SIREN: Blood Curse

 PlayStation 3
  • Publisher: SCEA
  • Release Date: Jul 24, 2008
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 42 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 42
  3. Negative: 1 out of 42
  1. 1UP
    100
    Despite the hoops you need to jump through prior to playing, Blood Curse more than makes up for it with some of the most intense and perfectly paced survival horror I've had the pleasure of being terrified by.
  2. Gaming Age
    91
    Siren: Blood Curse is one of the first great survival horror games to come out of this new generation. Even those gamers who don't care for the genre may actually get drawn in thanks to the serialized, episodic pacing and well-presented mystery waiting to be solved.
  3. Gamervision
    90
    Easily one of the best horror games on any next-gen console thus far. Never mind the fact it’s easily one of the best downloadable games on any console period.
  5. AceGamez
    90
    Siren: Blood Curse is a triumphant remake of a sublimely brilliant survival horror game.
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  6. MEGamers
    89
    The game is short and it is a hefty download if you want to buy it off the PSN, but it is by far the best survival horror game you can find on the PS3 consoles.
  7. Game Chronicles
    88
    Quite possibly the scariest and most unnerving game I’ve ever played.
  8. WonderwallWeb
    87
    One of the scariest and most atmospheric games on the Playstation 3 yet.
  9. Cheat Code Central
    86
    A pretty awesome horror game. The game's focus on story and substance rather than just shooting zombies really makes this one worth picking up if you are getting a little bored with your run-of-the-mill horror shooters.
  10. GameFocus
    86
    Excellent audio.
  11. Jolt Online Gaming UK
    85
    Even with new chapters set to join Blood Curse's current package further down the line, what's already here is a sophisticated re-imagining of the ethics the series was founded on, providing the PlayStation Network with a cash cow that delivers dividends of entertainment to anyone who is willing to take a punt.
  12. Games Master UK
    85
    A hugely atmospheric horror experience that combines old cliches with a new perspective. [Oct 2008, p.70]
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  13. PTGamers
    85
    Siren: Blood Curse is an irresistible treat for survival horror fans. Its flaws don't manage to ruin the experience, and the story is chilling, competent enough to make a few heads spin.
  14. IGN
    84
    While the first few levels were somewhat clunky, it managed to come together with an increasingly suspenseful set of chapters and cutscenes, frightening jumps and gameplay sequences that could keep you on the edge of your seat for at least a good 12-16 hours.
  15. Gamer 2.0
    81
    Siren: Blood Curse is a great game. Not just a great PlayStation Network game, but a solid game overall.
  16. Eurogamer
    80
    Not quite unparalleled excellence, then, but more than enough chills to keep horror adventure fans gibbering.
  17. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    80
    It's genuinely unsettling. [Aug 2008, p.94]
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  18. GamePro
    80
    This is a title worthy of your money. If you're a huge fan of survival horror titles, Blood Curse won't disappoint.
  19. TheSixthAxis
    80
    If you’ve been craving for a new horror game, can stand some outlandish plot elements and have the HD space and patience to install it, then don’t hesitate and jump in. Even if it’s not perfect, the game has plenty of strong points that makes it a great game.
  20. PSM3 Magazine UK
    80
    Some episodes are a bit short, but Siren's tense horror is ace. [Sept 2008, p.70]
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  21. Thunderbolt
    80
    It packs enough scares to warrant having an extra set of underpants on standby; and the mixture of stealth and action keeps things interesting throughout.
  22. GameZone
    80
    SIREN: Blood Curse has a few problems with the gameplay, but is generally better than its predecessor and is a pretty chilling experience.
  23. Edge Magazine
    80
    While the game remains focused on atmosphere and aesthetics, concessions have been made to a more dynamic style of play. [Sept 2008, p.86]
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  24. TotalPlayStation
    80
    Even still, it's a good, spooky horror adventure, and worth a look if you've got 10 hours and 40 bones to blow.
  25. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    80
    Genuine Asian horror contains everything you'd expect from this genre: disgusting little girls, abominable monsters and incomprehensible cultural habits. The only flaw on this excellent genre-mixture game is a very short life span. [Sept 2008]
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  26. PlayStation Universe
    80
    Ultimately, Siren: Blood Curse is a welcome nod back to the fundamentals of survival horror, and provides a captivating experience on the strength of a solid plot and atmospheric gameplay experience.
  27. Gamer.nl
    80
    When a game can give you that unpleasant and creepy feeling you'll know that it's a decent horror title. And Siren: Blood Curse is just that. A very convincing Japanese horror game with a throat-grabbing atmosphere and the undead popping up more often than an economic crisis getting the front page of a newspaper.
  28. Kikizo
    80
    Blood Curse may lurk within the shadows of convention, but those shadows have seldom seemed more oppressive. And damn good value for money, too.
  29. NTSC-uk
    80
    Despite being a remake of a four year old PS2 game, the ideas and scope of the original still feel fresh and exciting. Thankfully, the developers have not simply given this remake a PS3 graphical update.
  30. Destructoid
    75
    The story is still compelling and slowly spirals downwards into the more twisted and perverse, with several moments that leave you in shock. The game has a lot of room to grow, though, and can tighten up some of the aspects of combat and get rid of the damned grain filter.

Awards & Rankings

50
#50 Best PS3 Game of 2008
35
#35 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2008
8
#8 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2008

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 120 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 86 out of 120
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 120
  3. Negative: 13 out of 120
  1. JoeSWAG
    Mar 11, 2011
    10
    A flawed masterpiece, intense and subtle, this is by far one of my favourite games and I cannot wait for a follow up to this wonderful game.A flawed masterpiece, intense and subtle, this is by far one of my favourite games and I cannot wait for a follow up to this wonderful game. Please Sony, make it happen.… Full Review »
  2. EvelynC
    Feb 18, 2009
    10
    This game is the best true horror game I've played. It recognises the fact that if put in that sort of situation, your first instinct This game is the best true horror game I've played. It recognises the fact that if put in that sort of situation, your first instinct would be survival. Not the lets get a gun and blow everything away type of survival, but the kind where most of the time you run like Hell, or you're forced to hide for your life. You are encouraged to sneak past the Shibito rather than take them out. If you absolutely have to use force, you must use what's available, a metal pole, a frying pan, and if you're very lucky, a gun on occasion. The shibito are genuinely scary, as no matter how much you put them down, they do get back up, in an Evil Dead sort of way. Story is good, and the fact that it is done in episodes is a nice touch. The sight jacking is an odd and original feature, heightening the fear rather than lessening it as it lets you see when something is coming for you. A different style of game to Resi, with that you have the power because of the freely available firepower, with Siren, you don't. You are the hunted and always feel that way.… Full Review »
  3. Funkymonk
    Jan 18, 2010
    8
    When you think about it ther's not actually that many great, true Survival-horror games available on PS3. This, with it's creepy, When you think about it ther's not actually that many great, true Survival-horror games available on PS3. This, with it's creepy, tense atmosphere and well balanced stealth/action gameplay is certainly one of the better ones. I have to mention the sight jacking, where you can see through the zombies (and other humans) eyes, as one of the best gameplay innovations i've seen for a while. It really does add a new dimention to the terror and some stratagy as you can sometimes even discover important clues... Siren isn't perfect; the graphics while excellent are almost too dark at times and the controlls are a bit clunky. However, apart from the occasional frustating death i can't say my enjoyment was affected too much. Siren is well worth a look if you like this type of game. You can even get it on CD now if you search about a bit too.… Full Review »
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