Deathgarden: Bloodharvest
- August 14, 2018
- Behaviour Interactive
- 6h median play time
"Deathgarden: Bloodharvest" is a action-packed multiplayer game set in a divided future where players must survive the brutal "Bloodharvest" trials in the Deathgardens to gain entry to the opulent Enclave. Despite compelling graphics, atmospheric setting, and a good soundtrack, the game is marred by bugs, grinding, and annoying ads. While it may make you laugh, its heavy reliance on grinding and frequent bugs might hinder the overall experience.
Reviews
- Fast-paced gameplay that is more engaging than Dead by Daylight.
- Unique abilities for both hunters and scavengers that encourage teamwork.
- Frequent updates and active developer support to improve game balance.
- Severe balance issues favoring scavengers, making it frustrating for hunters.
- Long matchmaking times, especially for scavengers, due to low player base.
- Instant executions for hunters can lead to a lack of meaningful gameplay for scavengers.
- gameplay411 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
Gameplay in this title is characterized by fast-paced, asymmetrical mechanics that create a thrilling cat-and-mouse dynamic between hunters and scavengers. While many players appreciate the engaging and intense nature of the gameplay, there are significant concerns regarding balance, particularly with the hunter's overpowering abilities and the instant execution mechanic for downed scavengers, which can lead to frustration and a lack of strategic depth. Overall, while the game shows potential and offers enjoyable moments, it requires further refinement and content to maintain long-term player interest.
“The gameplay felt super rewarding when you got good, but some people didn't enjoy the learning curve.”
“Surprisingly polished on the technical side of things despite its largely incomplete status, and the game's hunter-vs-hunted gameplay is a thrill on either side - whether you want to be the plucky (or utterly insane) scavengers that outrun death by mere inches at a time or a hunter stalking and preying upon crafty opponents.”
“The gameplay is thrilling!”
“The gameplay loop as scavenger is to literally just hide in bushes all game because if you get found the 'chase' that happens after will last about 3 seconds max and then you get to respawn and do it again.”
“Gameplay is very fast-paced with players always striving to do something.”
“The gameplay is repetitive and the scaling on skill is ridiculous.”
- graphics89 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the aesthetic and overall polish, while others criticize performance issues and a lack of optimization for lower-end systems. Some users highlight the game's dark and appealing art style, noting that it enhances the atmosphere, but there are also mentions of graphical inconsistencies and a need for further improvements. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered good, they may not stand out significantly compared to other titles in the genre.
“The graphics are great and you can set the fps cap to your liking.”
“The graphics are pretty and the atmosphere is dark and exciting.”
“This game is awesome, graphics are amazing and everything is smooth.”
“This game literally killed my graphics card... like no joke.”
“The graphics could be better - seems like the devs were focused on gameplay rather than fancy looks.”
“Pretty bad game in beta, bad graphics, a lot of bugs, and impossible matchmaking.”
- story48 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 77 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game's story has received mixed reviews, with some players expressing a desire for a more developed narrative and co-op elements, while others find the existing backstory intriguing but underutilized. Many users noted that the current story feels lackluster and poorly integrated into gameplay, leading to a focus on mechanics rather than narrative engagement. However, there are positive mentions of the world-building and character backstories, suggesting potential for a richer story-driven experience in the future.
“Their popular title Dead by Daylight showcases these talents marvelously within each character, map, and storytelling arcs they toss in every now and then.”
“I love this game, the atmosphere is great, and the backstory is excellent.”
“The world is developed, there is a backstory for each character that fleshes out the world and why the matches happen; I want to know more.”
“Dull aesthetic, poor story, awkward gameplay, a severe imbalance going on depending on if communication happens, it goes on and on.”
“In-game, the story is non-existent but from the intro cinematic, and from the dialogue talking about dead hunters and scavengers punished to 100 rounds in the blood harvest.”
“The objectives and story are meh, but it works fine and I didn't give a damn about the story in DBD either; I just thought it was fun playing it with my friends.”
- optimization37 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while many players report smooth performance and minimal bugs, others experience significant issues, particularly on AMD cards. Some users highlight the need for further optimization, especially regarding graphics and performance balance, while others appreciate the game's fluid movement and responsiveness. In summary, while the game runs well for some, it still requires polishing to address various optimization concerns.
“I mostly play scavenger and the mobility you have is so well optimized, that it's never 'the game's fault' that you get caught by a hunter, but instead your own.”
“The optimization is good, the game looks and feels great and the movement is tight and responsive.”
“The game is optimized really really well and feels smooth as silk.”
“And performance-wise it was just terrible as well.”
“This game has some serious optimization issues.”
“The only drawback is optimization, it is not very good here yet.”
- grinding31 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 90 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the shorter time required to unlock characters compared to similar games, many find the overall experience tedious and repetitive. The grind for prestige and challenges is often described as lengthy and unfulfilling, leading to boredom and frustration, particularly for hunters who face a tedious search for resources. Overall, the lack of meaningful progression and victory conditions contributes to a sense of aimlessness in the grinding experience.
“Grinding can feel like a second job, but it offers a rewarding sense of achievement.”
“The grind is not overly tedious, making it enjoyable to progress.”
“While some aspects may require time investment, the rewards make it worthwhile.”
“Most hunter characters are locked behind a paywall where you have to grind to unlock them, but since the core gameplay wasn't really keeping my interest, I didn't bother grinding anything.”
“The gameplay gets extremely boring and tedious soon thereafter.”
“The only downside that bothers me (at least a little) is, when playing as a hunter, that grindy search for and opening of blue crates, in turn to activate drones all over the map.”
