Bleeding Edge is a 2020 multiplayer online battle arena game developed by Ninja Theory and published by Xbox Game Studios. The game was released for Windows and Xbox One on 24 March 2020. It received mixed reviews from critics.
| Bleeding Edge | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Ninja Theory |
| Publisher(s) | Xbox Game Studios |
| Director(s) | Rahni Tucker |
| Producer(s) | Dominic Mathews |
| Artist(s) | Aaron McElligot |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 4 |
| Platform(s) | Xbox One Microsoft Windows |
| Release | 24 March 2020 |
| Genre(s) | Multiplayer online battle arena |
| Mode(s) | Multiplayer |
On 28 January 2021, Ninja Theory ended development on Bleeding Edge.
Gameplay
editBleeding Edge has 13 characters to choose from, most of whom have melee attacks, though some of them do have ranged attacks.[1] All characters are one of three classes: Damage, support, or tank. There are three bars for different abilities that go down when the player uses an ability connected to it. Each ability has its own cooldown period as well.[2]
Development and Release
editThe development of Bleeding Edge began as a passion project and was built out of inspiration from the original Ninja Theory game Kung Fu Chaos. Creative director Rahni Tucker stated the reasoning behind this game existing was "At home, I play a lot of team multiplayer games, all the way from MOBAs to team shooters. And then I was like: where is this game? A third-person action competitive team multiplayer. It doesn't really exist, and it sounds like my dream project".[3] Tucker said they came to that shortly after the development of DmC: Devil May Cry concluded. Tucker pitched the game and at the time nothing came of it but she stated that around halfway for Hellblade, Ninja Theory approached her on the idea and development went into production. The game began with a development team of ten people and by launch had expanded to 25 developers which were a contrast to the average first party Xbox Game Studios large teams with hundreds of developers. Lead artist Aaron McElligo stated that the game began with realistic visuals that Ninja Theory had been known for but quickly realized in a game like this that would not work out.[4]
Bleeding Edge was leaked ahead of reveal at E3 2019.[5] A technical alpha test was announced to begin on 27 June 2019, for those who have signed up via the Bleeding Edge website.[6] The game was released for Xbox One and Windows on 24 March 2020.[7] On 28 January 2021, Ninja Theory ended development on Bleeding Edge.[8]
Reception
edit| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | PC: 62/100[9] XONE: 66/100[10] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Destructoid | 6.5/10[11] |
| Game Informer | 6.75/10[12] |
| GameSpot | 6/10[13] |
| PC Gamer (US) | 58/100[14] |
Bleeding Edge received "mixed or average" reviews from critics, according to review aggregator website Metacritic.[9][10]
PC Gamer criticized the design of the map they played and the controller layout, but praised the feel and look of the melee attacks and abilities.[15]
References
edit- ^ "Bleeding Edge dev talks creating a melee-focused multiplayer game". Shacknews. 12 June 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
- ^ Tapsell, Chris (12 June 2019). "Bleeding Edge is maybe a misnomer, but Ninja Theory is rightfully bullish". Eurogamer. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
- ^ Hoggins, Tom (20 June 2019). "Bleeding Edge: How Cambridge studio's new game went from passion project to Xbox headliner". The Telegraph.
- ^ "Interview: Discussing the art, animation, and audio of Bleeding Edge". 10 March 2020.
- ^ "Ninja Theory's Bleeding Edge leaks ahead of E3 2019 reveal". 7 June 2019.
- ^ "The Bleeding Edge technical alpha will release late June". PCGamesN. 10 June 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- ^ Tolbert, Samuel (24 March 2020). "Bleeding Edge launches on Xbox One and PC". Windows Central. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- ^ "Ninja Theory shuts down development on Bleeding Edge". Polygon. 28 January 2021.
- ^ a b "Bleeding Edge for PC Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
- ^ a b "Bleeding Edge for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
- ^ Devore, Jordan (28 March 2020). "Review: Bleeding Edge". Destructoid. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
- ^ Reiner, Andrew (31 March 2020). "Bleeding Edge Review - Exchanging Weak Punches". Game Informer. Archived from the original on 4 April 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
- ^ Epstein, Mike (17 April 2020). "Bleeding Edge Review - Underwatch". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
- ^ Park, Morgan (30 March 2020). "Bleeding Edge review". PC Gamer. Future US. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
- ^ Davenport, James; Roberts, Samuel; Savage, Phil (11 June 2019). "Bleeding Edge is a chaotic, messy hero brawler, but being on Game Pass could help it". PC Gamer. Retrieved 14 June 2019.