Bleeding Edge

Bleeding Edge is a polished team-based brawler. Ninja Theory took on user feedback from the betas to improve gameplay and, with more content already announced, Bleeding Edge looks to have enough depth to pour countless hours into.

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"Bleeding Edge" is a 4v4 team-based brawler set in a vibrant and futuristic world. Choose from a diverse roster of characters, each with unique abilities and playstyles, and engage in fast-paced combat with tactical objective-based gameplay. With a focus on teamwork and strategy, "Bleeding Edge" delivers intense multiplayer action for players of all skill levels.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

65%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,518 reviews

gameplay132 positive mentions

monetization6 negative mentions

Unique character designs and abilities that encourage teamwork and strategy.
Fun and engaging gameplay with a mix of melee and ranged combat mechanics.
Visually appealing art style and soundtrack that enhance the overall experience.

Lack of content with only two game modes and a limited character roster.
Matchmaking issues leading to unbalanced teams and frequent leavers.
Technical problems such as a 60 FPS cap and server lag affecting gameplay experience.

gameplay
287 mentions
46 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is generally praised for its fun mechanics and unique character abilities, offering a blend of action and team-oriented strategies. However, many players express frustration with the lack of content, limited game modes, and matchmaking issues, which can lead to repetitive experiences and unbalanced matches. While the core gameplay is solid and enjoyable, the overall experience is hindered by technical shortcomings and a need for more variety and polish.
- “The gameplay feels good and refreshing, fast but not too fast where you can't tell what's going on.”
- “The gameplay is fun and filled with action, and sweet music to accompany you during the main menu, loading screens, and during the match.”
- “Fantastic gameplay.”
- “However, this game's gameplay loop is the same as any other hero-based, objective arena game.”
- “Given that there is no player base, the matchmaking is really bad, and since the game doesn't have much to offer in terms of actual gameplay, I'm going to give it a 0/10.”
- “There is a severe lack of gameplay variety, with only 2 game modes and 5 maps, alongside a limited selection of cosmetic items that are just re-skins of the default skin.”
graphics
114 mentions
48 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their vibrant and unique art style, drawing comparisons to titles like "Sunset Overdrive" and "Borderlands." Many players appreciate the smooth performance and character design, although some have noted issues with optimization and lag that detract from the overall experience. While the visuals are generally considered aesthetically pleasing, there are concerns about the game's longevity due to its stylized graphics and repetitive gameplay.
- “Amazing visuals and character design, pretty good combat with a surprising level of nuance - especially with combos, and an all-in-all a fun game.”
- “Beautiful visuals without sacrificing performance.”
- “The character design and the overall art style itself, in my opinion, are really well done; it feels like they take inspiration from Sunset Overdrive's punk-heavy art style, add a dash of Borderlands style in there, and then crank the wackiness to the max, resulting in a bunch of characters that look unique and memorable.”
- “I can live with this, but the graphics, character fluidity, map dynamics, and overall depth is just not justifying the price tag.”
- “Matches can quickly become repetitive in gameplay and having the visuals always being the same makes it rather stagnate.”
- “They tried to make it more about the gameplay, but visuals are very important.”
music
75 mentions
68 % positive mentions
28 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, with many reviewers highlighting the soundtrack as a standout feature. It complements the visuals and gameplay effectively, creating an immersive atmosphere during matches and menu screens. Overall, the music is described as fun, funky, and a significant contributor to the game's appeal, making it a memorable aspect for players.
- “The music complements the visuals well.”
- “Fights feel organized, complete organized chaos, immersive scenarios and a soundtrack that you didn't know you would like up until you stopped to listen to it.”
- “Visually and musically stunning.”
- “The mechanics are solid, the setting and characters a wonder to behold, the art style and music astonishing... but it costs £24.99.”
- “Intense battles, fun learning curve for your inter 'strategist', major teamwork, great balance of characters/abilities for everyone, and a slammin' soundtrack... especially when it's calm on the battlefield or when there's an all-out brawl!”
- “Any MOBA player will not be disappointed... and it's the only game I play with the in-game music on.”
character development
65 mentions
75 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is widely praised for its stunning and unique character designs, which are considered the strongest aspect by many reviewers. Players appreciate the interesting ability kits and the overall art style, noting that the characters feel distinct and memorable, although some express concerns about the game's content depth and potential similarities to other titles in the genre. Overall, while the character design is a highlight, the game's longevity may depend on future updates and content expansions.
- “I absolutely adore the character design; it's the strongest part of the game in my opinion.”
- “The character design and thematic nature of this game are incredible.”
- “The character design is on point and looks amazing.”
- “Overall at this early stage, it is a bit of a mixed bag; general art direction and varied character designs are a big plus while free-to-play-style progression, though without microtransactions/loot boxes (...yet-- again the pace of progression and the presence of a low-output currency definitely feel like the door is being left open for those to be added later) put a damper on things.”
- “Fun and semi-original gameplay, but boring character design for the most part. Poor content and basic marketing mistakes mean this game won't last unless they release a great update/content patch... I'll have fun with it for a couple of hours, but I'm certain it'll be a desert in a month.”
- “In a day and age where those types of games have 30+ heroes, multiple game modes, stable servers, and strong character design, it is really hard to compete in the genre.”
optimization
40 mentions
45 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing smooth performance and high frame rates, while others report significant lag and performance issues, particularly on lower-end systems. Many users express frustration over inconsistent performance across different matches and the need to play on low settings to maintain stability. Overall, while the game shows potential for good optimization, it currently falls short of expectations, especially for a buy-to-play title at launch.
