The series’ signature horror themes are ever present here, but the clashing character design choices and other questionable decisions keep Corpse Party: Blood Drive from being an entirely bloody good time.
In Corpse Party: Blood Drive, players seek the lost Book of Shadows to resurrect deceased friends from the horrors of Heavenly Host, an otherworldly elementary school. This direct sequel to Corpse Party: Book of Shadows offers a definitive conclusion to the Heavenly Host story arc, bringing a harrowing nightmare to its end. Prepare for a dark, psychological horror experience filled with challenges and supernatural phenomena.
The game offers a compelling narrative that ties up the story of the Heavenly Host saga, providing emotional moments that resonate with fans.
The 3D graphics and environments enhance the exploration aspect, making the game visually appealing and immersive.
The voice acting and sound design contribute significantly to the atmosphere, creating a tense and engaging horror experience.
The gameplay mechanics, particularly the stamina system and phantom encounters, can be frustrating and detract from the overall experience.
The story introduces many new characters and plot elements that may feel convoluted and detract from the original horror themes of the series.
The pacing is uneven, with long stretches of dialogue that can disrupt the flow of gameplay and lead to moments of boredom.
story
182 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
68%
10%
The story of "Corpse Party: Blood Drive" is a polarizing aspect among players, with some praising its emotional depth and connection to previous entries, while others criticize it for being convoluted and introducing too many new characters that detract from the original narrative. Many reviewers noted that the pacing is uneven, leading to a rushed and confusing experience, especially for newcomers to the series. Overall, while some fans appreciate the attempt to expand the lore and provide closure to the saga, others feel it falls short of the compelling storytelling that characterized earlier titles.
“The story is unique, the characters are lovable, and everything has led here.”
“The exploration of guilt, redemption, and the consequences of previous actions adds a layer of depth that elevates the storytelling beyond traditional horror tropes.”
“In conclusion, Corpse Party: Blood Drive is a triumph in horror storytelling, providing a chilling and emotionally resonant conclusion to the Heavenly Host saga.”
“The worst aspect of it by far, however, is the story, as the pacing is atrocious, the new characters are extremely unlikable, and the plot is nonsensical, needlessly convoluted, and so far removed from what made the original 'Corpse Party' so great that it doesn't even feel like they both belong in the same series.”
“The story is a really lackluster follow-up to the previous 'Corpse Party' games, and after a certain point, it stops being any kind of horror and just feels like your typical shounen or JRPG plot.”
“Blood Drive introduced too much lore at once, resulting in a choppy and rushed story, as well as awful pacing.”
gameplay
95 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
61%
21%
Gameplay in the latest installment has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing frustration over clunky mechanics, particularly the annoying phantom enemies and tedious navigation. While some appreciate the return to a more exploratory style and the improved graphics, others find the gameplay repetitive and frustrating, often detracting from the overall experience. Overall, the game offers a blend of engaging story elements but suffers from significant gameplay flaws that may deter potential players.
“So far I'm loving the gameplay as well as the super amazing storyline and everything!”
“Blood Drive successfully maintains the horror elements that fans love while introducing new gameplay mechanics and narrative twists.”
“The gameplay style is reverted back to a free 3D environment like the first game, but with extra 3D graphics and more nice background music to listen to while exploring the area.”
“The gameplay is horrendous.”
“Gameplay-wise, it's clunky, annoying, and tedious for the most part.”
“The gameplay was just way too miserable and it wasn't fun anymore.”
graphics
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
69%
7%
The graphics in the game have received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the updated 3D visuals and improved UI, while others lament the shift from the eerie pixel art style to a more cartoonish aesthetic that detracts from the horror experience. Many noted that while the graphics are not inherently bad, they lack the intensity and creepiness of previous installments, with some finding the chibi character designs particularly off-putting. Overall, the visuals are seen as a step forward in terms of technical execution, but opinions vary on their effectiveness in conveying the game's intended atmosphere.
“But damn, the artwork in this game is crispy.”
“Visually, Blood Drive retains the eerie pixel art style that defines the Corpse Party series.”
