Bloodwash
- September 15, 2021
- TORTURE STAR VIDEO
- 2h median play time
"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.
Reviews
- Great atmosphere and sound design that effectively builds tension throughout the game.
- Engaging story with interesting characters and a nostalgic 80s slasher vibe.
- Fun gameplay mechanics with collectibles like comic books and mini-games to explore while waiting for laundry.
- The game is quite short, taking only about 1-2 hours to complete, which may leave some players wanting more.
- Over-reliance on jump scares that can feel cheap and predictable at times.
- Some technical issues, including crashes and audio mixing problems, detract from the overall experience.
- story178 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game's story has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its nostalgic horror elements and engaging atmosphere, while others criticize its pacing and predictability. Some found the narrative intriguing and reminiscent of classic slasher films, though many noted it felt short and left several plot points unresolved. Overall, while the story offers a fun and creepy experience, it may not satisfy those seeking a deeper or more complex narrative.
“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 really enjoyed my time playing this; I played while a friend watched online, and we both felt really engaged with the story and the creepy atmosphere.”
“The story was told rather awkwardly through dialogue exposition rather than through anything you find or interact with.”
“The ending and in general where the story went felt kind of underwhelming.”
“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 for an hour of gameplay that mostly consists of waiting for your laundry to be done in real time.”
- graphics123 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their nostalgic PS1 aesthetic, effectively creating a creepy atmosphere that enhances the horror experience. The combination of low-poly visuals, VHS filters, and attention to detail in environmental art contributes to a unique and immersive vibe reminiscent of classic horror games. While some players appreciate the retro style, others note that the graphics may not appeal to everyone, particularly those seeking modern visuals.
“Beautifully crunchy VHS visuals accompanied by gloomy synths.”
“The graphics match the atmosphere perfectly, and I was legitimately creeped out multiple times by this game.”
“The PS1-era graphics and video effects, along with 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.”
“A game needs a lot more than chunky ps1 graphics and a staticky vhs filter to be scary.”
“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.”
- atmosphere122 mentions
- 61 % positive mentions
- 37 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and creepy qualities, effectively capturing the essence of retro horror aesthetics reminiscent of PS1 graphics. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to build tension and create a sense of unease through detailed environments, unsettling characters, and a strong narrative backdrop, although some note that reliance on jump scares can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, making the game a compelling choice for fans of atmospheric horror.
“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.”
“The atmosphere alone made it worth it for me, though the story wasn't bad in a slasher-flick kind of way.”
“The first thing that struck me about bloodwash was its stunning graphic style and immersive atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere is here, but I found this confusing and tedious at times.”
“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.”
“Another bland Puppet Combo-like game where they think loud noises are scary, which is very disappointing because the creepy urban atmosphere of the first few minutes is enjoyable.”
- gameplay55 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay is primarily a walking simulator with a focus on exploration, NPC interactions, and uncovering a murder mystery, set against a creepy atmosphere reminiscent of 80s slasher films. While the game offers engaging storytelling and detailed environments, many players noted that the gameplay mechanics felt simplistic and sometimes tedious, particularly with time-wasting activities like waiting for laundry to finish. Overall, the experience is enjoyable for its atmosphere and narrative, but some found it lacking in depth and action, leading to mixed feelings about its value given the short playtime of around two hours.
“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.”
“While the gameplay leans towards the 'walking simulator' genre, there are moments of action and exploration.”
“The gameplay of laundry and research felt off and distant from each other, given that you just play a character who wants to do their laundry.”
“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.”
“Most of the game was atmosphere building and not actual gameplay; a walking simulator.”
- music26 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received high praise for its ability to create a creepy atmosphere, with many reviewers highlighting the effective use of an 80s synth soundtrack that enhances the horror experience. The voice acting complements the music well, contributing to the overall tension and immersion, although some noted that the soundtrack could occasionally play at inappropriate times. Overall, the combination of haunting melodies and solid sound design significantly elevates the game's presentation and emotional impact.
“I thought that the PS1 graphics and the 80s theme music really added to the game.”
“The music, voice acting, and 90's video game feel were all brought together well; I enjoyed every minute of this, and anyone into horror or horror games would also.”
“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 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.”
“And oh god, that song she sings... shit's gonna haunt my dreams tonight, I swear.”
- humor23 mentions
- 96 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game features a unique blend of dark and unsettling humor, often juxtaposed with chilling moments and gruesome elements, creating a thrilling yet funny experience. Players appreciate the comedic take on serious situations, quirky character interactions, and amusing bugs, all of which contribute to its engaging atmosphere. Overall, the humor enhances the gameplay, making it both entertaining and memorable.
“The game is kind of humorous in an unsettling sort of way.”
“Ps1-style games are an absolute joy to me, and this one stands a cut above the field for its excellent blend of humor and over-the-top villain.”
“Yes, it's very small and very short, but it packs in a lot of funny and grimy world building.”
“Some funny bugs.”
- replayability5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The game has limited replayability, primarily revolving around completing achievements and collecting comic books, which are fully readable. While enjoyable, many players feel that the short playtime and lack of substantial content for repeated playthroughs make it less worthwhile for those seeking long-term engagement.
“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.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while the atmosphere is engaging, some describe the process as confusing and tedious. Although it isn't overly difficult, many feel that completing all tasks requires significant time investment, suggesting that casual players may not finish everything in one playthrough.
“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.”
- stability3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, users report that the game's stability is inconsistent, with minor glitches and technical issues that can be distracting. Some players have experienced bugs that cause items to disappear and reappear unexpectedly, indicating a need for further optimization.
“Occasionally, I encountered minor glitches and technical hiccups, which, while not game-breaking, were somewhat distracting.”
“The game is buggy; I keep losing my items and then randomly get them back after a few minutes.”
“The time freezes.”
- optimization3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been criticized, with players needing to disable certain visual filters to improve performance on their PCs. Additionally, while the voice acting is a mixed bag—ranging from decent to cringe-worthy—it has a campy charm that some players appreciate.
“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.”
“The voice acting ranges from pretty good and cheesy to so embarrassingly bad that I had to skip the characters' dialogue because it reminded me of the time I had to watch a performance by my middle school's drama club the week after it was formed.”
“The voice cast deserves a round of applause for their campy but persuasive performances too.”
- character development1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development is enhanced by meticulous attention to detail in both character designs and environments, contributing to a more immersive and realistic experience that amplifies the overall creepiness of the game.
“The attention to detail in both the environments and character designs enhanced the overall creepiness and made the experience all the more realistic.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game effectively captures a haunting horror aesthetic that deeply resonates with players, creating a powerful emotional atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
“Incredible game, absolutely nails the horror aesthetic and emotional atmosphere.”
“The story left me in tears; it beautifully captures the complexity of human emotions.”
“I felt a deep connection to the characters, their struggles resonated with my own experiences.”