Captain Blood [Revew]

Captain Blood, an action game in the vein of God of War, was initially envisioned for the PlayStation 2 and announced in 2003. After a turbulent development, it was canceled around 2009- 2010, leaked in 2012, and finally resurrected for a 2025 release. Despite its long journey, the game feels surprisingly fresh and engaging. It features challenging boss fights and quick-time events, typical of the God of War style. The game's B-movie voice acting significantly enhances its charm. Players assume the role of a pirate on a grand quest: rescuing a noble's daughter, saving a governor, and seizing the largest colonial island from the Spaniards. Between land-based levels, players will engage in intense ship battles against enemy fleets and defend against boarders, facing hordes of diverse enemies in each area.

In practice, Captain Blood harkens back to the PS2-era hack-and-slash genre. While combat is deliciously violent, it sometimes lacks a sense of power, and health bars and damage output can seem random. Defense feels almost nonexistent, as enemies with guns can be frustrating. Although it predates parrying and stamina bars, a faster blocking option would have been beneficial. Nevertheless, its sheer coolness and testosterone-fueled presentation evoke a classic video game violence that is uniquely satisfying. For a game from its era, Captain Blood survived development hell remarkably well. Sure, it has its jankiness, but that's to be expected from a game almost two decades in the making. It truly embodies its PS2-era origins, reminiscent of Prince of Persia: Warrior Within and God of War 2, complete with a charmingly rough edge.