#BLUD

“The writing is witty and tight, and the game does a good balance of presentation across its eleven chapters. So between the plot, the side quests, and the hunt for optional fun bits like selfies and collectibles, it never feels like time is wasted.”

“A simple action-adventure game with a stunning visual design, #BLUD is an enjoyable title packed full of jokes, charming characters, and vampires to slay!”

“#Blud is a gorgeous game packed full of charm with fantastic writing, but the combat and controls prevent it from being a must play.”

“#BLUD from developer Exit 73 Studios is a gorgeous game that contains a familiar and goofy 80s/90s horror movie narrative theme but falls short in handing the gameplay control completely over to the player. The boss fights and selfie moments do make up for some of its shortfalls and also help to keep #BLUD more entertaining than not.”

“#BLUD's not without its drawbacks. Quest objectives can seem vague, the combat takes a while to really get going, and its dungeon design teeters into tedious territory at times. But fun boss fights, a good sense of humour, and an absolutely killer art style can make you forget all about the missteps.”

“#BLUD may not bring anything new to the table, but it has a fun personality and unique presentation to make it worth taking a chance on for fans of the genre.”

“Boring missions aside I feel that #BLUD successfully captures the essence of classic animated cartoons from the early aughts with its simply stunning graphics and animations to its zany characters and situations. #BLUD stands out as a must-play indie game that delivers on both style and substance. #BLUD developer Exit 73 Games earns high marks for its captivating art style, nostalgic appeal, and well-crafted gameplay but the repetitive nature of various quests types keeps this one from true greatness.”

“This feels like a game obviously made by fans of that era, spinning the style into a contemporary mode that stands on its own. Here’s hoping the very worst of #BLUD's bugs get promptly squashed, because the more novel aspects of the game – the Perch app, a static map which slightly changes over time, or the clever fast-travel system – deserve a stable experience to best appreciate. #BLUD is a beautiful animated action-adventure with plenty of vampires to bash, but it needs more polish.”

“#BLUD offers an engaging experience with a captivating narrative. Cartoon art provides a pleasing look reminiscent of watching a cartoon. The fluid gameplay and exploration elements are reminiscent of classic games, but with a modernity that pleases. The effective soundtrack in suspenseful moments adds to the immersion. However, at first, the game was hampered by significant technical issues, such as crashes and loss of progress, which are expected to be fixed in future updates. All in all, #BLUD is fun and immersive, but it needs technical improvements to reach its full potential.”

“With all the right ingredients and some questionable ones, #BLUD is well worth a look for anyone looking to enjoy a genuinely fun story and generally enjoyable combat. The sharp visuals don’t hurt either; just be ready for some occasional frustrations when the action gets too thick and heavy, even for the thirstiest of vamps.”

“#Blud is a delightful adventure game that oozes charm. The story is good, and it's helped by the absolutely hilarious dialogue. The gameplay is excellent, and the overall gameplay length is just right, even with the various side-quests. Despite the aforementioned issues, the title is highly recommended for anyone who's looking for a solid, under-the-radar title.”

“#Blud is chock-full of charm, character and great writing. While being quite linear, there are things to find, explore and see. The combat evolves at a nice pace and some of the bosses are massive and enjoyable to take on. A few minor issues aside, there is a lot to like in this witty, bright and brash adventure. Plus, who doesn't like clubbing vampires with a hockey stick? I certainly do!”

“#BLUD encapsulates the feel of cartoons from the 90s onward in a fun and over-the-top Zelda-like experience that carves and slashes its own niche against the minions of darkness.”

“#BLUD features some of the liveliest animation of any game I’ve played this year, something that should desperately be celebrated. Unfortunately, the game’s fantastic story, art, and sound design are severely marred by the disappointing gameplay that drags the rest of the experience down the whole way.”

“Across its approximately 15 hours of playtime, #Blud offers a fun and straightforward dungeon crawler with a great aesthetic, but it is undone by some bugs that impact the flow of the game, along with some missions that just bring the fun factor right down.”

“While the small-town vampire apocalypse of #BLUD will fail to interest those looking for a serious dungeon crawler RPG, it will satisfy those longing for a simpler zany 90s cartoon experience.”

“#Blud is a fun adventure that carves its own niche due to its incredible art direction and presentation. Combat is straightforward but small additions that are periodically introduced help to keep it feeling fresh. Bosses are a joy and lead to some stand-out segments that are a highlight of the journey. The mission design is a little lackluster with a reliance on collectathon missions and fetch quests which can lead to some frustrating moments. While the game sticks to the conventions of the genre, it manages to deliver a charming and engaging experience that fans of classic cartoons and dungeon crawlers alike will appreciate.”

“#Blud is a hard game to like. Mechanically, it’s plagued with issues that I hadn’t seen in an indie game since 2013’s Ittle Dew. The story is hard to love, too. It’s easy to blame all its faults on the inadequate game that surrounds it, but #Blud’s story is fully capable of undermining itself. That said, if you take the game as it is and ignore those problems, you’ll find that #Blud has plenty to give back. Whether you’ll find this exchange worthy, it’s up to you.”

“#BLUD is a hack-and-slash game that is overflowing with style. With its colourful cast of characters and gorgeous animation, it would certainly be nice to see more of Becky and her friends, even in another medium, such as what Cuphead received with The Cuphead Show! on Netflix. If you're the sort of gamer who can look past the release's occasional lack of polish and simple combat, and values unique and charming aesthetics, then #BLUD is definitely worth checking out.”