Recent reviews by Bloodevoir

I enjoyed getting my cheeks clapped very much in Clap Clap. There's something about indie horror games that always grabs my attention, and this one delivered. The fact that it's made by an indie developer makes it even more impressive—it's a solid, enjoyable experience. From start to finish, I was genuinely scared, with the game's atmosphere keeping me on edge the whole time. The tension builds up perfectly, making every creak and shadow feel like a threat. For a short game, it packs a punch and is definitely worth a playthrough. If you have 30 minutes to spare please try getting your cheeks clapped.

Frog ok :D

Rental is a short but spooky adventure puzzle game that feels like Animal Crossing with a sinister twist. Set in an eerie, unknown place, the game captures a deceptively charming atmosphere that quickly turns unsettling. Despite being created for a game jam by a small team, the quality is impressive, with a surprising and well-executed ending that left me satisfied. It's a brief experience, but one that's definitely worth checking out if you enjoy horror with a touch of the unexpected.

This review will cover both American McGee's Alice and Alice: Madness Returns, two iconic games that offer a dark and twisted take on the classic Alice in Wonderland tale. Rest assured, this review will be spoiler-free, focusing on the general aspects of the story, gameplay, and overall experience. If you're planning to dive into Alice: Madness Returns on Steam, I highly recommend accessing the premium content (which is present in the game's code but for some reason EA decided not to include it directly when downloading the game...thanks EA...)—this includes unlocking all of Alice's outfits and the first game, American McGee's Alice. You can do this with the help of Steam guides, and it's definitely worth it to do it before playing the game for the full experience.


American McGee's Alice reimagines the beloved Wonderland as a nightmarish reflection of Alice’s shattered psyche. After a traumatic event, Alice returns to Wonderland, but it’s now twisted and corrupted, mirroring her mental state. The story is intriguing and deep, though its presentation can be a bit confusing. The narrative unfolds primarily through an introductory cutscene and character dialogues, leaving players to piece together the events as they progress. While this method adds a layer of complexity, it can also be disorienting, especially when new elements are rapidly introduced.

The combat in American McGee's Alice is intense and chaotic. Enemies often swarm from all directions, creating a challenging experience that demands quick reflexes. While some players might enjoy the fast-paced action, the controls can be janky, leading to frustrating moments—especially when you accidentally reload an old save instead of quick-saving. A more intuitive control scheme or a brief tutorial would have helped mitigate these issues.

For a game released in 2000, the graphics of American McGee's Alice have aged surprisingly well. The art direction is dark and haunting, perfectly capturing the twisted nature of this reimagined Wonderland. The soundtrack is one of the most atmospheric and nostalgic I’ve encountered, evoking a deep sense of melancholy and unease. Even though I didn’t play this as a kid, the music still stirs a sense of nostalgia, which is a testament to its lasting impact.

The characters in American McGee's Alice are memorable, with designs that reflect the darker themes of the game. Alice’s voice actress delivers a strong performance, capturing the emotional depth of the character. However, other dialogues can feel clichéd and forced, which detracts from the immersion. Despite this, the characters themselves are genuinely horrifying, perfectly embodying the twisted nature of Alice's fractured mind.

The level design is another highlight, offering a visual representation of Alice’s internal struggle with depression and madness. Each environment is carefully crafted to evoke a sense of dread and melancholy, making Wonderland feel both familiar and disturbingly alien. However, the game lacks replay value, as there are no collectibles or alternate endings to discover.

American McGee's Alice is a must-play for fans of dark, psychological narratives. The game took me around 7 hours to complete, and despite its flaws, it’s an unforgettable experience that sets the stage for the sequel, Alice: Madness Returns.


Alice: Madness Returns continues Alice's journey, delving deeper into her psyche as she navigates between the real world and her deteriorating Wonderland. The game covers heavy themes of mental illness, trauma, and the struggle for sanity. Alice's journey is not just a physical one, but a psychological battle to reclaim her mind. As she explores London and the various realms of Wonderland, the line between reality and illusion blurs, creating a story that is as much about internal conflict as it is about external adventure. The London sections, especially as someone who’s lived there, are a favorite for their dark, twisted take on real life.

The world design in Madness Returns is absolutely stunning, with each chapter introducing a new, intricately detailed environment. Alice's outfits change to match the theme of each world, adding to the immersive experience. The level of detail is overwhelming, in the best possible way—you can spend minutes just admiring the scenery. However, the chapters can feel excessively long, especially in chapters 2 and 3, where the levels seem to drag on endlessly. Shorter or differently sectioned levels would have improved the pacing, preventing the sense of an "endless corridor" that sometimes arises.

Combat in Madness Returns is generally enjoyable, offering a mix of melee and ranged attacks. However, the camera can be a major source of frustration, particularly when using the Zelda-like focus mode. The camera sometimes locks onto enemies in awkward ways, making combat more difficult than it needs to be. Additionally, the umbrella weapon only works in focus mode, limiting your control over the camera. The game’s puzzles are a mixed bag—some are enjoyable, but others feel tedious. Thankfully, the option to skip some puzzles is a welcome addition.

One of the most disappointing aspects of Alice: Madness Returns is its poor port on Steam, courtesy of EA. The game sometimes displays controller prompts during keyboard play, leading to moments of confusion. I also encountered issues with the game not loading, resulting in continuous loading screens that soft-locked both the game and my device. Some players have reported corrupted or lost save files, adding to the frustration.

Due to time constraints, the game lacks the variety of boss fights found in its predecessor. The only true boss battle occurs at the end, which is a letdown considering the potential for more epic encounters. Additionally, the game’s tendency to lock doors behind you makes backtracking for collectibles a chore. To 100% the game, I had to replay large sections just to trigger save points that would record my progress, which was frustrating.

