Bloodborne and Self-Care | Story Mode

In this episode of Story Mode, we take a closer look at how when we play a game can greatly affect how we respond to it, and some of the different ways self-care through gaming can manifest itself.
STORY MODE is the series where I focus less on analysis and more on personal stories about my life in games. Topics can range anywhere from memorable gaming moments, to stories about games that have fundamentally effected the way I view both other games and the world around us.
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Story Mode: • Playlist
#bloodborne #videoessay #analysis

[@IjiModo]

“Power in the blood” is such a strong finish. Bravo. 🤘

[@leguan278]

Im playing bloodborne right now and it feels like there is so mutch about this game left unsaid, eventhough i have watched hours of content about the game... I wish i had the ability to make the words come out.

[@LambHoot]

dang this is a great personal essay

[@ryanstang6556]

While I personally differ from several of your political views, I would say I’m toward the middle of the political spectrum with a conservative leaning, I appreciate your opinions on matters such as the election as a way to experience the perspective of those outside of my own sphere of influence. Seeing how events like these or disheartening events of any kind can affect people, and approaching that reaction with understanding rather than an “I won, you lost” mentality can help your own self grow. While I still have my beliefs and you yours I respect you for having them and I’m eager to see and learn from how these different beliefs reflect in your videos and how I can reflect on them. It’s nice to not see people as left wing or right wing, but rather people who may be different from me that struggle with different things I struggle with. Thanks for prompting this thought and keep up the good work. P.S. glad you got gud at souls

[@SelectScreen]

Hey, just wanted to take a second and say thanks for being one of the few comments that disagree with something political I have to say without resorting to the usual "anti-SJW" internet parlance, and I appreciate your willingness to at least try and understand someone else's perspective. I'm happy to have you stick around, just be careful, if you watch enough of my videos I might just turn you into a socialist too. Thanks for watching.

[@ryanstang6556]

Select Screen Thanks for the reply! And this “crazy conservative” will happily run that risk! Your videos are cool and I just discovered them through your Mr. Freeze video. I definitely have a new way to procrastinate on my classes now!👍

[@madmachanicest9955]

Your point about game as catharcess really hit home for me thank you. For me it table top games were i can let my intelligent and creativity lose that keeps me going in the hard time. So i can relate.

[@davidclark765]

I think you may have found a new biggest fan, haha. I'm binge watching your content right now, and I find it almost uncanny how readily I relate to your perspective. For me, Bloodborne came at a time when I was making serious personal transitions, changing my perspective on life and my deepest held beliefs and values. For me, exploring Yharnam and beyond was like exploring my own inner demons, and conquering them the same way I conquered the horrors of the Old Ones. I saw that darkness in me, as well, and being able to fight through them, to literally vanquish them, was immensely satisfying, and I think played a legitimate part in making me who I am today. So, I can say that I deeply appreciate and connect with your take on this marvelous game. Keep up the good work.

[@SelectScreen]

That's awesome, I always love to hear stories of people who find a way to use media as a tool to better themselves. That's a big reason why we love the things we love, because of their power to reflect back our own life and experiences and give us a new understanding of both, which is also why I love talking about them. Thanks for watching.

[@GUNNSsheep]

Honestly, after experiencing 2020 and, god, just the first month and a quarter of 2021, this still feels very relevant, especially with Bloodborne being about a plague made worse by an ineffective or outright malicious organization. I think that's partly why I've stayed latched onto this game even after not playing for so long, it gives a catharsis I've not really found anywhere, except... So, I found your channel through your Eva videos, they're probably two of my favorite Eva videos I've seen that actually analyze the material and get into the meat of its feeling. And how I see Bloodborne's true ending (becoming a slug squid thing) vs the End of Eva as the hopeful version, of losing but still winning by thinking outwardly of others instead of inwardly for the self. Choosing to leave Yharnam is selfishly leaving everyone else to suffer while you escape, while fighting Gerhman without probably preparing makes you a pawn enabling the suffering to continue. Only by going up against a literal god and winning do you stop the immediate suffering and begin the process to end future suffering "You became an infant Great One, lifting humanity into its next childhood." It feels like the anti-EoE ending but also complimentary to it. I dunno, I'm rambling now, but watching the Eva videos and then this just makes me appreciate the same kind of hopeful-nihilism the two franchises hold.

[@SelectScreen]

Hmm, yeah, that's an interesting interpretation that I hadn't really considered before, but I definitely think you've got something there. Now that I start thinking about it, there actually are quite a few good points of comparison between Bloodborne and Eva that just never dawned on me. I think I mostly chalk that up to each one eliciting very different emotions for me despite them both covering a lot of the same themes and ideas. Sort of like how when you're sad and frustrated, sometimes you feel like you just need to cry and other times it feels like you want to punch a wall. Thanks for the comment and glad you enjoyed the videos.

[@jibjabby9964]

Good Story, go on you brave soul

[@Dorian_sapiens]

"Power in the Blood" 😂

[@SelectScreen]

Gehrman died for our sins.

[@KarolaTea]

But I don't wanna go back to 2016. It sucked. Great video though. It's amazing what art can do to help us work through shit. I often find that the 'cozy comfy' kinds of escapism feel more like... painting all the mosters colourful, but they're very obviously still there. Better to head on face and slay them, even if just digitally. (Now that being said, lemme get back to my fairy colouring page and ghibli piano collection...)

[@SelectScreen]

Definitely not a coincidence that I spent 5 hours on Tuesday night replaying Hollow Knight instead of watching election results slowly come in. (although Hollow Knight is much cuter than Bloodborne)

[@KarolaTea]

Yeahhhh, certainly still a very relevant video. Altho I do wonder how much 'harsh truth' is too much? Like, games about "overcoming difficulties and persevering" is one thing. But what about games set in a fictional world full of say corruption, inequality and looming natural disaster? Still cool for escapism? Or what about a game developed in 2020, set in 2020? I guess it's a matter of personal preference either way... (altho imo games set in 2020 should have a warning. Too soon man, too soon)

[@SelectScreen]

I suppose it depends how you define "escapism", because a game about corruption, inequality, and looming natural disasters, where presumably you as a single individual can actually do something to combat those things sure sounds like some good escapism to me.

[@KarolaTea]

True that. I guess it depends *what* you want to escape *from*. The world being a horrible place, or the hopelessness that it might ever get better.

[@chasethecringewolf2195]

Personally while the political comments kinda put me off im glad you weren’t just flat out comparing Bloodborne’s story to our modern day politics. People just argue and bicker, but they dont talk and agree and i think people would be better if we just reset it all. As for Bloodborne i felt the same way about the worlds Dark Souls was to some people about finding the will to move on when the world didnt care. Bloodborne? The world hates you. You should die. And its fantastic. Its something i think is right and i try hard to learn irl. That you dont need the approval of others you just need to find yourself and conquer every grotesque horror in your path. You dont need to become strong, you already are.