Bloodborne is finally here...well, almost. The game is less than a day away from launch, and millions of gamers are eagerly awaiting the chance to finally get their hands on it. However, for those who aren't fans of the series - or were pushed away from it - may not know why so many people are excited about a game that supposedly punishes its fans for playing.

That's why we've put together this guide on what exactly Bloodborne is. If you've never played a Souls game, you'll be able to start putting the pieces together; if you weren't a fan of the previous games, you can see just how different Bloodborne really is.

So grab a sword, grab a gun, and get ready to hunt some werewolves: this is everything you need to know about From Software's upcoming action RPG, Bloodborne.

Bloodborne is definitely a Souls game...

It may not bear the title, but Bloodborne is definitely the spiritual successor to the Demon's Souls and Dark Souls game. It's easy to see the game's lineage: Bloodborne is all about taking down demonic enemies, exploring decrepit environments and fighting against the ridiculous difficulty. The combat is weighty, the enemies are relentless and the entire game is unforgiving...this is definitely a Souls game.

...that isn't Dark Souls 3

However, calling Bloodborne a simple spiritual successor to the Souls games doesn't do it justice. This is a quicker, leaner, meaner game: the combat is noticeably faster, there are far more enemies to fight at once and playing defensively just won't work anymore. There's also a far lesser emphasis on magic - in fact, none of the pre-release material has ever shown someone casting a spell. Yes, this is a far cry from any previous Souls game...and that's one of the reasons so many people are so excited.

Bloodboorne is all about guns and swords

Previous games in the Souls series largely focused on sword-and-shield combat, but Bloodborne does things quite a bit differently: while melee weapons are still players' primary method of destruction, firearms are being introduced as a secondary weapon. The game is designed for players to take a more offensive approach, and while the guns don't do much damage, they'll knock your opponent off their feet if shots are timed correctly (which sets them up for a nice coup de grâce). There are still shields in the game, but the developers clearly want players to have a sword in one hand and a pistol in the other.

The game is built around faster, more brutal combat

When you get down to it, Dark Souls was a relatively slow game. As previously stated, it was much more about playing defensively with a shield up than running directly into the fray. Bloodborne is the opposite: players are encouraged (and often forced) to take on large groups of enemies from all sides. The lack of any perfect defenses and the game's much faster movement means that players are going to be diving into combat headfirst more often than not.

Invasions and Summoning are now linked

If there's one thing that Dark Souls is known for more than its ridiculous difficulty, it's the online play. Instead of a simple deathmatch, players can either summon helpful players or get invaded by players hoping to kill them - and, while Bloodborne isn't ditching the series' multiplayer, it's definitely changing up the formula. Whenever cooperative buddies are summoned, players are now left vulnerable to hostile invasions: it's designed to balance the game, meaning that hapless newbies won't get crushed by over-powered invaders, and a team of leveled-up players won't be invincible.

The Chalice Dungeoun is procedurally-generated madness

Games in the Souls series have always been difficult, but with repeated playthroughs, they can become a breeze. Memorizing the most efficient route is often the easiest way to advance, but that won't hold true for Bloodborne's Chalice Dungeon: the entire thing is randomly generated. You'll never know what lies around the next corner, and bringing a friend along won't necessarily help...after all, what happens if the two of you get separated? Don't worry - if your particular dungeon gets too difficult, you can at least spread the pain and upload it for others to try out. It's the first dungeon of its kind in the series, and something fans have been itching to try out.

New Game Plus is back...and harder than ever

Souls games are known for stopping many adventurers before they reach the end of the game, but for those who brave the entire adventure, starting the game again with the same powerful gear is one of the best aspects of the series. While little about Bloodborne's New Game Plus has been revealed, From Software has confirmed that it's harder than any previous installment...even the team that developed the game is having trouble beating it. Dark Souls was known for players making it through 10+ times - with Bloodborne, even clearing it once should be quite the accomplishment.

Bloodborne is absolutely gorgeous

At this point, you've seen plenty of what Bloodborne has to offer, and it's easy to see just how gorgeous the game is. While most other titles are worried about how many sparks they can throw at the player, Bloodborne is focused on creating some of the most beautiful environments ever put on a disc. The character models aren't too shabby, either: each and every single enemy is ridiculously detailed, down to the buttons on their coats. It's a game that's clearly been crafted with an eye for the tiny little details, and it shows.

That being said, if you get queasy at the sight of blood, then Bloodborne might not be the game for you...

Bloodborne could easily be one of the biggest games of the year, and that's saying something: 2015 is looking to be packed with huge releases throughout the entire year. The Souls games have always stood out from the rest, mostly thanks to their absurd difficulty and ruthless combat. That being said, the reason that Bloodborne is so exciting isn't what's stayed the same, it's everything new that the game is bringing to the franchise.

Bloodborne is set for release on March 24.

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