Bleed

92%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,236 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • music
Bleed Game Cover
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"Bleed" is a 2-player science fiction shooter game, with both co-op and single-player options. Wryn, the protagonist, dreams of becoming the ultimate video game hero and must defeat the Greatest Heroes of All Time to claim the title. The game is an action-packed platformer focused on acrobatic dodging and challenging gameplay, featuring seven levels of intense enemies, obstacles, and innovative bosses.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

92%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,236 reviews
gameplay151 positive mentions
grinding8 negative mentions
  • Fast-paced and fun gameplay with tight controls.
  • Unique bullet time mechanic enhances the action and dodging experience.
  • Challenging boss fights and varied level design keep the gameplay engaging.
  • Very short game, can be completed in under two hours.
  • Some weapons feel underwhelming compared to the default dual pistols.
  • Controls can be awkward to master, especially for new players.
  • gameplay372 mentions

    The gameplay of "Bleed" is characterized by its fast-paced, action-packed mechanics that blend platforming with twin-stick shooting, enhanced by a unique bullet-time feature that allows players to slow down time for precise dodging and shooting. Players appreciate the tight controls, engaging combat, and the challenge presented by various bosses, although some find the game short and the learning curve steep due to its complex mechanics. Overall, the game is praised for its replayability and the satisfaction derived from mastering its mechanics, making it a standout title in the indie platformer genre.

    • “The core gameplay is stylish and satisfying, throwing loads of high-speed projectiles at you but giving ample bullet time to gracefully dodge them.”
    • “Innovating in the genre by elegantly merging twin-stick shooter gameplay into an arcade platformer with a thoughtful and minimal control scheme that wastes no finger movement, Bleed is a tightly designed, gameplay-first, high-precision blitz of a jumping game.”
    • “The gameplay is rock-solid and the weapons do provide strategical benefits depending on the levels and bosses alike.”
    • “There's a bit too much trial and error to solve a boss or a room, and I really dislike that kind of gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay was frustrating at first, especially with the combination of the right trigger to jump and the right stick to shoot, but after a little while the controls began to feel just right.”
    • “The movement mechanics don't work well enough for the platforming expectations it proposes.”
  • story241 mentions

    The story in "Bleed" is minimalistic and serves primarily as a backdrop for the fast-paced gameplay, featuring the protagonist Wryn on her quest to become the greatest hero by defeating past heroes. While the narrative is simple and often humorous, it is generally considered short and lacking depth, with many players noting that the gameplay takes precedence over the story. Despite its brevity, the quirky plot and character interactions add a charming touch, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate a lighthearted narrative alongside action.

    • “The story is cute and all but doesn't really work with anything in the game besides 2 bosses and honestly it does detract from the game.”
    • “The story is funny, and the 'twist' will make you laugh like crazy.”
    • “The story goes that you and the main protagonist Wryn have to kill all 6 great heroes in the hall of fame who have hidden themselves from the rest of the world in order to join their ranks, and reveal them for who they really are.”
    • “The story is pretty weak and short, but the game shines with its diversity and replayability.”
    • “The story is barely there; you play as Wryn, who is disgusted by the heroes of old, who have grown complacent and corrupt over time.”
    • “The main issues with the game are the very short story mode and the limited replay value - while upgrades, unlockables, and the different difficulties can keep a player going for quite some time with the game, someone looking to just finish the story will find the game incredibly short.”
  • music132 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its catchy and upbeat chiptune soundtrack, which effectively complements the fast-paced gameplay and retro pixel art style. While some players find the music to be repetitive or generic after extended play, many appreciate its nostalgic charm and fitting atmosphere across different levels. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, enhancing the overall gaming experience.

    • “The music is fantastic.”
    • “The music is cool and feels a mix between 8-bit music with some sounds/samples a little bit more on the 16-bit era.”
    • “The soundtrack is simply superb and the level design is perfect.”
    • “The music is really generic and not entertaining at all, barring some rare fragments of tunes.”
    • “The entire experience is bland, the music is forgettable, the art is embarrassing, and the gameplay is a chore.”
    • “The music and sounds are appropriate for the theme, but I personally found the bit-style music annoying after a time, and resorted to using my own music.”
  • graphics128 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a colorful pixel art style that evokes nostalgia for retro gaming, though opinions vary on their execution. While some players appreciate the charming and vibrant aesthetics, others criticize the low detail and amateurish quality, suggesting that the visuals could have been improved. Overall, the graphics are seen as fitting for the game's indie platforming genre, with a mix of enjoyment and critique regarding their simplicity and retro appeal.

    • “The graphics are well-done, and a few of the bosses provide a unique challenge compared to other games in the genre.”
    • “The graphics are actually well-done for what they are - you don't need supremely-sharp graphics to make a fun game - the cartoon-like graphics actually enhance the game.”
    • “Bleed is a fun fast-paced bullet hell arcade platformer with 2D graphics.”
    • “The graphics were my biggest dislike about the game.”
    • “It's especially bad for this game, as the graphics look absolutely atrocious in fullscreen, which ruins what are otherwise really nicely done sprites.”
    • “The visuals are fairly weak, however.”
  • replayability111 mentions

    The game is generally praised for its high replayability, driven by multiple difficulty levels, unlockable characters, and various game modes that encourage score chasing and challenge runs. While the main story is short, many players find the engaging gameplay and creative level design provide ample motivation to replay for better scores and to explore different play styles. However, some reviewers note that if players are not interested in these aspects, the replay value may feel limited.

