Developer: Point N’ Sheeps
Platforms: PC (Reviewed), Switch
Genre: Action, Adventure
Publisher: 3D Realms
Bloodless is a retro-styled side-scrolling action-adventure game set in a Japanese era where the protagonist has taken a vow never to kill again, and you play as this character to several areas battling all kinds of enemies. The game is a beautiful pixel art with a decent story (not super rich) set about your protagonist, who has had enough killings and wants to use non-lethal means to deal with the world.
The first thing that stands out is the retro feel of the game and the sparing use of colours for the characters, environments, and enemies. This lack of colours adds an ominous feel to the game. The art style is used consistently throughout and helps bind the story’s narrative and the gameplay. As your character has made this vow of no killing, the game mechanics centre around the ability to dodge, position yourself, and counter when possible. This all becomes even trickier when dealing with crowds of enemies. You can power up and go more on the offensive as you progress through the game. With new mechanics, you will unlock; this adds another critical and much-needed variety to the gameplay. The game is unforgiven; you will die if you can’t counter or read your situation appropriately. The game and playstyle feel rewarding when you embrace the mechanics, and you feel a sense of achievement as you progress to bigger fights and boss fights, too. You will feel frustrated with crowds or when you think that the controls aren’t responsive enough. It’s hard to figure out if it was a skill issue where I didn’t master the controls or the game was a bit too harsh; either way, I did enjoy it and found myself returning to the game repeatedly.
The game has a skill tree that lets you upgrade your abilities, the main mechanics, and your defensive and offensive sides; as the game is challenging, the upgrades are noticeable and worth getting. The game also has a simplistic crafting mechanic, which lets you craft items you will need on your journey; resources are scattered throughout the world, and the checkpoints allow you to brew teas and other items.
While the game is heavily action-focused, you will encounter many NPCs throughout your play that will help to add colour to the story, the goings-on in this complex world, and how you fit into it all. There is a strong focus on the pacifist nature of the main character and the way you go through the world, abiding by your principles.
The game is a super stylish pixel art action-adventure set in Japanese with relatively brutal difficulty. The use of colours and sound is well done, and you feel a part of this world with any NPC encounters you have. This isn’t a hack and slash and requires players to strategise, dodge, move and attack at the right time; failing this, you will be punished and die a lot. The addition of a skill tree, crafting, and finding rare items all add to the game and make it rich and rewarding. The game is difficult by default and makes every battle a rewarding challenge. A sold pixel art indie adventure that is lots of fun, I will happily spend more hours honing my skills and becoming the best pacifist warrior I can!
Overall: 8/10
Enjoys more than the odd game, long time gamer, somewhat a technologist and everything else in between.
Also enjoys a good solid game of FIFA online. Currently PS4, XBOX 360 and STEAM.
