Sony’s E3 2018 Playstation conference had a final surprise in store for the post-show, with the unexpected announcement of a collaboration between Sony Japan Studio and FromSoftware, an upcoming VR title called Déraciné.
FromSoftware New PSVR Déraciné Connected to Bloodborne?
A teaser trailer confirmed that FromSoftware had indeed been working on a VR title, and that is a Playstation 4 exclusive for the Playstation by the name of Déraciné. The video features some artistic shots of the setting of the game, but not much in the way of gameplay or further information.
The official description of the game from Playstation is as follows:
Déraciné is a brand new story adventure created by the renowned Bloodborne developer, FromSoftware, available exclusively on PSVR. As a spirit summoned by a young girl in a secluded boarding school, the player must prove its existence and build a unique bond with the students through clever interactions. As the mystery of the story unfolds, the spirit must use its ability to manipulate the forces of life and time to change the fate of the pupils.
Déraciné is an all new adventure game that brings Japan Studio, FromSoftware and director Hidetaka Miyazaki together for the first time since Bloodborne. The story unfolds in a secluded boarding school where six children quietly spend their days. It is into this environment that you appear, an unseen faerie existing in a world of frozen time. As the story progresses, time shifts around you, at times even throwing you into the past.
Our goal as we develop this title is to use the latest in VR technology to create a traditional adventure game or visual novel where the user explores a quiet world teeming with mysteries.
Déraciné’s most important element is the bond between the player, an unseen faerie, and the children of the boarding school. This is shown using fragmented storytelling, where the user pieces events together from scattered story elements, and a setting where time is frozen. All of this comes together in a compelling, emotional narrative.
Special message from Miyazaki himself:
“This title got its start when I asked myself whether I could recreate the classic adventure game with its relaxed pace in virtual reality, giving users an entirely unique experience. SIE was interested, and I am very grateful to have them as a partner as we develop this game together.
“The result is that the concept behind the title has changed little since those initial thoughts, and Déraciné has a warm, peculiar feel to it that is completely different from anything we have done before. I’d love for as many users as possible to give it a try.”
The Bloodborne Connection
We knew thatFromSoftware was working on a VR title, and there were rumors about a 3-game deal with Sony. But what’s probably most interesting about the trailer is the subtle connections it may have toBloodborne. We could wildly speculate that there is a connection between these two FromSoftware games as their settings both have a mysteriously similar aesthetic. The setting of the boarding school, looks as if it could be somewhat related to the location shown inHunter’s Dreamin Bloodborne.
Futhermore, the flowers that are shown in the Déraciné trailer resemble those that are in the surroundings of Hunter’s Dream:
We also get a look at the uniform that the student wears in the Déraciné trailer, the cape, white shirt and red neck-tie could be compared to that of the character “The Doll” from Bloodborne.
Not only are the visual similar by comparison but both titles Bloodborne and Déraciné share the same Sony Japan Studios and FromSoftware collaboration, and seems to be spearheaded by Bloodborne producer Masaaki Yamagiwa. While we could argue that these are just coincidences in terms of graphic style as the same teams are working on both titles, there are some hints and clues that could lead to the conclusion that Déraciné is something like the life-before-life or a separate dream ofGehrmanand The Doll (orLady Maria).
What type of game that Déraciné sets out to be is unknown, but the description hints at a story-lead VR game where decisions will impact the progression to unlock further mysteries. Déraciné is set to release this year 2018, but the exact release window has been yet to be announced.
Want more FromSoftware content? Make sure to Check outSekiro: Shadows Die Twice, or move on to other E3 2018 announcements includingFallout 76andElder Scrolls IV!
