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View Full Version : Sleeper of the Week: Illbleed (Dreamcast)



maxlords
04-06-2005, 09:30 PM
Ok, here’s a different sort of twist. This one is a horror game that’s kind of mixed up and thinks it’s a horror movie. Basically, the game is similar to the concept of the movie “The House on Haunted Hill”. You and your friends have been invited to test out the horror theme park of a B movie director, and anyone that survives the experience can make up to a hundred million dollars. However, no one has ever survived…yet. Granted, it’s odd to create an amusement park that actually kills all its patrons, but hey, whatever. It makes for a darned interesting game!

Horror games rarely have much variety, but this one has tons of it! A totally different idea than the average horror game, and much different in execution as well. The whole design of the game is based around shock value. In fact, there are several ways to die. Your screen monitors sight, hearing, and smell, plus a “sixth sense” at the top. Apparently you don’t get to taste or touch traps…probably a good thing. When things are about to scare you whatever sense that detects them registers an elevated signal. Pay attention to the signals and “warn” your character, and they may survive the upcoming trap. Things may come swooping out of the wall at you, rivers of blood may sweep you away, and many disturbing deathtraps await, and that’s just for starters! In addition to the myriad of natural detection, you can find a Horror Monitor, a set of goggles that allows you to see traps before you’re near them. These will save your butt, but you can’t fight wearing em, so make sure you’re careful using them.

My personal favorite thing about the game, aside from the insane shock value of course, is the variety of ways you can die. In addition to losing hit points from being attacked, you also have a pulse meter and a bleeding meter. Get too scared….your heart bursts from the strain and you die. Get too cut up, you bleed to death! You have to take a lot of factors into consideration, and trust me, you will have to pay attention to em all! If your sixth sense goes off, you can investigate to find necessary items and weapons, but occasionally this will trigger a shock event and you’ll be in trouble then!

The game consists of a main area and six stages. The main area can only be visited between levels, and has a drug store, an emergency room, a photo shop, a common cemetery, and a visitor’s room to save data in. There are ERs in each stage as well, allowing you to heal and even revive players during the gameplay, and photo booths to save so the game isn’t entirely cruel,. Be aware that every time you start a new game of Illbleed, enemies, traps, and items will be in different spots, so don’t try to memorize everything! It won’t save you. Be forewarned, this game is hard too! You aren’t in for an easy walk through game like some horror games. During stages, you’ll also get the chance to rescue your friends. After rescuing them, they join your party as playable characters, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. You’ll need all of your friends to survive too!

Ultimately, this is one neat horror game. The whole idea is to turn everything into a constant shock-o-thon, and it’s pulled off surprisingly well. The controls are a bit clunky but serviceable, the music is ok, and the game itself is pretty nice looking. Don’t expect a highly polished first party game, but I tend to think this one is a gem in the rough. There’s really not much more to say. I haven’t seen this game around anywhere used in a while, but complete copies (if you can find em) are selling for $5-10 on eBay. It’s not a rare game by far, or a high demand game, but definitely an overlooked one. If you’ve been hankering for something a bit different and like the horror genre, check it out!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/maxlords/78b9ae56.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/maxlords/f7371250.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/maxlords/30705492.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/maxlords/f4c9bdef.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/maxlords/9fe66e61.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/maxlords/59982e31.jpg

dsullo
04-06-2005, 09:34 PM
I tried this game a few times , always around halloween to get me in the spirit. I found it virtually unplayable, however I applaud your efforts to give this game some attention.

spider-man
04-06-2005, 09:36 PM
I recently tried to get back into the game, but found that the gameplay was lacking. I really wanted to like it, but couldn't find the interest in playing through. The ideas that they had going were original and fantastic though. I'll probably try to get back into it again a couple months from now LOL

maxlords
04-06-2005, 09:45 PM
Yeah, it's clunky, but it IS playable IMO. I've only gotten through the first stage myself. Very difficult though. However, the concept is so neat and the shocks so different that I think it's worth playing. If you can snag it for cheap, it's definitely worth checking out!

Queen Of The Felines
04-06-2005, 10:24 PM
It definitely takes some getting used to, but once you get the hang of it Illbleed is an AWESOME game.

