There's a very real chance that Sony could purchase FromSoftware via its parent company Kadokawa—a prospect that has yielded a wide array of reactions from gaming audiences. Those against the acquisition have expressed concerns about Sony controlling FromSoftware's legacy IP, taking autonomy away from the developer, and locking its future releases to PlayStation hardware.
Needless to say, the internet has been abuzz with fervent discussion around this topic since it breached, and the debate can only be expected to intensify as Sony inches closer to purchasing Kadokawa. In the midst of so much conversation, one question seems to be on everyone's lips: what will happen to Demon's Souls and Bloodborne if Sony owns FromSoftware? Demon's Souls, famously locked to the PS3 since its initial release, received a remake rather than a port back in 2020, but Bloodborne has been notoriously neglected over the past decade, much to the chagrin of fans. With both franchises being associated with PlayStation almost as much as with FromSoftware itself, Sony would be positioned to push them forward were this acquisition to go through. What exactly Sony chooses to do with these IP could define its legacy as FromSoftware's new owner.
If Sony Buys FromSoftware, It Needs To Do Something With Bloodborne
Bloodborne Has Been Effectively Ignored By Sony and FromSoftware Since 2015
The neglect of Bloodborne is among the most baffling phenomena in modern AAA gaming. Fans' initial outcry for a Bloodborne PC port may have been a bit unrealistic back in the mid-2010s, but it's far less absurd now that Sony's biggest franchises, including God of War and The Last of Us, have been brought to Windows. Moreover, in this age of incessant and sometimes unnecessary remakes and remasters, revisiting Bloodborne seems like a no-brainer.
Naturally, many fans have held out hope for a Bloodborne sequel, though the lack of such a project is actually fairly in-keeping with how FromSoftware handles much of its IP.
The argument that Sony and FromSoftware are basically passing up free money by leaving Bloodborne in the dust would be all the more relevant were the two were to become officially conjoined. Licensing issues would be no obstacle under these circumstances, and it would be in the best interests of both audiences and the controlling parties to publish some sort of Bloodborne remaster or remake. Additionally, and perhaps more importantly, such a move could be a smart strategic decision by Sony.
A Bloodborne Remaster, Remake, or PC Port Could Soften the Blow of Sony Buying FromSoftware
A lot of gamers are going to be quite unhappy if FromSoftware winds up acquiring FromSoftware—a studio that has long been viewed as a bastion for innovative third-party games. Of course, the notion of IP like Dark Souls and Elden Ring becoming PlayStation-exclusive is bad enough, but this sort of industry consolidation could negatively impact PlayStation owners as well. After all, with the industry's "favorite" developer now under its umbrella, Sony would have far less motivation to be inventive and creative with its exclusives, with a risk-averse approach potentially becoming its best business strategy.
Consumers are aware of these risks, and while a Bloodborne remaster, remake, PS5 upgrade, et cetera, wouldn't erase these concerns, it would definitely be a dose of good will that could help Sony in the long run. Not only would such a release show that something good, something that fans have begged for for years, can come from this acquisition, but it would also be a reminder of what Sony and FromSoftware have accomplished together in the past. On top of all this, there's really no conceivable reason not to have a modern Bloodborne with FromSoftware under Sony's roof, so it could be virtually unavoidable.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 91 /100 Critics Rec: 98%
- Released
- March 24, 2015
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Violence
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Publisher(s)
- Sony
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.
- Engine
- Havok
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- ps4,ps5
- Cross Save
- yes
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- no
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 4
- How Long To Beat
- 33 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- no
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
