Mother Russia Bleeds

83%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,904 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • music
Mother Russia Bleeds Game Cover
A debauchery-fueled beat ‘em up with plenty of ways to cripple your enemies, its excessive violence never overshadows the smart and intuitive combat.
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"Mother Russia Bleeds" is a retro-style beat 'em up game set in an alternate 1980s Soviet Union. Players assume the role of four imprisoned martial artists who must fight their way through hordes of enemies to escape. With a emphasis on brutality and gore, the game features local co-op for up to four players and a robust combat system with various weapons and special moves.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

83%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,904 reviews
gameplay146 positive mentions
grinding27 negative mentions
  • Great pixel art and soundtrack that enhance the overall experience.
  • Satisfying combat mechanics with a variety of moves and weapons.
  • Unique setting and story that adds depth to the gameplay.
  • Frustrating difficulty spikes, especially with the final boss and enemy AI.
  • Limited character variety and repetitive combat mechanics.
  • No online multiplayer, which limits the co-op experience.
  • gameplay436 mentions

    The gameplay of "Mother Russia Bleeds" is a mix of classic beat-em-up mechanics with a unique drug-injection system that adds a layer of strategy, but it often suffers from repetitiveness and a lack of depth. While many players appreciate the brutal combat and engaging visuals, others criticize the simplistic mechanics and frustrating hit detection, leading to a mixed reception overall. The game is enjoyable for casual players and those who appreciate its aesthetic, but hardcore fans of the genre may find it lacking in variety and complexity.

    • “Really fun gameplay that hasn't gotten old despite many playthroughs of the game. The story is pretty short, but replaying it is always enjoyable with the brutal animations and variety of weapons and environmental factors.”
    • “The gameplay is tight and responsive, with varying enemy types that have different moves, all of which can be countered. The combat mechanics are super deep and addictive, and the pixel art visuals are pleasing to the eye.”
    • “The brutal and unforgiving gameplay completely complements the story and aesthetic of the game. It's a fun beat 'em up with a dark communist setting, and the unique healing mechanic with the syringe helps set it apart from other games in the genre.”
    • “And now there's the problems, or rather the big persistent problem: the gameplay and game feel is quite bland and repetitive.”
    • “Thanks to overly simplistic gameplay, when the initial interest in the story and/or the shock value of the world 'Mother Russia Bleeds' takes place in wears off, you'll be left with a sadly boring experience.”
    • “The gameplay is just overall lacking.”
  • story417 mentions

    The story of "Mother Russia Bleeds" is set in a gritty, alternative 1980s Soviet Union, focusing on themes of drug addiction, violence, and rebellion against a corrupt state. While many players appreciate the dark and engaging narrative, some criticize it for being simplistic or lacking depth, with mixed opinions on the dialogue and character development. Overall, the story is seen as a compelling backdrop that enhances the game's brutal gameplay, though its brevity and occasional predictability may leave some players wanting more.

    • “The story is a gritty trip into a corrupt, brutalized USSR, where rebels don tracksuits and go to war with the state.”
    • “The story is great and interesting, with multiple endings, challenging gameplay, and it's even better if played with friends.”
    • “The story is very interesting and characters vary, so you will never be bored.”
    • “The story is a boring mess about a revolution or whatever.”
    • “The story is straightforward and leans a bit on the basic side.”
    • “The story is minimal and works just like the game's hyper-violent style.”
  • music415 mentions

    The music in "Mother Russia Bleeds" has received widespread acclaim for its energetic and immersive soundtrack, often compared to the iconic music of "Hotline Miami." Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's ability to enhance the gameplay experience, fitting seamlessly with the game's gritty atmosphere and violent themes. While some players found certain tracks repetitive or less memorable, the overall consensus is that the music significantly contributes to the game's appeal, making it a standout feature.

