They say you don't know what a story is really about until you've written it, which I think is part of what makes the DLC for each game stand out among From's content. Completing the base game gives them something to build on top of and realize everything the base game was moving towards. I personally consider The Old Hunters to be among the best content From has ever created, and Ludwig shines as one of the most compelling creative designs in their entire catalogue. The added weight of incorporating the Moonlight Greatsword, essentially an icon of the entire studio's legacy, is sublime and lends a presence to Ludwig that extends even beyond Bloodborne.

@Capss22

2 жыл бұрын

Zullie could you make a video about Midir? As well as this one about Ludwig😊😁

@ArchangelExile

2 жыл бұрын

Interesting... 🤔

@zachtalkssmack4470

2 жыл бұрын

Isn’t Ludwig demonic horse look inspired by the Rape horse from berserk?

@esssss8415

2 жыл бұрын

@@zachtalkssmack4470 No.

@clockworklemon9243

2 жыл бұрын

The way the old hunters DLC had us experience the story in reverse was incredible. Blew me away when i worked it out.

Something I realized about ludwig’s iconic scene where he holds the moonlight greatsword up to cover half of his face, he’s covering the side of his face that is more disfigured and has the blind eye, meanwhile the remaining clear eye stares back at us, signifying his humanity resurfacing for one final battle not as a beast, but a hunter.

@clayxros576

2 жыл бұрын

"Remember me, good hunter, as the man I was. End me, this last moment of lucidity, so I die as a man. HAVE AT THEE"

@michaderda4510

2 жыл бұрын

deep

@haloskaterkid

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah I read someone else’s theory about this somewhere too 🙄

@FeekyChucker

2 жыл бұрын

Sorry, but I thought this was obvious lol.

@fire-typhoon123

2 жыл бұрын

And in that scene his face looks so calm and his eye so focused.. Ludwig's gotta be my favorite bloodborne boss and one of my favorite soulsborne bosses ever

I read a theory that the lyrics of the boss music are actually being sung from the point of view of the Moonlight Greatsword. It pities Ludwig and the grotesque form he's taken. Because of this, its my belief that the restoration at 50% health happens not because the sword is responding to Ludwig's predicament, but because its responding to the player's strength. You've proven that you can fight this beast on equal ground, and so the sword grants its former master a parting gift, the chance to die honorably in battle as a man instead of a beast, and in doing so, the sword is also choosing its new master.

@ayycorn762

2 жыл бұрын

I really like this theory

@SerechII

2 жыл бұрын

holy shit, I was in a trip from this fight's story and music, which always shooks me, and then read this theory and almost teared up

@thepepperronin6845

2 жыл бұрын

Holy shit, the Moonlight Greatsword is one of my favorite parts of From's games, and you just elevated that by 11. seriously gave me goosebumps reading this. you got a source on the song translation? I'd love to give it a looksie.

@eduj

2 жыл бұрын

beautiful

@Will140f

2 жыл бұрын

Don't know if this theory holds any water but I really like it

Never thought about how Ludwig's change from "The Accursed" to "The Holy Blade" is an antithesis of all other boss battles in the game. Every one starts out like fighting your typical, albeit stronger, enemy, but devolves into increasingly savage attacks as the boss nears its death. But Ludwig goes from unmatched, blood-drunk, bestial rage, to a resolute, graceful fighting style (complete with back-stepping, like a hoonter) once he picks up his sword.

@edalbyek6060

2 жыл бұрын

"A hoonter must hoont"

@lukelacher1802

2 жыл бұрын

Gael goes from deranged savage to composed to angy composed

@bomes2084

2 жыл бұрын

o venator

@FF-ch9nr

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah he’s sorta like the inverse of Gasgoine

@TechbotALPHA

2 жыл бұрын

Malekith (Elden Ring) could be argued to join that club, now :)

I love that Ludwig uses the same model for both phases, it’s just that his posture changes. Excellent story telling with just body language alone

@revanf3719

2 жыл бұрын

I also love the part where the name changes from "Ludwig the Accursed" to "Ludwig the Holy Blade"

@TheBfutgreg

2 жыл бұрын

@@revanf3719 Plus serrated damage no longer applies, he might still be beastly in a physical sense but he's returned to his humanity for this moment

@DanS044

2 жыл бұрын

I don’t know about 3D animation but that seems very impressive seeing as phase 1 Ludwig it s such a mangled grotesque beast. They managed to make him stand up, and hold a sword. I think that’s very impressive

@CITYZEN50

2 жыл бұрын

I just want to keep replaying the dlc bosses (except living failures ofc lol)

@MrAaassdd

2 жыл бұрын

@@DanS044 and lot more dangerous!! 😎

I really do love his return to sanity during the fight, and he is the only known person to recover from the process of being turned into a mad beast.

@teabagjesus284

2 жыл бұрын

In the Old Hunters' nightmare you move backwards in time, which is masterfully displayed in the middle of the Ludwig fight

@hikarihakai1285

2 жыл бұрын

@thedestroyer_ yeah but i think he talk strictly Bloodborne here

@5.99USD

2 жыл бұрын

@thedestroyer_ Lol wut? Gael is not a bloodborne character. He has nothing to fo with anything in bloodborne. Also Gael didn't turn into a beast, he went hollow. Complely diiferent thing.

