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The start of Bloodborne and how it's freaking awful

Fantastapotamus

Wrong about commas, wrong about everything
Just reading the first page reminds me why the DS/BB community is just the worst. And I love the games.
The beginning of BB is just bad design, plain and simple. Just because something is hard doesn't mean it's good.
 

Anarion07

Member
"Lol git gud" isn't an opinion

"The beginning of BB is just bad design, plain and simple. Just because something is hard doesn't mean it's good."

This is an opinion, vastly different from mine.
I think the design is very good, especially as an introduction. Teaching without a tutorial.
 

Fantastapotamus

Wrong about commas, wrong about everything
"The beginning of BB is just bad design, plain and simple. Just because something is hard doesn't mean it's good."

This is an opinion, vastly different from mine.
I think the design is very good, especially as an introduction. Teaching without a tutorial.
Yeah, so? I offered my opinion, you your opinion. So what were you trying to say in your previous post? That I have an opinion?
 

Ahasverus

Member
The first run through Central Yharnam can certainly be a very frustrating experience, but if you don't find enjoyment in the challenge it's just not a game for you. It's a game that demands and rewards patience. Personally, I found that appealing, despite of all the wailing and gnashing of teeth, but it's clearly not for everyone.
I'm just saying, if the first are of the game was more like the later parts, people would not get frustrated. The second area is much better designed and more comfortable to play in, just as challenging, but less tedious. And I blame the bonfires.
 

Anarion07

Member
Yeah, so? I offered my opinion, you your opinion. So what were you trying to say in your previous post? That I have an opinion?

89HANHg.gif


You stated your opinion as fact, "it's bad, plain and simple".
I stated my opinion.
 
I imagine if your began with a class that had less agility and then it would also make first impressions a little bit less favourable. If you dump some stats into it and follow up with weapon upgrades just about anything can get the job done. All three of the starter weapons are actually absolute monsters in the right hands.

I had an easier time with threaded cane than one of the other starter weapons. It's +9 now so I used it all the way. It has a fast attack so you can miss, and still stun lock most enemies by pressing the attack. And the whip is great for crowds, range, and hitting things through the scenery. Very happy with it and good thing because by the end you only have enough upgrades to get two weapons up to near max. The others are for NG etc.
 

Fantastapotamus

Wrong about commas, wrong about everything
You stated your opinion as fact, "it's bad, plain and simple".
I stated my opinion.
Sorry, I thought it was pretty clear that this was my opinion?
I do think it's bad, plain and simple. I honestly don't know what you mean? Not trying to be a dick or anything, just not sure what you are getting at. If I had added an "imo", would that have "solved" this? Because I don't think it is necessary when something is clearly an opinion.
 

jmartoine

Member
Out of the four "Soulsborne" games I have played, being Dark Souls 1-3 and Bloodborne, I certainly found the start of Bloodborne the most challenging. I think the reliance on shortcuts at the beginning rather than finding lanterns to progress threw me off but once I got over the initial learning curve things seemed to click. If I were to add up the amount of time spent in each area it would be near the top as once I spent lots of time in.
 

GenericUser

Member
"Lol git gud" isn't an opinion
I also find the souls community quite toxic, but "git gud" is basically a design choice in the souls games. It's definitely a stressed term and it's used often as an insult which I don't like.

But the games require you to have patience and learn while playing.
 
Yeah, so? I offered my opinion, you your opinion. So what were you trying to say in your previous post? That I have an opinion?

Your [shit]post was [shit] because you tried to generalize a community based on one page (?) of posts, and even then those posts boil down to "opinions."

So I'd say the point is that you're coming off as dense by saying "Souls community sucks because 'git gud' is shitty but my opinion isn't."

"Git gud" is reductive and rude, but the statement "get better at the game" isn't.
 

Demoskinos

Member
Your [shit]post was [shit] because you tried to generalize a community based on one page (?) of posts, and even then those posts boil down to "opinions."

So I'd say the point is that you're coming off as dense by saying "Souls community sucks because 'git gud' is shitty but my opinion isn't."

The Souls Community does it to itself. Again, see the first page where a large majority of the feedback to the OP was "Its not the game its you git gud" the only people that need take offense to that accusation are the same kind of people who spout that garbage.
 

