Examining The Bloodrayne Series

[@BoulderPunch]

• PATREON: www.patreon.com/boulderpunch • TWITTER: twitter.com/boulderpunch1 Related Videos & Playlists: Series Examination: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3e4hmmqd9V2adU

[@captainufo4587]

Considering how Laura is the one making innuendos and dirty jokes on Critical Role, either it's Bloodrayne that broke her, or they could not make her blush at all.

[@yutro213]

What do you mean??

[@TuberoseKisser]

​@@yutro213they were making raynes lines sexual to try and get Laura to blush, meaning Laura never blushes the entire time she was voice acting Rayne.

[@shelbybayer200]

​@@thotslayer9914 Rayne's VA is part of the group that is called Critical Role a group made of VAs

[@dcshmoodle1610]

​@@thotslayer9914Do you not know what critical role is?

[@interstellarsurfer]

@@dcshmoodle1610 Many people don't.

[@BestCupid]

Wait so Bloodrayne not only helped Laura Baily get larger with voice acting it was also Troy Bakers first major game ? Honnestly I didn't even know Troy Baker was voice acting back then

[@returnedtomonkey8886]

And the industry never stoped using them since.

[@PADOUKPUN]

The world needs a renaissance of these classic games.

[@steelbear2063]

So that those who asked for it would start complaining that there's nothing original anymore

[@kyledodson2992]

They remastered them already

[@Greedyselfish97]

A BloodRaynaissance. I'll see myself out.

[@Luchitou959]

this and the legacy of kain series need at least a remaster

[@lakshaykochhar6799]

​@@steelbear2063True, but people or corporates that do remasters, remakes, reboots and sequels after 2010, tend to put out a 'product' of poor quality that has little to no artistic or entertainment merit and is a complete cash grab.

[@Lucy-31]

Just did a quick wikipedia check and the early 2000's truly were peak vampire content. You had Blade, Underworld and Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines like you mentioned, and also the Legacy of Kain/Soul Reaver series, Angel and Buffy.

[@Noperare]

it is the other way around. Early 2000's were an edgy era, all about blood and tits in black latex. Vampires just happen to peak 2000's aesthetics.

[@kevinwaddle447]

The blood, tits, black latex and vampires was all because of the goth club culture of the 90s. By the early 2000s, the trend had reached its peak of commercialisation.

[@K9Clyde]

Blade was great too

[@160sharp]

I’ve been watching buffy and i’m on the final season, really enjoying the show lol i love the creature designs it’s creepy and angel and spike are the goat

[@K9Clyde]

Spike is the GOAT, Angel was a sad sack dweeb. He says he can't be with Buffy because they will never be in the sunlight together, she gives him a ring of invulnerability then he destroys it immediately. @@160sharp

[@hanchiman]

Probably you already know this, but Darkman (voiced by late Lynn Mathis) is supposed to be protagonist "Stranger" from the underrated horror game Nocturne made by the same studio of Bloodrayne. Bloodrayne originally supposed to be a side story or sequel to Nocturne starring the half vampire Svetlana. But for some reason they changed the story and character.

[@ShanaynayGosby]

Bruh I havent played nocturne in forever

[@hanchiman]

@@ShanaynayGosby I used to check out the Spookhouse, a fan site of Nocturne where Kazi Wren was the mod and admin and the community even helped a bit with the Blair Witch game

[@alexalexander1772]

I want to see the full Nocturne universe get expanded. There were so many side characters that never got a chance.

I think it was a rights issue. I recall something about Nocturne's publisher owning the franchise and characters, so they had to change the names of the bureau and characters.

[@BoulderPunch]

I do plan on looking at Nocturne at some point in the future.

[@spaceycowgirl]

As someone from Louisiana, I appreciate the work they put into the writing and dialect of the characters.

[@DinnyForst]

I just start playing Terminal Cut version in this week and so glad you made this video for this underrated franchises.

[@marioman863]

Same!

[@RybatGrimes]

I am so excited you made this video!!! I’ve been a fan of BloodRayne since I was a kid. My dad seen the cover art for the first game and blind bought it for me. I was hooked ever since. This series is so underrated it’s not even fair. BloodRayne really deserves so much more! I really hope we get another fully 3D game someday.

