Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Des Blood Racing offers two distinct modes that cater to both narrative-driven players and those looking for straight-up racing action. In Story Mode, you choose from seven heroines—characters like Lily and Kikuno from Des Blood 2 or Alicia and Kerry from Des Blood 3—and guide them through running-based races. The emphasis here is on timing your sprints, avoiding skull-marked traps, and navigating environmental hurdles rather than piloting a vehicle.

Racing Mode shifts the focus to futuristic vehicles, most of which make an appearance from earlier Des Blood titles. With 20 selectable characters and an equal number of vehicles, this mode leans more on reflexes and track memorization. Steering is tight, acceleration responsive, and each vehicle carries a unique handling profile, making it worthwhile to experiment until you find your favorite ride.

Progression in both modes rewards consistent performance. Win a race in Story Mode, and you unlock a CG sex scene tied to your chosen heroine’s narrative. In Racing Mode, victories open up new tracks and vehicle skins. Although the adult-themed rewards are a clear hook, the core racing mechanics are solid enough to stand on their own.

Graphics

Visually, Des Blood Racing leans heavily on its character models and CG cutscenes. The heroines are rendered with Illusion’s signature attention to detail—lifelike hair physics, smooth skin shading, and fashionable racing outfits. The in-race avatars maintain a consistent frame rate, even in crowded sections of the track.

Track design varies from neon-lit cityscapes to rustic backroads, each with distinct color palettes and lighting effects. Obstacles like barrels, barricades, and skull icons employ simple but effective particle effects. When you trigger a slowdown penalty, the brief hit-animation is crisp enough not to feel jarring.

The CG sequences that follow Story Mode victories are polished and stylized, matching the aesthetic of previous Des Blood titles without tipping into overly explicit territory. On modern hardware, the game runs steadily at 60 FPS, and resolution scaling ensures menus and HUD elements remain sharp.

Story

While Des Blood Racing isn’t a narrative epic, Story Mode weaves in enough context to give each heroine purpose. Selecting Lily or Alicia not only changes your runner’s stats but also alters the pre-race dialogue. These short exchanges reference pivotal moments from Des Blood 2 and 3, creating a nostalgic thread for series veterans.

Each character’s storyline is structured around three to five race events. Between races, you’re treated to brief cutscenes that set up character motivations—whether it’s Lily’s quest for redemption or Kerry’s drive to outpace a rival. The pacing is brisk, and the writing leans into lighthearted banter rather than heavy drama.

Adult content is woven into the climax of each heroine’s arc, unlocking a single CG scene upon victory. These scenes serve more as celebratory epilogues than core narrative elements. While definitely intended for mature audiences, they’re integrated with sensitivity to storytelling rather than mere fan service.

Overall Experience

Des Blood Racing strikes an intriguing balance between casual racing and mature-themed rewards. Fans of the original Des Blood series will appreciate seeing familiar faces in a new context, while newcomers can simply enjoy tight controls and varied track designs. The dual-mode structure adds replay value, encouraging you to master both on-foot running and vehicle driving.

Replayability is high thanks to 20 playable characters, a range of unlockable vehicles, and multiple difficulty tiers. Once you’ve collected all CG scenes and vehicle variants, there’s still a leaderboard to climb and time-attack challenges to tackle. Be warned, though: those uninterested in adult content may find the incentive structure less compelling.

Overall, Des Blood Racing delivers a polished package for players seeking a blend of light racing thrills and mature-themed storytelling. If you enjoyed previous Des Blood titles or simply want a racing spin-off with a unique twist, this game offers both solid mechanics and series fan service. Just be prepared for the CG rewards that await your victories.

Retro Replay Score

null/10