BloodRayne: Betrayal – Fresh Bites

BloodRayne: Betrayal – Fresh Bites is a remastered 2D hack-and-slash platformer featuring the vampire heroine BloodRayne. Set in a dark fantasy world, players slice through hordes of enemies with fluid combat and explore levels filled with secrets and challenges. This enhanced version improves upon the original 2011 release with updated visuals, gameplay refinements, and additional content, offering a nostalgic yet polished experience for fans of classic action games.

BloodRayne: Betrayal – Fresh Bites: Review

Introduction

BloodRayne: Betrayal – Fresh Bites is a remastered version of the 2011 hack-and-slash platformer BloodRayne Betrayal. Developed by WayForward Technologies and published by Ziggurat Interactive, this fresh bite aims to bring the classic action-platformer to modern systems with enhanced visuals, voice acting, and rebalanced gameplay. The legacy of the original game was mixed, with some critics praising its combat and art but others finding the controls and difficulty lacking. The remaster offers a chance to revisit or discover this cult classic with fresh eyes.

Development History & Context

WayForward Technologies, the original developer, has a rich history creating 2D platformers like Shantae and Double Dragon Neon. The original BloodRayne Betrayal was a departure from the 3D action games of the main series, opting for a side-scrolling perspective inspired by Castlevania. Ziggurat Interactive, known for reviving classic IPs, saw potential in updating this game for modern platforms. They added voice acting from the original cast, improved graphics, and new difficulty modes to balance the challenge.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

The story follows Rayne, a dhampir (half-vampire), as she infiltrates her vampire father Kagan’s castle to stop his evil plans. While the plot is straightforward, the addition of voice acting from Laura Bailey (Rayne) and Troy Baker (Kagan) adds depth and emotion. Themes of family betrayal, redemption, and dark temptation are touchstones, but the narrative doesn’t delve deeply, instead focusing on providing a backdrop for over-the-top vampire action and combat.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

At its core, BloodRayne: Betrayal – Fresh Bites offers fast-paced hack-and-slash combat combined with challenging platforming. Rayne’s move set includes dashes, jumps, blade attacks, and the ability to suck blood from enemies to heal. Unique mechanics like turning enemies into bombs add variety. However, the platforming sections are infamous for being finicky, with precise jumps and a lack of a double-jump leading to frustration. The combat is kneecapped by a clunky backflip mechanic required for higher jumps, making platforming sections as challenging as the enemies.

The game does add a Standard difficulty mode to balance out original’s punishing difficulty, but even on this setting, the experience can be punishing. Visual improvements include 4K resolution support, while voice acting breathes life into the characters. However, Collectibles like Red Skulls that provide health and ammo upgrades might not be enough to incentive repeat playthroughs once the main campaign is completed.

World-Building, Art & Sound

The game’s gothic castle setting and dark fantasy atmosphere are brought to life through stunning 2D cel-shaded art. The character designs are distinctive, with Rayne’s edgy leather outfit and crimson hair standing out against the macabre castle backdrop. The animations are fluid, capturing the intensity of each slash, jump, and bloodsucking maneuver.

Sound design is equally impressive, with a hard-rocking soundtrack from composer Jake Kaufman that matches the game’s frenetic pace. The voice acting, particularly from the leads, elevates the emotional impact of the narrative, with compelling performances that add depth to characters that might otherwise be one-dimensional.

Reception & Legacy

The original BloodRayne Betrayal received mixed reviews, with Metacritic scores around 69/100 for PS3 and Xbox 360. The remaster’s reception on Metacritic (66/100) and reviews from sources like Nintendo Life, Siliconera, and The Gaming Slush Pile indicate similar opinions:

• Positive aspects: Combat intensity, art style, voice acting, and soundtrack are consistently praised.
• Negative aspects: Frustrating platforming, control responsiveness, and lack of substantive narrative depth are common complaints.

The game’s influence is limited, but it stands as a cult favorite for fans of challenging 2D platformers and vampire action. It serves as a reminder of WayForward’s impact in the mid-2010s and Ziggurat’s efforts to revitalize classic IPs.

Conclusion

BloodRayne: Betrayal – Fresh Bites is a mixed bag of visually stunning action, engaging combat, and challenging platforming. The voice acting and updated graphics breathe new life into the original game, but unresolved control issues and platforming frustration may prevent a wider appeal. For fans of the genre or the BloodRayne series, it’s a worthwhile addition with its unique style and over-the-top action. However, new players might find the combination of challenging platforming and punishing difficulty a steep entry. The game’s legacy will continue in the annals of action-platformers as a polarizing but memorable entry.