[@RemoWilliams1227]

Cool Dad.

[@EnterpriseFilms7]

I adore this series and I will never apologize for it.

[@Cold_Zero_The_Wise]

I miss the excellent dialogue from old school games so subtle so rich

[@dethofgod666]

Those were quality Cajun accents too

[@stormhought]

You can tell they had a whole lot more fun back then. Probably because they could be more creative and not have to make FPS games for their whole career

[@Cold_Zero_The_Wise]

Definitely, and the voice acting is very smooth not mechanical or cringey or out of place at all

[@maddd1025]

Good one, I almost choked on my Jill-Sandwich when reading this.

[@okloshbrokla8154]

Legacy of kain series max payne vampire the maswuarade bloodlines silent hill especially 3 ..yeah they actually had good voice acting even back then you pathetic zoomer

[@fmsyntheses]

These are tangentially related to a game called Nocturne and a Blair Witch tie-in game. The connection between those two games is interesting in itself.

[@redman9493]

Nocturne actually looks pretty fun and I've always wanted to play it.

[@CaptainAhabGetsHisRevenge]

​@@redman9493It really is quite excellent

[@Andriej69]

Biggest connection is the asset re-use, although in Bloodrayne they were probably utilised to their fullest potential

[@Mankey619]

This game really brings me back my angst teenage memories here. Looking back now, makes me want to revisit these games again.

[@TK-nf6kp]

Common Boulder Punch W. Extremely underrated series.

[@gimmeyourrights8292]

She's the vampire who taught Bayonetta how it's done.

[@Gardetrace]

Although, Bayonetta is a witch, not a vampire.

[@gimmeyourrights8292]

@@Gardetrace I'm talking about from a personality standpoint

[@fightingmedialounge519]

​@@gimmeyourrights8292 not quite. Rayne is a bit more aggressive.

[@eileenscat]

These games offer everything a 2000’s vampire fan could wish for and more, each game is very different in gameplay, but all offer the same kind of over-the-top fun that is best not to take too seriously

[@sebs-shenanigans]

I invented a new challenge lads. Take a shot every time Boulderman speaks about "flirting with greatness" You're gonna get a tad buzzed for sure!

[@elliotdaft3956]

YESS! I was always intrigued by this game, but never wanted to get into it. Watching this video is exactly the thing I needed!

[@thesaltyweeb]

Man, I forgot all about the Bloodrayne series! I just played the first game and loved it to bits!

[@kingbash6466]

As someone who was introduced to the series through the first Uwe Boll film, I always loved Rayne's design. A redheaded dhampir is immediately striking because of many parallels the color red has to her overall being. Would love to try out the games, especially Betrayal since I'm a sucker for both Metroidvanias and Wayforward.

[@itsalexhyde]

One of my favorite franchises. The series and general vibe of this gaming era brings back so many nostalgic childhood memories. Seriously hope this franchise gets an addition soon 🎉 Awesome video!

[@chrisdiokno5600]

Despite never playing this series growing up, it always interested me

[@SkyFly19853]

Planning to play Bloodrayne series this Halloween...

[@Road_to_Dawn]

I love when NPCs have long dialogue stories like the one at the end of the video. I remember No One Lives Forever 2 was particularly fond of these. “Ninjas can tell time by the slit of a cat’s eye!” “But what if you don’t have a cat?” “That’s why I always carry around dead fish.”

[@soktherat777]

I had only seen the first Bloodrayne played by a friend on his GameCube back then. Didn't get to actually play it myself until I got the Terminal Cut. Great decision since I love that edgy early 2000's vampire tone. Blade is still one of my favorite movies and I enjoyed the first Underworld as well. Legacy of Kain was the vampire game I played back then. I should replay them too since I barely remember them.

My personal experience with BloodRayne was a very steep downhill slope since the first game. I really liked the first game (especially as a pseudo-kinda-not really sequel to Nocturne) because it was very unique in a lot of ways - a combination of a lot of story and gameplay elements and inspirations that sometimes work, sometimes don't, but either way there was nothing like it. I was hyped for the sequel and got it on PC and didn't have a controller at the time. As you can imagine, I hated the gameplay of Bloodrayne 2. PC controls coupled with that camera equals disaster. Later on I got the controller but even so it never clicked with me - the story, the setting, the way Rayne behaves now, the very focused combat and gameplay... And it ended with a cliffhanger. Years pass and nothing. Finally we get another game and it is a...2D reboot? Sequel to the first game? Set between the first two games? But 2D? I don't know. It's one of those series that I think evolved too much for unknown reasons (trying to fit the norms/trends or just follow the jumpy desires of its creators?) and yet it is impossible to reboot today because you know they won't write it as "serious-campy" like the original.