KORNdoggy

Member
and learn while playing.

and this is 9 times out of 10 the reason people end up running into a wall. they keep trying the same things over and over expecting different results and then blame everything but themselves when they don't get them.
 

mebizzle

Member
Obfuscation is literally From's design philosophy for this series, adding maps and checkpoints and things like that are incongruent with how they want you to play these games.

Get gud isn't good advice, but the reason it gets spouted is because the games demand respect and a large amount of the time, the people complaining haven't come to respect the game and accepted what they're going to have to put up with.

I came to BB with only limited Demons experience and I loved it and it got me into the series, and I hate frustrating video games. If you can't make it through that first bit without giving up it just may not be the entry for you. It is a frustrating section but not impossible, and you can unlock a shortcut to the first lantern in the house by the wolves; and you can go out and farm echoes in the first area to get some levels to make moving through it easier. The game gives you the tools to move through the area, you just have to learn how to pull with the gun and manage aggro.
 

Mephala

Member
I had an easier time with threaded cane than one of the other starter weapons. It's +9 now so I used it all the way. It has a fast attack so you can miss, and still stun lock most enemies by pressing the attack. And the whip is great for crowds, range, and hitting things through the scenery. Very happy with it and good thing because by the end you only have enough upgrades to get two weapons up to near max. The others are for NG etc.

Yeah I did too but then I also replayed later with other weapons again and the axe can one shot quite a few enemies, the enemies that aren't killed in one hit are either flung away or in a pretty heavy hit stun animation in most cases. It can clear of crows the floor in a single sweep or do two consecutive overheads that handles most small enemies at range that is pretty considerable, lovely for those tall boss head hits.

The saw is even more hilarious for the aggressive and skillful dodger. This thing swings ridiculously fast and can stun lock a large number of enemies if not outright murder them once you get it. It is has one of the fastest R2 charge for back attacks that make punishing bosses like the OoK very easy. This was my first weapon which I ditched for the Cane and when I went back to revisit it, I knew the enemies and I could get in closer, faster and murdered everything.

The thing is, all three weapons are excellent but play a bit differently. They each have their own strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes one might be more favourable against a particular enemy but it will certainly get the job done.

I'm one of the weird ones who's favourite tends to change based on what I feel like at the time. I highly recommend running through with some more weapons for a change of pace. The Tonitris is a lot of fun too. The Chikaage, BoM, Cutter, Whirlygig and all of that. When you finally work out the range, spacing, speed and moves of your weapon, everything clicks together again and you melt enemies away. SoGood.gif
 
Just run straight through them all. I'm sorry you're frustrated, but creating a post to cry on gaf because you're stuck at the very first difficultly without adding any type of discussion or anything of value to start your parody off with is pretty annoying.

Instead of just flaming this game and blaming the developers/the design, think about what you could do differently or better. You'll never improve if this is the attitude you have every time you get stuck. You honestly never had to try something in dark souls a dozen (or eve a few dozens) times?

TL;DR quit crying on gaf and GIT GUD
 

MTC100

Banned
That's a problem with from software, they are the complete oposite of Nintendo, the one company creates exclusive games for a certain group, the other creates games that can be enjoyed by everyone.

Now... Would it be really that bad if Bloodborne would offer an easier challenge for players that think it's too hard? Would it be really hurt your experience if the game had a few more checkpoints and wouldn't be so punishing(especially fighting a boss for example)?
 
I also find the souls community quite toxic, but "git gud" is basically a design choice in the souls games. It's definitely a stressed term and it's used often as an insult which I don't like.

But the games require you to have patience and learn while playing.

I feel like part of it is that the Souls series is the sort experience where things become much easier in hindsight. Like, that sounds like it's a bit obvious for games in general, but it's very much something where knowing how to... I wanna say exploit - though that's kinda harsh - the world design and various secrets can trivialise the difficulty for one already familiar.

But getting to that point of familiarity isn't always an easy or consistent ride. For some, it might be on the first try, for others - like myself - it can be hours of frustration as you fail to properly read tells, understand how background mechanics (particularly weight) tie into gameplay, or don't know to do the sort of sweeping of an area that brings you hidden items and shortcuts. While I recognise that is somewhat part of the point, rewarding you as you learn, it's not difficult to recognise where that might be too much for some. Not every game is for everyone, and not all ideas work universally.
 

