While nothing official has risen to mark the occasion, the tenth anniversary ofBloodbornehas arrived. First released in North America on June 06, 2025,Bloodbornequickly gained acclaim as one of the best games FromSoftware had ever made. Even 10 years later, withElden Ringeclipsing its sales and other FromSoftware titles likeSekiro: Shadows Die Twicewinning awards,Bloodborneis still noted as some players’ favorite Souls game, and there are plenty of reasons why this is the case.
In its day,Bloodbornewas already notable for being a major shake-up compared to FromSoftware’s spree of fantasy Souls titles, proving that the action-RPG subgenre it pioneered can work in vastly different settings with a wide array of mechanics. The gothic Victorian streets of Yharnam have their own unique appeal that has been aspired to, but never surpassed, by other Soulslikes, andBloodborne’s faster-paced combatremains thrilling and surprisingly accessible. Despite reaching ten years of age while staying exclusive to the PlayStation 4,Bloodborne’s strengths shine through even now, and they’re worth revisiting in the current year.
The Only Way To Experience Bloodborne Is To Play It As-Is
Ironically, one of the best reasons to start a newBloodbornesave file in 2025 is because of its lack of official prospects. Sony, PlayStation, and FromSoftware have not announced any new releases, follow-ups, ormajor tie-in products forBloodborne’s tenth anniversary, and even went as far as taking down a couple of well-knownBloodbornefan projects in its lead-up. With PS4 emulation still being improved upon and too intensive for most PC owners, PS4 and PS5 remain the two places to consistently play the originalBloodbornerelease, but that does at least mean it’s widely accessible.
Ten Years In, Bloodborne’s Community Remains Healthy And Supportive
Because of that, the tight-knitBloodbornefandom can remain in solidarity, and can continue supporting each other’s efforts to enjoy this one-of-a-kind game. A yearly“Return To Yharnam” event is hosted byBloodbornefansfrom March 24 to April 7, and it is meant to rejuvenate online play by encouraging New Game co-op and messages around Lamps. It’s meant to encourage new players to jump on, as well as give veterans a chance to recapture the feeling of playing through the game the first time around. With how important a sense of community is to FromSoftware’s Soulslikes, it’s a great way to experience this aspect of the game so late in its life, as well as hook up with online gathering places for fans.
Bloodborne Is A Soulslike Trail-Blazer
A game likeBloodbornewouldn’t be worth returning to if it didn’t stand out, and fortunately, it still does.Bloodborne’s commitment to a rare gothic aesthetic and high-speed action has inspired several notable imitators, likeThymesiaandLies of P, butBloodborneremains consistently viewed as the complete package. Deftly weavingBloodborne’s gothic, Victorian, and horror motifstogether would have made for a memorable setting even without a Lovecraftian twist partway through, and even without Rally healing and gun parries,Bloodborne’s mobility would still have become a touchstone that lightweight builds as recent asElden Ring Nightreign’s Duchess are calling back to.
Bloodborne’s Tail-End Is Uniquely Compelling
ThoughLies of Pand its Overture DLC have successfully escapedBloodborne’s shadow in some fans’ eyes, the old master still has unique advantages that its star pupils haven’t grasped. Not only isBloodborne’s balance of themes and gameplay still altogether distinct, it has a better inherent endgame experience than most of its peers. New Game+ cycles are present as expected, butBloodbornealso boasts the Chalice Dungeonsas a strong motivation for invested players to keep delving deeper. Although that aspect won’t be for everyone, it’s another reason whyBloodborneis worth replaying after a decade.
Bloodborne
WHERE TO PLAY
Hunt your nightmares as you search for answers in the ancient city of Yharnam, now cursed with a strange endemic illness spreading through the streets like wildfire. Danger, death and madness lurk around every corner of this dark and horrific world, and you must discover its darkest secrets in order to survive.A Terrifying New World: Journey to a horror-filled gothic city where deranged mobs and nightmarish creatures lurk around every corner.Strategic Action Combat: Armed with a unique arsenal of weaponry, including guns and saw cleavers, you’ll need wits, strategy and reflexes to take down the agile and intelligent enemies that guard the city’s dark secrets.A New Generation of Action RPG: Stunningly detailed gothic environments, atmospheric lighting, and advanced new online experiences showcase the power and prowess of the PlayStation(R)4 system.Ever-changing Chalice Dungeons to Explore: Use holy chalices to gain entrance to a network of vast underground ruins, filled with traps, beasts, and rewards, to explore and conquer alone or with others. These procedurally generated dungeons offer brand new challenges to master, and can be uploaded or shared with friends.