[@adamdavis1737]

Oh my God, this was one of my favorite series as a teenager... For both how incredibly horny the game is but also how much fun the premise and execution were I am ecstatic that one of my favorite KZbinrs is covering this series because I miss it so dearly and at this point I miss it more for the silliness than I do for the horniness lol The first game is one of my favorite third person shooter/action adventure/syfy horror games of all time. It's janky as hell and hard to go back to, but it is probably my favorite game to ever feature supernatural Nazis, and that is actually a rather wide selection of games The second one played better but I wasn't as much of a fan about a lot of design decisions it made, and sometimes levels could be a little obtuse But one of the things I miss the most is just the banter that Raybe would have with her enemies I played these games so damn much, it kills me that they never made a third one beyond that animated side scroller

[@DinoDave150]

BloodRayne is one of those series that I always wanted to get into, but never really could.

[@Hexumonium]

My favorite thing about Bloodrayne 1 was the bloodlust. They captured that feeling so well. It felt so entirely good to slowly suck every drop of blood from those who deserved it.

[@tarnetskygge]

You can't just leave out mentioning the Legacy of Kain series when talking about early 2000s vampire-themed action games... those games sold millions and were critically acclaimed too. I can't be the only one hoping for a reboot or remake of that series...

[@apex_prey]

Ugh I LOVED those first two games. Idgaf about their imperfections. They're just too damn enjoyable to hate.

[@JohnWilliams-cr2sz]

As a long time fan of Bloodrayne, loved this video. I am so hoping we get news on a new entry soon.

[@wub9044]

What neat timing. Two days ago, I was actually considering checking these games out later this year.

[@rucereal461]

Love bloodrayne me and my brother used to play it. Back then proud moment when I introduce to him. Great dialogue from bloodrayne 1 😍

[@richmcgee434]

That was a good vid overall, but I've never been so thankful I stuck around for the ending in my life. Would have hated to miss that routine.

[@thesidneychan]

Not sure if it's a coincidence that BloodRayne Betrayal was a 2D sidescroller, while God Of War Betrayal was also a 2D sidescroller.

[@firestuka8850]

Serious Sam got one too

[@TheOriginalSeveth]

These both had some of the funniest cheat codes too, back when games still had in game cheats.

[@HadesHatredEdge]

I only played the first entry but I do remember enjoying the game. I'm always surprised that people remember it.

[@undeadmockingjay2000]

I agree with you on how they should continue the franchise, they need to 100% keep the charm and feel of the first 2. I wouldn't be upset if they went with a DOOM 2016 route were it's a requel, definitely need some more hot vampire mommy NOW!

[@megamax898]

“What happened to Darkman?” LOL wasn’t Darkman actually Mynce using a voice modulator? He gone…

[@YamiVT]

Just what I was craving!

[@seventeenseventythirteen7465]

Those goons in BR2 saying "Look out for a hot red headed big busted Dhampir!" sounds EXACTLY like Bill Burr.

[@Tenchigumi]

In the late 90s/early 00s, graphics and animations like those in Bloodrayne were considered astounding. So cool! So fast! Polygons and anti-aliased textures moving in a vague approximation of super-human athletics! By the late 00s/early 10s, they were ridiculed for being janky, ice-skating madness. Why are you running forward but sliding in every direction but? How are you spinning in midair without twisting or even turning your body? Bodies don't move that way! Today, all that jank has become oddly nostalgic and endearing. If I wanted quality animations, I'd play Devil May Cry. Gimme those affronts to god and physics!

[@sirdarkon4517]

Forgot about Nocturne, the 1st game "Rayne" appeared in

[@balloonreaper]

Funny thing about that.. if you play the original non-terminal version on PC and look at the .exe it actually says Nocturne.

