Bleed is an interesting indie game. The best way to describe it, was actually said by Mike Matei of Cinemmasacre, in that Bleed is a hardcore, action packed cute em up. I was not expecting that when I first played it, and it was a very welcome surprise.
I love run’n’gun games, and have ever since Contra and Metal Slug. I am not comparing Bleed to those however, because it is a completely different entity. The combination of shooter and platformer mechanics is done extremely well, and the way the game introduces new challenges is mostly well done if a little uneven. I would say that the game shows you the mechanics well, such as slowing things down, but as the game goes on, the level design becomes slightly more chaotic but not in the best way.
The slowing mechanics and twists on platforming do create a game that feels unique and with its own identity, and that is a great thing in today’s market. I wish the visuals were so, for lack of a better word, generic-lite, as Bleed feels held back a bit by this. Still it is not a deal breaker, and the great soundtrack and gameplay help balance things out. Speaking of the soundtrack, it does a great job of setting the scene of intense action and giving you that sense of both urgency and hype.
In the end, Bleed really is a unique game. It tried to mix genres and take them in a new direction and largely succeeds. The only thing that really holds it back is the uneven feeling of some of the later levels, and somewhat generic look which doesn’t give an accurate depiction of the game. If you want an intense action game that twists genres, Bleed is most definitely a game that you will want to check out.
Disclaimer: A review code was provided.