It's somewhat easier to focus on the boss and having to worry less about the camera not adjusting.

Imagine if he's actually alive, would he be much more powerful than his undead self?

Vicar Amelia: One of the most intense boss fights I've had so far. Her design sets the tone of the game. I felt bad for her because she can't control her transformations. I felt like she's trying to apologize to us players she really means no harm but the beast inside her won't let her be.

Micolash, Host of the Nightmare: Probably an unpopular opinion but I enjoyed this fight. He's not as bad as a lot of other people make him out to be. I remember equipping some robes with arcane resistance which made the fight a lot more bearable. The things he said about Rom was interesting.

Gehrman, The First Hunter: This fight was lots of fun. He's a very badass boss. I never expected him to be so agile despite his age. I love how he just sits there quietly and falling asleep at the back of the workshop but when I got to the ending to say no, he surprised me with his move set.


Source: Bloodborne Wiki

Ludwig, The Accursed: Very challenging boss with an all around intense fight. I really like the soundtrack to him and his cut scene was a pleasant surprise.

Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower: I love her outfit and she's the most unique boss I've ever came across. Her set moves are interesting which made the fight lots of fun.

Yharnam, The Pthumerian Queen: (in the picture, she appears in front of the boss entrance for Mergo's Wet Nurse) A painful process to get to her but I was happy to face her because her unique move set made the fight interesting. Her outfit gave me unsettling vibes, though. She's not a difficult boss compared to all the others I've faced but it doesn't mean it made the game less fun. I only wish the devs didn't place her in the chalice dungeons.

Father Gascoigne: Like all the others above, just an all around intense fight. I remember sort of hiding behind the gravestones just so I can play the music box. It was kind of scary because I didn't know if he was going to hit me through the gravestones or jump over them.

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Least Favorite Boss Fights

Rom, the Vacuous Spider: I kinda felt bad for her. She was standing there unprovoked but I had to kill her in order to progress into the game. Earlier, I've mentioned her final phase was the most difficult. I think the arcane showers made it particularly difficult. I kept running while fighting off the little spiders. Trying to pay attention to two different things going on at once wasn't a good idea at all.

Amygdala (main game & dungeon): Oh, no! Not the limbs! I didn't like him because the way he fights is exasperating. (￣ヘ￣)

Laurence, the First Vicar: I kept dying during his final phase. Just when he has a sliver of HP left, I get killed. (`皿´＃)

Orphan of Kos: Probably the hardest boss in the game. (╯°益°)╯彡┻━┻
I felt so exhausted by the time I finally got him, I didn't even feel happy. Just relieved about not having to hear him screaming again until new grounds.

Pthumerian Descendant: Really cool boss design and very creepy looking but he is extremely agile and unforgiving. I can't even remember how many times I've died fighting him.

Headless Bloodletting Beast: (Great Pthumeru Ihyll Chalice Dungeon) Anything headless freaks me out. 〣( ºΔº )〣

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Most Horrific Looking

One Reborn, Moon Presence, and Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos

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Least Favorite Enemies

Brainsuckers & Winter Lanterns: I'm so relieved they didn't put too many in the game.
Let's have them suck all the insights from the players and give them frenzy too!

The Giant Shark brothers(?) in the well containing the Rakuyo trick weapon. I think what made the fight hard was the confined space combined with two hard-hitting enemies. Thinking back on this fight reminded me of a similar fight in Nioh where William fights the Onryoki inside a ship. The inside of the ship is cramped and the Onryoki's insane attacks felt much more difficult compared to the sharks.

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Favorite Go-To Weapons
Ludwig's Holy Blade	Holy Moonlight Sword
In-Game Description A trick weapon typically used by Healing Church hunters. It is said that the silver sword was employed by Ludwig, the first hunter of the church. When transformed, it combines with its sheath to form a greatsword. The Healing church workshop began with Ludwig, and departed from old Gehrman's technique to provide hunters with the means to fight more terrifying beasts, and perhaps things still worse.	In-Game Description An arcane sword discovered long ago by Ludwig. When blue moonlight dances around the sword, and it channels the abyssal cosmos, its great blade will hurl a shadowy lightwave. The Holy Moonlight Sword is synonymous with Ludwig, the Holy Blade, but few have ever set eyes on the great blade, and whatever guidance it has to offer, it seems to be of a very private, elusive sort.
Favorite Clothing Sets
Knight Set	Cainhurst Set
The only reasons why I like these sets it's because they're both so pretty and intricately detailed. The Knight set doesn't provide much physical defense so my character only wears it whenever she goes up against a weaker enemy.

