Bloodhound

Bloodhound is a first-person shooter set in a fantasy world, offering fast-paced, mindless gameplay where players can enjoy killing thousands of demons. The game is a nostalgic tribute to the classic FPS games of the ’90s and ’00s, providing a short but intense experience. It is designed to be a relaxing, brain-off shooter that appeals to both retro fans and newcomers to the genre.

Bloodhound: Review

A Hellish Homage to ’90s Shooters, Flawed but Fiery

Introduction

In the crowded arena of retro-inspired “boomer shooters,” Bloodhound (2023) from Kruger&Flint Productions carves out a bloody niche with its unabashed embrace of ultraviolence and nostalgia. Marketed as a love letter to ’90s FPS legends like Doom, Quake, and Painkiller, Bloodhound tasks players with slaughtering hordes of demons in a linear, adrenaline-fueled campaign. But does it ascend to the pantheon of genre greats, or does it languish in the depths of mediocrity? This review dissects its hellish ambitions, technical growing pains, and ultimately, its place in gaming history.

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Development History & Context

A Small Studio’s Passion Project
Developed by Poland-based Kruger&Flint Productions, Bloodhound emerged from a team of industry veterans who previously worked on titles like Crossroads Inn and Moonshine Inc. Led by director Rafał Krzemiński—credited with roles ranging from animation to technical design—the project aimed to channel the studio’s admiration for ’90s shooters. Built on Unreal Engine 4 with a successful crowdfunding campaign, Bloodhound faced the challenge of balancing old-school aesthetics with modern expectations.

The Boomer Shooter Boom
Released in July 2023, Bloodhound arrived amid a resurgence of retro FPS titles like Dusk and Prodeus. Critics noted its timing: while the genre’s popularity offered an eager audience, it also meant fierce competition. The team leaned into grotesque art direction inspired by Polish surrealist Zdzisław Beksiński and a soundtrack of “melodic instrumental metal” by Sons of Amon, attempting to distinguish itself through sheer audacity.

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Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Paper-Thin Lore
Bloodhound’s narrative is minimalistic to a fault. Players assume the role of a nameless Templar from the Order of Keepers of the Gates, tasked with thwarting the Cult of Astaroth. The story is conveyed through brief comic panels and environmental details, but it’s clear the focus lies elsewhere. As 3rd Strike noted, “You’re here to run around and shoot things, not uncover deep lore.”

Themes of Edgy Excess
The game’s tone revels in shock value: nudity, gore, and satanic imagery dominate its aesthetic. While some praised its commitment to a “macabre, metal-infused vibe” (GameGrin), others found it juvenile. WayTooManyGames criticized its “edgelord visuals” as a hollow substitute for substance, arguing that “shock value alone can’t carry a game in 2023.”

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Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

The Good: Chaotic Carnage
At its best, Bloodhound delivers frantic, satisfying combat. The arsenal includes 10 weapons, from a bone-shattering shotgun to a chainsaw-flamethrower hybrid, each with alternate fire modes. The absence of reloading (except for dual-wielded shotguns) keeps the action flowing, and “Demon Mode”—triggered by collecting souls—grants temporary invincibility and bonus damage.

The Bad: Repetition and Jank
Yet flaws abound. Levels rely heavily on locking players into arenas to defeat waves of enemies, a design GamesCreed called “padding masquerading as challenge.” Enemy AI is often brainless, with spawn points that feel cheap (Finger Guns likened them to “zombie hordes with no strategy”). Controls, particularly on consoles, were panned for floaty aiming and clunky weapon wheels.

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World-Building, Art & Sound

Aesthetic Ambition vs. Execution
Visually, Bloodhound channels Beksiński’s surreal hellscapes and cult horror films. Early areas feature crumbling cathedrals and blood-soaked altars, while later acts introduce distorted dimensions. However, the art style divides critics: Impulsegamer called it “PS3-era low-poly,” and Female-Gamers.nl lamented its “muted” textures. Screen tearing and unstable frame rates further mar the experience.

Sound Design: Metal and Missed Potential
The Sons of Amon soundtrack provides blistering guitar riffs, but repetition undermines its impact. Worse, sound effects are uneven—enemy spawns lack audio cues, and weapon feedback feels underwhelming. “When I fire a skull-clad bazooka, I want the oomph,” wrote WayTooManyGames. “Here, it’s just noise.”

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Reception & Legacy

Mixed Reviews at Launch
Bloodhound earned a tepid 57% average from critics (MobyGames) and a “Mixed” Steam rating (63% positive). Praise centered on its “mindless fun” (MKAU Gaming) and weapon variety, while detractors criticized its “unpolished, generic feel” (3rd Strike). The PlayStation 5 version fared worst, with Tech-Gaming calling it “tedious” and “uninnovative.”

A Niche Cult Following?
Despite its flaws, Bloodhound has found fans among retro shooter diehards. Its budget price (~$12.99) and short runtime (2–4 hours) make it a curiosity rather than a classic. While unlikely to influence the genre, it exemplifies the risks and rewards of indie passion projects.

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Conclusion

Bloodhound is a game of contradictions: gruesomely creative yet technically shaky, reverent to its inspirations yet lacking their polish. It succeeds as a fleeting, chaotic power fantasy but stumbles in design depth and presentation. For players craving a quick, brainless demon-slaying spree, it’s worth a discounted purchase. For everyone else? Stick to DOOM Eternal.

Final Verdict:
A 6/10 — A flawed homage to retro shooters, Bloodhound brims with hellish potential but falters under the weight of its ambitions.