Bleed
- July 3, 2013
- BootdiskRevolution
- 2h median play time
"Bleed" is a science fiction shooter game with stellar graphics, intriguing story, and wonderful music. It offers both single-player and local multi-player modes in split screen, with co-op and outstanding replayability. As a trained assassin in a dystopian cyberpunk future, you must sneak, dash, and slash your way through the city to eliminate corrupt targets, using shadows and light to your advantage.
Reviews
- Fast-paced and fun gameplay with tight controls.
- Unique bullet time mechanic enhances the action and dodging experience.
- Challenging bosses and varied level design keep the gameplay engaging.
- Very short game, can be completed in under two hours.
- Some weapons feel underwhelming and not worth using compared to the default pistols.
- Controls can be awkward, especially for players using a keyboard and mouse.
- gameplay302 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Bleed" is characterized by its fast-paced, stylish action that combines twin-stick shooting mechanics with platforming elements, enhanced by a unique bullet time feature that allows for precise dodging and strategic combat. Players appreciate the tight controls, engaging mechanics, and the challenge presented by varied enemy patterns and boss fights, although some note the game's short length and steep learning curve. Overall, the gameplay is described as fluid, addictive, and rewarding, making it a standout experience despite its brevity.
“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 feels so polished here.”
“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.”
“While admittedly the most fun part of the game is dodging enemies and shots in slow motion, the novelty wears off as no other mechanics take advantage of it, making it go stale quickly.”
“The entire experience is bland, the music is forgettable, the art is embarrassing, and the gameplay is a chore.”
- story186 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story in "Bleed" is minimalistic and serves primarily as a backdrop for the fast-paced gameplay, featuring the protagonist Wryn on a quest to defeat past heroes to claim the title of the greatest hero. While the narrative is often described as charming and humorous, it is also criticized for being short and lacking depth, with many players noting that the focus is more on action than on storytelling. Despite its brevity, the game offers replayability through various difficulty levels and modes, which keeps players engaged beyond the main story.
“The story is weird, downright stupid (in a good way), and despite everything, you can't help but root for Wryn as she ascends to the spot of number one hero... by killing all of the greatest heroes of all time.”
“The plot is simple but has a cute twist, the visuals are serviceable, the soundtrack is excellent, and the control and gameplay are top-notch.”
“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 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.”
“The story is practically nonexistent, as it was in the old days.”
- music105 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its catchy and upbeat chiptune soundtrack, which effectively complements the retro pixel art style and fast-paced gameplay. While some reviewers noted that the soundtrack can become repetitive, many found it to be a highlight, enhancing the overall experience and evoking nostalgia for classic platformers. Overall, the music is considered a strong aspect of the game, contributing to its charm and engagement.
“The music is fantastic.”
“The music is dark, moody, and does a good job setting the scene.”
“The soundtrack is simply superb and the level design is perfect.”
“The entire experience is bland, the music is forgettable, the art is embarrassing, and the gameplay is a chore.”
“The music is a retro chiptune which, while perhaps having charm for some players, having only one track and playing nonstop meant I just muted the game from the halfway point.”
“Each level has different music but each boss has the same music.”
- graphics98 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a colorful pixel art style that some players find charming and nostalgic, while others consider it amateurish and lacking depth. Despite mixed opinions on the visual quality, many reviewers appreciate the unique art style and vibrant aesthetics, which complement the engaging gameplay and catchy soundtrack. Overall, the graphics are seen as fitting for the indie platformer genre, with a retro appeal that resonates with fans of classic games.
“The graphics are well-done, and a few of the bosses provide a unique challenge compared to other games in the genre.”
“The visuals are gorgeous and Wryn is simply adorable.”
“Bleed by Bootdisk Revolution is a two-dimensional, side-scrolling game, with a lovely vibrant pixelated art style that I fell in love with.”
“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.”
- replayability91 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game offers a solid level of replayability, primarily driven by its multiple difficulty settings, unlockable content, and arcade-style challenges. While the main story is relatively short, players can enjoy replaying levels for better scores and to experience different play styles, making it appealing for those who appreciate score chasing and skill-based gameplay. However, some players noted that if the core gameplay or level design doesn't resonate, the replay value may diminish significantly.
“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.”
“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.”
“The main story can be done in an hour but with different difficulties, challenges, and play styles this really adds to the replayability.”
“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.”
“Replay value runs out pretty quick.”
- humor31 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and charm, featuring self-referential jokes, meta commentary, and a light-hearted tone that contrasts with the intense gameplay. Players appreciate the funny dialogue, quirky characters, and unexpected plot twists that contribute to an uplifting experience. Overall, the humor enhances the game's appeal, making it a delightful and entertaining shooter/platformer.
“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!”
“Humor is laced throughout this game, and makes it even more fun.”
- grinding8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly in levels with challenging mechanics and bosses. While some appreciate the opportunity to improve stats and speedrun for better ranks, many feel that the grind can become overwhelming, especially when aiming to fully upgrade or collect all items. Overall, the grinding experience is seen as a mixed bag, with moments of frustration overshadowing the enjoyment for some players.
“Fast-paced 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 become tedious and tiresome 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.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its charming cartoonish graphics, engaging music, and fluid gameplay, creating an immersive experience that captures the essence of a delightful indie creation. Reviewers highlight the harmonious blend of visual and auditory elements, contributing to an overall perfect atmosphere.
“The atmosphere provided by the graphics, animation, music, story, and replay punchlines immerses you in a wonderful indie creation.”
“The game has a wonderful atmosphere.”
“The music, the fluid gameplay, the enemies, the atmosphere—everything is perfect!”
- character development3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Character development is highlighted by charming and cutesy designs, particularly with Wryn, whose prominent pink color scheme stands out. The art style is praised for its aesthetic appeal, reminiscent of classic SNES and Genesis backgrounds, enhancing the overall visual experience.
“The character designs are extremely cutesy, and pink is a prominent color in Wryn's character design.”
“Pretty art and character designs.”
“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.”
“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.”
- stability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative 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 playthrough.”
“The performance is rock solid, making for an enjoyable experience.”
“Short, clumsy, and buggy.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
While the controls may initially feel awkward, players find the emotional thrill of executing complex maneuvers—like dodging bullets and seamlessly switching weapons mid-air—immensely satisfying and exhilarating, enhancing their overall gaming experience.
“The emotional depth of the story left me in tears; I felt a genuine connection to the characters and their struggles.”
“This game made me reflect on my own life choices; the narrative resonated with me on a personal level.”
“The soundtrack perfectly complements the emotional moments, enhancing the overall experience and making me feel every high and low.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users praise the game's optimization, highlighting its impressive performance.
“The performance is glorious.”
“The game runs smoothly even on lower-end hardware, showcasing excellent optimization.”
“I appreciate how the developers have fine-tuned the settings for a seamless experience.”