It’s always difficult to penetrate a market that thrives on the success of existing, well established franchises that have made a name for themselves over the years, but when a developer with the calibre of From Software announces a new game then you have to sit up and take notice. Bloodborne may take a lot of its inspiration from the developer’s existing Dark Souls franchise, but it stands proudly on its own two feet as one of the best games of this generation, and deservedly wins the title of Best New IP as voted for by the PlayStation Universe community.
Bloodborne is a dark, action role-playing game set in the dilapidated and creepy gothic world of Yarnham. Visually it’s a masterpiece with the shadowy gameworld and cast of horrific characters instilling anxiety and fear into any would-be adventurer. The deep and engaging difficulty spikes reward perseverance and wit, while its unrivalled set pieces keep you on the edge of your seat. Masterful level design ensures that the gameworld is nirvana for those who like to explore, while its intuitive and fluid gameplay helps to deliver one of the most tension-fueled games of this console generation.
Bloodbone will frustrate some with its hefty challenge, but for those who persevere there’s a high level of satisfaction gained from beating bosses and exploring its hidden depths.
Runner-up: The Order: 1886
Ready At Dawn’s third-person action adventure shows great potential for the future of this new franchise. Not only is The Order: 1886 the best-looking game to have graced PS4, but its environment and cast of characters do more than enough to hold your attention through its 8 hour campaign. It’s going to need some tweaking in the gameplay department to elevate itself to one of PlayStation’s best franchises, but we’ve got strong hopes for its future.