@lowkeyobsessedngl

2 жыл бұрын

@@5.99USD 'turning hollow' and 'turning into a beast' sounds essentially the same, as in they regress to their most basic instincts. so maybe that's what he's getting at. that being said, not a bloodborne character, though imho he moves alot like one.

@lintt0492

2 жыл бұрын

@@5.99USD saying it's kind of the same.. just recycled like half the things in fronsoft games

200 bones to his rig.. The unimaginable pain of manually keyframing every single one of those bones would be more terrible than fighting Ludwig as yourself.

@safijivvaboi5081

2 жыл бұрын

And then godrick just doubles that with 400+ bones lmao

@MammalianCreature

2 жыл бұрын

@@safijivvaboi5081 My hands are cramping and my back hurts from thinking about this. Hope they have good chairs with support, that's so tedious sounding.

@Sorrelhas

2 жыл бұрын

"This is the first boss of the DLC, probably should be on the easier side" **200 bones later** "My body is battered and broken, and my mind shattered like cheap porcelain. My shoulders don't have the strength to bear this pain alone, so you shall bear it with me!" **Makes possibly the second hardest boss in the game**

@safijivvaboi5081

2 жыл бұрын

@@Sorrelhas the 3 horsemen of beating your ass: Laurence, Ludwig, and Orphan of kos

@ChainsawGutsFuck

2 жыл бұрын

They will have used animating techniques like IK rigs to be able to keyframe a lot of detail in a much smaller, simpler time frame

I think Ludwig is scripted to always give you a visceral attack when he's one hit away from death, just so you can kill him in the most satisfying way possible. I love that; they KNEW how cool this fight was

@hyperfreeze2714

2 жыл бұрын

not only that, but by visceraling him or not gives a different death sound. If he dies to a visceral, his voice is human, you've given him respect through this mercy and he dies the man he is mentally . If you continue wailing on him without the visceral, his voice is that of beast, squealing madly, dying as the beast he is physically

@theomegablade6415

Жыл бұрын

It isn't, it's most likely because you use a similar weapon a lot or use transformation attacks a lot. the 2nd Phase is much easier to stagger.

@crit1kal_z

Жыл бұрын

@@theomegablade6415 it actually is scripted he always gets staggered when hes near death and ive done several playthroughs. Also he always gets staggered in all the ludwig fights i see. Cant be a coincedence right?

@theomegablade6415

Жыл бұрын

@@crit1kal_z there must be more to it, as i've had vastly different timings for when he staggers, and I've played this game for years testing and screwing around with whatever i can in this game, seems i'll have to do some testing with Ludwig some more.

@cyruskenyon7779

Жыл бұрын

@@crit1kal_z it's not scripted, his crotch counts as a breakable part and if you're attacking him head on that area will "break" and cause him to stagger.

"my true mentor....MY GUIDING MOONLIGHT" gives me chills and goosebumps like no other boss battle ever has

@JMDofficialpage

2 жыл бұрын

the feeling you get when he says "Ah, you were at my side, all along" is just on a whole other level. one of the best fromsoft boss battles of them all.

@CITYZEN50

2 жыл бұрын

@@JMDofficialpage best battle imo

@Chiphiroth

7 ай бұрын

With half of his face covered in blood. This cutscene is simply amazing

@darklaw1384

3 ай бұрын

Bro don’t forget mohgs orgasm: NIHIL NIHIL NIHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIL

Ludwig shall forever be From's masterpiece, he really is flawless in basically everything

@TamRamPam

2 жыл бұрын

He even uses the iconic weapon if the studio!

@doolenny9458

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah him Gael and now goddrick are the perfect picture of fromsoft both grotesque but badass

@andrescaetano6203

2 жыл бұрын

Ludwig and Gael are (in my opinion) the best bosses in the Souls-borne franchise. Not even considering the fight, the way how these two come from being mindless beasts and restore their swordsmanship in the middle of the fight is just awesome. It’s the complete opposite from what we normally see normally in bosses like Oceiros, where he just go nuts on his second phase.

@salamander366

2 жыл бұрын

@@lorenzo8208 "the first phase was basically knocking me down and use that stupid slam down move that one shots me and I can't do nothing about" - I mean... you can dodge it, like every other attack

@stefvanroey8191

2 жыл бұрын

Him and inner owl are the absolute peak

When Ludwig brings his moonlight sword, the game no longer consider him like a beast, so all the weapons and equipments that effect beasts will do him no harm

@smallkidneyjoe4046

5 ай бұрын

thats so cool :O

@Pedro_Le_Chef

Ай бұрын

They will harm him, they just won't do the bonus damage they'd do to beasts.

My favorite part about the fight has to be that everyone including myself thought Fromsoft left out their most iconic weapon, The Moonlight Greatsword. The combination of the weapon reveal and Ludwig being setup in the base game through lore is just perfect.

