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Bloodborne, the gothic horror action RPG from FromSoftware, captivated players with its brutal difficulty and haunting atmosphere. The Old Hunters DLC expands upon this foundation, plunging players deeper into the nightmarish world of Yharnam. This review explores whether The Old Hunters lives up to the high bar set by the base game.

Bloodborne: The Old Hunters Key Art

A Grueling Challenge Awaits

FromSoftware, renowned for challenging DLC like the Dark Souls series’ “Artorias of the Abyss” and “Lost Crowns” trilogy, brings that same punishing yet rewarding gameplay to Bloodborne with The Old Hunters. The first noticeable element is the amplified difficulty. While the base game was already notoriously difficult, The Old Hunters cranks it up a notch, presenting a formidable challenge even for seasoned hunters.

A grotesque new enemy in Bloodborne: The Old Hunters

Alongside familiar foes, The Old Hunters introduces a host of grotesque new creatures and bosses. FromSoftware’s creature design is on full display here, with truly unsettling and imaginative designs. These nightmarish foes are not just visually impressive; their difficulty matches their appearance. The five new bosses offer intense, intricate battles, often featuring devastating area-of-effect attacks that demand precise timing and strategic thinking. Even regular enemies can prove deadly, especially in groups or with new abilities like Arcane attacks. This increased challenge truly tests a hunter’s skill and solidifies The Old Hunters as an essential experience for those seeking a demanding but rewarding adventure.

Expanding the Hunt: New Content and Lore

As an expansion, The Old Hunters naturally introduces a plethora of new content. Beyond the new enemies and bosses, players can discover 10 new weapons, including the iconic Holy Moonlight Sword, new attire sets, and deeper lore. Much like the base game, the narrative in The Old Hunters is cryptic and requires careful piecing together. The DLC begins in the Hunter’s Nightmare, a twisted vision of Cathedral Ward. Here, players face the Old Hunters, the first generation of hunters driven mad and transformed into monstrous killers.

The Hunter's Nightmare in Bloodborne: The Old Hunters

While some feared the new areas might resemble the Chalice Dungeons, which were primarily focused on challenge over narrative, The Old Hunters does offer compelling story elements that expand the lore of Bloodborne. Players gain insight into the descent into madness that plagued the first hunters and confront Ludwig, the first hunter of the Healing Church and wielder of the Holy Blade. These additions provide valuable context and a richer understanding of the dark world of Bloodborne for those invested in uncovering its secrets.

Exploring the Lore in Bloodborne: The Old Hunters

Minor Gripes in the Hunt

Despite the compelling new content and challenges, The Old Hunters isn’t without its shortcomings. Accessing the DLC requires progression through the main game, even on New Game+ cycles. This means players who have already completed the game must replay a significant portion, potentially at increased difficulty, to reach the Hunter’s Nightmare.

Navigating challenging environments in Bloodborne: The Old Hunters

Another issue lies with the AI of NPC companions. While the DLC makes summoning hunters before boss fights easier, their effectiveness is often hampered by their erratic behavior. They can get stuck on objects or mindlessly charge into combat without strategy, limiting their usefulness. Lastly, the camera can still be problematic, especially in tight spaces, where it can become disorienting during intense encounters. Despite patches, this issue persists and can detract from the experience.

Conclusion: A Worthy Hunt

Despite some minor flaws, Bloodborne: The Old Hunters delivers a compelling and challenging experience that expands upon the already excellent base game. The increased difficulty, new enemies, weapons, and lore additions offer substantial content for dedicated hunters. While accessing the DLC may require replaying portions of the game, the rewards within the Hunter’s Nightmare are well worth the effort. If you crave a challenging and atmospheric expansion to the world of Bloodborne, The Old Hunters is a must-play.