- music29 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and intensify gameplay during chases, creating a sense of urgency and emotion. However, some players find the music's timing and volume to be distracting or confusing, particularly when it plays unexpectedly or overlaps with other sound cues. Overall, while the soundtrack is generally well-received, there are notable concerns about its integration with gameplay mechanics.
“The sound of collecting/depositing blood and the intense music of a chase is both energetic and anxious.”
“The soundtrack, oh my lord, when the game is getting intense or the hunter is close, it evokes strong emotions, making you think about where the hunter is or what will happen next.”
“The music, the ambiance, the characters, it all looks and sounds great; the gameplay is simple but fun.”
“I had a difficult time determining where the hunter was, and all I had was terrible music to tell if they were nearby, which ruins the atmosphere.”
“The only downside I have is that it sometimes plays very intense music when you don't have a clue why.”
“Also, this game likes to blare loud music right in your ear if you look in the scavenger's direction.”
- atmosphere24 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its dark, gritty aesthetic and immersive lore, while others criticize it for feeling bland or derivative of other titles like Dead by Daylight. Many appreciate the improved graphics and unique settings, which contribute to an eerie and intense experience, though some find the audio cues lacking and gameplay mechanics unstable. Overall, the atmosphere is seen as a strong point for those who enjoy multiplayer survival games, despite some inconsistencies.
“I love this game, the atmosphere is great, and the backstory is excellent.”
“Love the darker, grittier atmosphere and the games are fast-paced.”
“The graphics are pretty and the atmosphere is dark and exciting.”
“I had a difficult time determining where the hunter was and all I had was terrible music to tell if they were nearby, and it ruins the atmosphere.”
“Some of the atmosphere is a bit bland, but in terms of gameplay, I feel this game is better.”
“If you like the slow pace and horror atmosphere of Dead by Daylight, then this game may not be for you.”
- monetization16 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has been widely criticized as a cash grab, with players expressing disappointment over poor advertising and a lack of updates. Many feel that the transition to a free-to-play model was poorly executed, leading to a dwindling player base and ultimately the game's shutdown. While some players appreciated the absence of microtransactions and found progression satisfying, the overall sentiment is that the game's monetization strategy was mishandled and detrimental to its longevity.
“Unlockable cosmetics by in-game currency (no microtransactions whatsoever!)”
“The objectives don't feel grindy or designed to warrant microtransactions, and progression is satisfying and gratifying.”
“All in all, the closing of Deathgarden™: Bloodharvest seemed to conclude the feeling that it was just a cash grab for the company overall and that they didn't intend to keep it running going forward.”
“Come to find out, this was just a quick cash grab to abandon.”
“Bloodharvest was just a cash grab before the game completely dies out.”
- stability16 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 88 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting significant bugs and glitches that hinder gameplay, while others praise its smooth performance and minimal issues for an early access title. Many users acknowledge the presence of bugs but express hope for future improvements, indicating that the game has potential despite its current state. Overall, while some players experience frustrating stability issues, others find the game enjoyable and relatively stable.
“The game is incredibly fast-paced, runs great, and is overall just a good time.”
“It is an amazing game; it's so sad that they are shutting it down. Keep the servers at least up and bug-free.”
“This game is actually incredible; however, there is a really bad issue - I'm not sure if this happens to everyone, but for me, the game models sometimes take longer than a minute to load, and the sound of rain and music is very buggy.”
“Paid for this buggy, unbalanced mess, and now we get 'we're shutting it down.' Thanks for selling us all a brick.”
“It is so buggy that it might as well be a virus.”
- humor13 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its ability to create funny moments, particularly through its clunky ragdoll physics and the absurdity of gameplay mechanics that often lead to hilarious situations. Players enjoy joking around with friends, although some find the game's design frustrating at times. Overall, while the humor adds to the fun, there are calls for improvements to enhance the experience.
“If you play to joke around with friends, it's a lot of fun and can create a lot of funny moments.”
“Hilariously enough, they were basically competing with themselves when creating this game, now they abandoned it and focus on DBD.”
“The guns are hilariously easy to aim and once you've found a runner, they're done for.”
- replayability9 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 11 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers significant replayability due to its procedural generation, engaging mechanics, and a solid progression system that introduces varied quests. However, some players express concerns about the game's content depth and meta, which can diminish long-term replay value. While many find it enjoyable and addictive, comparisons to other games suggest that its replayability may not reach the same heights as some competitors.
“Agreeable price point too and pretty great replayability thanks to procedural generation.”
“After that, the player has enough time to learn the meta and realize how poorly constructed the gameplay formula really is, how crushing the lack of content is on replayability, and how discouraging the meta is to even turning the game on.”
“Great visual environment, fluid motion mechanics enhance the replayability, audio is well balanced and integrated without losing its charm.”
“To ensure replayability, this is all topped off by a pretty solid progression system that spices things up with different quests every time you want to level something up.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its wholesome nature, fostering camaraderie among players, though some express frustration with gameplay mechanics that allow for unengaged strategies. The ability to interact with teammates adds a lighthearted touch, enhancing the overall emotional experience.
“Wholesome game”
- character development3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Character development in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the gorgeous character designs and engaging lore, others criticize the overall mechanics and atmosphere, likening it to a poorly executed clone of another game.
“The character designs are all so gorgeous; I instantly fell in love with all of them, especially the Stalker Hunter.”
“I really like the character design and lore of the game.”
“The mechanics are trash, the aesthetics and character designs are lacking, and the atmosphere feels like a cheap clone of an even worse game.”
“The character development feels shallow and uninspired, leaving little room for meaningful growth.”
“I found the characters to be one-dimensional, lacking depth and complexity that would make them relatable.”