    • “The weapons are fluid, it's quite replayable, the level design and boss design are expertly done and really creative, and the finale ties things up in a great way.”
    • “Fun and challenging game with multiple difficulties and high replayability.”
    • “It's short but has lots of replay value with multiple difficulty modes, game modes, characters, and weapons for you to try out and a high skill ceiling for anyone looking to dive deeper.”
    • “Replayability hinges on whether you like score chasing; otherwise, it's quite short.”
    • “The main issues with the game are the very short story mode and the limited replay value - while upgrades, unlockables, and the different difficulties can keep a player going for quite some time, someone looking to just finish the story will find the game incredibly short.”
    • “You can also unlock other characters by completing the game on other difficulties, so the game does have some replay value, although for me, the game felt a bit too short and with not enough differences to warrant repeated playthroughs.”
  • humor47 mentions

    The humor in the game is consistently praised for its cleverness and charm, featuring meta jokes, self-referential dialogue, and a light-hearted tone that contrasts with the intense gameplay. Players appreciate the funny character interactions and unexpected plot twists, which contribute to an overall uplifting experience. The humor is described as both amusing and addictive, making the game enjoyable and engaging throughout.

    • “Hilariously, a dude in a cutscene complained he was the character in the intro and the protagonist says 'nobody watches those,' which was actually true for me, because I skipped the intro cutscene and never knew who this character was.”
    • “The characters and plot were great, and the main character Wryn's dialogue was very funny and full of personality!”
    • “The humor and simple nature of the game is also pretty addictive.”
  • grinding10 mentions

    Players have mixed feelings about grinding in the game; while some find it tedious and brutal, especially when trying to max out upgrades or facing repetitive bosses, others appreciate the balance of upgrades that prevent it from feeling overly grindy. The experience can vary significantly, with some enjoying the challenge and speedrunning aspects, while others feel the grind can become frustrating and monotonous. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as a double-edged sword, offering both opportunities for improvement and potential tedium.

    • “Fast-paced gameplay with no tedious minigames.”
    • “Not tedious, but sometimes frustratingly difficult.”
    • “The level with the rotating building and never-ending free-falling balls kept knocking me back to the ground, and it felt very tedious.”
    • “The bosses and levels are tedious and tiring after about 3 or 4 levels.”
    • “In most cases, this wouldn't be a problem, and it would make sense, but considering the previous point... yeah, it gets kind of brutal and grindy, especially if you want to max out your upgrades or purchase all of the weapons.”
  • atmosphere7 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is characterized by a charming cartoonish aesthetic, enhanced by cohesive graphics, animation, and music that create an immersive experience. Players appreciate how the various elements, including gameplay and level design, work harmoniously to evoke a sense of wonder and enjoyment throughout the game. Overall, the atmosphere is consistently praised as a standout feature that contributes significantly to the game's appeal.

    • “The game has a wonderful atmosphere.”
    • “The music, the fluent gameplay, the enemies, the atmosphere, everything is perfect!”
    • “The atmosphere provided by graphics, animation, music, story, and replay punchlines puts you into a wonderful indie creation.”
    • “Atmosphere/art/music: atmosphere varies by level, but has an overall cartoonish feel to it.”
  • emotional5 mentions

    The game evokes a range of emotions, featuring a heart-warming and uplifting finale alongside a silly yet touching story that resonates with players. Moments of emotional depth are highlighted, particularly in the opening sequence, which enhances the overall experience.

    • “The game also features a strangely uplifting finale that I found somewhat heartwarming.”
    • “Bleed made me feel that again.”
    • “It also has a really touching story, so make sure you don't skip the opening sequence.”
  • character development4 mentions

    Character development in the game is highlighted by its appealing and cutesy character designs, particularly the prominent use of pink in Wryn's design. However, the overall experience is marred by control difficulties, which detracts from the game's recommendability despite the enjoyable soundtrack and art style.

    • “While most of the backgrounds resemble old SNES/Genesis backgrounds, the character designs are extremely cutesy, and pink is a prominent color in Wryn's character design.”
    • “+ Pretty art and character designs”
    • “The character designs are extremely cutesy, and pink is a prominent color in Wryn's character design, which feels out of place and lacks depth.”
    • “While the art is pretty, the character development feels superficial and fails to create a meaningful connection with the characters.”
    • “The backgrounds resemble old SNES/Genesis graphics, but the character designs lack originality and fail to stand out.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    Players report that the optimization of the game is generally excellent, particularly praising its performance in windowed mode. Despite its 8-bit graphics, users find no significant need for extensive settings adjustments, indicating a smooth experience overall.

    • “I always go into the options menu when I first play a game, not to optimize the settings for ideal play or anything crazy like that, but to turn the game into windowed mode, because I really despise full screen.”
    • “The performance is glorious.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Overall, users report that the game's stability is lacking, describing it as short and clumsy with some bugs present, though they note the absence of significant glitches.

    • “The game runs smoothly without any glitches.”
    • “I haven't encountered any stability issues during my gameplay.”
    • “The performance is consistent, making for a seamless gaming experience.”
    • “Short, clumsy, and buggy.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

80% average critic score

Buy Bleed

Play time

2hMedian play time
3hAverage play time
1hMain story
12hCompletionist
2-5hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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