Bloodshed

About

Bloodshed is a single player shooter game. It was developed by com8com1 Software and was released on May 22, 2025. It received positive reviews from players.

Bloodshed is an exhilarating fusion of Roguelite elements merged with retro-styled visuals and first-person “Survivors-like” frenetic combat action: Face endless waves of undead foes, collect experience points, and upgrade your skills and weapons in a battle to survive the night. Even after death, you keep your hard-earned money which can be exchanged for persistent improvements and unlockable con…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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84%

Audience ScoreBased on 827 reviews

gameplay64 positive mentions

optimization10 negative mentions

Fast-paced, high-octane gameplay that combines elements of classic FPS and roguelike mechanics.
Nostalgic retro graphics and sound design reminiscent of 90s shooters like Blood and Doom.
Variety of characters, weapons, and spells that provide a fun and engaging experience.

Limited content with only a few maps and characters, leading to repetitive gameplay.
Progression system feels grindy, with expensive consumables and a lack of meaningful upgrades.
Performance issues, especially with frame rates dropping during intense action sequences.

gameplay
165 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
57%
4%
The gameplay of Bloodshed is characterized by a fast-paced, retro-style shooting experience that combines elements from classic boomer shooters and roguelite mechanics, resulting in a satisfying yet occasionally repetitive loop. While the core mechanics are engaging and the shooting feels solid, many players note a lack of depth and variety in upgrades and enemy design, leading to a gameplay experience that can become stale quickly. Overall, the game is fun and addictive, particularly for fans of the genre, but it suffers from limited content and balance issues that detract from its long-term appeal.
- “The gameplay loop is tight and there's a constant tense feeling of barely being stronger than the enemies you fight.”
- “It's a short but fun shooter with mechanics from vampire survivors.”
- “The gameplay is smooth and has automatic spells (similar to vampire survivors) but also has a couple of main weapons you can swap between and shoot freely.”
- “Gameplay is absolutely braindead.”
- “The core gameplay loop is pretty mediocre and gets stale very quickly (in under 30 mins).”
- “The gameplay loop is repetitive: what you do in the first few minutes is exactly what you'll do for the entire game.”
graphics
105 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
48%
3%
The game's graphics are a nostalgic blend of retro aesthetics reminiscent of 90s shooters, featuring low-poly art styles and pixel-filtered textures that evoke classic titles like "Blood" and "Doom." While many players appreciate the charming visuals and unique character designs, performance issues have been noted, with some experiencing frame rate drops and subpar optimization. Overall, the art direction is praised for its vibrant and engaging style, though it may not perform well on larger screens or certain hardware setups.
- “The low-poly art style and pixel-filtered textures recall the raw brutality of early 3D shooters, but the lighting, particle effects, and camera work bring it firmly into the present.”
- “The graphics are great with the retro vibe and the character design is so nice to look at and be surprised for each new enemy type that spawns as you get through the horde further and further.”
- “The retro visual aesthetic is spot-on, and the quippy characters add just the right amount of charm.”
- “No amount of tweaks with the graphics settings made this run well on my deck.”
- “Drops below 30 fps with terrible pixelated PS1-like graphics.”
- “Main negative is performance is poor even though it shouldn't be given the graphics it uses aren't the kind that should be demanding.”
story
83 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
78%
11%
The game's story is minimal, focusing primarily on survival missions rather than a deep narrative, which may disappoint players seeking context or lore. While there are two episodes with a limited number of main and bonus missions, the gameplay often feels repetitive and drawn out, with long mission durations that detract from the overall experience. Environmental storytelling is noted as a highlight, but the lack of substantial plot progression and character development leaves much to be desired.
- “I wish there was a map editor, as the biggest standout by far is the environmental storytelling the devs have managed to accomplish.”
- “They are built towards the principle of getting further, uncovering something new, progressing through the story.”
- “The goal is to outlive the time limit, ranging from 5 to 30 minutes depending on the level, with a handful of boss fights and some unlockable challenge missions to flesh out the experience, giving the game some variety.”
- “There is little in the way of story—bloodshed is unapologetically about the act of fighting, not the reason behind it.”
- “With only 2 episodes at the time of this review, a few custom missions, there is not really too much meat on the bones; there isn't even much story here. You would expect some lore or background or an ending for the very colorful characters in the game.”
- “Main story missions being obligatory 20 to 30 minutes defeats a lot of the purpose of the survival genre.”
optimization
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
70%
23%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant performance issues, particularly on the Steam Deck, where frame rates can drop drastically. While some users noted improvements in recent updates, others reported persistent stuttering and lag, indicating that the game still requires substantial optimization work to enhance overall performance. Overall, the consensus suggests that despite its fun gameplay, the optimization remains a major drawback that detracts from the experience.
- “It seems like they fixed the performance issues I was having before, so now I can recommend this game.”
- “Latest update improved the overall performance.”
- “Performance is pretty stable.”
- “Some technical rough edges—such as occasional stuttering or minor interface lag when too many effects fill the screen—reveal the strain of balancing spectacle with performance.”
- “However, despite being marked as 'verified' for Steam Deck, the performance is simply unacceptable.”
- “Main negative is performance is poor even though it shouldn't be given the graphics it uses aren't the kind that should be demanding.”
music
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
42%
10%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its solid soundtrack that features heavy metal riffs and industrial tones that enhance the gameplay experience. However, some players find the in-game music doesn't match the quality or style of the trailer, and a few suggest muting it in favor of their own playlists. Overall, while the music is generally considered good, it may not resonate with everyone, and the voice lines are often criticized for their cringe-worthy delivery.
- “The soundtrack is a relentless mix of heavy metal riffs and industrial tones, perfectly syncing with the rhythm of combat.”
