Review | Blood: Refreshed Supply (PC)

A Classic is Reborn (Again)

Back in 2019, Nightdive Studios released Blood: Fresh Supply, a remaster of the cult classic shooter that was well ahead of its time. It received high praise from gamers and critics for bringing new life to a lost classic. However, without access to the original source code and having to reverse engineer so much of it, the remaster wasn’t perfect—at least not by Nightdive Studios’ standards. Thanks to recovering the original source code, they wanted a second chance at remastering Blood.

Blood: Refreshed Supply is the second remaster of the cult classic, and Nightdive Studios has truly outdone themselves. Fresh Supply was already a great remaster, but Refreshed Supply demonstrates that even a great remaster can always be made better.

Welcom Back Caleb

Here is a quick recap of the story for those who haven’t played the original or Fresh Supply.

Players step into the boots of Caleb, a gunslinger who was once one of the Chosen, elite leaders of a cult devoted to the dark god Tchernobog. Everything changes when the Chosen are betrayed and killed for mysterious reasons. Years later, Caleb rises from the grave and begins a brutal warpath of revenge. He isn’t just hunting for answers; he intends to destroy Tchernobog and annihilate his followers.

Blood captures the spirit of an ’80s action film, and it succeeds from a narrative standpoint. The story is straightforward; you play a gunslinger driven by revenge. It may seem simple by modern standards, but this was the norm for shooters of the era. All that mattered was knowing who the bad guys were and blasting your way through them.

Get Off My Train

This isn’t the first time Blood has been remastered by Nightdive Studios, but this is the definitive version compared to the earlier release. The biggest change is that Refreshed Supply is built from the original source code, allowing for a faithful recreation of the game with better performance. This is immediately noticeable, as it’s visually sharper and far better optimized than Fresh Supply. At the same time, it delivers more modern enhancements and works more smoothly overall. Basically, Nightdive Studios was able to do what they always do, but even better this time thanks to having access to the original source code.

Other improvements include the addition of the Marrow expansion at launch. At the same time, there’s a greater emphasis on mods and fan-made content, giving the game far more longevity within the community. The expanded multiplayer options also boost the overall replay value.

Regarding the gameplay, there’s nothing particularly groundbreaking about the mechanics. This is a classic first-person shooter where you blast through waves of cultists and demons. The combat is satisfyingly gory and brutal. For its time, the arsenal was unique, as you had some weapons that were not genre staples at the time. When compared to its contemporaries, it was ahead of its time in both the pace of its combat and the intensity of its violence.

Rest in Pieces

Like most shooters of its era, Blood is a simple game that’s surprisingly rich in replay value. It isn’t something you play once and forget. Hidden rooms and secrets are scattered throughout each level, and finding them always rewards your curiosity. You’ll also want to replay the game on a higher difficulty just to test your skills. Add in the multiplayer elements, and you have a game that gives you plenty of reasons to return again and again.

Refreshed Supply is a remaster made not just for old-school gamers but for anyone who loves classic shooters. If the first remaster didn’t grab your attention, this one should, as it’s a clear improvement. Beyond the new features, many of the updates are immediately noticeable and go a long way toward enhancing the overall experience. For newcomers, it’s an excellent way to enjoy this cult classic with the benefits of improved performance and modern functionality.

I also want to add that even though I’m playing Refreshed Supply on PC, it’s great to see the game finally available on consoles. Now gamers, regardless of their system, can enjoy this classic.

I Die…Again

When it comes to its shortcomings, Refreshed Supply carries over some of the original game’s issues, along with a few problems inherent to being a shooter from the ’90s. Difficulty spikes are still present, and health packs remain limited in certain stages. At the same time, the level designs feel dated and occasionally clunky, as they’re very much a product of their era. None of this truly hinders the experience, but it’s worth keeping in mind that this is a remaster of a ’90s shooter.

The Nightmare Ends

Blood: Refreshed Supply is an improved remaster of the cult classic shooter by offering new content and a more polished experience. Nightdive Studios’ previous remaster was already great, but this one goes the extra step thanks to the use of the original source code. The result is the definitive version of Blood while also allowing console gamers to enjoy it for the first time. If you enjoyed the original game or you’re a fan of classic shooters, this is a must add title to your collection.

Disclaimer: The publisher, through a PR representative, provided the game used for this review.

This review is the critique and thoughts of one writer. If you want to see how other critics felt then check it out on OpenCritic.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Blood: Refreshed Supply (PC)

Pros

• Nightdive Studios has outdone itself with this remaster.
• Same classic Blood but with major updates.
• Rich in replay value thanks to the orginal game and its quality of life.
• Blood is now available for the consoles.

Cons

• Some of the shortcomings of the original are still present, along with elements that haven’t aged well.