Info about #BLUD:

Official game description:
Save your friends, fight off the vampire apocalypse, and survive the horrors of freshman field hockey practice in #BLUD, a delightfully zany animated dungeon crawler that blurs the line between action RPGs and hyperkinetic 90s cartoons.  
Slaying the undead is just another day at high school for Becky Brewster, new kid in town and latest in an ancient bloodline of spellcasting vampire hunters. Root out demonic infestations through the town’s buzzing social media, and take selfies with demonic forces to analyze their weaknesses. Power up your trusty fiend-thwacking field hockey stick, and level up your latent magic skills through grimoires and school supplies. Master the slaying game with the help of an eclectic cast of hilarious characters, and teach the vampires a thing or two about messing with Carpentersville High!  
**Slay the vampiric legions**  
Take on a delightfully macabre menagerie of outrageously mutated animals and vampirically possessed townsfolk. Engage in epic, energetic boss battles as you defend your hometown.  
**Small-town dungeon crawl**  
Hunt the forces of evil in high school halls, convenience store aisles, and shopping malls. Discover and accept missions from the town’s social media, and track down evil (and other after-school plans) with modern tech.  
**In a class of your own**  
Freshman life is ultrafast-paced—even more so when you’re the vampire-hunting new kid. Assist and befriend and assist a comic cast of quirky and memorable classmates as you find your place as a teenager in the world of #BLUD.  
**Upgrade your field arsenal**  
Discover and earn upgrades for Becky’s trusty vampire-slaying field hockey stick to face the mounting challenges, including handy attachments like a grappling hook, shovel, and umbrella shield.  
**Uncover fiendish mysteries**  
Research the demonic legions through means archaic and new. Translate your family’s mystic grimoire, and snap selfies with monsters to tag their strengths and weaknesses (just don't let them bite you!).  
**Lively undead animated adventure**  
#BLUD is brought to life by Exit 73 Studios, a team of creators with a passion for traditional hand-drawn 2D illustration and animation, the joyous and jubilant cartoons of the modern era, and game development.

Release date: Jun 18, 2024

Categories: Action RPG, Dungeon Crawler, Character Progression, Boss Fights, Puzzle Solving, Exploration, Story-driven Gameplay, Hand-Drawn Animation


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $15.00 - $20.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence suggests that the community generally finds the game overpriced at its current full price of $24.99. Multiple reviews mention waiting for a sale or discount, with specific price points of $15 to $20 being considered more reasonable. The sentiment is that the game is enjoyable but not worth the full price, indicating that a fair price range would be lower than the current price.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 30.0h
  - Story completion: 20.0h
  - Session length: 2.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The evidence provided includes direct mentions of playtime and session lengths. The first quote indicates a total playtime of around 30 hours for the base game, suggesting a typical game completion time. The second and third quotes mention around 20 hours and 12 hours respectively, which can be interpreted as varying estimates for story completion times. The fourth quote suggests that sessions can be relatively short, possibly around 2 hours each, as the player mentions falling asleep during two sessions.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game initially feels boring and repetitive but becomes more enjoyable as players progress and engage with the story and characters. The fun drops during the tedious middle section but picks up again with rewarding cutscenes and world-building.
  - Stance: Fun then drops
  - Anchor: Cutscenes and world-building
  - Time to anchor: 2h 0m
  - Friction: Repetitive gameplay; Lack of satisfying rewards; Tedious quests; Glitches and bugs
  - Unlock drivers: Progression through the story; Investment in characters; Cutscenes
  - Conditions: Engagement with the narrative; Appreciation for world-building; Patience for initial boredom
- Player Archetypes:
  - Potential Seeker (sale)
    - Motivation: Future improvements and updates.
    - Playstyle: Patient and hopeful, focusing on the game's potential rather than its current state.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: Fan of early 2000's cartoons; Supporter
    - Reference games: Hades; Cult of the Lamb
  - Completionist Critic (deep sale)
    - Motivation: Completing all achievements and goals.
    - Playstyle: Thorough and meticulous, aiming to complete every aspect of the game.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: Achievement Hunter; Completionist
    - Reference games: Hades; Cult of the Lamb
  - Value-Conscious Enthusiast (sale)
    - Motivation: Getting the best value for their money.
    - Playstyle: Enjoys the game but is mindful of spending, preferring to buy during sales.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: Bargain Hunter; Sale Shopper
    - Reference games: Hades; Cult of the Lamb
  - Aesthetic Appreciator (buy)
    - Motivation: Visual appeal and artistic style.
    - Playstyle: Enjoys games for their artistic and visual appeal, often drawn to specific aesthetic styles.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: Fan of early 2000's cartoons; Art Enthusiast
    - Reference games: Zelda; Hades


