Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Des Blood 3 delivers a hybrid gameplay experience that combines third-person exploration with sudden first-person shooting encounters. You begin each level by guiding your chosen heroine—Kelly on Easy difficulty or Alicia on Normal—through the dystopian streets and warehouses of 22nd-century Tokyo. Traversing these environments involves searching for key items, solving simple puzzles, and occasionally engaging in vehicle-based combat sequences. The shift from exploration to combat keeps the tension high, as enemies can appear at preset ambush points without warning.

When combat is triggered, the action seamlessly transitions into a first-person shooter mode. Here, movement is limited to side-stepping, so accuracy rather than mobility becomes your primary tool for survival. You’ll need to aim precisely at the crosshair to take down foes before they deplete your health. Ammo and health packs are generously scattered both on the field and dropped by defeated enemies, ensuring that resource management plays a critical role in staying alive during longer runs.

Weapon customization adds depth to the shootouts. By locating and equipping different gun parts and specialized ammunition, you can tailor your loadout to match your playstyle—be it high fire-rate, high damage, or rapid reload capability. This system encourages exploration as you hunt for upgrades, and it provides a satisfying progression loop. The occasional vehicle sequences, in which you man mounted weapons to fend off pursuing enemies, further diversify the gameplay and break up the on-foot action.

While the core mechanics are straightforward, Des Blood 3 introduces enough variation in enemy types, level design, and weapon upgrades to maintain engagement across its runtime. Difficulty spikes are most noticeable in the latter stages, where faster enemy fire and limited health pickups challenge even experienced players. Overall, the gameplay offers a balanced mix of tension, action, and reward-driven exploration.

Graphics

The entire game is rendered in real-time 3D, giving each level a gritty, neon-lit aesthetic that befits its crime-ridden Tokyo setting. Environments range from dark alleyways and industrial warehouses to bustling urban thoroughfares, each framed with moody lighting and atmospheric fog. The textures, while dated by modern standards, still convey a sense of scale and immersion that pulls you into the underworld of Des Blood 3.

Character models for Kelly and Alicia are detailed enough to differentiate the protagonists and their animations during exploration and combat feel fluid. Enemy designs lean heavily on stereotypical gang members and shadowy figures, which supports the game’s noir vibe but can become predictable over time. Vehicle segments showcase more expansive scenery, though occasional pop-in of distant objects reminds you of the game’s technological limitations.

The cutscenes—both in-engine and pre-rendered—stand out visually. Non-interactive sex scenes are integrated as animated sequences, culminating in higher-resolution movies that contrast with the lower-detail gameplay graphics. While these erotic interludes may not appeal to all players, they demonstrate Illusion’s commitment to adult-oriented presentation and break up the action with cinematic flair.

Performance-wise, Des Blood 3 runs smoothly on its intended hardware, with minimal frame drops even during intense firefights. Lighting effects, muzzle flashes, and particle systems for debris or sparks all contribute to a dynamic combat atmosphere. Although textures can appear flat up close and some level geometry feels blocky, the overall visual package remains coherent and evocative of a dark future Tokyo.

Story

Picking up four years after the events of Des Blood 2, the narrative thrusts you into a futuristic Tokyo dominated by crime syndicates and a mysterious new drug that’s ravaging the city. Police officers Kelly and Alicia—each with her own background and motivations—are dispatched to investigate a major shipment. As the investigation unfolds, they uncover a far-reaching conspiracy involving a powerful criminal organization that threatens not only their lives but the entire metropolis.

The storyline is delivered through a mix of in-game dialogue and stylized cutscenes. Conversations between characters are direct but occasionally stilted, reflecting both the translation quirks typical of 90s-era Japanese games and the no-nonsense personalities of the protagonists. Character development focuses on the bond between Kelly and Alicia, highlighting their determination and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds.

Plot twists arise as you progress, revealing layers of betrayal and shifting allegiances among the city’s underworld figures. While some revelations feel predictable to seasoned action-thriller fans, the pacing ensures you remain invested in each new lead. The mission-based structure occasionally interrupts narrative flow, but key story beats are reinforced by atmospheric environments and timed cutscene interludes.

Des Blood 3’s adult scenes, though non-interactive, are woven into the narrative as rewards for major breakthroughs, underscoring the game’s mature themes. These sequences, combined with the overarching crime drama, create a distinct identity that sets the series apart from more conventional shooters.

Overall Experience

Des Blood 3 offers a unique blend of rail-shooter mechanics, exploration, weapon customization, and adult-themed storytelling. Its strengths lie in the tension of sudden first-person encounters, the satisfaction of upgrading your arsenal, and the immersive depiction of a grim, futuristic Tokyo. While the graphical fidelity shows its age, the mood and atmosphere still resonate with players seeking a mature, action-oriented adventure.

The game’s structure—alternating between exploration, firefights, and cutscenes—keeps the experience varied, though some may find the limited movement during combat restrictive compared to modern shooters. The adult content is prominent but contained within narrative contexts, making it clear this title is aimed at a mature audience comfortable with erotic elements in their games.

Replayability is bolstered by the choice between two protagonists and multiple difficulty settings, encouraging players to revisit levels to find missing upgrades or improve their performance. However, those seeking deep role-playing systems or fully open worlds may feel the game’s linearity constraining. Fans of 90s-era interactive cinema, on the other hand, will appreciate Illusion’s distinctive approach.

Overall, Des Blood 3 stands as a niche but memorable entry in the action-shooter genre. Its blend of stylized violence, weapon progression, adult cutscenes, and pulpy crime drama makes it a noteworthy experience for enthusiasts of retro 3D games with a mature edge. Prospective buyers should go in with tempered expectations regarding visuals and movement mechanics, but plenty of frenetic action and cinematic flair await those ready to dive into Tokyo’s underworld.

Retro Replay Score

null/10