Trakan

Member
Use the big guy banging on the door to practice parrying, it will make the game a lot easier.

Try shooting an enemy at the next part with a bunch of guys to lure them out one at a time.
 

Kordelle

Member
I really enjoyed Bloodborne, but I have to agree, the start of the game is not good.

My problem was not that I wasn't good (while that was the case as well), but that I was desperately looking for lamps.
 

KORNdoggy

Member
That's a problem with from software, they are the complete oposite of Nintendo, the one company creates exclusive games for a certain group, the other creates games that can be enjoyed by everyone.

Now... Would it be really that bad if Bloodborne would offer an easier challenge for players that think it's too hard? Would it be really hurt your experience if the game had a few more checkpoints and wouldn't be so punishing(especially fighting a boss for example)?

it would likely affect the way the entire game was designed, the same way difficulty modes in other games tend not to feel as well balanced as the default mode it was intended to be played on, so yes, adding difficulty modes to the souls series would probably hurt it. it's a game that caters to a certain group. if you're not that group that's fine, play something from nintendo.
 
That's a problem with from software, they are the complete oposite of Nintendo, the one company creates exclusive games for a certain group, the other creates games that can be enjoyed by everyone.

Now... Would it be really that bad if Bloodborne would offer an easier challenge for players that think it's too hard? Would it be really hurt your experience if the game had a few more checkpoints and wouldn't be so punishing(especially fighting a boss for example)?
In the same token I really don't think it's that bad when some games don't cater to everyone. If a gamer needs to pass on a very small amount of games because they're too hard is it really the end of the world?
 

Roshin

Member
I never used the parry system. Couldn't get the timing figured out so gave up very early on. The guns were basically useless for me, ha.

Another piece of advice, then.

The timing is actually quite simple. As soon as the enemy starts his attack (swings weapon, etc), you fire. You need to pay attention to what they're doing, but as soon as the attack animation starts, let them have it.

That's all there is to it.
 

Nights87

Member
The Souls Community does it to itself. Again, see the first page where a large majority of the feedback to the OP was "Its not the game its you git gud" the only people that need take offense to that accusation are the same kind of people who spout that garbage.

OP could have provided a well reasoned argument as to why the start of bloodborne is poorly designed. He did not. It doesnt surprise me that you have people posting equally poor counter arguments or shitposting.
 

Liethe

Member
That's a problem with from software, they are the complete oposite of Nintendo, the one company creates exclusive games for a certain group, the other creates games that can be enjoyed by everyone.

Now... Would it be really that bad if Bloodborne would offer an easier challenge for players that think it's too hard? Would it be really hurt your experience if the game had a few more checkpoints and wouldn't be so punishing(especially fighting a boss for example)?
Is it a problem? Why? What problem does it create, other than that some people like it and others dont? I thought by now it was obvious that different games cater to different folks. You say Nintendo games can be enjoyed by everyone, but i bet there are people on this very forum who dont find them enjoyable or even interesting.

To your second point about difficulty, this is the entire point of souls games. If Demons Souls back on ps3 had just been another loot-a-thon with next to no difficulty and bosses you just mow down easily, dark souls would likely not even exist and obviously neither would bloodborne.
 
The opening felt like FROM gleefully pushing me into the deep end of a pool after several iterations of the Souls combat formula.

Personally, I loved what they did and thought it was very much in-character in its sadism. Even while I was getting fucked up I couldn't help but basically react like this:

giphy.gif
 

Jingo

Member
Bloodborne was my first souls game, i didnt even know what dark souls was, i just liked the trailer cause of the horror vibe.

The first area was overwhelming, i barely made it to the wolves and everytime i got there i just died.

I started to think about quitting then it hit me, dont kill the wolves, just run!!! And thats when i found my first shortcut!!! What kind of magic is this ??? Boom, now its my favourite game.
 
As much as people say "get good", and other people think it's ridiculous... The game is amazing and showing player progress.
There is a massive difference in the game when you start it and if/when you restart the game.

