Deathbloom: Chapter 1
- May 16, 2019
- Vincent Lade
- 6h median play time
Get on Steam"Deathbloom: Chapter 1" is a survival horror game inspired by classic titles, set in the sprawling Bachman Manor. Explore the manor's many rooms, solve puzzles, and uncover cryptic riddles while evading its hostile residents. With a range of weapons and hidden secrets to find, players must unravel the mystery of their mysterious friend "Christina" and the world of "Deathbloom".
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Engaging story with a spooky atmosphere that keeps players on edge.
- Enjoyable combat mechanics with a variety of weapons and satisfying shooting.
- Logical puzzle-solving that enhances exploration without causing frustration.
- Poor optimization leading to significant frame drops and performance issues.
- Confusing map layout and excessive darkness make navigation frustrating.
- Limited save points and lack of customizable options hinder the overall experience.
- story23 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The game's story is a mixed bag, with many players finding it intriguing and well-paced, particularly appreciating its atmospheric elements and character-driven narrative. However, some critiques highlight a lack of depth and coherence, suggesting that while the story has engaging moments, it doesn't fully compensate for gameplay shortcomings. Overall, it seems to resonate well with those who prioritize narrative in their gaming experience, especially for an indie title.
“Very enjoyable horror game with a good mix of exploration and combat and an intriguing story.”
“The story is really captivating and keeps my attention while keeping me on the edge of my seat, well written and paced.”
“Enjoyed the shift in tone as the game progressed from start to finish as the player character gets deeper into the story of the mansion, and I'm looking forward to the sequel now that I've seen the ending.”
“Sadly, the story is fairly lacking and the game just isn't really breaking any new ground.”
“It's quite unpolished, the story doesn't make any sense, and it's easy to lose track of what you're trying to accomplish.”
“I know that's more cons than pros that I listed above, but honestly, I think the atmosphere and story cancel out all that other stuff.”
- atmosphere21 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its ability to create a genuinely spooky and tense environment, enhanced by effective sound design and mood-setting music. Reviewers note that it avoids cheap jump scares, instead relying on creepy enemies and immersive storytelling to maintain a sense of dread. Despite some graphical and interface rough edges, the overall atmosphere stands out as a highlight, making it a compelling experience for fans of indie horror games.
“It has great mood-setting music, ambiance, and a thick atmosphere.”
“There are some rough edges graphically and interface-wise, but the atmosphere and storytelling shine through in ways that bigger developers consistently struggle to convey.”
“But somehow it succeeds in creating an atmosphere that more sophisticated graphics games sometimes lack.”
“There were times in the basement when I kept looking behind me because the music and the atmosphere were getting really tense, and I kept getting paranoid and thinking something was behind me.”
- graphics17 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players noting bugs, glitches, and a lack of customizable settings that detract from the experience. While the visuals are described as "so-so" by modern standards, many appreciate the unique art style and atmospheric qualities that enhance the storytelling. Overall, the graphics are considered solid for a Unity game, contributing to a creepy and engaging atmosphere despite some technical shortcomings.
“Really enjoyed the art style, paintings, and decor.”
“Graphics look excellent for a Unity game.”
“There are some rough edges graphically and interface-wise, but the atmosphere and storytelling shine through in ways that bigger developers consistently struggle to convey.”
“There are a lot of weird graphical glitches too.”
“And here it is 2022 and there are still no graphic settings and no way to disable the head bob motion.”
- gameplay11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Deathbloom: Chapter 1 is a mixed bag; while it features thrilling levels and a strong survival horror core, many players criticize it for lacking polish and offering limited customization options. Some enjoy the exploration and atmosphere, but others find the gameplay underwhelming and hindered by design flaws. Overall, opinions vary, with some praising the experience while others express frustration with its execution.
“Deathbloom: Chapter 1 features thrilling levels and gameplay that will not go unnoticed by any gamer.”
“Still, I mostly liked exploring the house (and the rest) and I just love the core survival horror gameplay even though this game starts off as a walking simulator and it will take some time till you get a gun.”
“Other than that... great atmosphere, great gameplay, I had a blast playing it.”
“First of all, the game seems to suffer from over-designed levels and under-designed gameplay.”
“Overall, this game just lacks a lot of polish and care in the gameplay.”
“The story seemed mildly interesting, but not enough to make me want to trudge through the lackluster gameplay.”
- optimization11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 36 % negative mentions
The game is widely criticized for its poor optimization, with many players experiencing significant performance issues, including frame rates dropping to as low as 10-30 fps. While some users note that the game can look stunning at stable 60 fps, the overall consensus is that it requires substantial optimization improvements, particularly for higher resolutions like 4K.
“Although the game is very unoptimized, when you get a stable 60 fps, the game looks gorgeous.”
“My only gripe was that it wasn't optimized for 4K.”
“A little further optimization would be great.”
“Seriously, this has got to be one of the worst optimized games I have ever played.”
“Overall, I cannot recommend this game, mostly due to the extremely poor optimization.”
“When you're indoors and the framerate keeps dropping to 10 fps, you know you've got some major optimization issues.”
- music7 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its ability to set the mood and create a thick atmosphere, effectively blending with sound effects to enhance immersion. Reviewers commend the soundtrack for capturing the essence of the Resident Evil series, contributing to tense moments that keep players on edge. Overall, the music significantly enriches the gaming experience, making it a standout feature.
“It has great mood-setting music, ambiance, and a thick atmosphere.”
“Amazing soundtrack.”
“The soundtrack is nice and it captures the feel of the Resident Evil games very well.”
“I had a lot of trouble trying to figure out what was ambiance/music and what was actual sound effects.”
“There were times in the basement when I kept looking behind me because the music and the atmosphere were getting really tense, making me paranoid and think something was behind me.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users report significant stability issues, including frequent graphical glitches, difficulty navigating the map, and occasional game freezes.
“There are a lot of weird graphical glitches.”
“The map is hard to follow, and my game freezes sometimes.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is derived from the exaggerated and unrealistic animations of opponents, particularly during their deaths, which can detract from immersion. Players find the ragdoll effects and comical movements, such as the "funny Jacob's ladder" effect, to be amusing, adding a lighthearted tone to the otherwise intense gameplay.
“The humor in the game is top-notch, with hilarious animations that make even the most intense moments feel light-hearted.”
“I love how the game balances serious gameplay with absurd humor, especially when enemies meet their demise in the most ridiculous ways.”
“The quirky sound effects and goofy character animations add a layer of comedy that keeps me laughing throughout the game.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the game's artistic design and scare tactics, but find the grinding aspect tedious and confusing, particularly regarding the saving mechanics.
“The game has some very good ideas for scares and the art looks great, but the grinding is very tedious and I don't understand the saving system.”
“The repetitive nature of grinding makes the game feel like a chore rather than an enjoyable experience.”
“I found myself spending hours on grinding without any real sense of progress or reward.”