“Very good graphics and effects in this game, as a 3D game.”
“I've no idea who asked for those graphics, but never let them into the studio again.”
“The gameplay is frustrating to the point of being unplayable, and the visual presentation, particularly the use of 3D graphics, is so mishandled that it makes most scenes look unintentionally hilarious.”
“It's graphically more advanced, but the models seem lazy, since there are very few animations for the 3D models. Almost all ghosts and phantoms look the same, and if you pay enough attention, even for major characters, there are only two models: male and female.”
music
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
55%
9%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its hauntingly beautiful score and the return of beloved tracks from previous installments, while others feel it lacks the creepiness and emotional weight of earlier soundtracks. Some users noted that the soundtrack enhances the game's atmosphere, though a few criticized the placement of certain tracks during key moments. Overall, the music is considered a standout element, with several tracks being highlighted as particularly memorable.
“The soundtrack continues to be a standout element, with a hauntingly beautiful score that captures the emotional weight of the narrative.”
“Great story, amazing soundtrack.”
“Music wise and audio wise, this game is better than ever.”
“Music placement is a small issue as almost dubstep plays while someone dies.”
“Oh my god why is the soundtrack so bad!”
“You'd be better off (re)playing the first game which is superior in almost every single way imaginable - story, music, exploration, game length, atmosphere, etc.”
atmosphere
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
31%
23%
The atmosphere of the latest installment in the series has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its chilling melodies and immersive psychological horror, while others feel that the shift to silly 3D models detracts from the fear and gloom that characterized earlier titles. Many fans miss the original's unsettling ambiance and narrative depth, suggesting that while the game attempts to honor its roots, it falls short in creating a truly frightening experience. Overall, the atmosphere remains a strong point for some, but it lacks the cohesive tension and emotional resonance that defined the franchise's earlier entries.
“This story overall may feel a little different from the atmosphere in Corpse Party: Blood Covered, but a lot of what this game does calls back to the franchise's roots from the original games during the 90s.”
“Developed by Team GrisGris, this installment not only preserves the series' signature atmosphere but elevates it to new heights, concluding the narrative with an unforgettable crescendo.”
“The chilling melodies and ambient sounds enhance the atmospheric tension, immersing players in the psychological horror that unfolds throughout the game.”
“Clunky space with little variety which worked well with the scary atmosphere in previous titles, but now it can't really paint itself in any sort of a fearful light.”
“I missed the scary, gloomy and creepy atmosphere of the first games.”
“I really preferred the original format, and I think I was more frightened by the atmosphere in that and Book of Shadows than I was with the always smiling 3D models with quirky animations.”
emotional
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "Corpse Party: Blood Drive" is highlighted by its intense narrative and character development, which evoke a wide range of feelings, from heartbreak to nostalgia. Players appreciate the haunting soundtrack that enhances the emotional weight of the story, while the complex relationships and character arcs contribute to a poignant conclusion that resonates deeply. Despite some criticisms regarding character interactions, the overall experience is described as an emotional rollercoaster that leaves a lasting impact.
“Corpse Party: Blood Drive, the concluding chapter in the haunting saga of Heavenly Host Elementary School, delivers a visceral and emotionally charged experience that pushes the boundaries of psychological horror.”
“The narrative in Blood Drive is an emotional rollercoaster, tying up loose ends and bringing the character arcs to a poignant conclusion.”
“This game pulled me in and made me feel emotions I haven't felt in a long time.”
humor
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is largely described as unintentional, with players finding the mishandled 3D graphics and absurd character interactions, particularly the demon character Sachi, to be laughably out of place rather than frightening. While some moments of sexual humor and bizarre scenarios are noted as amusing, they often detract from the overall narrative and immersion, leading to a mix of discomfort and hilarity that feels excessive and tone-breaking. Overall, the game's attempts at humor seem to undermine its darker themes, resulting in a comedic experience that is both awkward and entertaining.
“Every time Sachi would come on the screen and cackle, I'd bust out laughing; it wasn't scary.”
