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What's Taking Bloodborne 2 So Long?
Why is Bloodborne 2 taking so long? Regarded by many as one of the best FromSoftware titles ever created, the first Bloodborne garnered praise from critics and players alike for its fast but somewhat-forgiving combat and eldritch storyline steeped in the H. P. Lovecraft mythos. Although the company previously stated during the development of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice they preferred to work on new intellectual properties rather than revisiting old franchises, the mere existence of two Dark Souls sequels are hard evidence that the contrary is also possible.
FromSoftware hasn't been idle since Bloodborne's release, either. In addition to the aforementioned Sekiro, the company has also been hard at work developing a new game in conjunction with Game of Thrones author George R. R. Martin. Titled Elden Ring and revealed earlier this year at E3 2019, FromSoftware game director Hidetaka Miyazaki has said this new fantasy RPG adventure is an evolution of the Dark Souls formula.
But where does that leave a sequel to Bloodborne, the first evolution of FromSoftware's usual format which had been growing ever since the development of Demon's Souls? According to Miyazaki, the decision to return to the Lovecraftian series is not up to him. During a recent interview with Gamespot Brazil, the developer stated he would have liked to improve the game's Chalice Dungeons and Blood Gems, and out of all the games he has created Bloodborne remains the one which has stayed in his heart, but unfortunately Miyazaki said he is not responsible for deciding whether to move forward with the series.
Although not stated in the interview, Bloodborne 2's true decision-maker is most likely Sony, the game's publisher. As one of the top games of 2015, Bloodborne was a huge success for the PlayStation 4, and with the announcement of next year's PS5 holiday release it's quite possible players will be returning to Yharnam once the next generation rolls around. FromSoftware has clearly not forgotten the title, as last year's VR adventure Déraciné contained multiple Bloodborne easter eggs, which Miyazaki previously stated were inserted simply "because we love Bloodborne."
FromSoftware aren't the only ones who love Bloodborne, but they will surely be the first to hear whether Sony decides to move forward with the series or not. With multiple high-profile titles already coming to the PS4 before the new consoles begin releasing next Christmas, including Elden Ring, it's unlikely Bloodborne 2 will be a current generation game. With the original title's overarching popularity, however, and Sony's need for exclusive, high-profile franchises, it's almost assured Bloodborne 2 will come to the PlayStation 5 at some point in the future.
