‘Bloodborne: The Old Hunters’ plunges you into a hellish new nightmare

“Bloodborne” introduced us to a dark, twisted world populated with Lovecraftian monstrosities and disquieting occult mysteries. By offering us an avenue into another hidden corner of said world, its downloadable expansion, “The Old Hunters,” is a natural extension of that experience. But while treading familiar pathways – in both the literal and figurative sense – may mean more of the same, this fresh plunge into the depths of depravity delivers enough surprises to make it an indispensable supplement to the core game.

And make no mistake; this journey is more punishing, its sights more gruesome, than even the most hardened “Souls” players will be prepared for. Developer FromSoftware ramps up the nightmare fuel in more ways than one, and by doing so, rounds out the “Bloodborne” adventure in sadomasochistic fashion.



The old ones

Welcome to the Hunter’s Nightmare, where all hunters who have become drunk with blood end up. A perverted reflection of reality, this realm serves as an arena where those such as yourself do endless battle with Yharnam’s malformed terrors. The presence of fellow hunters may sound reassuring, until you realize they no longer care whether you’re man or beast; if you bleed, you’re prey.

Few enemies are as daunting as those whose dexterity, tools, and techniques mirror your own. Sure, “Bloodborne” boasted encounters with hunters who wanted nothing more than your head mounted on a wall. But in “The Old Hunters,” they’re trapped forever in this strange, blood-drenched limbo. In game terms, they respawn, they’re more numerous, and they wield weapons the likes of which you’ve never seen in a “Souls” game.

As for the monsters unique to “The Old Hunters,” several will force you to adopt new tricks, as tried-and-tested methods that got you through the base game won’t always work as smoothly. The rest possess movesets that have been recycled from the original game’s enemies, though with enough tweaks to keep you guessing.

Your non-human foes are as dangerous as they are hideous. From maritime horrors to an executioner holding a gun the size of a stagecoach, they epitomize stellar creature design. What’s ingenious is how the appearance of some play a role in luring you into a false sense of superiority. You chuckle as a pathetic, vaguely humanoid thing staggers towards you on quivering, crooked legs. You raise your axe to put it out of its misery, only to find yourself reeling, as it lunges towards you at frightening speed. You’ll have many such confrontations in “The Old Hunters.”

The five bosses, of course, are the standouts, both visually and mechanically. One of them is a being so grotesque, so painfully warped, that he makes the creatures of “Silent Hill” look like Teletubbies. Despite his immense size, he moves around like a ravenous jaguar, slashing at you from every angle, and delivering a swift boot to the head if you dare attempt a backstab. It’s a messy, violent fight that’s complicated by the fact that he gains new, deadlier moves as he nears annihilation.

Thankfully, even when playing offline, you now have the option to make certain boss battles easier. The Old Hunter Bell lets you summon an A.I. companion who will fight alongside you. Though lacking the spontaneity of player-controlled help, an NPC hunter can chip away your foe’s health, and serve as a distraction, allowing you to charge up your attacks for maximum damage. They’re not invulnerable, however, so it’s wise to pull your own weight, and occasionally give them the chance to retreat and heal.


In the name of slaughter

The excellent combat, which was discussed in the original “Bloodborne” review, is as nuanced as it’s always been. Surviving conflict still largely depends on precision, strategy, aggression, and fleet-footedness. Hack thoughtlessly away at an enemy, and you can consider yourself doomed.

The 11 new trick weapons do provide opportunities to shake up your personal playstyle. And what brilliant instruments of destruction they are! The Amygdalan Arm, as its name suggests, is the severed limb of a Great One; from a fleshy cudgel, it transforms into a scythe-like abomination that writhes as if possessed of an unnatural power. Simon’s Bowblade is a curved sword that is also “Bloodborne’s” first bow and arrow – perfect for sniping and attracting the attention of distant enemies. The Whirligig Saw is a mace that converts into a cruel, spinning buzzsaw. Some of these weapons are so vicious in appearance and implementation that you’ll find yourself slashing and pummeling your victims with maniacal glee.

There are five extra off-hand weapons. One surprising addition is the Fist of Gratia – a glove-like chunk of metal that staggers enemies. We also get a shield that’s actually useful; the Loch Shield may provide next to no protection from physical damage, but it does serve as a great defense against magical attacks.

You’re going to need to master your tools if you’re going to make it all the way to the end. While “The Old Hunters” could have benefitted from at least one more region, the three you’re given to explore are huge and masterfully crafted, featuring interlocking passages, twisting alleyways, rickety bridges, spiraling staircases, dank cells, and beautifully haunting places of reverence. Even when taking the base game into account, these are some of the most horrific environments in gaming, replete with mounds of squirming corpses, rivers of blood, scenes of torture and madness, and visions of unrelenting decay. Some of the sights you’ll come across will have you seriously questioning the sanity of your character.

There are secrets aplenty to unravel. Persistence pays off here; talking to that unassuming NPC, and giving her everything she asks for, may yield unexpected rewards. Operating a lever may open up previously inaccessible areas. Certain monsters drop valuable items, and keys open doors you might have already forgotten about. Even after defeating the final boss, you might go back to a curious location and find there’s more to it than you originally assumed.

Some of the answers to the mysteries surrounding “The Old Hunters” are bound to the gear you pick up along the way. As you can expect, piecing together the nigh inscrutable story from various item descriptions feels like you’re tearing precious tidbits of information from the covetous arms of obscurity. But the rewards are gratifying. The additional lore fills in the gaps in knowledge about characters and events mentioned in the original game, and further develops its already grand mythos. More importantly, learning of the ancient hunters and the cosmic entities that have shaped their fates immerses you in the game’s accursed world. Like the poor souls trapped in their eternal nightmare, you won’t want to leave. You will be drunk with lust – for blood, for the hunt, and for the exhilaration that comes with the cycle of life and death.

Blood-drunk

Depending on your skill, and your dedication to unlocking all of its secrets, “The Old Hunters” can last between five and twelve hours.

It will be time well spent. While the ominous ambiance, unsettling locales, and terrifying enemies encourage hesitation, the promise of exotic discoveries and suspenseful exploration will drive you deeper into the hellish experience that is “The Old Hunters.” Its brutal, unforgiving combat renders every victory a tremendous triumph, while its fantastic weapons offer creative new ways to kill. Its cryptic lore expands on a rich, compelling story – one that will have you lost in a world of sinister appetites and dark, ancient secrets. So drink up, and relish the tainted blood as it courses through your veins, because this is one nightmare worth succumbing to. — TJD, GMA News

Rating – 9/10
Platform: PlayStation 4