The first time I played this game, I was awful. I died constantly. I literally probably died 100 times in the beginning area my first time.

(I also for some reason didn't have a weapon for a while in the game. I think the game glitched and didn't send me to the other place.).

Now if I restart the game, I can easily make it through Gascoigne without dying (or maybe dying once). I can't really think of a game that gives that kind of difference just by experience of the player.


For me, struggling through the game was well worth it. Good luck, OP.
 

Ethelwulf

Member
Finding that third lantern is very challenging OP I agree. And frustrating also. From there on, believe me it will get better. Not easier, but better designed. And btw this is my opinion I can see that some take things too personally :)
 
I will never understand the fame of Soul games. I think they are pretty easy. I think I hit like two walls in Bloodborne, most of the boss fights were piss easy.

Maybe it's because I have mastered Monster Hunter (a much harder game).
 

Murkas

Member
I actually think it's great, you'd think after 3 Souls games you'll have it be a piece of piss but nope. Probably why Father Gascoigne was so memorable for me because I was all like "why doesn't being a defensive pansy work in this?!"

In regards to the comments about toxic Souls fans and git gud, that only seems to happen when someone blames the game more than themselves DarkSydePhil style. My favourite thread was the member who was stuck on the first part for 9 hours and everyone giving them advice until it turned out he wasn't dodging or rolling, just back stepping.

I will never understand the fame of Soul games. I think they are pretty easy. I think I hit like two walls in Bloodborne, most of the boss fights were piss easy.

Maybe it's because I have mastered Monster Hunter (a much harder game).


Demon's Souls arrived at a time where every big game was piss easy, got pretty popular, spawned a sequel where Bamco went insane with the Prepare to Die marketing motto, attracting new players used to the coddled PS3/360 gen thinking the games were some sort of gamer cred difficulty check.

Kinda agree with MH, but that was stuck on portables at the time with sites giving it 6/10.
 

Azriell

Member
I tried to replay BB earlier this year, after taking several months off after completing DS3. I fucking hate the beginning of BB and the fact that you can't level until you kill the first boss, and I sympathize with OP. Either allowing leveling before the boss or placing a lantern just before the boss would make things much more manageable. Instead you just run the same gauntlet over and over, tossing away valuable souls and wasting time.

It's bullshit because pretty much any encounter can be solved by either increasing the player's skill, increasing the character's parameters, or a combination of the two. Now all of a sudden at the beginning of a new game with more difficult mechanics, you have to endure trial by fire.
 
The whole introduction is designed around the idea of making you drop the defensive approach of the souls series. The new increased movility, reduced stamina consumption and the ability to recover the HP after getting hit revolves around being more offensive and trying making you more active rather than always looking for a safe opening.

Dosn't mean you don't have to be weary of your surroundings, but that you can, and should, dance around multiple enemies.

Use your dash, your pistol to parry (is a key element in BB, while is was more of a playstyle in souls), the trick attacks, charge attacks, etc...

Basically don't play this as another souls game. The introduction teaches you this, and that's why is so good.
 
I fucking hate the beginning of BB and the fact that you can't level until you kill the first boss,
Already been covered - It's not the boss, it's insight. You can pick it up as loot in the area, or even just from seeing the first boss, you could die it, it doesn't matter.
 

Mephala

Member
It's bullshit because pretty much any encounter can be solved by either increasing the player's skill, increasing the character's parameters, or a combination of the two. Now all of a sudden at the beginning of a new game with more difficult mechanics, you have to endure trial by fire.

But that is the challenge, to show that you don't necessarily need to level up to improve. It isn't just about improving parameters and stats. You also need practice, patience and the ability to learn from your mistakes. Conversely if you could simply stat dump your way through everything then when you do hit a major wall where you cannot progress without learning you will still run into these same problems.
 
The first area was overwhelming, i barely made it to the wolves and everytime i got there i just died.

I started to think about quitting then it hit me, dont kill the wolves, just run!!! And thats when i found my first shortcut!!! What kind of magic is this ??? Boom, now its my favourite game.

It's called ''using your brain and adapt to the situation'', something most gamers can't do these days.