@fishpickles7316

Жыл бұрын

its the coolest version of the sword we've ever seen and it fits more thematically than in the other games

@InternetHydra

11 ай бұрын

Sadly I spoiled myself on it's existence sifting through the wiki before I got the game (I wouldn't have gotten it if I hadn't found a dirt cheap used PS4, eff exclusivity), so I missed out on the moment. Still had a bit of impact but going a game without the sword and then it reappearing in the DLC after one has mentally written if off must've been such a greater moment.

his saddened expression in the eyes are so human- it's like an elephants or whales- you can tell there's intelligence behind there

@carlycrays2831

2 жыл бұрын

But on him it's terrifying. He's proof that most of the monsters probably have some level of awareness despite their broken bodies.

@vaskopoh9512

2 жыл бұрын

@@carlycrays2831 well If Old Yharnam and the beggar ain't proof enough.

@clayxros576

2 жыл бұрын

Except with Ludwig, it's an intelligence of sorrow. He knows what hes become, and what must be done, and that this lone hunter who isn't even of this realm must do it. It's a look of resigned compassion. "End me, in my final lucid moments. Take my companion, and pray you dont fall as I. Maybe your defeating me proves you're stronger already. Let us prove it."

He really does contrast with gascoigne who is loosing himself when you fight him, and laurence who is already lost. Their tragedy makes it all the more glorious that HE comes back where they could not.

This game really is remarkable. I never thought I'd feel such conflicting emotions and pure awe over a boss that can be described, generously, as "several horses but it's one man"

@onumero_7834

2 жыл бұрын

That's what she said

@EverTheFractal

2 жыл бұрын

@@onumero_7834 That just sounds like a nightmare to carry around. You'd need like a push cart and a decently sized tent.

@jube6341

2 жыл бұрын

@@EverTheFractal you'd just have a third leg at that point

The fact that he goes from crawling around to standing upright, even with the four legs, also stands to symbolize his humanity reigning triumphant over his bestial transformation. Its almost like fighting against a hunter allowed him to see clearly for just long enough to get hold of his precious moonlight, and die as a human and a hunter, than as a beast.

@earendilm

2 жыл бұрын

On another video about Ludwig, someone said this about his transformation "he isnt gonna fight you as the beast he is but as the proud hunter he once was and then you notice (...) This isnt the hunt for a beast, this is a final dance with a fellow hunter"... It made me tear up for real

This was always my favortie boss in Bloodborne, fully encapsulating a beast boss and a human boss in one, loved it to death! Keep up the great work Zullie

@doctorsweg23

2 жыл бұрын

sick videos you make yes

@naruofdeez1820

2 жыл бұрын

Yooo didn't know you were here Evan

@neonvalkyrja

2 жыл бұрын

"the boss that changed Bloodborne"

@Thrasher424

2 жыл бұрын

Holy shit I didn’t expect you here

@shr00m44

2 жыл бұрын

Didn't expect you here, Mr. Destiny Man.

Probably the peak of imagination and creative design in Horror, let alone in FromSoftware's catalogue. Forever iconic. Even his tragic last words about moonlight are so harsh, I could cry. Games rarely have that effect on me.

@alejandromolina2802

2 жыл бұрын

I wholeheartedly agree alongside Gael, those two are the encapsulation of everything FromSoftware stands for

@hmingthanzuala11

2 жыл бұрын

"Even in this darkest of nights.... I see......the moonlight.... "

@StarvingGecko

Жыл бұрын

"I never wanted to know, what it really was. Really, I didn't."

I love how even though Ludwig’s return to sanity is a glorious demonstration of his resolve, and an example of the human will overcoming the horrors of this world, it still contributes to the overall despair and hopelessness of the game, as now the symbol of resistance against the nightmares is trying to kill you with all his might. The allies you have are few and too weak to make a real difference, if they don’t decide to kill you. The ones who were strong enough to help you have already lost.

It's NO FUCKING WONDER he's still the best and most memorable boss fight in this game to me! Even though Maria, Gehrman and the Orphan of Kos were all amazing battles, this one thematically is just on a whole other level! After so many FromSoft games showing the descent from majesty, the fall from grace, we are finally graced with the opposite: a mindess beast clawing back into his sanity, to the true knight that he once was! There's too many things amazing with this boss for me to put into words! Thank you, Zullie!

@vozcosmos7987

2 жыл бұрын

Hampter

@thesightthesoundthefeeling8769

2 жыл бұрын

What, no love for the Living Failures?

@MrDibara

2 жыл бұрын

@@thesightthesoundthefeeling8769 _Oh they're amazing too, but let's be honest, Ludwig is just on a whole other level._

@Stevemastersreason

2 жыл бұрын

After playing kingsfield: He just wields the goddamn moonlight, the greatest weapon ever made. Hes the only non hero character who ever wields this weapon, which makes him a hero just like we are in every fromsoftware game and equally tragic.

@dancreary3340

2 жыл бұрын

Especially when you contrast it with Gascoigne succumbing to beasthood.