[@SuperNicole199]

I'd really love it if you haven't already to do a deep dive into the Devil May Cry series. It's one of my favorite series of all time and I'd love to see your take on it :)

[@Maidenless007]

I unironically love the first two games! To this day in every character creator, I do my best to try and make Rayne first. It also has one of the most memorable creepy bits of a game for me. That part in the bunker where all the nazis are mysteriously gone is fantastic! DIRTYNASTYDISHWASHERDANCE!!

[@jurtheorc8117]

I misread "Rayne" as "Rayman" and now i'm imagining Rayman as a vampire creature (though more in the direction of Legacy of Kain) and Rayne with floating limbs.

[@Gruntvc]

It is good. Though reaching the Crypts in Return to Castle Wolfenstein is up there too. You spent most of the game fighting regular soldiers only for the game to bust out the undead on ya.

[@Maidenless007]

​​@@jurtheorc8117🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@danielivanov930]

The cinematics on bloodrayne 1 were very good for it's time .Enjoyed the first game .1:33 15:28 .And the soundtrack from the game 🤌

[@mikepike7139]

BR1 was great but started to drag abit around the last castle area imo. BR2 with its extended moveset and some added depth by being able to permanently increase hp/rage meter by doin special kills and stuff was peak cheesy fun

[@ultimateaquiles]

Funny how you uploaded this video just in time for the games to go on sale on the PlayStation Store! I've always wanted to try them, so I guess now is my chance.

[@joshnunya324]

10:45 If this came out today, people would thirst over her daily 💀

[@chozochiefxiii3298]

Im playing these games for the first time. I was pleasantly surprised that bloodrayne 1 became a wolfenstein game after the first hour.

[@cherami-nox-fleuret]

Okay, nobody asked but I'm making a character who's inspired by Bayonetta, and she's also a vampire and this came about at the perfect time so tysm! 💕

[@stephenatibalentja8484]

😂 @ 31:50 LOL guy says "... So you have to really wake up and you have to see me what I am...I'm the only genius in the whole farkin business! Good bye!!" Thanks for the laugh genius 🤣

[@PadChords]

8:28 DarkMan's name isn't quite camelCased. I've seen it called CapitalCase in programming, while in journalism they would call it an InnerCap, like PlayStation.

[@Porpous666]

I remember restarting a level in the first one because there was a cutscene where I swear you got a 0.5 second glimpse of a nipple

[@mkm7251]

Can we please give props to the voice actor for doing the electrocution voice overs at 21:53?

[@cesarst3720]

Just found this series and as 19yo this is such a breath of fresh air.

[@80sMoviesRule1]

The first game actually had me hooked. Slowing down time, spinning those arm blades while literally lawnmowering nazis screaming was very cathartic.

[@BestCupid]

Gotta say what's crazy to me is with all these remakes lately , so far Dead Space from Motive has been the best example of how well a dev studio can do fully understanding what made the original so great. Bit ironic that EA published one of the better remakes as of late. Kinda hope Bloodrayne gets that treatment of respect and admiration of the original ip for a remake

[@Hollowpoint762]

One of my favorite games on the game cube from back in the day, right next to Eternal Darkness

[@hismajestycorintheus]

Not the “Did you know my uncle was a farmer” conversation during the credits 💀💀💀

[@fattiger6957]

Just something to add. The game was originally going to be a spinoff of Nocturne, Terminal Reality's passion project. But the developer didn't want to give up control over the IP to the publisher, so the created a new IP. Rayne is a stand-in for one of the side characters from Nocturne. The studio did leave it open for a cross-over between the games, but they no longer exist and Nocturne is pretty much forgotten. So I doubt that would ever happen.

[@BleedingFazos]

I love vampires and wish we had more hack and slash or even better rpgs with them inspired me to pick up this series

[@laelhochberg9497]

24:42-Why'd you add that in?

