Highly stylized games can be hit or miss, with some relying too much on their visuals and not enough on the gameplay. This is something I was concerned about when it came to #BLUD , a game that promoted itself as a dungeon crawler with a neat cartoon aesthetic. What I found, however, was that #BLUD is a game that has a lot more too it than I first realized.
This is not a long game, but #BLUD does not need to be a long game and knows how to use its 12 hour runtime to great effect. #BLUD stars Becky Brewster, a plucky girl about to start at a new school, only for things to go wrong on her first day when vampiric energies are unleashed, plunging the town into chaos. It is up to Becky to take down this menace, and wielding her hockey stick, she takes matters into her own hands.
The game is a dungeon crawler as mentioned before and the action plays out across a series of maps including the school, town, and a the dungeons that exist below. It would not be a big stretch to say that #BLUD is heavily inspired by The Legend of Zelda, particularly the tradional 2D entries, but there are some differences as well. Namely, #BLUD incorporates some more traditional Action RPG elements and more backtracking than you would normally see in a calssic Legend of Zelda game.
Combat in #BLUD is a smooth experience and is handled in a fun way. You start out with basic attacks but will gradually be able to unlock and upgrade abilities ( where the Action RPG elements come in) and eventually be able to get the rights to feel just as difficult as you want. It does not mean there is no challenge though, as some parts of #BLUD can truly test your skills as a gamer. It is just that #BLUD is a game that encourages you to grow the character in a smart way.
Of course, some aspects of the game can be a bit too frustrating, particularly when the game throws stuff at you that comes out of nowhere and you have no reason to expect. Still, #BLUD is overall a fair game with a good challenge. The boss fights in particular are a joy to experience as they are extremely well done and innovative.
Overall, #BLUD is a game that while not the best dungeon crawler inspired by The Legend of Zelda, does understand what makes a good game and has a fun tone. It understands how to use its stylized nature well, and brings a fun time to those willing to give it a try. You can do a lot worse than #BLUD and this is a game that knows not to outstay its welcome
Disclaimer: A review Key was provided
