HardcoreBloodbornefans have been waiting over half a decade for a sequel, but it seems like the chances of that happening are getting slimmer as time passes. Most recently, it has come to the attention of fans that the game’s next generation version isn’t gettingoptimized for PS5, meaning it’ll likely be much of the same experience aside from potentially faster load times. This has sparked concern in some fans, as many feel as though if FromSoftware were to create aBloodborne 2, it would give more care into making the PS5 version of the original more presentable by modern standards.
It should be said that FromSoftware has not made any announcements regarding the existence of aBloodborne 2, so everything here is merely speculation. Given the popularity of the originalBloodborne, it seems only reasonable that a sequel would come out eventually, but it has now been five years and there’s still not been a word. This is a testament to the community’s die hard dedication to the game, but that commitment has already been tested and fans would love to hear some official news aboutBloodborne 2in the future. Unfortunately, that may not end up happening at all, though, andBloodbornemight have been a one hit wonder.
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Optimized for PS5
The PS5’s backwards compatibility is one of its many alluring features, allowing players to experience nearly all of their PS4 games on the new console. Naturally, the increased power of the PS5 will make these games run smoother, but some games are specifically optimized for PS5 by their developers. This allows for certain games to break through the self-imposed limits placed on the by developers and use the full capacity of the PS5’s new hardware. In most cases, this means better frame rate, asmany developers capped the frame rate at 30 FPS on PS4 games.
Games that are optimized for PS5, including other FromSoftware titles likeDark Souls 3andSekiro: Shadows Die Twice, are able to run at 60 FPS now despite previously being limited to 30 FPS. For some reason,Bloodbornewas never optimized, however, and is instead stuck at the old standard of 30 FPS. SinceBloodbornealready struggled with bad frame pacing, this is really unfortunate news. As previously mentioned, the new hardware’s power is bound to make players notice some changes in how well the game runs, but in terms of frame rate it will be the same, choppy experience.
Bloodborne 2 on PS5
It’s not uncommon for a game to go free on PS Plus just before a sequel releases, and this concept lead many to believe thatBloodborne 2may be announced soon. As an example,The Last of Us Remasteredwas offered for free in late 2019, and thenThe Last of Us 2came out in 2020. This works as a great way to get players that may have missed the game when it first came out into a franchise before releasing a sequel. This very same principal could have worked forBloodborne: FromSoftware could introduce the game to new fans with PS5 upgrades before announcing a sequel, but that doesn’t seem to be happening.
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Bloodborne 2 Hopes Dashed
With the news that the game won’t be optimized for PS5, fans are wondering if FromSoftware has given up on the franchise completely. It’s especially odd consideringother PS4SoulsBornegames were optimized, but this one was left in the dust. In truth, despite being one of the most popular and well-known developers in the industry thanks to its success withDark Souls, FromSoftware has been especially distant from fans this year and for the last several years, leavingElden Ringfans uncertain of the future and not even givingBloodbornefans a crumb to cling to.
WhatflawsBloodbornehadwill only be exacerbated when played on the PS5 side by side with next gen and optimized titles alike. Many players that never even noticed the low framerate and other problems will see them as glaring issues when compared to the likes ofSpider-Man: Miles MoralesorAssassin’s Creed Valhalla. Even when placed next to games likeDark Souls 3the differences will be noticeable, and this could actually have a negative effect on the game’s reputation, especially among newer players. With any luck, FromSoftware will take some time away from toiling onElden Ringto fix this issue.
How Bloodborne Could Be Optimized for PS5
Unfortunately, there is only one way thatBloodbornewill be optimized for PS5, and that is if FromSoftware itself goes in and updates the software to allow for it. At the moment,Bloodborneintentionally caps the framerate at 30 FPSin order to provide better graphics and more stable performance, but the PS5 is capable of doing both of those things at 60 FPS. Given that the game hasn’t been updated since December of 2015, fans are rightfully nervous about whether or not this would happen.
If FromSoftware does end up taking the time tooptimizeBloodbornefor PS5, then that could mean great things for the future of the franchise. Whether or not it would indicate aBloodborne 2announcement is impossible to say, but it would certainly spur fans into action calling for FromSoftware to make that happen. It seems likely that FromSoftware is using theDemon’s Soulsremake as a testing ground of sorts to see how fans react to theDark Soulsformula on PS5 before moving forward with any sequels or new titles.
Bloodborneis available now on PS4 and will be available on November 12th for PS5.