    • “The soundtrack has the intensity of a rave in Moscow’s deepest underground bunker, pulsing and grinding as you throw punch after punch.”
    • “The music in this game is absolutely 10/10 slaps hard, adding another layer of enjoyment to the game alongside the rampage.”
    • “The soundtrack is amazing, the story is surprisingly well done considering the type of game it is.”
    • “I really think music sells a game and the music in Mother Russia Bleeds is some of the most uninspired and passionless music I have heard from a beat 'em up ever.”
    • “The only thing I like less in this game: the music can be too discrete, sometimes it lacks a bit of ambiance.”
    • “Don't get me wrong, some songs really set the atmosphere, like the train level and the final stage, the rest of it just kind of fades into the background... nothing you can really remember or hum along to after you're done with the game... it's all just super overproduced and sounds like generic electronica/dubstep music with no real catchy beats or hooks.”
  • graphics312 mentions

    The graphics of "Mother Russia Bleeds" are widely praised for their gritty, pixelated art style that effectively captures a dark and violent atmosphere reminiscent of classic beat 'em ups. Many reviewers highlight the cohesive integration of visuals and soundtrack, noting the detailed animations and environments that enhance the overall experience, despite some criticism regarding the repetitiveness of gameplay. Overall, the game's aesthetic is described as both striking and immersive, appealing particularly to fans of retro-style graphics and intense gore.

    • “I want to like the game; its gritty, gory art style is gorgeous and iconic.”
    • “The pixel art style that is shown is very nice and beautifully done, and I loved how the areas looked in the game.”
    • “The visuals are gripping, terrifying, and beautiful.”
    • “The only thing working against this game is the graphics, which can make combat hard sometimes.”
    • “The pixel graphics aren't the best either.”
    • “The graphics are terrible.”
  • atmosphere71 mentions

    The atmosphere of "Mother Russia Bleeds" is widely praised for its dark, gritty, and immersive qualities, effectively capturing the bleakness of a dystopian Soviet setting through its striking pixel art and a haunting synth-heavy soundtrack. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke a sense of brutality and despair, complemented by its over-the-top violence and unique character designs, although some note a lack of authentic Russian elements in the aesthetic. Overall, the game's atmosphere stands out as its strongest feature, creating a memorable and unsettling experience for players.

    • “The pounding, blasting, dark synth wave music aligns with the bloody and gritty atmosphere the game aims to produce.”
    • “The setting, atmosphere, and art style of the game created a really cool experience.”
    • “The atmosphere is dark and intense, and the soundtrack keeps pushing you forward.”
    • “The atmosphere is definitely strong in this one; it's dark, grim, and brutal. However, the developers could do a little more research and add proper authentic Russian elements, such as building designs and locations. It doesn't really have that strong feel that we are in actual Russia; it does lack in terms of aesthetics, though they nailed the enemy designs.”
    • “The soundtrack is wonderful as well, making up for where the story is lacking by creating an absolutely disturbing and grimy atmosphere, particularly in my favorite level that takes place in a sexually perverse nightclub, which honestly feels a lot like the recently released Turkish horror movie 'Baskin.'”
    • “It's a fairly standard beat 'em up whose main selling point is its horrific violence and sleazy atmosphere.”
  • humor42 mentions

    The humor in "Mother Russia Bleeds" is characterized by its dark, over-the-top style, blending violence and absurdity with a distinctly Russian meme culture. Players find the game both hilarious and addictive, particularly when playing with friends, as it features funny mechanics, outrageous scenarios, and memorable dialogue, despite some criticisms regarding the repetitiveness of humor and gameplay mechanics. Overall, the game successfully combines crude humor with a gritty narrative, making it a unique and entertaining experience.

    • “Playing Mother Russia Bleeds is like diving face-first into a Russian meme—a mix of rage, dark humor, and that stubborn 'I-won’t-go-down-easy' spirit.”
    • “The finishers will have you laughing in joy, and the use of drugs as a power-up is edgy and interesting at the same time.”
    • “A beautiful, very clever, and funny game (especially if you play it with friends).”
  • replayability34 mentions

    The game's replayability is mixed, with some players appreciating the variety offered by multiple characters and arena modes, while others find the short story mode and lack of diversity in gameplay limiting. Although there are unlockables and achievements that enhance replay value, many reviewers note that the experience can feel repetitive, especially when playing solo. Overall, the game has potential for replayability, particularly in co-op play, but it may not satisfy those seeking extensive replay options.