They rather delete the game because of how ''it's just not fun anymore'' (always loved that one) and then proceed to tell everyone how it's a ''bad, bad design'' because it's too unforgiving, and when people come out and defend the game (even without saying ''git gud''), they call them ''sensitive'' and ''don't understand that not everyone is a pro gamer'' (as if Souls games are half as hard as those old school Megaman games)

Souls games aren't really hard, they gives you plenty of tactics, tools and options to overcome or aviod what's ahead of you.

As long as you are not reluctant to use your brain and at least have some patience, you'll have no issue with Souls games, I've seen so many people who aren't good at games finished and loved Bloodborne. My brother, who is only 15 years old, played almsot every game on easy, loved Bloodborne to death despite getting frustrated from time to time, he never gave up and he always learn from his deaths.

If I were to run a company, I would ask the interviewee to beat the first level (Undead Asylum) of Dark Souls during the job interview, no time limit, either you get through it or you give up.
If they can't even get past it and give up instead, that means they are too stubborn of a person and simply just not very bright, they lack patience and don't know how to adapt, they don't learn from their mistakes and instead give up easily, and most importantly, they can't handle failure. Such people would have hard times overcoming the challenge in their life as well, I do not want them in my company.

Souls games have nothing to do with ''gamer skill'', it's all about your attitude and intelligence. I don't understand how a game with infinite retrys can be too hard, especially when there's a online co-op function. You have to be really not bright and impatience to find these games ''impossible''.
 

Graciaus

Member
I tried to replay BB earlier this year, after taking several months off after completing DS3. I fucking hate the beginning of BB and the fact that you can't level until you kill the first boss, and I sympathize with OP. Either allowing leveling before the boss or placing a lantern just before the boss would make things much more manageable. Instead you just run the same gauntlet over and over, tossing away valuable souls and wasting time.

It's bullshit because pretty much any encounter can be solved by either increasing the player's skill, increasing the character's parameters, or a combination of the two. Now all of a sudden at the beginning of a new game with more difficult mechanics, you have to endure trial by fire.
You don't even need to kill the first boss. You don't even need to encounter it if you want to take the long way.

The beginning of BB is tough because it plays very differently from DS. You have to relearn how to play and soon you will be plowing through all the enemies without dying.
 

Swordy

Member
I never really had any problems with the Souls games but the beginning of Bloodborne was surprisingly difficult because I tried to play it too defensively. Just give it more time and you won't have many problems anymore. Just learn how to parry and the game becomes much easier too. After beating it once I started a new character, parried most enemies with ease and pretty much breezed through the game
 
I played it for about an hour or so before I figured out you can actually equip a weapon and was wondering why I wasn't dealing any damage to the wolf even though I attacked like 10x.
 

Facism

Member
It's a tough way to start a game.

There's really nothing you can't handle at base level until you reach a boss and get that first insight that lets you level up. The groups in the street are there to massage you into managing your engagements, whether it's baiting with pebbles, hit and run, or getting stuck in and timing attacks and evasion. Every enemy, bar the dogs, have generous tells when it comes to parries, especially the big guys with the bricks. Vial drops are plentiful if you're initially cautious.

Or you can forget all of that, pick the axe as your first weapon and charge R2 spin-to-win through everything
costa1.png
 

GenericUser

Member
But getting to that point of familiarity isn't always an easy or consistent ride. For some, it might be on the first try, for others - like myself - it can be hours of frustration as you fail to properly read tells, understand how background mechanics (particularly weight) tie into gameplay, or don't know to do the sort of sweeping of an area that brings you hidden items and shortcuts. While I recognise that is somewhat part of the point, rewarding you as you learn, it's not difficult to recognise where that might be too much for some. Not every game is for everyone, and not all ideas work universally.

exactly. I did put quite some time into Dark Souls 1, but I never managed to kill Ornstein and Smogh. I just hit a wall and never could get past it. That is something people also have to keep in mind when buying souls games: you may very well never be able to beat them.

But thats part of the experience if you ask me. As I said, frustation is a design choice in these games. It's meant to be there. But you said it best, not every game is for everyone. Thats something many people don't get.
 

Roshin

Member
I tried to replay BB earlier this year, after taking several months off after completing DS3. I fucking hate the beginning of BB and the fact that you can't level until you kill the first boss...