This shrine is meant to show my love for the game but I'd be lying to myself if I said this game is perfect. Besides, there's no such thing as a perfect game. Bloodborne is still a masterpiece though. The cons of this game are so minor, I can look past my small criticisms.

The Chalice Dungeons wasn't what I expected. I guess I didn't expect much of anything but I sort of hope it would add something more useful to the game. I only went through the dungeons because I needed to fight Yharnam, The Pthumerian Queen which took me a long time to get to her. I was mostly stuck in the Defiled Chalice dungeon where my HP stayed at 50% for the entire time. NOT cool! It didn't help when the Amygdala makes its second appearance either. Like, really, FromSoftware? Why reuse him? (¬､¬) Compared to my first time, I died a lot less but he still proved to be challenging despite being warned out from going up against the Watchdog of the Old Lords. FromSoftware sure loves their crazy dogs. *lol*

If the Chalice Dungeons have a variety of environments, I think I would've enjoyed it more. It sort of has a very cramped feeling to it but kinda creepy as well. It's still cool to see some unseen monsters that aren't in the main game though. I have to admit the roly poly dude is funny. I could hardly contain my laughter during my fight with him.

One last minor thing I didn't like was the two giant sharks in the Fishing Hamlet well. Seriously, screw those two. One giant shark was already bad enough but having two in there made it a million times worse. ＼(｀0´)／

Last but not least, Bloodborne has an incredible OST. If I've never heard of the game before and randomly come across the soundtrack, I would've loved it either way. The music gave me a lot of chills and made me felt like I was a real life hunter. One thing I should mention about this soundtrack: It's nice to be able to hear the music instead of hearing all the screaming from Orphan of Kos.

The document is written by Redgrave and narrated by Jay Britton. I feel like they were able to capture the atmosphere of the game and piece together the lore in a nicely packaged gift for us fans. I wasn't even aware of Redgrave's work until this year (2022) and I'm so glad YouTube's algorithm graced me with this video. If anyone can describe Bloodborne's story in an eloquent way, it's Redgrave, in my opinion. The narrator's voice is great too and sort of reminds me a little of Alfred's (the Hunter of the Vilebloods) voice.

This is the second game I've played by FromSoftware. My first one was Demon's Souls but maybe I shouldn't count it as first because I quit the game for about six years (barely went passed the bridge with the Red Dragon) and finally picked it up again after beating Bloodborne.

I once had a dream about being a hunter hunting beasts. I felt the same feelings when I played the game but raise the intensity a few more levels. I woke up thinking I wouldn't want to live in Bloodborne's world. It would be too frightening. Being doomed to forever wander the nightmare isn't something I want to do.

I have a platinum achievement for this game. Going after achievements for every game seems like a chore to me and I'll only go for it depending on the type of game. In this case, Bloodborne was like [insert challenge accepted meme here] for me.

Some time ago, I made this shrine but felt I wasn't much of a writer so I haphazardly threw whatever I could together. Ultimately, it didn't do the game justice and it made me felt like I didn't love the game as much as those who have done video essays about this game. This isn't to say I want to be like them but I wanted to write with passion even when I didn't have new information to add to the table. A few factors played a role which I won't discuss on this page but I just wanted to say I'm finally content with this shrine. I may not be the best writer (and I don't have to be) but I'm really proud of overcoming my anxiety about writing. If you've made it this far, thanks for reading!

"Farewell, good hunter.
May you find your worth in the waking world."

◻️ All pixels by King-Lulu-Deer@deviantart.
◻️ All screenshots (including The Doll, background image, lantern above 'Final Thoughts', and lamp lights next to Bloodborne title) taken by me unless they're sourced elsewhere.
◻️ Black roses divider: unknown.
◻️ The Bloodborne title is from one of those PNG sites but I don't remember which one.
◻️ Black rose cursor: cursors-4u

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