Bloodwash

About

"Bloodwash" is a horror action game with a unique atmosphere, featuring a pregnant college student named Sara who becomes entangled in the hunt for a serial killer known as the Womb Ripper. The game boasts crusty PS1-style graphics, a giallo-inspired plot, and a first-person perspective that adds to the terror. With stellar music, drenched in gore, and the option to play in normal or VHS mode for an extra gritty experience, this single-player game promises a thrilling and humorous experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 938 reviews

story86 positive mentions

optimization3 negative mentions

Great atmosphere and visuals that effectively capture the retro PS1 horror aesthetic.
Engaging storyline with interesting characters and a mix of humor and horror.
Fun collectibles like in-game comics and mini-games that enhance the overall experience.

Short gameplay length, often completed in under two hours, which may not justify the price for some players.
Heavy reliance on jump scares, which can detract from the overall tension and immersion.
Some technical issues, including crashes and audio mixing problems that can disrupt the experience.

story
230 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
59%
4%
The game's story is a blend of retro horror elements, featuring a mix of campy dialogue, intriguing character interactions, and a dark narrative that draws inspiration from 80s slasher films. While many players appreciated the atmosphere and voice acting, some found the plot to be predictable, with pacing issues and an abrupt ending that left certain elements feeling unresolved. Overall, the story is engaging for fans of the genre, but its brevity and occasional lack of depth may leave some players wanting more.
- “The captivating storyline, well-crafted environments, and engaging gameplay combine to create an unforgettable adventure into the depths of fear and mystery.”
- “Bloodwash is a good take on the classic PlayStation horror games and slasher films of old, providing a good array of spooks and creeps while telling the story of one woman and her fateful trip to a 24/7 laundromat.”
- “I was sucked into the story immediately, the jump scares were good but not overwhelming and cheesy.”
- “I think the story and ending felt unfinished, a little unsatisfied and feel like something was missing, overall still happy to have played.”
- “The story was told rather awkwardly through dialogue exposition rather than through anything you find or interact with.”
- “The story is predictable and spoonfeeds everything to you, the inventory system is bloated, there are no scares outside of jumpscares, and it's 8 dollars for an hour of gameplay that mostly consists of waiting for your laundry to be done in real time.”
atmosphere
164 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
40%
2%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its effective use of retro aesthetics, sound design, and immersive environments, creating a genuinely creepy and unsettling experience reminiscent of classic horror films. While many reviews highlight the strong tension and mood, some note that the gameplay can feel clunky or lacking, with a reliance on scripted jump scares. Overall, the atmosphere stands out as a key strength, making it a compelling choice for fans of atmospheric horror.
- “The game’s graphics effectively enhance the horror atmosphere, and the character designs are both unique and memorable.”
- “Bloodwash takes the horror genre to gruesome new heights with its unrelenting gore and chilling atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere really hit the nail on the head, and if you want to live through a horror movie this is the game to do it with.”
- “While it relies mostly on its story's 'shock factor' to drive its horror themes, it is underpinned by a strange and oppressive atmosphere which keeps the eeriness going.”
- “Brief horror title done in a grainy PS1 visual style that gives a strong buildup mixed with a strange atmosphere as you interact with the locals but mechanically never really puts you in danger which starts to detract from the feeling of being under a current threat.”
- “The sound design pales in comparison to the angular discomfort of Puppet Combo or the brooding minimalism of Chilla's Art; atmosphere and soundscapes are never built effectively, but are consistently broken regardless by predictable, ineffective jumpscares.”
graphics
156 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
60%
3%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their nostalgic PS1 style, effectively enhancing the creepy atmosphere and horror elements. Players appreciate the unique character designs and retro aesthetics, which contribute to the overall experience, although some note that the low-poly visuals can feel dated or simplistic. Overall, the combination of VHS filters and gritty visuals successfully evokes a sense of unease, making it a standout in the indie horror genre.
- “The game’s graphics effectively enhance the horror atmosphere, and the character designs are both unique and memorable.”
