Painted In Blood Early Access Available October 23, 2025 on Steam

So, what are you actually getting when you jump into the Painted in Blood early access? The initial release will include the game’s first full chapter. We’re talking a complete prologue and four meaty main levels that the developers estimate will take around four to five hours to blast through. The developers are proudly wearing their influences on their blood-soaked sleeves, citing a chaotic mix of Doom 3, KISS: Psycho Circus, and the criminally underrated Clive Barker’s Undying. If that combination doesn’t get your trigger finger itching, I don’t know what will. It’s a bold claim, but from what we’ve seen, it’s not just talk.

The Mystery That Is Painted in Blood

The story is being kept intentionally mysterious, which is a nice touch. You’re trapped inside the nightmarish, twisted mind of a disturbed artist, and you’ll have to piece together the narrative by discovering clues as you fight for your life. It’s a welcome change from having the entire plot spoon-fed to you. The landscape is a dark, gritty outlook that will pull you deep into its unsettling atmosphere. Each environment tells its own story through visual cues, which means you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled… when you’re not frantically dodging projectiles, of course.

This Ain’t Your Parents’ Retro Shooter

Madcraft is giving the retro style a facelift, introducing Painted in Blood with some modern twists to keep things fresh. The most striking trait overall for this game is the dynamic sanity system Madcraft developed. The choices and actions you make directly affect your character’s mental state, changing the gameplay and visuals in real-time. Similar to a distressed mentality, you will be physically fighting monsters outside and trying to maintain your sanity within. It adds a layer of psychological horror that forces you to think beyond just pointing and shooting.

Madcraft’s Full Game Release Strategy

The developers are committed to keeping the experience feeling brand new. They plan to release each chapter one at a time, bringing a unique array of levels, different grotesque enemies to slaughter, and shiny new weapons to try out. The motive is all about changing the pace and forcing players to adapt their strategies like the ever-shifting surreal mind. One moment, the player might be in a frantic, close-quarters firefight, and then the next thing you know, they’re navigating a tense, atmospheric puzzle. It sounds like a fantastic way to prevent the gameplay from ever feeling stale.

Final Thoughts: A Madcraft Mad House to Check Out

Honestly, the passion for the genre shines through in every screenshot and trailer. It feels like a genuine love letter to the FPS games that defined many of our childhoods, but with enough new ideas to stand on its own two feet. It’s a throwback, but it’s not stuck in the past. If you’re tired of battle royales and live-service treadmills, the Painted in Blood early access might just be the bloody, single-player adrenaline shot you’ve been waiting for. Mark your calendars for October 23rd, and get ready to get your hands dirty.