A Storming Thought

     Bloodborne stands out from the rest of FromSoftware’s previous games for a multitude of reasons. It has much faster and aggressive gameplay. There is a new healing system and the opportunity to quickly regain health after taking damage. Its consistent gothic architecture creates a Lovecraftian tone that differentiates it from the Souls series’ medieval and varied architecture. I think Bloodborne shows just how different it is in regard to its story. Dark Souls is primarily interested in trying to understand humanity and how it can be preserved. Bloodborne is focused on what comes after. What is the next step beyond humanity and how do we get there? How do we as humans ascend to something greater? Bloodborne purposes two options and then spends the entire game exploring each path. There is the advancement of the physical body through blood and there is the advancement of the mind through insight. Blood The proper story of Bloodborne starts with one special discovery. The knowledge

     The novel “American Psycho”, published in 1991, was a harsh criticism of American capitalism and consumer indulgence prevalent in the late 1970s and 1980s. Its 2000 film adaptation served the same purpose but in a more satirical light. This newer critique goes beyond pointing out the vain, insecurities, and fears of the one percent common within yuppie horror. It acts as a close examination of how the overconsumption of media and the false allure of the American dream can warp a person’s perception of reality and morality. The media that we consume informs our identity and shows us what is acceptable in society. This combined with the demanding restraints of hegemonic masculinity create a hollow version of what the ideal man is supposed to be. This ideal version of success has really only been attainable for a very select group of people in America, people like Patrick Bateman. Bateman is the perfect protagonist for this type of film. As a born wealthy, straight, white, able-bodie