My favorite parts:

- Killer meat!

- Shit-exploding toilets!

- "JIIIIMMMMMYYYYYYY!"

- Sexy Doll!

- Eriko gets naked!

Fun game. :D

Kristine

Crush Crawfish
04-06-2005, 11:29 PM
I recall hearing that you actually get attacked by a possessed dreamcast console in this game. Is that actually true? It'd be awesome.

Also, does it use that Resident evil control scheme where you have to "steer" your character? I just can't get used to that. I'll definitely pick it up if it doesn't though! :D

Cryomancer
04-07-2005, 12:58 AM
Yeah, i have, and love this game. unfortunetly I suck ass at it. One of these days I'm gonna load up some cheats and burn through it so I can see what happens though.

I do suggest this game at least gets a try, you might not like it, but DAMN if it isn't interesting.

Sosage
04-07-2005, 03:13 AM
IIRC it was meant to be a comedy/parody of the horror genre. Whether it succeeds at this is a matter of opinion (I don't remember laughing when I played it).

Additional fun fact: Designed by Shinya Nishigaki, creator of Blue Stinger (he also just passed away). *shrug*...actually that isn't a fun fact...but there it is anyways. =(

djbeatmongrel
04-07-2005, 12:37 PM
its definitely an interesting title. i think it has a steep learning curve but it in no way is a bad game. a great pick for game of the week ;)

Steven
04-07-2005, 05:48 PM
Cool... I bought this at Game Crazy late last year but I never played it yet. This and Dino Crisis and D2... haven't touched them yet...

^^;;

Sometime... agreed, good pick (as far as sleepers go this definitely doesn't get much pub these days when people bring up Dreamcast)

NintendoMan
04-07-2005, 07:26 PM
This may sound stupid but have never picked up the game because I had no clue what it was about, and the case just looks sorta freaky. Thanks for posting some more screenshots of the game!

Now that I know what the game is about though, I might just go up to my game store tonight and pick it up!?

lendelin
04-08-2005, 09:14 AM
Thanks for the review about this game! I overlooked this title indeed.

Seems that the gameplay and control has some issues, but the original ideas and innovations make this a title to check out.

Did subsequent survival-horror titles pick up some of the ideas of Illbleed?

lendelin
04-08-2005, 09:16 AM
This may sound stupid but have never picked up the game because I had no clue what it was about, and the case just looks sorta freaky.

That is not stupid at all; that is the experience of every avid gamer facing a myriad of systems and games.

maxlords
04-08-2005, 05:04 PM
Thanks for the review about this game! I overlooked this title indeed.

Seems that the gameplay and control has some issues, but the original ideas and innovations make this a title to check out.

Did subsequent survival-horror titles pick up some of the ideas of Illbleed?

Sadly, as far as I know, it's the only game of it's kind. Rather a unique spin really.

E Nice
04-09-2005, 12:05 PM
I played the first stage but couldn't beat the boss. The jumping is my only complaint with this game.

davec
04-09-2005, 12:22 PM
I have it and have played it a few times. I found it pretty hard though but some really nice "shocks". I'll have to sit down on a rainy day and go thru it. Sleeper indeed.

lendelin
04-09-2005, 02:02 PM
Thanks for the review about this game! I overlooked this title indeed.

Seems that the gameplay and control has some issues, but the original ideas and innovations make this a title to check out.

Did subsequent survival-horror titles pick up some of the ideas of Illbleed?

Sadly, as far as I know, it's the only game of it's kind. Rather a unique spin really.

How would you evaluate the game in the view of newer game design developments? Can some of its elements be regarded as a forerunner of todays so prevalent and successful "movie experiences" in games?

NintendoMan
04-09-2005, 05:06 PM
That is not stupid at all; that is the experience of every avid gamer facing a myriad of systems and games.

Yeah, it was mainly the case. And do you play as the girl the whole time?
I am looking out for this game now though, everytime I have been in gameshops with no luck so far. But will get the game asap!

TheSmirk
04-09-2005, 10:02 PM
I actually enjoy this game due to its uniqueness. A there are some truly freakish occurances in the game as well. I never beat the game but I've made it to the 3rd level(its been awhile since I played it).