Blood. The best boomer shooter?
They are all dead
They just don't know it yet
First positive
When people talk about 90s shooters, Doom, Duke Nukem 3D, Quake, or Half-Life always come up. But in the shadow of this pantheon, there's one game that has significantly influenced all subsequent projects in the genre. It not only introduced voxels, alternate fire modes, advanced physics, and room generation to the public, but also a unique, previously unseen setting. That game is Blood.
A massive cult shootout in Little America (and beyond)
The story of Blood is probably one of the first games that lets you play not as a good Samaritan ready to save the world, but as an outright sadist and murderer. The protagonist, Caleb, is one of the main minions of the Chernobog cult. One day, the Demon with Slavic roots becomes disillusioned with his subordinates and kills them. Chernobog not only buried Caleb in an unmarked grave but also kidnapped his girlfriend. After an unspecified amount of time, the protagonist awakens and begins a bloody journey full of vengeance and obsession.
I'm not lost, I'm just exploring
The bloody journey encompasses not only gloomy tombs and temples, but also populated buildings and settlements of an alternate America from the late 1920s. There are plenty of unusual locations. There's a train, a circus and a fair, ships in glaciers, and much more. Despite their size, the locations are fairly straightforward and don't feel confusing. It's always crystal clear where to go, what to find, and how to proceed. Shortcuts unlock as you progress, allowing you to return to previously explored areas. Each chapter represents a journey from point A to point B. Where you finish a level is where you continue in the next. Sometimes, of course, Caleb can be drawn into uncharted territory, but this doesn't ruin the immersion in the protagonist's bloody daily life.
Big man in a suit of armour. Take that off, what are you?
However, you won't just be admiring the well-crafted locations and intriguing design decisions. Each location is pleasantly enhanced by the protagonist's commentary. A bloodthirsty, sociopathic maniac, Caleb not only delivers animalistic "Ha-ha-ha" and "Hee-hee-hee" after killing, but also delivers rather ironic and amusing utterances about the locations he visits and the events that unfold. The developers imbued the game with dark humor and excessive violence, which were not so common in games in the late 90s. Listening to Caleb's jokes and commentary, you inevitably become imbued with his bloodthirsty sense of humor and the dark spirit of Blood. Although, personally, I think there are sometimes woefully fewer of them than necessary. It's important to clarify that the protagonist is not the Hero. According to the developers, he's merely "evil fighting an even greater evil," so don't expect Caleb to show any compassion for the living creatures around him. Civilians are merely an obstacle to his goals.
Blood, Dynamite and Two Smoking Barrels
Weapons only spur you on to the next bloody showdown. Besides the typical shotguns and machine guns, there's a flare gun that will set your enemies on fire, just give it time. More exotic options include a voodoo doll, which allows you to damage specific enemies, and a flamethrower spray. Each weapon has its use and its victim. A stick of dynamite is your best friend in the game, leaving bloody remains from both zombies and more resilient opponents.
Using an air freshener for its intended purpose
What bastards!
The entire bestiary of Blood isn't limited to basic cultists with various weapons or zombies. You'll be destroying Chernobog's servants on an industrial scale, from annoying rats and toothy fish to more aggressive gargoyles and hellhounds. Each enemy has its own biome, and when entering each building, you'll have a rough idea of what you'll encounter. There's also a boss at the end of the chapter, so don't forget your guns.
\"O, what a noble mind is here o'erthrown!\"
Platelets
Blood also has some interesting mechanics. For example, health or life essence can be looted from defeated enemies. Items like jumping boots, glasses, or first aid kits can be used whenever you want, but magical effects are temporary. These include invisibility, invulnerability, and Akimbo guns. This ability allows you to fire with both hands for a while. However, don't rush too hard, as ammo runs out twice as fast, and you can easily lose your advantage. Speaking of effects, it's worth mentioning their placement throughout the level. Sometimes it feels like you should grab a buff right away if you see one, but enemy ambushes instantly punish you. If you're too careful, the usefulness of a crucial ability is wasted due to the premature death of enemies. Perhaps it's better to just run like hell, memorize the location, and pick off everyone on the fly. (They didn't put a speedometer in the remaster for nothing.)
Try to guess in the comments what it is and what bonus it gives.
I've already killed you!
Blood plays quickly and... hard. At least at first. The lack of weapons is frustrating in the early levels, but once you get into the groove, it becomes easier. However, that's not the only difficulty. The enemies are clearly gifted with the gift of foresight; otherwise, I can't explain such insane reaction speed. In keeping with the tradition of its more popular counterpart, Serious Sam, enemies are not only in front, but also above, to the left, to the right, and behind. Scattered throughout the levels are not only a large number of well-hidden secrets, but also traps. Coupled with the AI's fast reflexes (the developers still say they've never achieved this level), you'll die more than once. Save often.
Anemia
Blood was developed by Monolith Production and released under the wing of Atari (formerly GT Interactive) in 1997. Despite excellent reviews, the game's similarities to Doom and Duke Nukem didn't achieve the same popularity as id's creation. Its outdated visuals and gameplay likely contributed to this. In 1996, Quake was released, revolutionizing the industry and influencing all subsequent games for a generation. Quake's main feature was its full transition to 3D, something Blood couldn't boast. Nevertheless, Blood found its audience, and the game is still being modified, with add-ons and remasters released. If you enjoy Clive Barker's body horror and boomer shooters, I'd definitely give Blood a try. It might just be an unforgettable experience.
When you get to hell, tell them I sent you. You will get a group discount.
Do you agree? What do you think about Blood