Also I'm pretty sure weapons meant to kill beast actually do less damage to Ludwig once he regains his humanity. Showing that not only does his beast body straightens to that of a man, his blood has begun to change back.

@Haseebuif

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah you don't get serration damage on his second form

@paladin181

2 жыл бұрын

@@Haseebuif also, runes that grant beat damage or penalize damage to beasts don't function.

@geniuz4093

Жыл бұрын

@@Haseebuif you dont get serration on his first one neither

From does love their "ruined majesty" themes, the idea of small glimmers of former glory shining through a decrepit, corrupt shell. Artorias was the first and one of the most memorable examples, with ludwig really taking a similar concept and elevating it even further beyond. Even Dark Souls 2 despite it's roughness tries and to certain extents has this in varying flavors. In the base game you have Velstadt, who isnt terribly impressive as a boss fight, but thematically is powerful, as a corrupted paladin who still protects his king, despite having succumbed to darkness long ago, yet the spot where he remained in prayer all that time, is almost stained in a permanent spot of light.And he is still able to call upon his cleric abilities, despite his miracles having turned to hexes. And you have the Ivory King, consumed by chaos.

@paladin181

2 жыл бұрын

Funny how Artorias and Ludwig are both DLC characters referenced multiple times in their main games, like they are the main attraction of their DLC. They are built up as mythical heroes in the lore, and then you meet them and see what they've become. In Ludwig's case, you see him come back to himself a little.

@FlameG102

2 жыл бұрын

@@paladin181 Fromsoft is the king of expanding on cut content from the main game in their DLCs. they do DLC RIGHT. not only are their DLCs expansions, proper expansions, but they expand on content from the main game that ended up on the cutting room floor

@irvancrocs1753

2 жыл бұрын

In DS3 the first boss, Gundyr, is literally the finest example, you fought him as how pathetic he was, being consumed by the abyss and planning his duty only as a test for the new ashen one so he could leave in peace.. But then you meet his champion form, which produce one of the best fights in dark souls games imo, he is so fun to fight..

@thepepperronin6845

2 жыл бұрын

No matter its jank, DS2 has some of the coolest characters in the series IMO. Raime, Velstadt, Vendrick, Aldia Ivory King... all of them are true badasses that rival Artorias for me.

@impracticality2312

2 жыл бұрын

@@thepepperronin6845 I personally love Velstadt, his dedication as the king's protector is not something to sneeze. Only a man sheer will and determination can withstand the darkness and not forget his first and foremost duty even when being consumed by the darkness. Oh yeah, and I also love his Chime Hammer alot, DING DONG!!

I've always thought it looks like he somehow fused to a horse while he was riding it, with the extra maw being what's left of the horse's neck after the skull kinda fused with Ludwig's (since it definitely looks like he's got at least a partially-horse skull with a human face stretched over it)

I remember reading in some interview that Miyazaki did that the main thematic element he wanted to touch upon in Bloodborne was, to paraphrase: “the inner conflict between the instinctive desire to retain your humanity and the animalistic urge to give in to your encroaching beasthood.” That’s why I think Ludwig and Father Gascoigne are my two favourite bosses in the game. Gascoigne is a broken man who has gone insane and can no longer resist beasthood after murdering his own wife, ultimately transforming into a monster before our own eyes. Ludwig represents the opposite, starting off as this repulsive, deformed beast that appears to possess nothing remotely resembling humanity, but manages to reclaim that humanity upon recognizing his sword; he goes out with dignity. They complement each other as perfect representatives of Bloodborne’s core themes, and they do so not only through overt storytelling, but in gameplay mechanics as well. A masterpiece, indeed.

@Nick-Terakidan

2 жыл бұрын

Ah, Gascoigne didn't kill his wife. It was the villagers that he was butchering that killed her

@kidnameless

2 жыл бұрын

@@Nick-Terakidan I don’t think I believe that. To me it seems much more plausible that he killed Viola because it was the one time she forgot to take their music box with her. She failed to make him remember and so he ended up killing her in his bloodthirsty rage. Unless there is any good evidence that suggests he didn’t?

@Nick-Terakidan

2 жыл бұрын

@@kidnameless I don't remember where I heard that, so sadly I can't show you

@ashikjaman1940

2 жыл бұрын

Neither is confirmed so just believe whichever one you like more

@dylanroemmele906

4 ай бұрын

@@kidnameless Ah yes, Gascoigne corned and killed his wife on the roof of a building, he then jumped down, and decided to stay awhile and hack away at dead beasts and villagers. Right...

Nearly 7 years later and Ludwig the Accursed and Holy Blade is still Froms best boss theme, maybe even in general. I've heard it like a 100 times now and it's literally never failed too give me goosebumps

@dynamicflashy

2 жыл бұрын

Too bad the composer joined Nintendo right after Bloodborne. He also composed the Living Failures theme which I consider to be the third best boss theme in Bloodborne.

@cedricrenaud5657

2 жыл бұрын

To be honest it's no doubt one of the best, but I prefer Gehrman's, Gwyn's, living failures', and perhaps Gael's themes a bit more.

