Penny Blood: Hellbound

About

Penny Blood: Hellbound is a single player and multiplayer survival hack and slash game. It was developed by STUDIO WILDROSE and was released on December 17, 2024. It received very positive reviews from players.

In "Penny Blood: Hellbound," play as six powerful anarchists trying to escape a surreal prison controlled by the Celestial Rainbow. Gain malice and form alliances to learn new skills in this action-packed roguelike. This title, featuring art by Miyako Kato and music by Yoshitaka Hirota and Noriyuki Iwadare, is a prequel to the upcoming game "Penny Blood."

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+20

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92%

Audience ScoreBased on 74 reviews

gameplay14 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

The game features a unique and engaging art style, with a captivating soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
Gameplay is challenging yet rewarding, with a variety of mechanics such as blood surfing and character upgrades that keep players engaged.
The characters and story elements are well-developed, providing a rich lore that fans of the Shadow Hearts series will appreciate.

Combat can feel clunky and unsatisfying, with issues like lack of hitstun and enemies attacking from off-screen, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
The game suffers from repetitive elements, with players often facing the same stages and enemies multiple times, which can diminish the excitement.
There are several bugs and balancing issues that need to be addressed, including problems with item drops and the overall difficulty curve.

gameplay
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
39%
11%
The gameplay of this roguelike game is characterized by a mix of engaging mechanics, including a unique "blood surfing" feature and a variety of characters, which contribute to a fun and addictive experience. While the combat can feel unbalanced and floaty at times, the overall gameplay loop is satisfying, with a strong emphasis on exploration, upgrades, and lore. Players appreciate the charming aesthetics and interesting story, though some note that the game still requires further balancing and polish.
- “Pretty charming game with a nice cast and the gameplay is pretty fun.”
- “There's a lot of engaging elements in here with the story, world lore entries, upgrade mechanics, and combat.”
- “The gameplay is simple but satisfying - mainly due to bloodsurfing being the best thing ever.”
- “Incredibly weak gameplay, no hitstun means enemies can attack you while you're attacking them mid-combo and you die in two hits.”
- “It feels floaty, enemies ignore all your attacks so it feels like an arcady mobile game when it comes to the actual gameplay.”
- “The leveling up mechanics and premise are all badass - for me, it's the combat that just ruins it all.”
story
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
64%
11%
The game's story has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it lacking in depth and satisfaction, particularly in the main narrative, while others appreciate the engaging world lore and character interactions. The prequel, "Penny Blood: Hellbound," is noted for its intriguing backstory and 1920s high fantasy horror setting, leaving players eager for the main title. Overall, while the story has its strengths, particularly in worldbuilding and character development, it may not fully meet the expectations of all players.
- “There's a lot of engaging elements in here with the story, world lore entries, upgrade mechanics, and combat.”
- “You've got a time setting of the 1920s in a high fantasy horror spin of a story where you play as an amnesiac woman given the name of Clara.”
- “I cannot wait for Penny Blood to come out in full when it's ready, and I love the prequel that helps you be introduced to the universe and story of the game to come. This has so much more love and care than I expected, and it makes me more excited for what is to come.”
- “Story: this is where the game lacks.”
- “There is story in some side quests and meeting the newer characters, but not enough to really satisfy.”
- “The story is simple enough - a group gets trapped in a dungeon that infinitely loops when you die, and they have to fight their way out.”
music
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
68%
16%
16%
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its fun and atmospheric qualities, effectively enhancing the overall experience. Composed by Yoshitaka Hirota, the soundtrack is noted for its memorable tracks that complement the game's setting and characters, contributing to a captivating atmosphere. While some reviews mention minor issues, the consensus highlights the music as a standout feature that elevates the gameplay.
- “The music is great!”
- “I love the music because it sets the game's atmosphere so well.”
- “The music will be stuck in your head for a very long time.”
- “Music: 5/10”
- “Then there's the music.”
graphics
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
86%
14%
The graphics of the game are highly praised for their captivating aesthetic and unique art style, reminiscent of the charm found in previous titles from the developers. The visuals create a dark, eerie atmosphere that enhances the overall experience, complemented by well-designed characters and engaging interactions. Players appreciate the game's intriguing world-building and the distinct vibe that sets it apart from typical roguelikes.
- “The artwork and style of the game is top notch.”
- “The visuals have a nice dark, eerie vibe and the characters certainly feel like they crawled out of some back alley from the 20's.”
- “Pennyblood is more than just your typical roguelite, offering a great cast of characters driven by unique lore, a captivating aesthetic, and gameplay inspired by board games.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express frustration with the grinding mechanics, noting that significant content and upgrades are locked behind tedious and rare item drops, which can detract from the overall experience. While the game offers a wealth of content, the grind can feel excessive, leading some to forgo achievements and alternative endings entirely.
- “I did not bother grinding or earning achievements or seeing other endings, which could have ballooned my playtime astronomically but also left me with a much worse impression.”
- “An action roguelite that has a ton of content... that I will never see because even after sinking 44 hours into the game and fully completing it, a lot of the upgrades are stuck behind very grindy elements that rely on certain items dropping multiple times (which is already rare) for a single upgrade.”
- “Feels like Hades with more options and grinding; yes, the difficulty is there.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
Players appreciate the high replayability of the game, particularly due to the presence of multiple characters, which allows for varied experiences and encourages replaying with different strategies or perspectives.
- “There is lots of replayability.”
- “Having multiple characters also adds replayability if you want to play the game again but with a different twist.”
- “The game lacks meaningful choices, making it feel repetitive on subsequent playthroughs.”
- “Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to dive back in.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the humor in the game, highlighting the abundance of hilarious lore unlocks that add to the overall comedic experience.
- “The game is filled with hilarious lore unlocks that keep the experience entertaining.”
- “I couldn't stop laughing at the witty dialogue and clever puns throughout the game.”
- “The humor is spot-on, making even the most mundane tasks enjoyable with its comedic twists.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development in this game is highlighted by engaging designs and a captivating plot, reminiscent of the "Hades" style, which enhances the overall experience within the Shadow Hearts universe. Players appreciate the fun and dynamic interactions that contribute to a rich narrative tone.
- “The character development is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character as their stories unfold.”
- “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making each decision feel impactful and meaningful.”
- “The depth of the characters and their backstories adds a layer of immersion that keeps me invested in the game.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is enhanced by a masterful selection of music that, while not overly dramatic, effectively immerses players in the experience, allowing them to appreciate it whether they are focused on it or not.
- “The music is a masterful selection; even if it isn't over the top, you feel the atmosphere and enjoy it whether you're focused on it or not.”
- “I love the music because it sets the game's atmosphere so well.”

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20h Median play time

20h Average play time

20-20h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Penny Blood: Hellbound is a survival hack and slash game.

Penny Blood: Hellbound is available on PC and Windows.

On average players spend around 20 hours playing Penny Blood: Hellbound.

Penny Blood: Hellbound was released on December 17, 2024.

Penny Blood: Hellbound was developed by STUDIO WILDROSE.

Penny Blood: Hellbound has received very positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its grinding.

Penny Blood: Hellbound is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate, BlazBlue Entropy Effect, Ember Knights, Windblown, Dead Cells and others.

Penny Blood: Hellbound

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