Why a Bloodborne Sequel Could Never Be a True ‘Bloodborne 2’

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Among FromSoftware’s contemporary games, Bloodborne stands out as one of the saddest contenders. It isn’t merely due to its dismal setting or the chilling cosmic horror it portrays, but also because of the absence of future developments: to this point, neither a sequel for Bloodborne nor any plans from FromSoftware or Sony to update or enhance the game for contemporary systems have been announced.

Indeed, while a direct sequel to “Bloodborne” might seem unlikely given Hidetaka Miyazaki’s preference for original works, the allure of returning to Yharnam’s hauntingly beautiful and enigmatic world remains strong. Fans continue to hold onto their hopes with bated breath, praying for a “Bloodborne 2.”

However, such a project could face challenges due to Miyazaki’s disdain for sequels. Yet, the lore-rich and eccentric universe of “Bloodborne” offers ample opportunities for new games that delve into different Great Ones, cosmic struggles, and civilizations beyond Yharnam itself.

Should this hypothetical project ever come to fruition, it would require a significantly distinct premise compared to the original “Bloodborne” to gain traction.

Major spoilers ahead for Bloodborne.

If There Is Ever a Bloodborne Sequel, It Will Need To Be a Radical Reinvention

None of Bloodborne’s Endings Result In a Clear Conclusion

Bloodborne has three endings, referred to by PlayStation Trophies as the following:

  • Yharnam Sunrise
  • Honoring Wishes
  • Childhood’s Beginning

In Yharnam Sunrise, the simplest ending to obtain, skips the final confrontation against Gehrman. Instead, your character consents to have their “dream” terminated by Gehrman, who swiftly beheads them. The scene shifts to a brief sequence of the protagonist awakening in Yharnam bathed in the soft glow of dawn, hinting that the recurring pattern of death and resurrection characteristic of Bloodborne has concluded. Alternatively, by rejecting Gehrman’s proposal, players can earn the Honoring Wishes ending, leading to a battle with Gehrman. Defeating him results in the Moon Presence enveloping you, taking over Gehrman’s role as the First Hunter and guardian of the dream.

In Bloodborne, the most intriguing conclusion happens when players consume three “umbilical cord” items scattered throughout the game before battling Gehrman in the final fight. If these conditions are met, the Moon Presence won’t be able to transform the player-character into the First Hunter, instead triggering a hidden boss battle. Successfully defeating this challenge results in the character transforming into a slug-like creature, strongly suggesting it is a newborn Great One meant to mark the beginning of a new human era.

In summary, each interpretation of the Bloodborne endings significantly alters the game world, making it impossible to continue the story in a traditional manner, which might not be such a bad thing after all. For instance, Yharnam Sunrise sees the fight concluding for the protagonist; Honoring Wishes perpetuates the cycle but without the crucial figure of Gehrman; Childhood’s Beginning marks a new era of human existence, with unpredictable consequences.

Any Bloodborne Follow-Up Will Need To Flip the Script

As a gamer, I find myself reflecting on Bloodborne just like I did with the Dark Souls series. To expand this world into a franchise, it’s essential to introduce a fresh protagonist, as the tale of the first game’s hero comes full circle, leaving no room for continuation, regardless of the ending chosen. If Wishes Fulfilled became the established ending, it would risk retreading familiar ground, offering little more than a rehash of the original story. On the other hand, if Childhood’s Beginning were to be canon, FromSoftware would have the challenge of crafting an entirely new universe of horror, one that might bear only faint resemblance to its predecessor.

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2025-06-01 13:04