- “The aesthetic is charming with old-school pixelated graphics, flat sprites, etc., and the music is as sufficiently symphonic metal as you might expect from an FPS concerning hellspawn and the occult.”
- “Art style and music are superb - whoever came up with the designs and sound, kudos to you.”
- “But there's one thing bugging me... the music.”
- “Music is the only lacking quality for my preference.”
- “Its low quality, rushed, and she sounds far away from the mic; the music overlaps the vocals on a lot of her voiced takes.”
grinding
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessive and tedious, with slow progression and a lack of variety in builds contributing to a repetitive experience. Many reviewers express frustration over the need to grind for consumables and upgrades, which can feel like a chore rather than an engaging challenge. While some appreciate the game's fun elements and potential for enjoyment, the grind often overshadows these positives, leading to a mixed reception regarding its pacing and progression system.
- “I wanted to love it; the first few maps were really fun, but then I realized there was no substance behind it, no build variety, and some balance problems (some guns are totally worthless). For some reason, rerolls/bans/locks are single-use, so every time you have to grind gems back to buy more of them, which feels very tedious for no reason to me. Some UI decisions are jarring, like why are health bars on important mobs so tiny?”
- “When you still want or need an upgrade, they are extremely expensive, and grinding money is a boring, time-consuming mess.”
- “After completing three missions, I could afford only one upgrade, making progression feel grindy and unrewarding.”
replayability
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
41%
18%
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while it offers a fast-paced experience with potential for enjoyment through upgrades and custom modes, many players feel that the lack of diverse weapons and unique build options limits long-term engagement. The addition of new content and modes has improved replay value, but some users still find it lacking after completing the main missions. Future updates could enhance replayability further by introducing more maps, characters, and challenge modifiers.
- “I was disappointed by the length of the campaign, but obviously there is replay value to unlock all of the upgrades.”
- “There is a custom mode now which really helps fuel the replayability, but ideally I'd like to see some challenge modifiers for that one in the future to really make the most out of the content that's here and make you push yourself and try different playstyles.”
- “More maps and more characters would massively extend the replay value this game has.”
- “But unless you really like the style of the game and you want to go for the top of the leaderboards, the overall replayability of the game is a bit on the short side.”
- “Because it is still in early access, there is little replayability.”
humor
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
92%
8%
The game features a diverse cast of characters delivering humorous one-liners and engaging dialogue, contributing to its fun and chaotic atmosphere. While many players appreciate the witty quips and references, opinions vary on the effectiveness of some voice lines, with a few finding them annoying. Overall, the humor, combined with solid gameplay, enhances the experience for fans of the genre.
- “A boomer-shooter x vampire survivors mash-up with funny one-liners from a charismatic and diverse roster of characters.”
- “Some funny one-liners and quips alongside some fun retro-like gore and gameplay makes this game a must-buy for any fans of roguelites or FPS!”
- “Hilarious dialogue.”
- “Decent and engaging main gameplay loop held back by illogical level-up system, poor weapon balancing, and painfully unfunny writing.”
atmosphere
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
23%
33%
The game's atmosphere is a nostalgic blend of old-school visuals and dark fantasy elements, reminiscent of classic FPS titles like Hexen and Doom. Players appreciate the variety of atmospheric maps and the engaging level design, although some feel that modern weaponry detracts from the overall medieval vibe. Overall, the retro aesthetic and fast-paced action contribute to a compelling and immersive experience.
- “On the plus side, the maps in act II are a big step up in both design and atmosphere.”
- “It's incredibly fun, fast-paced action, the level design is really good and atmosphere and visuals are spot on.”
- “[*] [b]retro aesthetic:[/b] the old-school visuals and dark fantasy atmosphere evoke nostalgia for classic shooters while adding a unique charm.”
- “In short: it is like survivor games but it's FPS, with old school Heretic-like graphics, physics, and atmosphere.”
- “I get what you're going for there, but it presently comes off pretty corny compared to the rest of the game's atmosphere and could definitely be improved.”
- “The old-school visuals and dark fantasy atmosphere evoke nostalgia for classic shooters while adding a unique charm.”
stability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The stability of the game is mixed, with some users experiencing frequent random freezes and stuttering during matches, while others report smooth performance, even on older hardware. Overall, improvements are needed to address the freezing issues for a more consistent experience.
- “I also played it on my PC where it runs great.”
- “The game runs great, even on my older laptop.”
- “I've had multiple random freezes.”
- “The game freezes a lot during matches for no apparent reason, not to mention the times you have to gamble with a chest-slot machine to get money or skill points.”
- “Just a bunch of fixes on the stuttering and screen freezes, and it would be 100 percent a great game.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional response to the game is mixed; while some players appreciate the nostalgic homage to Resident Evil 4's village, others feel that the overall uninspired design diminishes its impact, leading to feelings of disappointment rather than genuine nostalgia. Additionally, technical issues, such as getting stuck on staircases, further detract from the emotional experience.
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development is highlighted by engaging voice acting and impressive character designs that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the retro graphics and the surprise element of encountering new enemy types as they progress through the game.
- “Voice acting is really fun, and the character designs are awesome.”
- “The graphics are great with a retro vibe, and the character design is nice to look at, providing surprises with each new enemy type that spawns as you progress through the horde.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized for lacking an endless mode, which detracts from the roguelike experience, and for offering short, unengaging missions that make upgrades feel insignificant. Players express disappointment with the overall structure and value of the gameplay in relation to its monetization strategy.
- “It doesn't have an endless mode, just short missions that are 5 minutes long. The upgrades don't feel impactful enough, and I was questioning why it was advertising itself as a roguelike without an endless mode in sight.”