To me the best thing about Bloodborne is the level design and how much freedom there is to skip sections or create your own route (even if it's not clear at first, a lot of bosses could be considered optional). The plot is vague and difficult to grasp but I feel it fits well with the lovecraftian inspirations that come up later. The combat is simple, but pretty intense, although I will say If you didn't enjoy fighting Gascoigne, then I'm not sure if the game will ever sell you on the combat.

..is this really what happens?  if so man Im lucky i didnt buy it when i was tempted  

Bloodborne is amazing, but its hard to recommend it if you aren't enjoying it so far. Maybe its just not your kinda game.

Checkpoints and shortcuts are frequent, so you shouldn't be set back very far upon death (maybe 10 or 15 minutes, maximum).

If you're not enjoying the game, then don't play it anymore. If you are wanting the game to get better, it won't. What you've experienced so far is pretty much the same gameplay you will experience for the entire game.

Most people find this type of game to be extremely satisfying, so it's odd that you didn't experience such a thing when defeating tough enemies or bosses. Perhaps it's because you are forcing this upon yourself too much. I have a similar feeling about GTA; I really wanted to like GTA (any game in the series). I've played all of the GTA games at some point or another, but I have never found myself enjoying it very much.

When it comes to Soulsborne, however, I can't get enough. I've played and beaten them all, multiple times each, and have even found myself seeking out rip-offs because I wanted more. Lords of the Fallen, NiOh, Dark Maus, Salt and Sanctuary, Momodora, you name it.

It happened to me, yeah. There are save points through out the game where, if you can GET to them, you're good. But there comes a point (can't remember exactly now) where those save points are stretched out way too far and the only way you're going to get to it without dying is either grinding for days on end so these new foes don't kill you or, trying to sprint your way past enemies which can kill you with one hit. In my experience, there was no third option... those were your only two.

For me, the game's music, atmosphere, graphics... just about all of it is awesome. Combat is fun imo. Everything is great except the distance between save points. And I'm the type of guy that bitches when people whine about difficult games. I've beaten old school games like Contra Hard Corps. where one wrong move gets you killed and too many wrong moves sends you to a game over screen but, what makes Bloodborne different is when you die, the time in-between your last save is literally longer than the entire play through of Contra. It's just... holy shit frustrating to losing an hour of your work. And this isn't just "work"... this is sitting on the seat of your chair, sweating your balls off, praying to the video game Gods above that you do not die type of work. And to have all that wiped out with one, unseen enemy that you could have not seen coming without a walk through... after an HOUR or more? 

Fuck that mother fucking shit right in its asshole.

I have no idea how you could understand the plot and your objectives with only what the game gives you in one playthrough, specially the events after you defeat Rom. The game goes nonsense and (more) disjointed after that.

@Hiku - 7 hours is significantly better. If you saw compelling reasons to keep going, then why not? This is still a problem for modern gaming in my eyes,tho:the gamer is asked to invest several hours of their life to determine if a game might deliver dozens of more hours of entertainment later on. I don't like that proposition, it's like hating the first half of a book but soldiering on through the 10 part series for the hope of greatness to come. I put the book down and look for a better book.

I haven't gotten past the first boss in Bloodborne. I really like the game, but I suck at playing it. I'll go back to it eventually, but you should finish Persona 5. I already put 70 hours into it and I want to put in 70 more.

1. There should be a Messenger Bath from which you can purchase items using Insight, but it's generally agreed upon that having more Insight is for advanced players. As a newcomer, you want to keep yours below 10.

2. Nope, just ring your Small Resonant Bell where you can. In order to join specific people, you'll need to set up a password. If you want to help people fight, say, the Cleric Beast then you should go to where the Ogre is, kill him, and ring your bell. Or ring your bell at any lantern that will allow it.

3. That's also a way to deal with spacing, but the intention is to help you learn how to keep a safe distance. Riposting is the act of countering with your gun immediately prior to the attack. I'm not saying you didn't know how to do either of these things, just that these bosses are there to teach those things.

4. Yeah, I get it. But you should go watch Vaatividya's breakdown of the story. It really helps put everything in focus.

I suck at these games in general. I've never beat a Souls game. I love all of them they are a lot of fun but eventually I get tired of there being absolutely no story and when I get stuck at one place to long. I only buy these games when they are heavily discounted so I don't waste my money.