Corpse Party: Blood Drive

57%
Game Brain Score Based on 163 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Corpse Party: Blood Drive Game Cover
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.
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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.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Android
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station Vita
  • Tablet
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

57%
Audience ScoreBased on 163 reviews
story36 positive mentions
gameplay17 negative mentions
  • The game provides a compelling conclusion to the Corpse Party series, tying up loose ends and delivering emotional moments.
  • The 3D graphics and environments enhance the horror experience, making exploration feel more immersive.
  • The soundtrack is well-composed, adding to the atmosphere and tension throughout the game.
  • The gameplay mechanics, including the stamina system and phantom chases, can be frustrating and detract from the overall experience.
  • The story suffers from convoluted plot points and character decisions that feel out of place, making it hard to follow for newcomers.
  • There are numerous bugs and technical issues, such as save point problems and inconsistent enemy behavior, which can disrupt gameplay.
  • story161 mentions

    The story of "Corpse Party: Blood Drive" serves as a convoluted continuation of the series, introducing numerous new characters and plot elements that many players found overwhelming and poorly integrated. While some fans appreciated the emotional depth and connections to previous games, others criticized the pacing, complexity, and tonal shifts that detracted from the horror elements that originally defined the franchise. Overall, the narrative received mixed reviews, with some enjoying the conclusion of the saga while others felt it strayed too far from the series' roots.

    • “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.”
    • “While it's called the end of the Heavenly Host saga, it's pretty much a completely different, badly patched together story with Heavenly Host slapped on and barely holding together the cracks.”
    • “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.”
    • “Blood Drive introduced too much lore at once, resulting in a choppy and rushed story, as well as awful pacing.”
  • gameplay82 mentions

    The gameplay of the game has received mixed to negative feedback, with many players finding it clunky, tedious, and frustrating due to poorly designed mechanics and bugs. While some appreciate the return to exploration and the 3D environment, others criticize the simplistic puzzles, unbalanced difficulty, and the overwhelming presence of annoying enemies that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the gameplay seems to struggle under the weight of its mechanics, leading many to suggest watching gameplay online instead of purchasing the game.

    • “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.”
  • graphics36 mentions

    The graphics in the game have received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the shift to 3D visuals and the added life to the game's ambience, while others criticize the cartoonish style for detracting from the horror elements. Many fans of the original pixel art feel that the new graphics lack the eerie charm and intensity of the previous titles, with complaints about lazy model animations and a general mishandling of the visual presentation. Overall, while the graphics are considered technically improved, they fail to resonate with all players, particularly those seeking a more traditional horror aesthetic.

    • “I personally did prefer the pixel graphics from Blood Covered, but this change of pace does bring a lot more life into the game with its ambience and setting graphics.”
    • “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.”
  • music25 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the hauntingly beautiful soundtrack that enhances the emotional depth of the narrative. While some tracks are considered standout "bangers," others are viewed as less impactful compared to previous installments, leading to a divide among fans regarding its overall effectiveness. Despite some criticisms, many players ultimately find the soundtrack to be a significant strength, especially after repeated listens.

    • “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.”
    • “Oh my god, why is the soundtrack so bad!”
    • “You'd be better off replaying the first game, which is superior in almost every single way imaginable - story, music, exploration, game length, atmosphere, etc. The only positive thing I can possibly say about this game is that the change to 3D environments is a nice one.”
    • “Music and voice acting were both okay, and I loved the new characters (however, some old ones were extremely frustrating, at times making downright dumb decisions...).”
  • emotional13 mentions

    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 players. While some found certain character interactions frustrating, the overall experience is described as an emotional rollercoaster, with a haunting soundtrack that enhances the story's depth and resonance. The game successfully ties up character arcs and delivers a poignant conclusion, leaving a lasting emotional impact on its audience.

    • “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 soundtrack continues to be a standout element, with a hauntingly beautiful score that captures the emotional weight of the narrative.”
    • “This game pulled me in and made me feel emotions I haven't felt in a long time.”
  • atmosphere12 mentions

    The atmosphere in the latest installment of the series has received mixed reviews, with some players feeling that the shift to silly 3D models detracts from the previously established creepy and gloomy ambiance. While certain elements, such as chilling melodies and ambient sounds, successfully enhance the psychological horror experience, many fans express a preference for the darker, more immersive atmosphere of earlier titles. Overall, the game manages to evoke some nostalgic elements of the franchise, but it struggles to fully capture the fear and tension that characterized its predecessors.

    • “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.”
  • humor8 mentions

    The humor in the game is largely unintentional, stemming from its frustrating gameplay and poorly executed 3D graphics, which create a comedic effect that detracts from the intended tone. While some moments attempt to blend dark themes with sexual humor, they often come off as awkward and distracting, undermining character development and immersion. Overall, the humor is a mix of absurdity and discomfort, leaving players to appreciate the original game more in comparison.

    • “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 visual novel segment art is fine, the 3D models are atrocious and make everything so much more amateur and funny than they're supposed to be.”
    • “But the Corpse Party entries prior to this were extremely limited on sexual content unless you were playing the Happy Birthday Sachiko game, which was one giant comedy—a pretty solid and funny light-hearted take on the Corpse Party series.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be clunky and tedious, primarily due to a poorly designed stamina system that hinders movement and exploration. The constant need to manage stamina while navigating cramped environments leads to frustrating encounters with enemies and obstacles, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the 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 and just backtracking, which makes everything a bit more tedious. Then, when you actually need to run away from something, you'll find it's extremely rare to naturally run far enough away to escape enemy aggro before running out of stamina.”
    • “The stamina mechanic and constant traps in your way make moving around the school extremely tedious. I really did not enjoy looking for where to go next only to accidentally touch a pile of glass or wood, and then at some other point when I go the wrong way, run out of stamina right as a ghost spawns.”
  • character development3 mentions

    Character development in "Corpse Party: Blood Drive" has received mixed reviews, with some players finding the 3D chibi design initially off-putting but ultimately becoming accustomed to it. However, the clash between character design choices and the series' horror themes detracts from the overall experience, preventing it from fully resonating with all players.

    • “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.”
    • “Seeing some of the negative reviews aimed toward bad character design feels invalid with this series.”
  • stability2 mentions

    The game's stability is heavily criticized, with numerous bugs affecting gameplay, such as erratic spirit attacks and awkward enemy spawns. Players report issues with character animations and unclear objectives, contributing to a frustrating experience that detracts from the overall horror atmosphere.

    • “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, causing damage to be applied when time resumes, which is annoying.”
    • “The gameplay is buggy; the new 3D models seem to have 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 relies on cheap versions of jumpscares now, and the story seems to go nowhere.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game's optimization is praised for significantly surpassing the performance and visual quality of the PS Vita version, indicating a well-executed enhancement in both areas.

    • “The optimization in this game is impressive, making it run smoothly even on lower-end hardware.”
    • “I love how the developers focused on optimization; it really enhances the overall gaming experience.”
    • “The game runs flawlessly, showcasing excellent optimization that allows for stunning visuals without sacrificing performance.”
    • “The optimization in this game is severely lacking, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering during gameplay.”
    • “I was disappointed to find that the game struggles to maintain a stable frame rate, even on high-end hardware.”
    • “The loading times are excessively long, which really detracts from the overall experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

53% average critic score

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