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Bloodless' unique counter-based approach to combat not only helps it come off as rather unique in a crowded genre, but the beautiful simplicity it creates with its non-lethal approach eventually gives way to a deeper layer of complexity as you face off against trickier foes in stellar showdowns. The world of Bakugawa is a delight to interact with and an absolute feast for the eyes, but the duels it contains are what make this a truly special game, and one not to be missed out on. It's the most fun you can have in a Sekiro-style game without drawing a single drop.

Bloodless is a bold action game that requires the player to pay attention to the enemy patterns and master their character's reaction options. Within an eastern ambiance presented through unique aesthetics, the game is an easy recommendation to any player who likes a good challenge.

Bloodless is an almost perfect, well-rounded game. Although I felt it needed a few improvements to its progression and difficulty curve and a glossary or something similar to give notes on narrative points, I came away from the game very satisfied. The combat is enjoyable and complex, the artwork is beautiful and the narrative works to keep you interested in seeing the game through to the end.

Ultimately, Bloodless is an interesting, straightforward kind of game that is exactly what it says it is on the box. There’s a central premise, and the gameplay revolves (almost) entirely around it, even if it wavers a little out of an apparent necessity. And even then, takes the care to justify the shift in a way that lines up in the fiction. The non-lethal combat is fun to engage with, and doesn’t simply feel like another samurai game about parrying. There also isn’t a ton more to Bloodless than that, which is totally fine. There’s a target, the game lines up its shot, and hits it dead center. Good stuff.

Bloodless approaches the idea of a brawler with a unique spin featuring its non-lethal combat, but feels like it can be pulling its punches in some areas. Parrying your way through waves of enemies is novel, yet the implementation can lead to some overwhelming moments in an otherwise engaging experience. The path of mercy was never going to be easy though, and Bloodless still manages to be an overall fun journey of finding an end to violence.

An unusual adventure that has plenty of combat where you’ll need to win through careful defense

Bloodless might just be an indie game, but it was enjoyable most of the time and thought out nicely. The game has a great design and well-thought-out mechanics to entice players who miss the retro era of beat ’em ups. With a few kinks ironed out, it can definitely become a certified banger for the atmosphere alone. Some work is needed on some settings and optimization, but that can be overlooked.

Bloodless provides an engaging experience with challenging and fun combat, a badass elderly protagonist, an interesting premise that I enjoyed where her determination to keep a vow is at odds with all the violence around her, and some interesting and eccentric characters who provide a bit of comic relief to the otherwise tense atmosphere.

The attention of Bloodless to details is surprising, not only aesthetically, but also in terms of story, map design and level design. Unfortunately the gaming part shows its side a bit. Both sometimes due to the imprecision in the commands, and in certain combinations of enemies that become unfair towards the player. Net of all this, the feeling of pleasure in deflecting a blow or overcoming a boss fight is truly enormous and repays the efforts made. Thanks also to a well-measured and never frustrating use of checkpoints. The story is not trivial and the player must pay attention and observe carefully if he wants to discover the secrets scattered throughout the game and complete the secondary quests. The characters are well characterized and interesting, the dialogues are good and the artistic direction makes the game a nice look.

Bloodless mixes some of the combat mechanics inspired by Sekiro, with a strong emphasis on dodges, precision movements and countermoves. Not everything works perfectly, the pacing is a bit slow at times and there is a feeling that the whole adventure is a bit too drawn out.

If you want to transport yourself to the parts of good old 8-bit for a while, this game is for you.

Over the course of Bloodless, Tomoe leads dozens, if not hundreds, of challengers to flee from her in fear. Their apparent lack of conviction—their willingness to take flight rather than die fighting—suggests a commentary on violence that the game fails to flesh out. Tomoe’s exchanges with new and old acquaintances, which transpire in sluggish scenes filled with trite dialogue, are similarly devoid of depth, texture, and specificity. Bloodless clearly has something to say about the cataclysmic potential of power and the cycles of suffering it locks people into, but by making its world feel universal—like it could be anywhere—it ends up nowhere at all.