After years lost to development limbo, Captain Blood has finally found its way to shore in a form that feels both nostalgic and, at times, somewhat dated. Developed by Seawolf Studio and General Arcade and published by SNEG, the game is a reworked version of an action title that had its origins in the early 2000s, and its resurrection brings with it many of the strengths and weaknesses of that era. On PlayStation 5, it offers a chaotic blend of hack-and-slash swordplay, cannon-fueled naval battles, and a visual style that aims to evoke old-school swashbuckling pulp.
You play as the titular pirate captain, tearing your way through Spanish forts, jungle settlements, and ship decks in pursuit of gold and vengeance. It’s a campy, over-the-top ride that leans hard into pirate clichés, but never takes itself too seriously. The narrative is delivered in an episodic style that suits the game’s comic book aesthetic, but story depth is minimal – it’s more an excuse for violence and spectacle than a fully fleshed-out tale.
Combat is clearly the heart of Captain Blood, and it’s a mixed bag. On one hand, there’s satisfaction in pulling off flashy executions and brutal combos, and the large-scale brawls with waves of enemies have a frantic energy to them. However, the mechanics feel repetitive after a while, with enemy AI that’s fairly basic and encounters that start blending into one another. Naval battles, where you alternate between manning cannons and fending off boarding parties, add some variety, but they too become predictable quickly.
The control scheme is simple and serviceable, though not particularly refined. Movements can feel a bit stiff, and the hit detection sometimes lacks precision, especially when surrounded by multiple foes. The PS5 version runs smoothly for the most part, but even with modern hardware, some of the game’s legacy quirks – like awkward animations and janky transitions – remain present.
What helps Captain Blood stand out is its comic-inspired presentation. Its cel-shaded visuals and bold lines give it a distinct personality, even if some of the environments lack detail. The art style holds up surprisingly well, and though the level design can feel old-fashioned in structure, the sheer variety of settings – from moonlit ports to strongholds that have seen better days – keeps things visually fresh. The soundtrack delivers bombastic pirate-themed music, and the voice acting adds a layer of tongue-in-cheek charm that aligns well with the game’s tone.
Ultimately, Captain Blood is a fascinating curiosity – a product of its time that manages to function in today’s landscape more as a retro experience than a modern action title, despite never having been released before. Its core gameplay loop is serviceable and occasionally entertaining, but it doesn’t offer much in the way of evolution or depth. Still, for players looking for a straightforward, gory pirate brawler with plenty of attitude and style, there’s fun to be had here – just don’t expect it to match the polish or sophistication of modern genre peers.
Score: 6.0/10
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