Despite its flaws, Alice: Madness Returns is a masterpiece that everyone should experience. The story, visuals, and atmosphere are unforgettable, and even with its technical issues, it remains one of my favorite games. The game covers themes of mental illness with depth and sensitivity, offering a narrative that is both compelling and thought-provoking.

In conclusion, both American McGee's Alice and Alice: Madness Returns are incredible achievements in the gaming industry. Combined, it took me just over 25 hours to complete both games, including 100%ing the collectibles in Madness Returns. These games are a must-play for fans of dark, psychological adventures, and they offer a unique and twisted take on the Alice in Wonderland story.

On a final note, I want to express my frustration with EA for canceling the third installment, Alice: Asylum, and driving its creator out of the gaming industry due to their infuriating business practices. Because of this, I recommend finding alternative ways to play these games wink wink—EA doesn’t deserve your money. If I could, I’d refund this just to keep my bank account away from EA’s grasp. But if you do play them, you're in for an unforgettable journey.

Mushroom Cats is a delightful point-and-click game that offers a perfect five-minute escape into a whimsical world of magical Toadstools and charming Mushroom Cats. It's a sweet, simple experience where you don’t have to think too hard—just relax and enjoy the little moments. If you're looking for a quick and heartwarming break, this game is a perfect choice.

"In Sink: A Co-Op Escape Prologue" is a charming multiplayer game that my friend and I completed in about 50-55 minutes. With its simplistic graphics, the game offers a sweet and engaging co-op escape room experience, reminiscent of the "We Were Here" series. The puzzles are creative, but some felt a bit lacking in clear direction. For example, in the first puzzle, we had to input our own codes instead of each other's, which wasn't immediately obvious and felt a bit random. A little more explanation or visual cues could help guide players and make the puzzles feel more intuitive. Overall, it's a short, fun adventure that shows great potential, though some fine-tuning could make it even more enjoyable.

Cloud Climber is a beautifully surreal walking simulator set in a world where humanity's last remnants built towering structures to reach the clouds in search of water. If you have about 20 minutes to spare, this game is the perfect escape into a hauntingly quiet world, where each step reveals a piece of a civilization's desperate struggle for survival. It's a short yet intriguing journey that leaves a lasting impression.

Marie's Room is a short, narrative-driven exploration game that delves into the complex and emotional friendship between two classmates, Kelsey and Marie. As you step into Kelsey's shoes, you explore Marie's room, frozen in time from twenty years ago, unraveling the story piece by piece. The game feels deeply personal, capturing the nuances of relationships, memories, and hidden secrets.

If you're a fan of games like Life is Strange or What Remains of Edith Finch, Marie's Room offers a similar blend of introspective storytelling and atmospheric exploration, making it the perfect short story for you.

The Unfinished Swan is a captivating blend of art, philosophy, and unique mechanics that creates an experience like no other. The game takes you on a surreal journey through a mysterious, blank world where you, as a young boy named Monroe, must navigate using splashes of paint to reveal your surroundings. This simple yet ingenious mechanic immediately sets the tone, inviting you to explore an evolving landscape that transitions from a puzzle-based adventure to platforming, and even survival elements.

One thing to note is that some players have reported experiencing motion sickness while playing, likely due to the game's unique visual style and movement. Personally, I didn’t have any issues, but I usually don’t get motion sick, so keep that in mind if you’re prone to it. The story itself is a bit abstract and might leave you scratching your head, but I think I got the gist of it by the end. Despite the confusion, the narrative has a dreamlike quality that fits well with the game’s aesthetic.

The gameplay is straightforward and enjoyable, starting with puzzles that evolve into more complex mechanics, like creating your own platforms in mid-air, surviving dark areas filled with dangers, and even escaping a flood. Each chapter introduces a new twist, keeping the experience fresh and engaging.

I managed to complete the game in under four hours, including all the achievements. Most of the achievements are pretty easy to get, like collecting all the balloons and finding the hidden stories, though there’s one called "Minimalist" that I found frustratingly difficult (I literally screamed while doing it cuz it was so frustrating)! But overall, the achievements are accessible and add a little extra challenge for completionists.

I initially played The Unfinished Swan because I was curious about its connection/or if there is a connection to What Remains of Edith Finch, another masterpiece by the same developer. The connection isn’t explicitly clear, but it does add an intriguing layer of depth to the experience...or so I think lmao?

Overall, The Unfinished Swan is a short, unique, thoughtful game that’s well worth your time, especially if you appreciate games that blur the line between art and gameplay. Despite a few minor frustrations, I highly recommend it for anyone looking for something different and meaningful.

What Remains of Edith Finch is, without a doubt, one of my all-time favorite games. It's a beautiful mix of storytelling and gameplay that tugs at your emotions in ways you don't expect. The game is short, yet it packs a powerful punch, blending elements of joy, sorrow, humor, and even horror. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions that somehow manages to feel both nostalgic and completely new at the same time.

The story revolves around Edith Finch, the last surviving member of the Finch family, as she returns to her family’s home to uncover the mysteries surrounding their tragic fates. Each room in the house tells the story of a different family member, and the game presents these stories in such creative and unique ways that it feels like you're stepping into a new world each time. The level of detail in this game is astounding, and every time I play it, I find something new that I hadn’t noticed before.

I've played through the game multiple times and even watched friends experience it for the first time, which never fails to be just as thrilling. The game’s ability to evoke a wide range of emotions while offering something fresh with each playthrough is a testament to its brilliance. I finally decided to purchase it on Steam, and replaying it after several years only solidified my love for this game. The creativity, the depth, the emotional weight—it all combines to create a gaming experience that’s truly unforgettable. If you haven’t played it yet, you’re in for an extraordinary treat.