    • “Once you've finished the story, you can also try the arena mode to unlock additional upgrades, so while this is a somewhat short game, it does have some replayability.”
    • “The story mode is about 2-3 hours on normal, and you're left with a selection of arena levels (which unlock new syringe chemicals) and difficulty modes to provide you with plenty of replayability.”
    • “It's completely worth its price with a surprising amount of replayability through arena mode, unlockables, more than one ending, and just really great gameplay.”
    • “I think they made it this way to make the game replayable, but it sucks having to grind 9 stages just to get some variety for the campaign levels.”
    • “Short, the main story is sadly not interesting enough for much replay value.”
    • “Unfortunately, the game doesn't offer much replayability, especially if you play alone, but I totally recommend it if you are going to play in co-op.”
  • grinding27 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, often detracting from the overall experience. While some moments can be enjoyable, the repetitive nature of combat, lack of checkpoints, and overwhelming enemy encounters lead to a sense of monotony and dissatisfaction. Many reviewers express that the game feels more like a chore than an engaging beat 'em up, with a significant portion of gameplay being described as grindy and unfulfilling.

    • “Another but, though, it's flawed, making the game occasionally tedious, losing the whole frenetic drug-trip vibe it seems to be pushing.”
    • “Unfortunately, the core gameplay loop, the foundation of the game, the fighting aspect, is too tedious and frustrating to support the rest of it.”
    • “At the end of the day you are still left with a fairly grindy beat 'em up.”
  • stability16 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant bugs and glitches, particularly on the Mac version, leading to crashes and freezes. Others report a smooth experience with minimal issues, highlighting that performance can vary widely depending on the platform and setup. Overall, while some users find the game enjoyable despite its instability, many others consider it a "buggy, glitch-ridden, unplayable mess."

    • “With an i7 4770k and a GTX 780, the game runs great with a solid 60 fps at 1440p.”
    • “Personally, I have had no issues with this game; no glitches, and the hitboxes seem fine to me.”
    • “A couple of runs on the boss I ran into some glitches too.”
    • “The only real let down is that at least on the Mac version the game got a little buggy when using a PS4 and Xbox controller in local co-op.”
    • “Buggy, glitch ridden, unplayable mess.”
  • optimization8 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the game is mixed; while some players report no performance issues or bugs, others highlight significant shortcomings in AI teammate performance and specific level challenges. The hardcore difficulty is criticized for merely increasing enemy health without enhancing gameplay dynamics. Additionally, there are isolated performance issues noted in certain levels, such as the arena ending with a bear fight.

    • “No performance issues, bugs or problems using controllers.”
    • “Its like a Russian Streets of Rage game, on performance enhancing drugs.”
    • “AI teammate’s performance leaves much to be desired.”
    • “Hardcore difficulty doesn't give enemies new abilities, increase performance, or anything else other than making them massive damage sponges.”
    • “Some performance issues (arena level ending with bear fight).”
  • character development8 mentions

    Overall, character development in the game is criticized for being minimal and shallow, with a focus on combat rather than depth. While the character designs and visuals are praised, the lack of meaningful growth or narrative depth detracts from the overall experience. The dialogue between fights adds some writing emphasis, but it ultimately serves to facilitate the action rather than enrich the characters.

    • “That said, for a small indie game with only a few people working on it, it's extremely polished in its art and character design despite its flaws.”
    • “The visuals are appealing to me, the character designs are well done, and the overall atmosphere was executed nicely.”
    • “The campaign has a surprising emphasis on the writing for character dialogue between fights, even if the plot/character development is pretty shallow and serves to set up fight after fight.”
    • “The explicit violence and drug use make the game inappropriate for kids, along with the absence of character development and dubbing.”
    • “No character development.”
    • “The campaign has a surprising emphasis on the writing for character dialogue between fights, even if the plot and character development are pretty shallow and serve to set up fight after fight.”
  • emotional6 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players expressing disappointment in the predictable and clichéd storylines that fail to engage. While there are attempts to explore themes of emotional and sexual abuse, the execution is criticized for being unoriginal and lacking depth, leading to a disconnection from the characters and their arcs. Overall, the emotional impact is undermined by poor storytelling and design choices.

    • “Very emotional.”
    • “It shows men as victims of emotional and sexual abuse, and women as antagonists.”
    • “I'm a huge Hotline Miami fan, so that's why I bought this game with high expectations, but what I got was a game with ugly looking textures and a boring story.”
    • “Boring story: I wasn't interested in Russia (for reasons unknown) or the narcotics.”
    • “Even more annoying is a really bad checkpoint system and a boring story.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    Reviewers express a desire for the developers to address existing issues and potentially add more content, such as expansions, before pursuing new projects, indicating concerns about the current monetization strategy and its impact on game quality.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

66% average critic score

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Play time

4hMedian play time
26hAverage play time
3-4hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 8 analyzed playthroughs

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