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Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood

Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood Game Cover
83%Game Brain Score
graphics, gameplay
grinding, stability
83% User Score Based on 539 reviews

Platforms

PCSteam DeckWindows
Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood Game Cover

About

Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood is a single player casual role playing game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Mega Cat Studios and was released on September 20, 2023. It received positive reviews from players.

In "Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood," players step into the role of Dracula's loyal servant, completing tasks for the immortal being in a single-player adventure. The game features one-touch gameplay with frenetic action, taking players through unique stages with numerous enemies and bosses. With a variety of weapons and a charming visual style, players must fight, die, and resurrect to fulfill their duties and appease Dracula.

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83%
Audience ScoreBased on 539 reviews
graphics103 positive mentions
grinding43 negative mentions

  • The game features stunning pixel art graphics and a captivating soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
  • Gameplay is addictive and engaging, with a variety of weapons and power-ups that encourage experimentation and replayability.
  • The unique stage-based progression system adds a refreshing twist to the typical roguelike formula, making each run feel distinct.
  • The game suffers from balancing issues, particularly with the starting character's weak attacks and the overwhelming number of enemies in early levels.
  • There is a lack of clear information regarding weapon and power-up mechanics, making it difficult for players to strategize effectively.
  • Some players experience performance issues, such as frame drops and hitbox problems, which can detract from the overall enjoyment.
  • graphics
    179 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Renfield: BYOB" have received widespread praise for their vibrant pixel art style, which effectively captures the game's horror aesthetic and enhances the overall experience. Many players appreciate the detailed animations, flashy visual effects, and nostalgic feel, likening it to classic titles while noting that the visuals stand out in the crowded bullet heaven genre. However, some critiques mention that the complexity of the visuals can occasionally hinder gameplay clarity, making it difficult to navigate amidst the chaos.

    • “The graphics are stunning (pixel art games for the win!), immersing players in a roguelike, bullet hell, dark world.”
    • “Beautiful graphics and a fun music soundtrack make this a must-get!”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, sharp, and full of detail; the sound and music add to the atmosphere, making the pace of the game feel fluid.”
    • “The second problem with Renfield is the visuals.”
    • “I think the issue with the art style is that at least in the first level, it's not immediately obvious which objects are in the foreground or background, and while you're running around trying to avoid enemies, you're constantly having to guess which are or aren't.”
    • “The graphics are a mess.”
  • gameplay
    156 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Renfield" is a mixed bag, with many players finding it addictive yet repetitive, often likening it to other roguelite titles like "Vampire Survivors." While the game features a variety of mechanics and a visually appealing design, it suffers from balancing issues, a lack of depth, and poorly explained systems that can detract from the overall experience. Despite these flaws, some players appreciate the unique thematic elements and the engaging gameplay loop, making it a decent choice for fans of the genre.

    • “The gameplay is built on the 'bullet heaven' formula popularized by recent roguelite arena shooters, but Renfield adds its own flavor.”
    • “The gameplay offers a delightful blend of challenge and addiction, making it hard to put down.”
    • “The gameplay loop is addictive and engaging.”
    • “The progression seems slow and the gameplay loop honestly doesn't capture my attention enough for me to continue caring about playing on.”
    • “Overall, Renfield is mediocre with a lot of gameplay choices that I don't enjoy.”
    • “You could definitely do worse when looking for a movie license tie-in game, but despite how much I wanted to like Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood, the gameplay is just too clunky, grindy, and slow to get going.”
  • music
    129 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received largely positive feedback, with many players praising its energetic and fitting soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience. While some found it enjoyable and a highlight of the game, others noted that it could become repetitive over time. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a strong point, complementing the game's visuals and atmosphere effectively.

    • “The soundtrack and sound effects support the mayhem with punchy hits, energetic music, and satisfying audio cues that accompany your growing strength.”
    • “The fitting soundtrack and impactful in-game sound effects enhance the overall experience, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of classic arcade games.”
    • “The music adds much more depth to the game.”
    • “I ended up turning off the music and either played in silence half the time or played my own music or YouTube videos in the background.”
    • “The game has the graphics and music going for it, but that's all they have so far.”
    • “There also needs to be more music added.”
  • grinding
    45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews indicate that the game features a significant amount of grinding, which can be both a point of frustration and enjoyment for players. While some appreciate the grind for its potential to unlock characters and upgrades, many find it tedious and repetitive, detracting from the overall fun. The balance of progression feels off for some, with a mix of engaging mechanics and excessive grind leading to a polarized reception.

    • “It isn't that grindy, with many of the unlocks having conditions (e.g., finish this level with this character to unlock weapons/characters/talents) rather than numerical grinds (get to x out of x many points of whatever).”
    • “The bottom line is too much grinding and the fun evaporates quickly.”
    • “The game is incredibly grindy, slow-paced, and overall not very engaging or fun.”
    • “It's too grindy and there's nothing there to shake up that grind and make it tolerable.”
  • story
    19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story serves primarily as a framework for its chaotic arena combat, offering a loose connection to the 2023 film rather than a fully fleshed-out narrative. While some players appreciate the progression and character unlocking, others express disappointment over the lack of depth and cinematic ties, suggesting that the storytelling could benefit from additional lore or a dedicated story mode. Overall, the game presents a unique take on the Dracula narrative, but its storytelling may not satisfy those seeking a more immersive experience.

