When one talks about some of the most challenging games ever released, then it goes without saying thatBloodbornewould be an inevitable part of the conversation. After all, this title reinvigorated the combat that was made popular inDark Soulsby adding a burst of energy and adrenaline to the proceedings, making for a gaming experience that is truly unique in every sense of the word.
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However, to praiseBloodbornesolely on the merits ofthis balanced difficultywould be a huge disservice to the other achievements of the game that are equally as impressive, if not more so. One such aspect of the game that should definitely be highlighted stems from its Gothic and Lovecraftian roots — the areas that the player traverses. Each of the areas inBloodborneis carefully crafted to make the simple act of walking from point A to point B some of the most beautiful, exhilarating, and dangerous moments in the game — sometimes all at once! To further illustrate this point, here are ten of the best areas that one gets to traverse inBloodborne.
10Moonlit Lake
While including this area on the list might be a bit of a stretch — after all, it’s just a boss arena and has absolutely nothing else of note — one can’t deny just how beautiful the Moonlit Lake really is.
One can get lost looking at the sheer expanse of hypnotic nothingness… before one of Rom’s spider minions knocks some sense into the player.
9Old Yharnam
Old Yharnam might technically be an optional area, but there’s no denying how amazing this location really is… and how challenging as well. From the very moment the player character enters Old Yharnam, he is warned by Djura to step back or suffer the consequences — the consequences here coming in the form of a rather annoying Gatling Gun.
This area is capped off bythe Blood-Starved Beast, which is a good challenge for theBloodborneplayers who’ve just started playing the game.
8Cathedral Ward
The Cathedral Ward has everything that a good From Software area has — a safe haven with interesting NPC interactions, a number of branching paths leading to different areas, anda large number of unique enemiesthat keep the player on their toes at all times.
This area also houses a shortcut to what is easily one of the coolest areas in the entire game.
7Abandoned Old Workshop
The Abandoned Old Workshop is one of the most interesting areas inBloodborne, simply due to the fact that its the origin of the Hunter’s Dream — an area that won’t be mentioned for the last time in this list.
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Finding this area is a sizable challenge in itself, but the end result is more than worth it — players are greeted with what is easily one of the most mysterious and lore-relevant areas in the entire game,answering a ton of questionsthat most people might have about the game itself.
6Fishing Hamlet
The Old HuntersDLC is easily one of the best expansions packs ever released for a video game, and the fact that all three of the DLC’s major areas are featured on this list speaks volumes when it comes to the amazing content at display here.
The Fishing Hamlet is ranked lower than its counterparts, simply because of how incredibly frustrating it can be to traverse this area at times. The Shark Giants are easily one of the hardest enemies inBloodborne, and trying to take these monsters on can prove to be quite a challenging endeavor indeed — especially if the player is searching for the Rakuyo.
5Cainhurst Castle
It would be impossible for a game inspired by Gothic architecture and styles to not have a Dracula-esque castle level to explore.Bloodbornedoes exactly this with the inclusion of Cainhurst Castle, which is easily one of the best levels in the entire.
From the meticulous manner in which enemies are placed all over the area to an absolute humdinger of a boss at the end — there’s little to nothing that Cainhurst Castle does wrong.
4Central Yharnam
Bloodborneeasily has one of the best starting areas in the entire game, showing players all the ropes while simultaneously increasing the level of challenge in the area at a slow and deliberate pace.
Trying to clear the main square of all the enemies and dealing with the two werewolves on the bridge leading up to the Cleric Beast are just two of the many highlights present in this amazing area.
3Hunter’s Nightmare
The Hunter’s Nightmare serves as the perfect introduction toThe Old Hunters, letting players traverse a twisted version of the Cathedral Ward that feels familiar yet unnerving at the same time.
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With challenging hunter encounters and a bunch of goodies that can be picked up, the Hunter’s Nightmare is a great starting point in a DLC that just keeps on escalating quality-wise.
2Research Hall
The Research Hall is easily one of the most intricate and lore-heavy areas in the entire game, making for an experience that is equal parts confusing yet rewarding.
Journeying through this area is a challenge at every step, but one can’t deny that the end goal ofmeeting Lady Mariamore than makes up for the frustrations that players might feel traversing this multi-layered area.
1Hunter’s Dream
It would be impossible to talk about the best areas inBloodbornewithout mentioning the brilliant hub of this game. The Hunter’s Dream is an area that is beautiful yet eerie at the same time. It might be a safe haven for players, but there’s no denying just how much mystery surrounds this location.
It’s no wonder as to why the majority of speculation aroundBloodbornecenters around this particular area in the game.
