The environment of Bloodborne are very pretty. Whereas the Souls games took a decidedly European, dark high fantasy/medieval look, Yharnam is far more classically Gothic. Its roots are in old Victorian architecture, with tiled roofs, gas lamps along the cobbled streets, stage coaches, all that jazz. Besides being very pretty to look at if you ever get chance to stop and look, though, you should be aware of your environment at all times. It isn't just a rad saw and blunderbuss you have at your disposal when you start playing this game. No, one of your other main weapons in taking down your enemies is by using the world around you. Luring bad guys away from their roaming packs, down dark alleyways or up staircases, is a great way of picking them off one by one. Similarly, you can dodge attacks (especially guns or projectiles) by quickly dashing behind walls, trees, gravestones and the like. It's a tactical advantage the NPCs lack; but also be aware of pinning yourself into a corner, where it's impossible to dodge attacks and where you can easily get decimated by a previously small-fry enemy.
Tom Baker is the Comics Editor at WhatCulture! He's heard all the Doctor Who jokes, but not many about Randall and Hopkirk. He also blogs at http://communibearsilostate.wordpress.com/