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Nostalgic cartoon visuals (weight 0.48): The game features a charming and nostalgic art style reminiscent of old cartoons, particularly those from Cartoon Network in the 90s and 2000s. This visual style evokes a sense of childhood nostalgia and is widely appreciated by players.
- High-quality animation (weight 0.46): The animation in the game is flawless, top-notch, and exquisite. Players appreciate the high quality and hand-drawn nature of the animations.
- Engaging story and gameplay (weight 0.44): The game offers a very fun and interesting adventure with engaging story elements. Players enjoy the story and gameplay, finding it diverting and enjoyable.
- Great soundtrack and art style (weight 0.29): The game features a great soundtrack and a unique art style that players find visually and aurally appealing. The atmospheric soundtrack complements the visual identity well.
- Fun and simple combat (weight 0.27): The combat in the game is described as simple but fun, with fast-paced and enjoyable gameplay. Boss fights and general combat are engaging without being overly challenging.
- Enjoyable puzzles (weight 0.21): Puzzles in the game are simple but engaging, providing an enjoyable challenge. Some puzzles and dungeon locations are particularly fun and well-received.
- Charming and unique characters (weight 0.14): The game features fun and unique character designs that players find engaging and charming. The characters add to the overall enjoyment of the game.
- Funny and humorous story (weight 0.11): The story includes topical commentary and humor, making it a funny and enjoyable experience. Players appreciate the humorous elements in the writing and story.
- Good translation and artistic style (weight 0.11): The game features a good translation and a unique artistic style that players appreciate. The combination of good characters and artistic style enhances the overall experience.

Common complaints:
- Basic and repetitive combat (weight 0.32): The combat system is criticized for being too simple, repetitive, and lackluster. Players find it irritating and not engaging enough.
- Combat lacks refinement (weight 0.29): Players feel that the combat mechanics are clumsy, stiff, and lack polish. The combat system is often described as awkward and unrefined.
- Inconsistent hitboxes in combat (weight 0.29): Many players have reported issues with hitboxes, describing them as confusing, inconsistent, and problematic. This affects combat mechanics and overall gameplay experience.
- Poorly explained mechanics (weight 0.17): Some game mechanics are not clearly explained or introduced without proper guidance, leading to confusion among players.
- Slow and unengaging gameplay (weight 0.14): The gameplay is criticized for being slow, sluggish, and not fun. Controls are also reported to be sluggish.
- Softlocking issues (weight 0.13): Players have encountered bugs and glitches that cause softlocks, preventing progress in the game.
- Minor bugs in side quests (weight 0.1): There are reports of minor bugs, particularly in side quests, which can be annoying but do not significantly impact the main gameplay.
- Tedious sections and backtracking (weight 0.1): Certain parts of the game, including the middle section, final boss, and backtracking, are found to be tedious by players.
- Unmemorable and frustrating bosses (weight 0.1): Boss fights are criticized for being unmemorable and frustrating, contributing to an uninspired gameplay experience.
- Excessive walking and slow speed (weight 0.1): Players report that there is too much walking in the game, with a slow walk speed that makes traversal tedious.
- Convoluted fetch quests (weight 0.1): The game is overloaded with fetch quests that are uninteresting and convoluted, detracting from the overall experience.
- Lack of satisfying rewards (weight 0.1): Players feel that there is a lack of satisfying rewards for defeating enemies, making combat less engaging.
- Underwhelming ending (weight 0.1): The ending of the game is described as anticlimactic, underwhelming, and abrupt, leaving players unsatisfied.
- Roll mechanics lack invincibility frames (weight 0.1): The roll mechanics do not include invincibility frames, making combat more challenging and less forgiving.

Gameplay feedback:
- Combat and exploration mechanics (weight 0.3): The game includes combat mechanics and exploration elements, characteristic of action RPGs. Players can expect basic combat and dungeon crawling.
- Animations and art style (weight 0.26): The game features high-quality animations and a unique art style. Cutscenes and visual elements are designed to enhance the storytelling.
- Puzzle-solving adventure gameplay (weight 0.26): The game features a strong emphasis on puzzles and exploration, typical of adventure games. Players engage in various missions that require puzzle-solving mechanics and item usage.
- Boss fights and combat (weight 0.15): The game includes boss fights that are designed to be spectacular and challenging, with unpredictable attack patterns. Combat mechanics are integrated into these encounters.
- Side quests and pacing (weight 0.11): The game offers side quests that add depth and variety to the gameplay. The pacing of these quests is designed to keep players engaged.
- Traversal and platform mechanics (weight 0.11): The game includes various traversal mechanics, such as fast travel and platforming, which aid in exploration and navigation.
- Combat with various enemies (weight 0.08): Players can expect combat with a variety of enemies, including specific monsters like werewolves, adding diversity to the gameplay.
- Weapon modifications and upgrades (weight 0.08): The game features weapon modifications and upgrades, allowing players to customize their combat experience.
- Episodic story structure (weight 0.08): The game features an episodic story structure, allowing for a progressive and engaging narrative.
- Zelda-like gameplay (weight 0.08): The game draws inspiration from old-school Zelda-style gameplay, offering a nostalgic experience for fans of the genre.
- Easy to learn gameplay (weight 0.08): The gameplay is generally easy to learn, making it accessible for new players. However, some may find it simplistic.
- Spells and runes system (weight 0.08): Players can select and use various runes and spells, adding a layer of strategy to the combat mechanics.