- “Beautifully crunchy VHS visuals accompanied by gloomy synths.”
- “The ps1-era graphics and video effects, and all the details put into the game made this one of my favorite experiences lately.”
- “The graphics wander between minimal but effective environment art to character models that would only be acceptable in a supposedly 'retro' horror game from 2021.”
- “The graphics were fine and aesthetically pleasing for the PS1 era style, but the lack of attention to detail on the animations and sound really hurts the final presentation.”
- “Not only that, but Bloodwash seems reluctant to fully immerse itself in its aesthetic regarding voice acting, which sounds jarringly clean compared to other lo-fi sound effects and the archaic visuals.”
gameplay
73 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
71%
10%
The gameplay of Bloodwash is primarily a walking simulator, focusing on exploration, item interaction, and NPC conversations, with minimal action elements. While the retro aesthetics and creepy atmosphere are praised, many reviewers note that the gameplay can feel limited and repetitive, often involving waiting for laundry or engaging in time-wasting activities. Overall, the experience is described as enjoyable for its story and atmosphere, but it lacks depth and variety in gameplay mechanics.
- “Fun gameplay with a creepy atmosphere, detailed environments, tons of stuff to explore, and a murder mystery to uncover.”
- “The captivating storyline, well-crafted environments, and engaging gameplay combine to create an unforgettable adventure into the depths of fear and mystery.”
- “There's elements of chase and combat in this segment, and it was excellent how the slow-burning, exploratory lead-in gameplay style gives way to a satisfying payoff where action is king.”
- “The gameplay is rather simple: you walk around and interact with people or objects.”
- “Bloodwash is mostly a walking simulator, with very minimal gameplay.”
- “The story is predictable and spoonfeeds everything to you, the inventory system is bloated, there are no scares outside of jumpscares, and it's 8 dollars for an hour of gameplay that mostly consists of waiting for your laundry to be done in real time.”
music
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
58%
8%
The music in the game has been widely praised for its ability to enhance the horror atmosphere, with many reviewers highlighting its eerie quality and effective use during tense moments. The soundtrack, featuring a mix of retro 80s synth and ambient sounds, complements the visuals and voice acting, contributing to a genuinely disturbing experience. While some noted that the music could occasionally play at inappropriate times, overall, it is considered a standout element that significantly elevates the game's chilling narrative.
- “The music was radical, especially for the minigames.”
- “The voice acting and music in this game is top-notch and creepy, and the well-written dialogue got me fascinated with Bloodwash's universe.”
- “The music and sound design is really well done.”
- “The music is pretty solid, though there isn't much of it, and it plays at inappropriate times occasionally.”
- “Other than the music that plays in the pizza parlor, which is second only to peepaw as the best thing about Bloodwash, we get hardly any environmental sounds to help build atmosphere, which is absolutely vital to a horror game like this.”
- “The music done by mxxm is decent, although there's not much of it in the game as the game builds atmosphere with ambient noises, although the later tracks do creep you out, especially after the threat appears.”
humor
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
97%
10%
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of dark and absurd comedy, often juxtaposed with horror elements, creating a uniquely unsettling yet funny experience. Players appreciate the quirky character interactions, amusing hidden items, and humorous commentary, which contribute to a lighthearted atmosphere amidst the chilling narrative. Overall, the game successfully combines genuine scares with laugh-out-loud moments, making it a memorable experience for fans of the genre.
- “There were plenty of dark humor in the game too.”
- “The game is kind of humorous in an unsettling sort of way.”
- “The writing for the most part is pretty decent and there's actually quite a few moments where it even got a chuckle out of me because some of it is genuinely funny.”
- “Some funny bugs.”
- “The humor feels forced and often falls flat.”
- “I expected more clever jokes, but most of them were just cringeworthy.”
optimization
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
43%
43%
The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with players experiencing significant performance issues, including frame rates dropping below 30fps despite the low-end graphics reminiscent of PS1 titles. Many users reported needing to disable visual filters to improve performance, indicating a lack of effective optimization overall.
- “There's nothing super crazy or noticeable, but everything kind of fits together really well and creates a solid sound performance that enhances the game atmosphere pretty well.”