@SerechII

2 жыл бұрын

the way it builds up and explodes, even seemingly when it has to for the best impact with the boss fight is so insanely strong, I get goosebumps just thinking about it

@theobell2002

2 жыл бұрын

The DOOM cover of the track is dope af.

His voice acting, his design, the combat, the boss room, the music, the lore..... They nailed every aspect of this boss. One of the most epic moments in gaming history if you ask me.

@pancon5

2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely!

Perhaps since Ludwig was an actual Knight before his accursed transformation, his horse melded with him, giving him the four extra equine limbs and horse-like face... Ironically, he can talk... even though he is very horse.

@mastermarkus5307

2 жыл бұрын

I don't know why some people think he was a knight who rode a horse. There's no indication that was ever how anyone in the Church hunted or if it would be particularly strategically useful (it's way different from how most hunters work, and being on a horse drastically reduces maneuverability.) Ludwig and the "Holy Blades" are related to ancient knightly heroes according to the Radiant Sword Hunter Badge, but that THEMING is probably why Ludwig is horse-like, not that he's literally partially a horse.

@zealoussarcasm1982

2 жыл бұрын

@@mastermarkus5307 to add to this the hunters nightmare is not the real world so most of the design choices can be interpreted as metaphorical or symbolic.

@Ollybollyk

2 жыл бұрын

"Ironically, he can talk... even though he is very horse" stop... the internet isn't ready for this level of humor.

@rookmorggrimmar8432

2 жыл бұрын

Just my personal theory but I often thought it had something to do with saggitarius constellation since it is “the hunter”

@absolutelyyousless7605

2 жыл бұрын

@@rookmorggrimmar8432 That... is a good point! Though that should make all hunter to beast transformees more horse like if that was the case...

The Old Hunters as a whole is probably one best pieces of gaming content ever made, adding the design and technical aspects makes it true art.

I think fromsoftware has more freedom for the DLCs. The release date does not matter as much as the basegames release, and if the basegame was succesfull the DLC is almost garanteed to be to from a marketing perpective, so there is less weight on their shoulders. designing for DLC also has the advantage of experience. They already worked out a lot of the bugs and technical aspects while working on the basegame, and learned tricks along the way, so they are at a higher technical skill level when making the DLCs. plus having feedback from the basegame helps make the DLCs capitalize on the good stuff.

@weirdalexander8193

2 жыл бұрын

“The release date doesn’t matter” *cringes in lost izalith*

@cauthrim4298

2 жыл бұрын

@@weirdalexander8193 lost izalith isn't a DLC, what are you talking about

@ralphgonzalez8202

2 жыл бұрын

@@weirdalexander8193 last time i checked lost izalith was not a DLC area

@internetdragon7624

2 жыл бұрын

@@weirdalexander8193 yeah Izalith is the biggest case study in rushed development killing an area but the guy is talking about dlc. Not to mention Izalith is from an Entirely Different Game, if anything you should've at least brought up rushed development killing the Mensis Nightmare! Then you'd be wrong but at least you'd be talking about the right game!

@spawnofchaos9422

2 жыл бұрын

@@internetdragon7624 Honestly, the areas in Bloodborne never felt rushed but the main story of the game definitely did.

The interesting thing about Ludwig is that every single other instance of a boss fight, it's something that lost its humanity and became something else. Ludwig is the one exception where he manages to do the opposite and claw his way back into control. He is the antithesis of everything that is Bloodborne. _watches video_ Well, I guess I shouldn't have commented before watching.

@carlycrays2831

2 жыл бұрын

He can only hold on for so long but in that final last bit of humanity and dignity he is simply beautiful

@thebigenchilada678

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah you see this, but when I look at this guy all I hear is “mount woman.”

While everyone else is turning into wolves, Ludwig becomes three horses. Clearly he's on a whole different level.

@thelastporpoise4854

2 жыл бұрын

Fire Emblem Three Horses?

@theobell2002

2 жыл бұрын

I think the cleric beast resembles more of a wendigo than a wolf.

i love how they handled Ludwig, it was quite like Artorias, we heard about him and his dees, recovered some of his heirlooms, then the mystery of Lduwig's holy blade that many speculated to be the moonlight gs, because of the shape and how it looks with the weapon buff hunter tool, only to be shown Ludwig and validating the theories

@irvancrocs1753

2 жыл бұрын

Now imagine how majesty Lady Tomoe's fight in Sekiro if dlc isn't getting cancelled, we heard about her tale almost in every part of the game story, even the strongest being respected her, must be hella of fight if that happened.

@TheHonoredMadman

2 жыл бұрын

Artorias is a fraud tho

@invi022

2 жыл бұрын

@@irvancrocs1753 There was an info about dlc?

@irvancrocs1753

2 жыл бұрын

@@invi022 Yes, iirc before the release of base game they already announced that Sekiro would have dlc, but months after the release they officially announced the dlc was cancelled, many said that they want to focus a lot on Elder Ring which is why they sacrificed the dlc in the process to help the development.

