Blood Bowl III

 PC
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 25
  3. Negative: 6 out of 25
  1. Meristation
    Mar 7, 2023
    48
    Blood Bowl 3 is a step back from the second installment of the series in terms of content, and it seems like an early access release full of glitches and omissions. We love its gameplay and the possibilities of its proposition, but we think it still has a long way to go to reach its potential.
  2. GameCritics
    Apr 13, 2023
    40
    Blood Bowl 2 suffered a poor launch, but was eventually patched into something enjoyable, and the developers have already been at work on fixes for Blood Bowl 3, so I am guardedly confident that it will eventually be a good experience… but that time is not now, sadly. In its current form, Blood Bowl 3 is not worth the purchase price — yet — but I’m ready and willing to love it when it matures.
  3. Gamereactor UK
    Mar 16, 2023
    40
    This is a mixture of a good basic concept that is wasted with technical flaws and greedy microtransaction systems.
  5. TheSixthAxis
    Feb 24, 2023
    40
    If Blood Bowl 3 does one thing right, it’s that it really makes me appreciate that Blood Bowl 2 exists, which right now is a far superior game in all aspects. For now, save your money and wait to see if this one gets any better.
  6. DualShockers
    Mar 2, 2023
    30
    Blood Bowl 3 is the type of game that makes people say things like, “I’ll wait until it’s on sale” or, “maybe this will be good in a year or two.” Now, I don’t work in publishing, but it seems to me like that’s the opposite of what you want when you’re releasing a game that’s so blatantly predatory in its monetization. What I don’t understand is why the game was delayed for two years only to launch in this abysmal state. Maybe in another two years, this game will actually be playable. For now, stick to Blood Bowl 2 instead.
  7. NME
    Feb 24, 2023
    20
    Bug-infested and content-light, Blood Bowl 3 feels like an open beta you have to open your wallet for. Unplayable as a single-player game and merely frustrating in multiplayer, it’s hard to recommend this even to die-hard fans.

Awards & Rankings

52
#52 Most Discussed PC Game of 2023

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
1.5

Overwhelming dislike- based on 34 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 34
  3. Negative: 31 out of 34
  1. Killinsworth
    Feb 24, 2023
    0
    Now, I know it does sound dramatic to give a game a 0, as it does sound like a review out of anger, but please, do try and understand theNow, I know it does sound dramatic to give a game a 0, as it does sound like a review out of anger, but please, do try and understand the logic: This game, in the version that it is on release, has no reason to exist, as, unless you REALLY want the updates on the rules, bloodbowl 2 is an superior game, for cheaper.

    To say that the launch was incomplete is being kind. The game is nowhere close to finished, as gamebreaking bugs, constant crashes and server issues have made it impossible to play it, especially when early access was sold as a bonus. I do not joke that I could not complete 70% of the matches I attempted to play, either because the server just decided to break, the DRM decided that I was not online, or a perpetual loop started because a player used a skill that is currently bugged, ensuring that I would have to alt-f4 out of the game or just watch some repeating animation.

    The micro-transactions are.... obscene. On a game where the target audience are at least aware of the tabletop, everything that involves customization is paid for in real life money. Such includes things that WERE already included in bloodbowl 2, and now, you will have to buy them INDIVIDUALLY for each player. (Not a joke, each gear, paid with real money, is for one player only).

    I am still torn on the new aesthetics of the game, and with such a negative review, I will not comment on such because it is a matter of taste. If you do like a more gritty filter, it should please you. I prefer the bloodbowl colors flying high, but again, that part is taste.

    All in all, I do not reccomend this product, as it is unfinished, monetized offensively agressive and is a downgrade from its predescessor in almost all areas. I sincerely do know that this was not by accident, as there is no excuse for what they did. To both new and old players alike, this is worse then the worst fumble you had....    … Full Review »
  2. BloatedGuppy
    Feb 24, 2023
    2
    Well this is painful to write. Blood Bowl is a niche and often underappreciated franchise. The last thing it needed was an insulting disasterWell this is painful to write. Blood Bowl is a niche and often underappreciated franchise. The last thing it needed was an insulting disaster to smear the digital IP.

    THE GOOD:

    The fundamentals/ruleset of Blood Bowl are still good raucous, fun. And it can be an engaging multiplayer exercise. When it works.

    THE BAD

    Jesus wept, where to start. With the crashes? The always online requirement leading to unbearable server load, frequent disconnects, lost data and intolerable input lag? The vast ocean of missing features...and here I don't just speak of teams cut for additional content, but BASIC features that are roadmapped for 6-9 months out? The obtuse, confusing UI that was designed by either someone who had never seen a UI before or someone who'd seen many and come to hate them? The muddy graphical sidegrade?

    I suppose even with all of that, you could just call it a classic bungled launch, stick a pin in it, and circle around in a year when the game was on a deep discount. Assuming you weren't motivated to punish the publisher for failing to accurately market the game as early access.

    But the microtransactions. Oh my dear god, the microtransactions. This game makes Diablo Immortal look generous. Do you want some boots for your Pestigor? Buy them, one boot at a time, with the in game currency. But only for THAT Pestigor. Those are HIS boots. Want boots for the whole team? Get your wallet out. It might be the single most egregious, predatory, greedy implementation of paid cosmetics in the history of gaming. I say "might" because gaming has set the bar pretty low and there are a lot of mobile games I've never been exposed to.

    The game might be feature complete and widely playable in 2-3 years. If the microtransactions are left as is, it will still be an outrage.

    Avoid this gong show. I'd direct you to the second game, which is broadly identical but 1) actually works and 2) doesn't pick your pocket, but that would still be funneling money to a company that very evidently does not deserve it.

    Blood Bowl as a franchise deserves a robust 7-8/10. The 2 is for the negative 6 I would give the rest of this clown rodeo.    … Full Review »
  3. Razerfree
    Feb 28, 2023
    2
    Blood Bowl 3 is one of those games where you can't press refund fast enough if you've got the option to do so. Way worse than Blood Bowl 2 inBlood Bowl 3 is one of those games where you can't press refund fast enough if you've got the option to do so. Way worse than Blood Bowl 2 in almost every way possible. The things that are better (ruleset and graphics) are completely overshadowed by the bad things.… Full Review »
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