Bleed

Genre: Action-Platformer / Two-Stick Shooter

Players: 1-2 Co-Op (Local)

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Review:

(Note: This game is included in the Bleed Complete Bundle, along with Bleed 2. It is also included in the Couch Co-Op Bundle Vol. 2, along with Black Paradox, Shikhondo – Soul Eater, and Vertical Drop Heroes HD, as well as in the Pixel Art Bundle Vol. 1 along with Slain: Back From Hell and Uncanny Valley, and it is also in the Digerati Presents: Make It Quick Bundle Vol. 1 along with Chicken Assassin and Don’t Die, Mr. Robot! DX.)

Bleed is a fast-paced Action-Platformer with a cartoony style and silly characters, with a plot about a young woman hunting down and slaughtering a hit list of “heroes” to prove she’s more heroic than they are.

As far as the game’s presentation goes, it works pretty well. There’s nothing impressive here, but the absurd story and goofy characters fit the cartoony presentation well, although the music ain’t so great.

However, where this game really shines is its gameplay. The fast-paced, action-packed combination of Action-Platformer and Two-Stick shooter works perfectly here, with players given tons of maneuverability with multiple air dashes and a “bullet time” feature, different unlockable weapon options, and unlockable alternate characters. What’s more, the level design is really fantastic, with tons of variety, great bosses, and amazing set piece after set piece that makes you want to see what crazy ideas the game has in store for you next. Also, the game is a blast to play in co-op.

However, it is in part because the gameplay in this game is so very, very good that I’m really conflicted on Bleed, because it is also depressingly short. The main campaign in this game can be completed in about an hour, and while there are the extra characters, a one-life “Arcade Mode”, and some boss challenges, they do little to add to the amount of time you’ll be playing this game.

To make matters worse, for that one hour of gameplay, the game is charging $15 which, to me, is just absurdly overpriced. And I absolutely hate that, because I want to recommend this game to everyone to play, the gameplay is so very good, but I simply cannot do so in good conscience because the very short play time and high price make this a terrible choice when it comes to value.

If you can get Bleed on sale at a good price, absolutely buy it. It is ridiculously fun for the brief amount of time it lasts, with some of the best 2D action you’ll find on the Switch. But it’s a candle that burns twice as bright and lasts half as long, and you’ll be done with it before you know it. And with that being the case, you should stay far away from it until it goes on sale, because at its normal price it simply isn’t worth it.

tl;dr – Bleed is an Action-Platformer and 2-Stick Shooter with a simple, cartoony presentation and a silly story about a young woman hunting down heroes to prove she’s a better hero. The gameplay here is absolutely fantastic, with some really inventive level design, great controls, a lot of variety, and excellent co-op. Unfortunately, this game is painfully short and insultingly overpriced, and as good as it is, I cannot recommend spending $15 for what amounts to about an hour of gameplay. If you can get it on sale at a good price, definitely do, but otherwise it isn’t worth the cost.

Grade: B

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