I still remember helping my friend with Ludwig. I’d fought him so often, so many times, that I could go from dying horribly in the first phase with help, to casually leaning back in my chair, dodging through his attacks easily so my friend could heal. Such a good boss that really feels like a waltz with one of the greatest humans to ever exist in the BB universe, even in his accursed form.

@DWFTW

2 жыл бұрын

Honestly some of my favourite moments in these games is once I've gone through and beat a tough boss, just co-oping and helping people out while making proper use of the mastery of the fight. I think I ended up doing that in every single Soulsborne DLC, Artorias, Fume Knight, Ludwig and Gael respectively being the ones that felt the best to redo for me. Ludwig though is another level than the others. I like the rest, I really do, and ironically Fume Knight was where I felt the most needed as a support, but Ludwig just is great fun to fight once you've got his moves down. I wish it didn't need PS+ or I'd probably revisit it more often (but I don't use my PS4 enough to justify that).

The writing and narrative style of these games is a huge portion of why they are so beloved, bit honestly these devs that actually make the game are just straight up super talented as well. The best in the industry it really seems

When the choir sets in after his transformation, you can feel the physical and mental pain, struggle to hold on to sanity, and desent into madness all at once without it being spoken in a common tongue. You don't need to know the words themselves. Music is damn powerful and Fromsoft nailed it.

@speinz9430

11 ай бұрын

It was just his journey at that point

getting to ludwig's second phase the first time will always be the most memorable thing i've ever experienced in a video game. he's not the most "difficult" or complex boss, but that cutscene and the rising score that follows is fucking amazing.

Ludwig certainly is one of the most interesting bosses in the series, so far.

A cool little detail is that in the cutscene for Phase 2, Ludwig covers his clouded eye (his beastly eye, or unknowing eye?) with the Moonlight Greatsword, and only his human eye remains visible, alert and looking right at you, all while incensing the Greatsword as his mentor.

I will never forget the feeling of watching the second stage cutscene and hearing the glorious second half of the OST for the first time. My entire body was in goosebumps as I was fighting the rest of the bossfight standing up since I was too excited to keep playing seated. Every possible aspect of this boss is executed masterfully. Thank you FromSoft.

One of my favorite parts about this fight was his name changing midway through. Such a cool detail to emphasize that he becomes more human when he realizes he has his sword still.

Ludwig's Boss music is among the top scores that From Software has ever created.

@mastermarkus5307

2 жыл бұрын

I think I might only like Laurence's music better, but his fight felt a lot less inspired.

I've always seen Ludwig as the pinnacle of design. His music is fantastic of course, but more than that is just the effort they put to even the way he holds himself. In the beast form his head is usually tilted so you only see the murky side of his face, but when that cutscene plays and he the covers that side with the sword, only to face you head on. Brilliance in subtlety

Ludwig is clearly a masterpiece. At first a terrifying beast, but after the cutscene, his posture is basically a knight on a horse. At least this is how it always felt to me.

The reveal that the second model is the same, only posed different at the same time as the theme transition is an excellent moment in this video. Love the analysis of the model here

It actually brought me to tears when Ludwig regains his sanity, the magnificence of humanity

@katsenberg3036

Жыл бұрын

Same. I, no joke, cry everytime. Something special about the most horribly corrupted human talking again, unlike (almost) any beast-man in the story.

@theenderdestruction2362

Жыл бұрын

The sprite of man is unbreakable even as the body is destroyed if it is granted only a bit of peace it will regain itself

Fromsoft are masters of Beastial horror. The idea of a Human transforming into something terrifying, something completely different, yet still having recognizable Human features.

@carlycrays2831

2 жыл бұрын

It's his whole awful face. A lot has been said about his eyes, but for me it's his forehead and wrinkles. Lots of animals have sorrowful eyes, but such a forehead and wrinkles are only on people

I can't even begin to imagine the sheer will and strength it took to do what this man did. Where all others descended into madness and beasthood without hope for redemption, Ludwig chose to die a human. Even for just a small moment, he was again greater than any other could have hoped to be.

A fun fact about Ludwig: when his health is critically low you can finish him off with a visceral attack: doing so causes him to play a different death animation where he hangs on his sword before falling face-first into the ground, groaning in his human voice. If instead you keep bashing him, he won't hang on the sword and he will let out a beastly screech.

Zullie, I literally found your channel like 2 days ago and I have watched almost ALL of your videos since then!! You make such wonderful content whether it be about technical knowledge or analysis of themes and game design like this video. I’ve watched Dark Souls content for years and I’m thrilled that I found someone to reignite my love for Souls games and show me things I’ve never seen!

I love the trails of moonlight sparkle that emanate from the sword when he charges it up along with the blood splashes and chunks of the ground that fly off the floor from his scary slams and slashes.

Seeing Ludwig stand up stand up proud and tall for one last time is one of the great moments in gaming.

It's all fun and games until the Berserk Horse gains his sentience back.

@deadmeme8011

2 жыл бұрын

FIRST

@impracticality2312

2 жыл бұрын

Aye my man, how you doing??