    • “Overall, 'Renfield' by Mega Cat Studios is a great game that brings a classic story to life in a new and fun retro way.”
    • “Rather than retelling the story of the 2023 film, it uses its characters and tone as a loose springboard for a game built around chaotic arena combat and relentless progression.”
    • “The story serves as a framing device rather than a fully developed narrative arc, which suits the game’s pace but may disappoint players hoping for more cinematic tie-ins to the film.”
    • “Even though I don't have much context (haven't watched the movie), it hasn't prevented me from getting immersed into the game/world (although some type of lore/story would be nice).”
  • replayability
    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers significant replayability, featuring diverse characters with unique play styles, numerous unlocks, and various stages that enhance the overall experience. While some players may find it lighter compared to titles like Vampire Survivors or Hades, its addictive nature and engaging mechanics make it a worthwhile investment for those seeking replay value. Overall, it is praised for its fun, fast-paced gameplay and affordability, making it accessible for repeated play.

    • “Addicting, tons of replay value and unlocks, can be played without internet and is a steal for the price.”
    • “I love the diversity that each of the characters have, each having a unique play style that the player can choose from, making replayability much more fun.”
    • “Fun game with lots of replayability and a good variety of battle perks.”
    • “Players who crave the depth or endless replayability of games like Vampire Survivors or Hades may find this experience lighter and more contained.”
    • “A very good Vampire Survivors-like game; I played it for 2 hours straight to see if the game has any replay value, and there is.”
    • “I think the game packs a lot of content and has a lot of replayability despite it being very cheap.”
  • humor
    11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is characterized by its goofy and darkly comedic elements, effectively blending splatter and over-the-top action reminiscent of the 2023 film "Renfield." Players appreciate the charming narrative and funny power-ups, which enhance the overall experience, although some updates have struggled with bugs that detract from the humor. Overall, the game is a delightful mix of humor and engaging gameplay, appealing particularly to fans of dark comedy and classic horror.

    • “The game knows exactly what it is: a compact arena survivor designed for rapid runs, goofy humor, and escalating supernatural carnage.”
    • “Is an absolute delight for fans of dark humor and classic horror.”
    • “Awesome retro look, addicting gameplay, funny power-ups, cool soundtrack.”
  • atmosphere
    11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its dark, gothic aesthetic, enhanced by detailed pixel art and a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack that evokes classic arcade vibes. Players appreciate how the immersive sound effects and visuals create a captivating experience, making it a standout choice for fans of roguelikes and vampire lore. Overall, the combination of striking graphics and atmospheric audio effectively draws players into the game's world.

    • “In terms of audio, the soundtrack is hauntingly beautiful and complements the game's atmosphere exceptionally well.”
    • “I appreciate the dark atmosphere, which is enhanced by fantastic pixel art graphics, an electrifying soundtrack, and impressive visual effects.”
    • “This game doesn't falter in creating an atmosphere that immerses you in the world of Dracula.”
    • “The dark, gothic atmosphere, the detailed pixel art, and the eerie yet enchanting surroundings all contribute to an immersive experience.”
    • “While this kind of music is not my usual cup of tea, I'd say it complements the atmosphere that the game is going for. It feels rebellious yet gothic at the same time; I love it.”
  • stability
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting significant bugs, particularly with the new partner system and issues like freezing upon quitting and save deletions. However, others have experienced smooth gameplay with minimal bugs, praising its performance and overall polish. Overall, while some users enjoy a stable experience, others face frustrating technical problems that detract from the game's enjoyment.

    • “Through 12 hours of gameplay, it has been 100% bug-free and could easily be run on a potato.”
    • “It is mostly competent, and it runs smoothly and seems mostly bug-free.”
    • “Beyond one minor bug where items can fall into inaccessible areas, it is a well-polished game that runs great and plays great.”
    • “The partner system that was introduced in December 2023 is buggy and causes issues.”
    • “Shame because it looks good, but apparently it's just incredibly buggy all around.”
    • “A boring and buggy clone game that now deletes your save progress with the most recent update.”
  • optimization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of Renfield is generally competent, with smooth performance and minimal bugs, though players report some performance issues during late-game scenarios, particularly in endless mode around level 100. The game is well-optimized for controller use, which enhances the gameplay experience.

    • “It is mostly competent, and it runs smoothly and seems mostly bug-free.”
    • “Also clearly optimized for controller, which might also be the reason for the directional fire mechanic.”
    • “Renfield suffers from performance issues on the deck, especially late game in endless mode approaching level 100. Other than that, it's okay for me once I got used to the gameplay loop.”
    • “The game is clearly optimized for controller, which might also explain the directional fire mechanic.”
  • emotional
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users express frustration with the game's mechanics, particularly the slippery movement and problematic hitboxes, which detract from the emotional experience by causing unfair damage and hindering gameplay. The lack of clear visibility for enemy projectiles further exacerbates these issues, leading to a sense of frustration rather than engagement. Overall, the emotional impact is negatively affected by these gameplay flaws.

  • monetization
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game is generally viewed positively, with players appreciating the absence of intrusive ads and feeling that the purchase was worthwhile, akin to a cinematic experience.

    • “You can feel this is a movie advertisement.”
  • character development
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviewers praise the character development in "Renfield" for its thoughtful design and animation, noting that both elements are crafted with care and attention to detail, enhancing the overall experience.

    • “I want to highlight that both the character design and animation, as well as the different scenarios in 'Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood', have been designed with care and good taste.”
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7h Median play time
14h Average play time
2-12h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs
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Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood is a casual role playing game with fantasy theme.

Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood is available on PC, Steam Deck and Windows.

On average players spend around 14 hours playing Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood.

Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood was released on September 20, 2023.

Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood was developed by Mega Cat Studios.

Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood has received positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its graphics but disliked it for its grinding.

Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood is a single player game.

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