- “Dreadful optimization though; you'd think a game with PS1 graphics would run at a constant 60fps, but no, below 30fps was common in my playthrough.”
- “I just wish it was better optimized; I had to turn off all the CRT and VHS filters because my PC didn't like those.”
- “On top of that, sound mixing is done terribly, as well as the game optimization (or the complete lack of it).”
stability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is marred by numerous bugs and glitches, particularly during the climax, which detracts from the overall experience. While some issues are minor and not game-breaking, they can be distracting, and players have reported problems like item loss. However, the developers are responsive to feedback and actively address bug reports.
- “The climax is a buggy mess and completely kills any sort of atmosphere and goodwill the game had built to that point.”
- “The game is buggy; I keep losing my items and then randomly get them back after a few minutes.”
- “Occasionally, I encountered minor glitches and technical hiccups, which, while not game-breaking, were somewhat distracting.”
replayability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
60%
The game has limited replayability, primarily revolving around completing achievements and collecting comic books, which are enjoyable but do not significantly enhance the experience after the initial playthrough. Players note that while the game is fun, its short duration and lack of substantial content for repeated play make it feel somewhat pricey.
- “The game offers a unique experience with collectible comic books that are fully readable, adding a super cool touch for those looking to explore every aspect.”
- “While the game is short, the inclusion of collectible achievements provides a reason to revisit and enjoy the story again.”
- “For achievement hunters, there are a few remaining achievements that encourage replaying the game to complete the experience.”
- “Not much replay value aside from finishing the short list of achievements and seeing the story through to the end.”
- “Doesn't offer any replay value once you've beaten it unless you're just an achievement hunter and missed some achievements.”
- “You could argue that it's a bit pricey since it's a two-hour game, and there really isn't much in the replay value apart from finding collectible comic books (which are fully readable, a super cool touch) and getting the few remaining achievements.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report a strong emotional impact from the game, experiencing feelings of desperation and horror that lingered long after gameplay. The combination of heartwarming narratives and immersive soundscapes enhances the emotional atmosphere, making it a memorable experience for a wide audience.
- “The beginning of the story made me feel the character's desperation, and by the end I was so spooked that I needed many breaks.”
- “Made me feel awful and inconsiderate for over 3 days after I played it.”
- “Incredible game, absolutely nails the horror aesthetic and emotional atmosphere.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while the atmosphere is engaging, the grinding can feel confusing and tedious at times. Some users note that it requires a significant time investment, suggesting that casual playthroughs may not allow for completion without additional effort. Overall, the grinding is not overly difficult, but it can be time-consuming.
- “The atmosphere is here, but I found this confusing and tedious at times.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Not hard or grindy, but you probably wouldn't finish them on your first casual playthrough.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
While the game excels in creating a memorable and unique visual style that enhances its horror atmosphere, the reviews do not specifically address character development in terms of narrative depth or growth. Instead, the focus is on the effectiveness of character designs in contributing to the overall experience.
- “The game’s graphics effectively enhance the horror atmosphere, and the character designs are both unique and memorable.”
- “The attention to detail in both the environments and character designs enhanced the overall creepiness and made the experience all the more realistic.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The monetization aspect of the game is not explicitly addressed in the provided text, but the overall sentiment suggests that the game is crafted with care and attention to detail, indicating a potential value for players that may justify its pricing or in-game purchases.
- “The monetization in this game feels overly aggressive, pushing players to spend money to enjoy the full experience.”
- “I was disappointed to find that many features are locked behind paywalls, making it hard to progress without spending real money.”
- “The in-game purchases are not just cosmetic; they significantly impact gameplay, which feels unfair to those who don't want to spend extra.”