@iustificari4257

2 жыл бұрын

ayooooo

I love that From's DLCs are always the coolest pieces of the games. They make these amazing games, then to finish off the lives of their games, they add the crown jewel to them. Best boss fights, best songs, and always tied intimately to the lore of the base game, and other DLCs in the case of DS3. It's not that From games are incomplete, but the DLC fits in so seamlessly that it seems like it was always meant to be there anyway.

Ludwig is my favorite fight in the ENTIRETY of Bloodborne.

@BuyBitcoinBefore1Million

2 жыл бұрын

Entirety of from soft games Imo

From goes absolutely off the charts when it comes to DLCs. It's incredible.

The choir during his second phase is one of the most beautiful pieces of music I've ever heard. It encapsulates the absolutely horrifying, towering presence that he becomes. Whenever I hear it, I just imagine a fight between the hunter and Ludwig in which Ludwig's sword swings go with it in such an epic fashion. This fight is a true masterpiece.

Ludwig is one of my favorite bosses conceptionally but not particularly one that I look forward to fighting

@charlieburnham39

2 жыл бұрын

First phase is definitely a bit of a mess. The telegraphs of the bestial enemies are always difficult to discern, and on higher ng+ cycles, the instakill combos don't really allow for the hyper-agressive combat bloodborne is meant for.

@Palmacry95

2 жыл бұрын

@@charlieburnham39 like the Orphan in phase 2, is more like a fact of luck than skill

@elgringosupremo

2 жыл бұрын

Ludwig is much simpler to fight if you stay aggressive and up close

@Palmacry95

2 жыл бұрын

@@elgringosupremo not really since he oneshots you

@elgringosupremo

2 жыл бұрын

@@Palmacry95 He only one-shots you if he hits you on a bad doge with the counter damage. It’s much easier to get him into a rhythm and wail on him if you stay close and get in hits whenever you can. He is deceptively easy to stagger. He also mostly only uses the really hard to avoid moves when you make too much space.

A fitting tribute to one of the most powerful moments in a game full of them. I still listen to this song for inspiration, as well as Laurence's and Maria's themes, all from the DLC. The Old Hunters is easily one of the greatest single Expansion Packs of all time, right up there with Lord of Destruction and Frozen Throne. That's a fun Best-Of list to mull over, wonder what would round out the Top 10

I'm really enjoying these boss design analysis videos, please keep them coming

His reactions to the state of the church as told by the player, are two of my favorite exchanges in this game. Only behind the most pivotal encounters in the fishing hamlet.

My favorite boss in the series, it felt like From hit it out of the park with this fight in terms of atmosphere, lore, music, challenge, and that cutscene.. Wish they would’ve followed their own lead and eased up with the refilling lifebar move they’d go on to use in DS3.

He also resembles an Amygdala a huge amount when he stands up in my opinion, most visible at 2:10 and also during his jumping animation shown off in the other Ludwig video. The eyes inside his mouth would correspond with the eyeballs inside the Amygdala's head, including the ability to shoot the laser beams.

Thank you for this, one of my fave bosses all time and you perfectly captured why

You sound really passionate about this...almost inspiring. And also makes me like fromsoft even more grew up playing these games.

I cried when the music and cinematic scene perfectly accompany each other. It's pure art, and the most astounding moment ever created by From.

Absolutely spot on analysis. Old Hunters is such a tight, focused exploration of the themes and characters and settings laid out in the base game.

This is my favourite video of yours. It's so well written, good job.

I usually don’t comment but zullie your content is amazing, so much information in such small time, I can’t help but look at almost every other video you got my guy

Gael 🤝Ludwig: [DLC bosses with an animalistic and brutal fighting style throughout the first phase, which is changed by a respectable and calculated style on the second phase by just standing straight and honoring the duel]

@waltersullivan2727

2 жыл бұрын

Both start out beast like in nature Ludwig has his resolve and realizes he’s more than just that. He’s man! Coming to his senses and recovering the ability for speech despite the horrors he’s seen. Gael on a nigh endless journey full of battle never forgets his mission even after his deformation. Yet the very second he bleeds the blood of the dark soul he goes hollow realizing his jobs done now ready to die. Both stand upright not speaking another word throughout the boss battle. Really great portrayals of them getting in touch with their humanity. That coupled their themes rising to phase two and the fights being phenomenal is just peak moments in gaming.

One of the greatest boss themes as well. All around just an amazing encounter.

This is a fine note. A beautifully written and shot video commemorating one of the greatest and most disturbing boss battles of all time. Well done.

"boss what Boss should I make really iconic for the game?" "just mak it one of the DLC bosses... But not the last one make it either the second to last or an optional one."

good ole Berserk (Redacted) Horse, good to see him and his sword. and his... 7th Leg.

@TheGamingStorage69420

2 ай бұрын

PAUSE.

I cannot overstate how great Ludwig is in every single aspect. I'm glad people feel the same way!

Awesome video! I’m glad you have Bloodborne DLC videos, there aren’t many lore vids for it on here.