“The only positives I have to say about Blood Drive are that it is really unintentionally funny for how hard it just ruins the original game by adding a bunch of tone-breaking nonsense that honestly makes you appreciate the original game more, and how consistently the most insane things will happen and the game will just keep chugging along like it didn't.”
“The visual style makes this even worse as while the VN segment art is fine, the 3D models are atrocious and make everything so much more amateur and funny than they're supposed to be.”
grinding
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and clunky, often feeling like a chore rather than an engaging experience. The poorly designed stamina system exacerbates this issue, leading to frustrating moments where players struggle to navigate the environment or escape enemies. While the story may redeem some of the grind, many reviewers express that it requires significant patience to endure the repetitive and cumbersome gameplay.
“Gameplay-wise, it's clunky, annoying, and tedious for the most part.”
“The stamina system is not at all well designed and constantly has you slowing down to a crawl in areas where you are obviously completely safe, making everything a bit more tedious.”
“The stamina mechanic and constant traps in your way makes moving around the school extremely tedious.”
character development
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
20%
60%
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players expressing frustration over weak antagonists and poor character design, particularly criticizing the new characters. While some users initially disliked the 3D chibi style, they noted that they eventually adapted to it, suggesting a potential for personal growth in their experience despite the overall dissatisfaction with character portrayal.
“I had my own personal character development.”
“Probably Misuto... he gets on my nerves, has an awful character design (all the new characters do), and is an extremely weak antagonist.”
“The series’ signature horror themes are ever present here, but the clashing character design choices and other questionable decisions keep Corpse Party: Blood Drive from being an entirely bloody good time.”
“I wasn't a huge fan of the 3D chibi character design, but eventually I got used to it.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is heavily criticized due to numerous bugs and glitches, including erratic enemy attacks and graphical issues that detract from the experience. Players report frustrating gameplay mechanics, such as enemies spawning too close and unclear objectives, which undermine the overall immersion and enjoyment.
“The spirit attacks are super buggy and will frequently hit you when they shouldn't, and the animation registers the attack when you interact as time stops, then that damage is applied when time resumes, which is annoying.”
“The number of graphical hiccups and glitches was noticeable but bearable.”
“The gameplay is buggy; the new 3D models just love to keep a dumb smile on their face 90% of the time, even when covered in guts and blood. They're also awkward in cutscenes, which there are way too many of. Enemies love to spawn right on top of you, and half the time you don't even know what you're supposed to be doing. The horror aspect seems to rely on cheap versions of jumpscares now, and the story seems to just go off the rails.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
150%
Players find the game highly replayable, as they are encouraged to revisit chapters to explore different outcomes, including "wrong ends" and the "true ends." This aspect enhances the overall experience, motivating users to engage with the content multiple times.
“Replayability is fantastic; you'll want to replay the chapters to get the 'wrong ends' and the 'true ends'.”
“I can play this game over and over again without getting bored!”
“The replayability factor is off the charts; each playthrough feels fresh and exciting!”
“Replayability is lacking; once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back.”
“The game offers minimal variation in outcomes, making replaying feel tedious rather than exciting.”
“While the story is engaging, the lack of diverse paths means replaying doesn't add much value.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The monetization model has been criticized for its excessive microtransactions, which many users find frustrating and detrimental to the overall gameplay experience.
“Horrible microtransactions to play!”
“The monetization system is overly aggressive and ruins the experience.”
“It's frustrating how much you have to spend to enjoy the game fully.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
The game's optimization is notably superior to the PS Vita version, with users highlighting significant improvements in both visuals and performance.
“The visual and performance enhancements in this game are impressive, especially when compared to the subpar PS Vita version.”
“The optimization in this game truly elevates the overall experience, making it a standout title.”
“I appreciate how the developers focused on optimizing both visuals and performance, resulting in a smoother gameplay experience.”
“The optimization in this game is severely lacking, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering during gameplay.”
“I was disappointed by the poor optimization; it feels like the game wasn't properly tested on various hardware.”
“Despite its potential, the game suffers from optimization issues that hinder the overall experience.”