Blood

"Get ready for a Bloody good time!"

I was a big fan of online FPS gaming on the TEN network (back before the link started bringing up an ''adult'' site), and one thing I liked about it was the free shareware versions of games you could download, not only for multiplayer purposes, but to play on your own as well. After kicking enough ass as Duke Nukem, and one too many ''Wang bangs'', I noticed ''Blood'' as one of the available options. Unfamiliar with the game, I quickly downloaded it, and ''Whoah!'' Talk about a messed up game! Messed up in the good way, though. This game will challenge not only your first person shooting skills, but your nerves as well. This game manages to do something no FPS I'd played before had done...scare the crap out of me! Want to know why? Well, then, keep reading...assuming you're not too scared...

Story 8/10

Back in the days of the old west (I think, I can't remember), there was a guy named Caleb. Caleb fell in love with Ophelia, and joined the strange ''cult of Tchernobog'', an evil ''god'' bent on chaos and mayhem. Classic love story, right? Well, Caleb became one of the ''chosen'', a group of four of Tchernobog's most loyal servants, and everything was going great. Then one day, for no good reason, Tchernobog banished the Chosen, and sent Caleb into a death like sleep in a coffin, where he lay without rotting for years and years. Then, one day, Caleb woke up, and boy was he pissed! Now, he's off on a rampage to battle his way back to the ''Hall of Epiphany'', where Tchernobog dwells, for some payback (and possibly some answers too). Sound easy? Well, it's anything but, pal!

Game Play 10/10

This game utilizes a modified ''Build'' engine, so if you're familiar with it, you pretty much know what to expect (if you don't, read my review on Duke Nukem 3D). Caleb must travel through various dismal areas, laying waste to cultists and armies of the undead along the way. The enemies in this game are a tough lot, and throw in a few twists to the standard ''Bang! You're dead!'' gameplay we've come to expect. Zombies get back up and come after you again after you think you've killed them, and some enemies, such as the Phantasm, can only be harmed when they are attacking you. Other twists are gargoyles disguised as stone statues that come to life when you're not expecting it, and creatures underwater surfacing and chasing you on land. Fortunately, you have possibly the coolest slew of weapons in a FPS of it's time, ranging from tommy guns to an aerosole can flame thrower to voodoo dolls and magic staffs. These hordes of enemies plus your cool slew of weapons equals some of the most insane gore and mayhem witnessed in a FPS at the time of this game's creation. Resident Evil looks like an episode of Barney when compared to the splattering gore and rolling heads and chunks of burning enemy flesh you'll be serving up with Caleb's arsenal. You'll need it all, though, to survive all four expansive episodes, and, if you're lucky, get your revenge on Tchernobog (he does tell you why you were banished and stuffed in a coffin, but it's not a good enough reason to keep you from killing him in the end). Most of the levels are quite large, and take place in a huge variety of creepy locations that must be thoroughly explored to yield all the necessary keys to progress. The levels range from a mortuary to snow bound mansions to ''Crystal Lake'' to war torn cities...and eventually to strange, twisted levels that defy explanation. The thing that stands out about this game more than anything is that it manages to create a creepy atmosphere, a result of dim lighting, horrific scenery and enemies, and especially, the cd music. I'm no pansy, but I strongly advise against playing this game alone in the dark...unless you like jumping out of your chair frequently. Folks playing the game without the cd (shareware for example) will still get a good scare, but it's hard to explain how well the cd scores contribute to the atmosphere. This game will provide you with fast paced, intense FPS action, but leave you with a creepy, uneasy feeling, even after you've won the game. If that's your cup of tea (or blood), then by all means, indulge! If not, don't say you weren't warned! ;)

Sound 10/10

Very cool! The sound effects themselves stand out, and the moans, groans, gunfire, and Caleb's morbid quips are all clear and quite effective. The thing that really sets the mood more than anything for this game is the AWESOME cd music, which can creep you out even if you're NOT playing the game. Of course, having a phantasm come flying out a closet screeching at you in a deserted, dismal looking motel room is enough to make you pee your pants too, but the music just adds to loss of bladder control that much more! Way above average!

Graphics 10/10

Besides ''Redneck Rampage'', Blood has some of the most superb graphics I've seen for a FPS of it's generation. The sprites are all a work of art in themselves, and are done large enough to make every detail stand out in all their horrific glory. Enemies are spookily realistic looking, and the clarity with which the eerie environments are presented helps make things even more chillingly real. Good luck playing this through without wishing your mom were there to hold your hand! Of course, the game would probably make her puke, and that would be like having a Bloated Butcher there with you (''Join us!''), and that wouldn't help a bit! This is one good looking spooky game!

Most people looking for a scare generally don't go the FPS route. Too much action tends to make us feel macho, and nullify any attempt at terror. Blood will inevitably scare you regardless of how tough you're feeling, and you'll be breathing a sigh of relief when you've finished the game. The instruction book (and pretty much everywhere else) doesn't show you what Tchernobog looks like, and if you're like me, seeing him alone is a mystery that will keep you on edge until the final conflict. Once that's over, if you haven't peed your pants yet, that's something to be proud of. FPS fans with moderately strong stomachs should love this game, and horror fans may very well find something to enjoy here as well...especially the multiple humorous references to old slasher and horror films in many of the secret areas. So grab your shotgun, and get ready to spill some blood...just remember to bring an extra pair of underwear... :P

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/06/03