Ok. After watching more and more and more videos, I subscribed. I still play all these games daily, even ds2. Love your videos

This was truly From’s supreme mic drop. The exact instance in which everything Miyazaki helped design all came together in a perfect embrace of world building and game mechanics. The entire team perfectly encapsulated their brand’s distinctive themes in one moment, and from this game on, they’ve made hit after hit.

Bloodborne is truly a masterpiece! This game has the best pve of all from software’s games, in my opinion.

I knew you had good taste Zullie. Keep up the good work I’ve become a huge fan of your channel

I've never played bloodborne, but you've conveyed this in such a way that I feel like I understand it. Keep sticking to you 3-day schedule. Your videos are gems and I'd hate to see you get burnt out again.

And the music is top tier too. I remember watching LobosJr fighting him but instead of trying to beat him as fast as possible once he got to the second phase he just kept dodging all of his attacks but only attacking back seldomly, intentionally prolonging the fight just to let the music play. It wasn't like watching a fight so much as watching a waltz; the two of them dancing around each other as the music played almost in-time with them. It was amazing and it's one of my most favorite songs from Soulsbourne.

Ludwig one of the greatest looking boss designs ever in the souls series but one of the most struggling bosses to fight. come to think of it most bloodborne bosses were quite tough.

What I really love is how much you love this.

Zullie you are my #1 favorite content creator, for real. You always show the most interesting shit. Thank you so much.

I hope Elden Ring features music as awesome as Ludwigs theme.

@nirmiak9906

2 жыл бұрын

I hope they do better, ludwig’s theme is fantastic but fromsoft can go further beyond

Just something I've noticed, outside of the pontiff arena at to the left there is a stair case and right below it is a curved rail I jumped down to the rail and then fell off like an idiot. But for some reason it didn't instant kill me. I'm wondering if you could cancel fall damage it might allow you to walk around right there next to the wall. Not entirely certain though.

@wyldingone8092

2 жыл бұрын

Normally it'll kill you in a few seconds but it looked like I fell all the way to the ground and took fall damage from that.

Love these model analyses.

As the release of elden ring gets closer, I've started to anticipate your new videos more and more. Dont ever stop!

I think of that little parasite lined with eyes as Ludwig containing the worst of his beasthood into one isolated area, which could help to explain why he retained his humanity more than any other beast. I think of it similarly to how Youpi from HxH isolated his "rage" in order to draw from its power without letting it consume his mind.

@Thesaurus_Rex

2 жыл бұрын

I personally think it's the opposite. That horrible mouth lined with eyes I interpret as what remains of his human head (Ludwig has 8 limbs, 4 horse and 4 with human digits, implying he fused with his own horse). Because of the whispers of the Holy Moonlight Greatsword, he gained eyes on the inside, and was perhaps on the brink of ascension, which made his fall to beasthood all the more tragic.

Something i've messed around with occasionally is luring a Living Failure into the Maria boss fight. Sometimes at the end of the LF fight, one of them wont despawn with the others. It cant fallow you into the Research Hall but it can enter the Astral Clocktower & will even remain for the fight with Maria. Besides adding another enemy to deal with alongside Maria, the more fun aspect of it is that the LF will still be able to summon the cosmic light show turning the boss room into a planetarium (The arcane asteroid attack also gets summoned but is contained in the LF boss arena). But i was wondering, can they summon that effect anywhere else in the game or does it only work in that area?

@jaxietoon

2 жыл бұрын

Whoa! I had no idea that was possible

@elgringosupremo

2 жыл бұрын

Post a video of that happening, I’ve never seen it

zullie, found you because elden ring, now your videos got me playing bloodbourne. recently bought the dlc to experience this fight and it was brutal, but so satisfying in the end. I just wanna say I appreciate the fire content you put ppl on.

Thanks Zullie for covering my favourite boss in soulsborne, Ludwig and The Old Hunters are From's most elevated works yet imo

There's a saying along the lines of "if you fight monsters long enough, you slowly become one yourself". Ludwig seems to have gone to transforming to better fight the creatures in that nightmare that never ends and the consciousness remains buried

What I love about this fight is that Ludwig, finding his Moonlight Sword, represents the feelings that old From Software gamers have towards the Souls series. As with Ludwig, the moonlight sword has always been at our side, being a faithful companion of successive players, from Demon Souls to Dark Souls and Bloodborne, in worlds where evil, darkness and degradation reign. With its delicate blue light it gives us hope to overcome difficulties and leads us to a glorious victory.

Awesome! Still gives me goosebumps hearing that score

Can't begin to say how happy I am you're doing BB stuff again!!!!!

A being ascending from primitive bestiality to enlightenment through sheer determination certainly is a powerful theme in Bloodborne.

Cool, I now get to appreciate the prototype of the golden king in Eldren Ring.

I've never felt more like a badass facing an incredible foe in any from game like the time the music queued just right for his transformation and we started his second phase in a dark waltz of horror. Loved every minute of it.

Was literally just listening to his theme on repeat. You always deliver, Zullie.