Yes, you can. It's been mentioned in the thread a couple of times already.

...and I sympathize with OP. Either allowing leveling before the boss or placing a lantern just before the boss would make things much more manageable.

There is a shortcut right before the boss. Also, the boss (the Cleric Beast) is an optional boss and you do not need to beat him to proceed.

Instead you just run the same gauntlet over and over, tossing away valuable souls and wasting time.

It is a game that requires you to pay attention to what is going on and learn how to play it. Just like Dark Souls. :)
 

Wamb0wneD

Member
Okay, actual advice time. :)

Remember to use pebbles to pull enemies. Take them out one by one, if you can. Pebbles are a really useful tool throughout the game.

There are some enemies in the first area that can be very tough. The two wolves and the big guys in particular. It is a legit strategy to run past them, just to get an idea of what's ahead.

I would recommend running past the wolves. If you're coming from "the long street", then run past them and look for some stairs leading down to your left, there will be a beardy guy by the stairs, but ignore him, run down the stairs and into the building. There will be enemies in here, but they can be dealt with. The wolves can't enter the building. When you have killed the enemies, go down the stairs, kill some more enemies (be careful with one of them...), open up the doors, and you will have a shortcut back to the lantern.

And... Welcome to Yharnam. :)

Thanks, appreciate the advice! :)


It's a item which one is located near the rats and the other around a bunch of birds (you have to go up through a ladder). There is two in the first area before the first boss.

Nothing wrong leveling up before the boss OP, a lot of people does that (I am one of them).

Well I really have to find that then. I'll try when I'm back home.

Your thin skin is Bizarre. You didn't know people were going to tell you to get good? Have you ever been on GAF? I read your title. Stop clinging to that like it means something. If you didn't make a bitchy thread title and just asked for help I would have given you tips. The only reason I play the game still is to run new players through trouble spots. I wasn't drive by shitposting. If you can't get far then you suck. Play more until you don't. It doesn't take much serious thought to realize you need to practice with the parry and the dodge. Experimentation. Basic problem solving skills. Your first reaction instead is that the beginning is awful. Good luck with everything else after. The game deserves a full play through. Join a community if you can a bunch are still active. I'm out.

Edit:


You getting triggered by the thread title and acting like everyone is responing the way you do is not my problem, and its kinda strange you accuse me of havng thin skin then.

The way you entered this thread didn't read like you wanted some conversation, it read like a shitpost. There are so many people in here not only offering advice in a non condescending manner but also people who beat the game multiple times and agree with me that the starting area has some questionable design decisions, they just didn't call it awful. like this:

Can we please stop extrapolating new players' thoughs on the beginning of the game not guiding new players well enough so that they don't feel fustrated and/or confused, into that annoying git gud/"the beginning of the game is problematic because the Souls games are supposed to be harsh" mentality? I see that mocking picture with all those HUD elements and hints to where to go making the rounds a lot, but that doesn't solve my problems with the first hours of the game. I'm not asking for the game to tell me where to go or what to do, I'm asking for the game to explain its systems and to introduce me into how the mechanics work.

Maybe it's time to accept that some of the complains about the first level are actually legitimate instead of you know, making it seem as if everyone who got a problem with it is a dummy who needs Skyward Sword's levels of hand holding, idk. Like I said, I loved the game, it was my first Souls game and I will play the rest of the franchise in the future, but Bloodborne's first level makes it hard for a newcomer to dive into the game by itself (that is, without asking on a forum for advice, looking up FAQ's on how to play Souls games and stuff like that).

Yeah but the shortcuts are so hidden and most importantly, everything of importance so far away from the lantern that you're gonna lose a lot of time going to the same places the first time you play the game.

People are really underestimating OP's concerns as a first time Bloodborne player.

You only have to dig up the OT and see how many of the git gud guys were about to cry at launch. Yes you know the game by now, but don't expect every guy to know the super hidden shortcut is /just about There/.

People are gonna lose progress, and people are gonna have to backtrack for hours, and it's honestly not worth it.

I just wish the checkpoint placement was better, that's it.

There is actual discussion going on here and you act like the only answer to my complaint is to tell me I should stop bitching and git gud, like you're in some alternate thread. Good thing you're out then.
 
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