The most pivotal games don’t always sell the best. Case in point, Bloodborne. Hidetaka Miyazaki’s lovechild was far from a best-selling title, but it’s beloved by fans and is right up there with Elden Ring as some of FromSoftware’s best works. But, despite its acclaimed status, FromSoftware refuses to release a performance update or patch that upgrades it from its 30fps performance at a 720p resolution. So, Lance McDonald, a well-known Souls modder, finally gave Bloodborne fans, such as himself, something to celebrate: the game running on a PS5 at an impressive 1080p resolution and a smooth 60fps.
McDonald is a well-regarded figure in the Souls community who previously made Bloodborne run at 60fps on a PS4 Pro. Now, he’s achieved what many thought was impossible by doing the same on the PS5.
The captivating gameplay video shows the game functioning at 1080p and 60fps, a substantial upgrade over its initial launch performance, achieved without any tricks, upscaling, or interpolation. This is genuine 1080-60 footage running on actual PS5 hardware, which is a sight to behold.
For many gamers, the gameplay upgrade isn’t just about aesthetics. Souls-like titles, notorious for their punishing difficulty, benefit immensely from the heightened frame rate, making every movement, dodge, and attack more responsive. This can drastically enhance the gaming experience, making this performance boost not merely desirable but crucial for hardcore fans. Despite this showcase of the game’s potential, the mod’s application remains out of reach for the average PS5 user, given that it likely requires a jailbroken console to function.
Regrettably, Bloodborne’s performance has remained somewhat stagnant since its release on PS4. While Sony released performance patches for other first-party titles such as God of War and Ghost of Tsushima, Bloodborne was left to linger in its original form. The game’s vast fan base has been longing for Sony to release an official patch that unlocks the potential McDonald has demonstrated. However, according to reports from reliable sources, there seems to be no plan in place for such an upgrade
The news is a disappointment for fans as the industry – except maybe for Bethesda and Starfield – shifts its focus towards making their games run at 60fps, thanks to what’s under the hood of the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series S/X.
Yet, amidst the pessimistic reports, speculations and rumors continue to stir the pot. Claims have been made suggesting that FromSoftware is possibly working on a Bloodborne remaster or remake. However, despite the growing anticipation, PlayStation’s silence on the subject during their recent showcase adds an air of uncertainty to these rumors. Until official confirmation is provided, McDonald’s impressive mod remains the closest glimpse into the future of Bloodborne on next-gen consoles.
Interestingly enough, Demon’s Souls was listed on the Nvidia GeForce Now leak a while back, which suggests that FromSoftware, Bluepoint Games, and PlayStation Studios aren’t above porting the Souls-like titles that are exclusive to the PlayStation to the PC.
Unfortunately, any legitimate traces of a Bloodborne update or port to the PS5 and/or PC are nowhere to be found. The best-case scenario is FromSoftware has bigger plans for the game as it inches closer to celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2025.
Only time will tell if Sony and FromSoftware will heed the call but for now, Lies of P, which comes out on September 19 (with a free demo to boot) is looking to fill the massive hole left by Bloodborne.