- “It's super well optimized, too, and everything feels really smooth.”
- “Beautiful visuals without sacrificing performance.”
- “Also it's very well optimized as I'm getting 144 fps easily on max.”
- “Sure, I got a terrible computer, but the optimization is atrocious.”
- “Feels really good playing the game with his own ID, but the optimization is so weak. I can't understand how heavy the map can get only having so few things working, some health packs, and damage buffs around with only 8 players.”
- “The game has a PC version, but it is not optimized for it, and some of the mechanics are just plain bad as a result.”
monetization
20 mentions
15 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the absence of microtransactions and loot boxes at launch, while others express concern about potential future monetization strategies. Although the initial price point of $30 is considered reasonable, there are fears that the game may eventually adopt a free-to-play model with in-game purchases, which could undermine its current value. Overall, players are divided on the game's monetization approach, with some viewing it as a cash grab and others valuing the lack of aggressive monetization tactics at this stage.
- “Honestly, I don't think it's fair to expect Ninja Theory to release a game without in-game purchases for free, and I think the price point they did release it at is pretty reasonable.”
- “With that said, I still think for something that's just launched, and isn't capitalizing off its players with loot boxes and microtransactions, they've done a pretty good job!”
- “I can understand some people being wary of the price tag, but I will happily pay $30 for no microtransactions and gameplay-rewarded cosmetics.”
- “In summation, this game is a nicely done quick cash grab.”
- “Overall at this early stage, it is a bit of a mixed bag; general art direction and varied character designs are a big plus while free-to-play-style progression, though without microtransactions/loot boxes (...yet-- again the pace of progression and the presence of a low-output currency definitely feel like the door is being left open for those to be added later) put a damper on things.”
- “It needs a monetization change and go free-to-play to have any chance of reviving this game.”
story
15 mentions
13 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
The game's story aspect is notably lacking, with players expressing disappointment over the absence of any narrative or meaningful content. Many reviewers suggest that the addition of a story mode or quests could enhance the experience and provide a more engaging framework for gameplay. Overall, the consensus is that the game feels underdeveloped in terms of storytelling, which detracts from its potential appeal.
- “I think a single player bot mode to test arenas would be helpful (they can make it a story mode, for each character to spruce it up).”
- “Not that I play this game for the backstory; it's crazy underdeveloped too.”
- “It's really hard for me to admit, but the game is already dead. They need to add some story mode or make it free and significantly better polished because it's nonsensical how bad this is looking.”
- “No story of any kind.”
- “If there were a story, even a short one, it would make it an easy buy.”
humor
14 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players finding it consistently funny and entertaining, particularly in unexpected moments like being blindsided by a train. However, some reviewers note that the gameplay can become repetitive and lacks depth, leading them to prefer other games. Overall, while the humor adds to the enjoyment, the game's simplicity and matchmaking issues may detract from its long-term appeal.
- “Fast, funny, and exciting all bundled up in about 15 minutes.”
- “I use a controller, and while sometimes the lock-on can be a bit finicky and the camera occasionally erratic, the game remains consistently fun. Plus, being blindsided by a train because you foolishly didn't look can often be a very funny thing anyway.”
- “Some people also have day 1 balance complaints, which will always be funny to me as it is quite hard to know the meta on the first day.”
grinding
11 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the game's grinding mechanics are a significant drawback, with many players finding the experience tedious and repetitive. While some appreciate the balanced earning of in-game currency through gameplay, others criticize the slow progression and overall lack of engaging content, leading to a sense of boredom. The community's dissatisfaction is evident, with calls for extensive redesigns and improvements to combat and map structures.
- “The game doesn't take long to get boring and tedious.”
- “Personally, I think the maps are tedious and the objectives as they are currently presented are a huge detractor.”
- “Going through matches and grinding for levels was slow and painful; like a tortoise walking over thumbtacks.”
atmosphere
4 mentions
50 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its vibrant and lively feel, enhanced by creative character designs and meticulous attention to detail, such as unique animations. Reviewers note that the fluid gameplay complements the engaging vibe, making the overall experience enjoyable and immersive.
- “The vibe and atmosphere of this game is really awesome; some of the characters are the best character ideas I've seen, and the attention to detail is just beyond amusing with things like Street Fighter attack animations and the movements of a corpse being puppeteered around.”
- “The game atmosphere feels alive, and the gameplay is fluid!”
stability
4 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, including poor balance, lack of effective matchmaking, and numerous bugs in the group menu and maps. Additionally, players express frustration over the cosmetic items, which are merely recolors and require extensive farming to obtain.
- “Badly balanced, no matchmaking, cosmetics are just recolors (which you have to farm for 5-10 hours), buggy group menu.”
- “Unbalanced and buggy maps.”
- “Unbalanced and buggy maps.”
replayability
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
Players find the game's replayability lacking due to the similarity between the two game modes, which diminishes the incentive to return unless they are immediately engaged by their initial experience.
- “Within these maps, players will partake in two game modes, both of which are too similar for there to be much replayability if you're not instantly hooked on your first win of the day.”
emotional
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is heavily influenced by player frustration regarding character balance, particularly concerning abilities that feel unfair or overly powerful, leading to feelings of helplessness during gameplay. This sentiment highlights a desire for adjustments to enhance the overall experience and emotional satisfaction of players.