Bleed

 PC
Metascore
tbd

No score yet - based on 2 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. PC Gamer
    Feb 28, 2013
    78
    Bleed is not as refined as the aforementioned Super Meat Boy, not is its action as satisfying balletic as most bullet shmups. But there's a real spark in it--a spirit that lights the game up every time things slot into place. [April 2013, p.63]
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  2. GameSpot
    Jul 12, 2013
    75
    There's little in Bleed that hasn't been seen before. But even though it hasn't reinvented how we kill baddies in two dimensions, it's still a fun and satisfying adventure. For just $5, you get a few hours of fast-paced combat, and there's punishing side missions tucked away for those who crave a challenge. Think you can get through the entire game without dying? Tight mechanics make it possible, but it takes dedication to earn that triumph. Bleed is an energetic tale of heroic conquest.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 37 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 37
  3. Negative: 4 out of 37
  1. Corrupted12
    Jul 3, 2013
    2
    Yiiiikes. Bleed is a nothing-special shoot-em-up with interesting art. The plot is...thin, to say the least. Honestly it's just an excuse toYiiiikes. Bleed is a nothing-special shoot-em-up with interesting art. The plot is...thin, to say the least. Honestly it's just an excuse to kill. Which is okay, if the killing was especially interesting. For a game called "Bleed" you hopefully know that going in. Unfortunately, the killing is not especially interesting. Or interesting at all, really.

    You shoot, things die, their puny attacks not being especially difficult to dodge. If you fail, you respawn a short distance away, with full health, and lose out on some money with which to buy more generic weapons and probably some achievements or something.

    Also, this game lasts about an hour, at best, unless you're trying to be all pro and replay the handful of ten-minute-long levels to get perfect ranks.

    But all these things are...bearable, at least. The quality of a free internet game, but bearable. Where the game really became unplayable for me was with its gimmicky "triple jump" mechanic. Basically, you jump and move in the direction of whatever arrow you push, three times. Unfortunately, no game has done this in the history of ever, with the possible exception of Super Smash Bros Melee and Pikachu. Remember how much of a pain in the ass it was learning to control that jump? That's basically this whole game. If the game was longer, maybe they'd have eased you in, started you off with just a double jump, so that you were moving more like Captain Falcon, again from SSBM. Unfortunately it is, as stated before, stupidly short.

    So for me, at least, it was basically "fumble your way through a very limited number of levels, stumbling into or almost into nearly every obstacle like a drunken retard, while shooting and dodging like a goddamn ninja." I felt like a child trying to wield the torso-sized Xbox controller again, learning to use something totally alien. Only you're given fifteen minutes to do so, because this game feels like it was cranked out in an afternoon.

    Anyway, if using practically alien systems for a gimmick in order to play a short, lackluster game is your cup of tea, Bleed is for you.    … Full Review »
  2. Sanistus
    Jul 4, 2013
    9
    I went into this game with high expectations, and it still exceeded them. A few of the weapons are pretty much useless, but some feel veryI went into this game with high expectations, and it still exceeded them. A few of the weapons are pretty much useless, but some feel very good, like the default Dual Pistols, for example. (They don't really shoot like pistols, its basically a machine gun with infinite clips, and its amazing.) The controls were a bit awkward at first, but I quickly got used to them, and after only a couple of minutes, it felt completely natural.

    My only real issue is that the game is quite short. However, if you play on anything above normal difficulty, you'll be spending plenty of time taking down the bosses. Which gives it plenty of life for a $5 game. I love it!    … Full Review »
  3. AbyssionGaming
    Jul 24, 2013
    9
    As someone who plays a lot of PC games, I often rely on Steam to provide me with cheap, easily accessible gaming experiences that I can almostAs someone who plays a lot of PC games, I often rely on Steam to provide me with cheap, easily accessible gaming experiences that I can almost instantly load up anytime, by myself or with some friends. However there is a problem, Steam is so prevalent that it’s easy to overlook other digital distribution platforms and websites that are indeed out there, packed with some stellar content of their own.

    In Bleed, you are Wryn, a very chirpy girl who has very big ambitions: to take down previously legendary video game heroes in order to become the greatest hero of all time. These “greatest heroes of all time” have grown lazy, greedy, or have just simply faded into obscurity since their implied golden days. Wryn sees this as a perfect opportunity to realize her dream and thus sets out on a quest to put down these forgotten heroes. Wryn herself is a great protagonist; her design and fourth wall-breaking quotes are utterly charming and presented in such a way that she becomes likeable to the point that she becomes rather memorable. She’s a character you actively want to play as, and the game is infinitely more fun because of this.

    Bleed seamlessly integrates several mechanics that are easy to learn, yet hard to master: a technique that is quite scarce in the industry today, even within the vibrant indie scene. Wryn however makes use of a variety of weapons and uses them in conjunction with the fantastic jumping system. Wryn can “jump dash” in mid-air up to three times, which can be used to swiftly weave through projectiles, gain extra jump height and open up possibilities for speed running The jump dash mechanic is incredibly satisfying in that it’s as smooth as it is stylish. Using it effectively is a good way to measure how good your becoming at the game, making it rewarding. Wryn also has the ability to slow time for a few seconds depending on how full her energy bar is, which can help during some of the trickier projectile patterns and sections.

    In terms of graphical and sound presentation, Bleed shines yet again. The game presents a very clean, pixilated look that’s fitting of its old-school styling’s. Games of this kind often make the mistake of losing solid game feel amidst top-drawer visuals, however Bleed’s obstacles and enemies actively work in conjunction with the aesthetics ensuring anything that could potentially harm you is clearly visible at all times. Bleed’s chip-tune soundtrack is as upbeat and charming as its protagonist, and is honestly home to some of the catchiest tunes of this genre since Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game.

    “Love” is a term we attach to our favorite games, as well as games we enjoy a great deal. Bleed is a game I am in love with; it’s a game with very clear goals and for what it wants to achieve, it executes them almost flawlessly. Some may be put off by the short length, but honestly, there’s so much character already in each individual stage and a good deal of extra content to unlock that it more than makes up for this.    … Full Review »
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