Blood Orange
- November 3, 2023
- Decent Treatment
Get on Steam"Blood Orange: Definitive Edition" is a free, character-driven psychological thriller set in the Amazon river basin. Explore ruins and photograph dolphins with your underwater camera, all while experiencing beautiful, surreal environments. With 3 distinct endings and an atmospheric soundtrack, the game offers a unique and immersive adventure.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features stunning visual art and a haunting atmosphere that captivates players.
- The soundtrack is amazing, enhancing the overall experience and emotional depth of the game.
- It's a short but impactful game with multiple endings, making it replayable and engaging.
- The story can feel confusing and lacks cohesion, leaving some players unsatisfied.
- Gameplay mechanics, particularly the controls and chase sequences, can feel janky and frustrating.
- The game is very short, which may leave players wanting more content and depth.
- story37 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The game's story receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its esoteric and psychological elements, as well as the intriguing multiple endings and atmospheric integration with visuals and sound. However, others find it confusing, lacking cohesion, and overly vague, suggesting that it may leave players feeling disconnected or requiring multiple playthroughs to fully grasp. Overall, while the story has its merits, it may not resonate with everyone, particularly those seeking a more straightforward narrative.
“The multiple endings were very interesting, as were the drip-fed bits of story throughout.”
“The story is excellent and pulled me in immediately, and I can recommend this game enough to anybody looking for some late night spooks!”
“For what I assume is RPG Maker, this is a nicely put-together psychological experience. I thought the story and the mood were handled perfectly.”
“The story isn't very cohesive and fails to come together in a satisfying way.”
“Honestly, it's hard to feel pulled into a story where you are dropped in the middle and characters start talking about it before you're even given any clarity into what's going on.”
“Personally, I found the story quite boring, bland, and overly vague on whatever it was trying to pursue.”
- music24 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its captivating soundtrack, which enhances the overall atmosphere and complements the visuals beautifully. Reviewers noted the unique ocean-themed sound design, immersive ambiance, and high-quality voice acting, all contributing to a memorable experience. Many highlighted the soundtrack as a standout feature, making it a significant reason to recommend the game.
“The eerie visuals in the preview images completely drew me in, and the accompanying soundtrack (which I listen to as I write this, I enjoyed it that much!) couldn't be more fitting - they play off each other perfectly to create a unique experience that few (if any) other games come close to replicating.”
“Something I personally was very impressed by is how the game handled the music, the ambiance overlapping with different underwater static and subtle effects, little changes in the mood, even the voice acting was very on brand, not something I expect from a small free game, overall I thought the soundtrack was very unique with the ocean theme.”
“The music, sound, and visual design are all immaculate and fit the vibe of the story so well.”
“Pretty much the entire game I didn't feel like there was anything in terms of music that didn't belong. I think it's something that when done correctly often goes unnoticed; even just the random uncanny dolphin noises added so much to the atmosphere, just a very immersive experience.”
“Being a bit of a brainy soundtrack nerd, I would say the music was the biggest highlight for me. The way you manipulated the little sounds and static just gave the game a very good sense of immersion.”
“Also, I thought the whole water influence made the OST very unique to this game.”
- atmosphere22 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in these games is consistently praised for being captivating, immersive, and haunting, often enhanced by strong visuals and music. Players appreciate the distinct styles and emotional depth, with many noting the effective use of sound to create an eerie or mesmerizing experience. Overall, the atmosphere is a standout feature that significantly contributes to the games' impact, making them memorable and engaging.
“It's a cool little atmospheric game about love, loss, and talking dolphins.”
“A short game with an incredibly distinct atmosphere and style that will stick in my mind for a long, long time.”
“Pretty much the entire game I didn't feel like there was anything in terms of music that didn't belong; even just the random uncanny dolphin noises added so much to the atmosphere, just a very immersive experience.”
“This was a nice little game jam that had a very eerie atmosphere.”
“Atmosphere is haunting.”
“This game is more complex than your typical horror game as it prefers the spine-chilling atmosphere and story over the classic jump scare or spooky chase scene.”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The gameplay is described as simple yet engaging, with some standout mechanics like diving and camera controls that enhance the experience. However, players noted frustrations with bugs and underdeveloped chase sequences, and while the game is a suitable length for a short adventure, the overall experience may not be enough to compensate for its basic gameplay and lack of immersive storytelling.
“The camera mechanic was really fun and easily my favorite part.”
“Very simple gameplay that still keeps you engaged throughout, great story as well.”
“I think it was a good length for its gameplay.”
“I did experience a couple of fairly frustrating bugs on my first couple of attempts at playing the game, and the chase sequence mechanics didn't quite feel fleshed out.”
“The gameplay is fine for a very short adventure game.”
“Visuals and audio are appealing, but I don't think they can carry the experience alone when gameplay is basic and the story is quite short.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are highly praised for their atmospheric pixel artwork and vibrant color schemes, which effectively enhance the eerie and immersive experience. The visuals work in harmony with the soundtrack, creating a unique ambiance that captivates players. However, some reviewers feel that while the aesthetics are strong, they may not fully compensate for the game's basic gameplay and short narrative.
“The eerie visuals in the preview images completely drew me in, and the accompanying soundtrack (which I listen to as I write this, I enjoyed it that much!) couldn't be more fitting - they play off each other perfectly to create a unique experience that few (if any) other games come close to replicating.”
“Was a huge fan of the art style and color scheme.”
“The pixel artwork is well done for the atmospheric environment it seemed to be going for.”
“However, the pros are that the art style and the way the characters come across as eerily creepy is perfectly done and really brings the thalassophobia in.”
“The eerie visuals in the preview images completely drew me in, and the accompanying soundtrack couldn't be more fitting - they play off each other perfectly to create a unique experience that few (if any) other games come close to replicating.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the game's ability to deliver a brief yet impactful emotional experience, highlighting its beautiful art, heartfelt narrative about love, and an impressive soundtrack that enhances the overall journey.
“If you want a short emotional journey and have an hour or two to spare, give this free game a try.”
“Came for the creepy dolphins and ended up playing a game with amazing art, a heartfelt narrative about two lovers, and an awesome soundtrack (the credits song is my favorite!).”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find that grinding in the game leads to tedious subsequent playthroughs, even though these playthroughs are relatively short.
“This made the subsequent playthroughs more tedious, despite their short length.”