Performance notes:
- Frequent bugs and crashes (weight 0.25): Players report various bugs, including occasional crashes and softlocks, which disrupt the gameplay experience.
- Unfinished or choppy animations (weight 0.05): Some animations in the game feel unfinished or choppy, detracting from the overall visual experience.
- Minor pop-in issues (weight 0.04): There are minor issues with pop-in, where props suddenly appear in the game world, affecting immersion.

Recommendations:
- Recommended for animation and cartoon lovers (weight 0.31): This game is highly recommended for those who enjoy animation and are fans of cartoons, particularly those from the early 2000s and Cartoon Network.
- Worth buying on sale (weight 0.25): Many players suggest purchasing the game when it is on sale, indicating that while the game is enjoyable, it might not be worth the full price.
- Highly recommended despite flaws (weight 0.17): The game is highly recommended by many players, even though it has some flaws. Players find it enjoyable overall.
- Recommended for action RPG and roguelite fans (weight 0.14): Fans of action RPG and roguelite games are likely to enjoy this game. It is also recommended for those who enjoy games similar to The Binding of Isaac.
- Play for enjoyment, not completion (weight 0.07): The game is best enjoyed for its gameplay rather than trying to complete all achievements. Players suggest focusing on the fun aspects rather than completionist goals.
- Suggestions for gameplay improvements (weight 0.06): Players have suggested including an easy mode to ignore damage and waiting for specific weapons if fighting is not enjoyable, indicating areas for potential gameplay improvements.
- Manage expectations (weight 0.06): Players advise keeping expectations low and appreciating the game primarily for its presentation and art style.
- Support indie developers (weight 0.05): Players encourage supporting indie developers by purchasing this game, highlighting the importance of backing smaller development teams.

Other player notes:
No miscpoints

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.3): Players are frustrated primarily due to combat mechanics, including hit detection issues, poor hitboxes, and sluggish controls. Additionally, bugs causing softlocks, repetitive gameplay, and lack of clear quest guidance contribute significantly to this frustration.
- Disappointment (weight 0.18): Disappointment stems from the game's lack of substance and rushed feel, with simplistic and repetitive gameplay mechanics. Players also express dissatisfaction with the combat system, limited weapon variety, and an underwhelming ending.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.13): Enjoyment is derived from the game's overall charm, style, and engaging gameplay. Players appreciate the art style, story, and creative monster design, which contribute to a fun and nostalgic experience.
- Joy (weight 0.08): Joy comes from the game's beautiful animation, unique art style, and enjoyable gameplay mechanics. The expressive dialogue, well-done writing, and overall fun experience also contribute to this emotion.
- Appreciation (weight 0.08): Players appreciate the game's art style, animation, and character designs. The hard work put into the game's beauty, inspiration, and clever writing is also highly valued.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.04): Satisfaction is derived from the game's visual design, enjoyable interactions, and overall experience. Players also feel satisfied with the graphics, soundtrack, and the achievement of platinating the game.
- Excitement (weight 0.04): Excitement is generated by the game's variety of animations, enjoyable boss fights, and intense combat experiences. The overall quality and social media integration also contribute to this feeling.
- Hope (weight 0.03): Hope is expressed for future improvements, sequels, and continued attention from the developers. Players are optimistic about the potential for another attempt by the studio.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.03): Nostalgia is evoked by the art style reminiscent of childhood cartoons and classic 90's cartoon feel. The visuals reminiscent of early Cartoon Network also contribute to this emotion.
- Boredom (weight 0.02): Boredom arises from bad combat mechanics, a linear narrative, and generic music loops. Players also find the game not fun and involving too much walking.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): Admiration is directed towards the game's visuals, beautiful animation, and the effort put into the design. The artistic beauty and nostalgic feel are highly appreciated.
- Mixed feelings (weight 0.01): Players have mixed feelings due to appreciating the art and animations but criticizing the mechanics and writing. They also appreciate the game's animation, graphics, and story but criticize the controls and specific missions.
- Anticipation (weight 0.01): Anticipation is felt by players waiting for the DLC translation, indicating a desire for more content and improvements.
- Annoyance (weight 0.01): Annoyance is caused by overused sound effects, which detract from the overall gaming experience.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Surprise is expressed that the game is not getting more attention despite its positive qualities, indicating a belief that the game deserves more recognition.
- Love (weight 0.01): Love is felt for the game's animation and theme, which resonate deeply with players.
- Sadness (weight 0.01): Sadness stems from unmet expectations, where players feel the game did not live up to what they hoped for.
- Gratitude (weight 0.01): Gratitude is expressed for the development process and the hard work put into creating the game.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion arises from mechanically simple and confusing gameplay, making it difficult for players to understand and enjoy the game.}