Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood

About

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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood screenshot

85%

Audience ScoreBased on 510 reviews

graphics100 positive mentions

grinding38 negative mentions

The game features beautiful pixel art graphics and a captivating soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
It offers a fun and addictive gameplay loop with plenty of opportunities for upgrades and unlocking new items.
The game successfully combines elements of bullet hell and roguelike mechanics, providing a unique twist on the genre.

The game suffers from balance issues, particularly with the starting character's weapon being too weak and the overall difficulty being inconsistent.
There are visibility problems with enemy projectiles and power-ups, making it difficult to navigate during intense moments.
The progression system can feel grindy, with some players expressing frustration over the slow unlocks and repetitive gameplay.

graphics
177 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
42%
2%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning pixel art style, vibrant colors, and impressive visual effects that enhance the overall experience. Many players appreciate the unique aesthetic that combines elements of classic horror with modern design, creating a visually appealing atmosphere. However, some critiques mention that the busy 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.”
- “This game was made with seemingly the mindset of graphics first, gameplay second.”
gameplay
142 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
58%
5%
The gameplay of this title is characterized by its addictive loop and engaging mechanics, drawing comparisons to popular roguelites like Vampire Survivors. While many players appreciate the blend of challenge and exploration, some criticize the lack of originality and balance, noting issues with difficulty spikes and repetitive elements. Overall, the game offers a visually appealing experience with solid mechanics, though it may require further refinement to enhance depth and variety.
- “The gameplay offers a delightful blend of challenge and addiction, making it hard to put down.”
- “The gameplay loop is addictive and engaging.”
- “The gameplay is so much fun but the music just slaps!!!”
- “Overall, Renfield is mediocre with a lot of gameplay choices that I don't enjoy.”
- “Seems rushed to market and not enough gameplay testing from various sources to call out the major imbalances and design issues.”
- “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
122 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
45%
2%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers describing it as a "banger" that enhances the overall experience. The soundtrack is noted for its energetic and fitting themes, often compared to classic arcade games, and is considered one of the game's strongest aspects. While some players suggest that the music can become repetitive over time, the general consensus is that it significantly contributes to the game's atmosphere and enjoyment.
- “The music is catchy, the weapons unique, and the locations are gorgeous.”
- “The fitting soundtrack and impactful in-game sound effects enhance the overall experience, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of classic arcade games.”
- “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.”
- “There also needs to be more music added.”
- “The game has the graphics and music going for it, but that's all they have so far.”
- “While other skills such as the skill that wipes enemies and the music notes is OP in comparison to other skills that are lacking.”
grinding
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
95%
The grinding aspect of the game is a significant point of contention among players, with many describing it as excessively tedious and repetitive, particularly in the context of unlocking characters and achievements. While some enjoy the grind as part of the genre's charm, others find it detracts from the overall fun, leading to a frustrating experience that can feel slow-paced and unengaging. Overall, the consensus suggests that while grinding is expected in this type of game, its execution here may be too much for some players to tolerate.
- “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).”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Also, a lot of the achievements are just grinding; the way they do bronze > silver > gold is 'do thing, now do it 3x, and 10x!' which is a little repetitive and boring.”
- “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.”
story
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
50%
21%
The story of "Renfield" is praised for its unique take on the classic Dracula narrative, featuring engaging character progression and a retro aesthetic. While some players appreciate the immersive experience, others feel that the lack of depth in the storyline and context from the movie detracts from the overall enjoyment, suggesting that additional lore or a dedicated story mode could enhance the game. Overall, the narrative is seen as interesting but could benefit from further development.
- “I love the progression in the story and the feeling of unlocking the other characters.”
- “It's a different way to tell the Dracula story, and I think it's pretty cool.”
- “Overall, 'Renfield' by Mega Cat Studios is a great game that brings a classic story to life in a new and fun retro way.”
- “It has fun moments, but is spoiled by design decisions that render the game unfun (the 25% not recommended on Steam is significant at the time of this review and tells a story).”
- “☑ no story”
- “Even though I don't have much context (haven't watched the movie) with the title, it hasn't prevented me from getting immersed into the game/world (although some type of lore/story would be nice).”
atmosphere
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
37%
27%
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 fluid and engaging experience, making it a compelling choice for fans of roguelikes and vampire lore. Overall, the combination of striking graphics and impactful audio contributes significantly to the game's captivating atmosphere.
- “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.”
replayability
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
9%
27%
The game boasts high replayability due to its diverse characters, unique play styles, and numerous unlocks, making each playthrough enjoyable and challenging. Players appreciate the game's accessibility, affordability, and engaging mechanics, which encourage repeated play without the need for an internet connection. Overall, it offers a rich experience that keeps players coming back for more.
- “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.”
- “I think the game packs a lot of content and has a lot of replayability despite being very cheap.”
- “The game is easy to understand and play, which adds to its replayability factor.”
- “A very good vampire survivor-like game; I played it for 2 hours straight to see if it has any replay value, and it does.”
stability
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
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 polish. Overall, while some users enjoy a stable experience, many highlight persistent issues that detract from the game's overall quality.
- “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.”
humor
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of dark comedy and playful elements, particularly through its engaging take on Renfield's servitude and amusing power-ups like exploding rats. While some players appreciate the retro aesthetic and find the humor entertaining, others note inconsistencies in the execution, especially in relation to updates that seem to introduce more bugs than laughs. Overall, it appeals to fans of dark humor and classic horror, providing a mix of engaging gameplay and quirky comedic moments.
- “The darkly humorous take on Renfield's servitude is both engaging and entertaining.”
- “Is an absolute delight for fans of dark humor and classic horror.”
- “Awesome retro look, addicting gameplay, funny power-ups, cool soundtrack.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is negatively impacted by frustrating mechanics, such as slippery movement and problematic hitboxes, which lead to unfair damage and hinder player enjoyment. Reviewers express disappointment over these issues, suggesting that they detract from the overall experience and emotional engagement with the game.
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
150%
The game is generally well-optimized, running smoothly with minimal bugs, and is particularly tailored for controller use, which enhances gameplay mechanics like directional firing.
- “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.”
- “The game feels like it was clearly optimized for controller use, which might explain the awkward directional fire mechanic.”
- “Optimization issues make the gameplay experience frustrating, as performance drops occur frequently during intense moments.”
- “Despite the potential of the game, the lack of proper optimization leads to long loading times and stuttering graphics.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game is generally viewed positively, with players appreciating the value of their purchase and feeling that the game offers a cinematic experience, despite initial concerns about ads.
- “You can feel this is a movie advertisement.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Reviewers praise the character development in "Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood" for its thoughtful design and animation, noting that both elements contribute significantly to the overall aesthetic and immersive experience of the game.
- “The character development in this game is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character as their stories unfold.”
- “I appreciate how the game allows for meaningful choices that impact character growth, making each decision feel significant.”
- “The evolution of the characters throughout the game is masterfully crafted, showcasing their struggles and triumphs in a way that feels authentic.”

Buy Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood

5h Median play time

15h Average play time

2-34h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs

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Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood

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