Summary
FromSoftware has been quiet about any possibleBloodborneprojects, even after the successful release ofElden Ring. Despite being a PlayStation 4 exclusive game,Bloodbornehas become a popular, cult classic that may not have the sales of eitherElden Ringor theDark Soulsseries but does have strong name recognition. Still, with the exclusivity of the title and with it being close to ten years sinceBloodborne’s initial release, a sequel is unlikely any time soon unless Bluepoint Games feels like doing another remake.
Bluepoint Games has already worked on remaking a FromSoftware title, having remadeDemon Soulsfor the PS5.
Despite FromSoftware doing very little with theBloodborneIP since the release of the first game and its one and only expansion,the grim, gothic aesthetic has been the inspiration of many other titles, especially in the Soulslike genre. Examples include titles likeThymesiaandLies of P,continuing the legacy ofBloodborne’s art style while bringing their own takes on the genre. This legacy has now extended to theElden Ringcommunity and a new mod that seeks to scratch theBloodborneitch while fans wait for a sequel that may never come.
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Graceborne Is Completely Free
WithElden Ringbeing FromSoftware’s latest Soulsborne project, it makes sense to use it as a base to bring ideas to life with total conversion mods.Gracebornehas taken this opportunityto bringBloodborne’s grim aesthetic to the Lands Between, making many changes toElden Ringto give players a look as to what a sequel to the PlayStation exclusive could look like.Graceborneis currently in its alpha state and requires thatElden Ringbe downgraded to its 1.10 version (although this will likely be amended in future).
Elden Ringhas received many patches to balance weapons for PvP.
Gracebornedoes a lot of work in order to makeElden Ringfit withBloodborne’s more grim artstyle.It uses a reshader to make the lighting more dull and dark, like a gothic horror movie, and replaces a plethora of models so that enemies emulate the grim, eldritch abominations thatBloodborneis known for. This all givesGracebornean entirely different feel toElden Ring,despite the world and objectives practically remaining the same as the vanilla version of the game.
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One of the most impressive parts of the mod isthat the music has also been changed to sound like it came straight out ofBloodborne.It particularly shines during the boss fights, and when paired with the new models for these enemies, the fights seem more like a desperate duel against gothic, horror villains that came from the mind of Lovecraft, rather than climatic battles against demi-gods. For the most part, the boss mechanics remain the same, although this could change in the future with a beta or full release.
Graceborne’s Gameplay Gives Players An Idea Of What Bloodborne 2 Could Look Like
It Scratches A Nearly Ten Year Itch
Not only have both the visuals and audio ofElden Ringbeen changed to fit in with the moody tone ofBloodborne,but the gameplay has been changed, too. From a cosmetic standpoint,players now have new armor sets to choose from to look more gothic and Victorian, rather than a medieval fantasy aesthetic, but that’s not all the mod adds. New armaments withBloodborne’s cool trick weapondesign have been added, and they have the right animations, too, so players can at least pretend they’re playingBloodborneon a PC.
Further gameplay changes have been added to makeElden Ringthe newBloodborne. The biggest change is the dodge mechanic,replacing the iconic and somewhat comedic rolling with a dash, just like the PS4 exclusive. Blood Vial animations have been included, as well as firearms for gun parrying, a feature exclusive to theBloodbornein the Soulslike series. This all makes the game quicker and feel more aggressive, just likeBloodborne, but potentially easier since the dash makes players faster thanElden Ringenemies were designed for.
The closest thingElden Ringhas to aBloodborne’s dash is the Bloodhound Step Ash of War.
Not only have the visuals received a huge change, and the gameplay has practically been directly imported from Bloodborne, but the UI has been changed, too. In general, Soulsborne games tend to have relatively similar UI, so the changes don’t affect the gameplay too much. The new UI designs added byGraceborneare relatively minor compared to everything else,but it does tie the aesthetic together nicely to make it all feel like a properBloodbornesequel, even if it isn’t quite one.
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Nearly A Decade Without Bloodborne Has Left Fans Wanting More
There Isn’t Even A Port For PC
Strangely, it is fitting thatGraceborneis only available for PC, given that it is a mod sinceBloodborneis only available for PlayStation. Despite the game’s immense success,there isn’t even a port available for PC, even if many have tried to find a way to emulate the game. FromSoftware would likeBloodborneon PC, but one of the main issues around the franchise is that the developer doesn’t actually own the IP. Currently, the IP is owned by Sony Interactive, and it doesn’t look like much will happen to it at the moment.
After getting the full rights toElden Ringfrom Bandai Namco and its recent success, FromSoftware might be doubling down on this IP. WithArmored Core 6: Fires of Rubiconbeing the developer’s latest full-release title,FromSoftware might be looking at its library of IPs and making games based on what it owns. The ownership issue of the Bloodborne IP might be what’s stopping it from being used, and the best fans will get a PC port if Sony decides to make one likeGod of WarandGhost of Tsushima.
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Ultimately, it has been a long, painful wait for anything new to come from theBloodborneIP.Graceborne’s work onElden Ringis currently the closest thing that players will get toBloodborne2and can be played on PC. It also doubles as a fresh, interesting way to play FromSoftware’s latest Soulsborne game with new weapons and dodging mechanics, especially if they have taken several Tarnished from maidenless to sitting on the throne as Elden Lord.