[@Kenshiro3rd]

Bloodrayne Betrayal has a steep learning curve, when it comes to it's combat and platforming. For one thing, Analogue control is a must. You're essentially crippled without it. Her movement is a LOT more stiff & restricted without them. You don't move quite as fast, jump quite as far, or have as fine control of her movement midair without using the analoge stick. What's more it also and it makes handspringing/rebounding (a key component of platforming & combat) feel intuitive as you flick away and towards whatever you're trying to flip towards. All that plus the puzzle aspect of a lot of fights, and not being able to cancel out of animations leads to the game's sharp learning curve. PS Oh did I mention the level design and platforming in Betrayal are just flat out Sadistic... leading to what is some of the most simultaneously frustrating & satisfying to overcome platforming challenges ive ever encountered

[@Anti-Santa86]

The thing I loved about playing Bloodrayne 2 on Xbox and PS2 always found unique ways to destroy my enemies. Another thing I like about Bloodrayne 2 you could change Rayne's outfit & also there is some fun cheat codes

[@AntiNihilist]

It just hit me Blood Omen 2 came out around this game's time. It really doesn't get enough credit in its own franchise.

[@princekiro1596]

Would love to see BloodRayne do a comeback. But man I am nervous about what it will be like. I just hope Sweet Baby Inc leaves Ziggurat Interactive alone.

[@Primaeros]

> the bull pipe joke at the end of the video Totally worth it.

[@peacemaster8117]

I couldn't make out the punchline. Sounds like "you don't think I want it used, do you" but that doesn't really make any sense.

[@PsychoRavager]

I'd honestly love to see a new semi-open, but primarily linear Blood Rayne game that plays like Max Payne in terms of gunplay mixed with Ghost of Tsushima's grounded, stylish hack-and-slash style.

[@Sanguivore]

Absolutely fantastic idea!!

[@agbrenv]

apart from the open world, yeah that would be cool, don't need more open world games though

[@PsychoRavager]

@@agbrenv , what I mean by semi-open is that the game would have multiple paths to take to ensure that replay value is high. Like you, I'm very much bored to death by the open-world genre. But I don't mind games that have a reasonable open space for the player to tackle from different angles while still delivering a focused, linear campaign. Think Dishonored or Deus Ex: Human Revolution/Mankind Divided instead of full-blown open world games like Assassin's Creed that make you want to go to sleep with how much padding they often have.

[@agbrenv]

@@PsychoRavager oh, you mean open ended level design then

[@PsychoRavager]

@@agbrenv , yehp. Precisely that.

[@keen7youtubeistoast796]

The problem in the second game isn't how overpowered feeding and or these fatalaties are... it's the fact that the game encourages you to never use these moves. With how the "level-up" system works, you run around searching for stuff you can throw your enemies into. If there isn't something, you use your guns in order to level them up. Maybe then you can feed in order to replenish ammo. Till it's back to the harpooning. Using the normal combat system is nearly completely useless. And with how i-frames work (in that they do whatever they want), you need one single move for every enemy that can't be grabbed: Backflip > Attack Everything else gets you killed. I really like this game, but to me, the fun starts with a cheat that maximizes your health and rage meter, so you can start using normal attacks without missing out on "experience". Imagine playing an RPG and you only get EXP when you do one special thing in order to kill off the enemies...

[@Hyperion-5744]

It would be nice to get a proper sequel to bloodrayne 2 one day.

[@Robocop_1987]

Loved the review , watched the entirety of it .

[@joshuagraham2843]

Bloodrayne was like if lara craft from tomb raider if she was a hot vampire goth without two iconic guns but replace with an iconic two blades, and also fight evil nazis

[@joeslickback]

25:28 Bro, you didn't have to go there 😥

[@buhe1]

They were once planing a BloodRayne: The Shroud game and I believe they said they would have used the BloodRayne 2 mechanics which makes me wonder what improvements they would have made, since the first game with the mechanics is considered the prototype. They could have brought back some classics from BloodRayne 1 like going through weaken walls (near spot + kick button) and chain harpoon reeling and feeding (left trigger + feed button 2X) for example while doing some fixes like camera angle. "Yet another you stolen from me, professor." = Svetlana Lupescu?

[@alvarocarrasco1025]

Rayne walked so Bayontta could run

[@omnissiah7859]

I feel compelled to say, a couple of buddies and i have a really small german-speaking podcast and not only did Uwe Boll accept an invitation for a recording, he was a really really nice guest as well. Had some interesting stories about making movies and thoughts about movie production, while i dont agree with him politically he really was a nice guest.

[@Shiftyy_gaming1634]

These games are on sale rn on ps5 and they seemed right down my ally of a cool action game with a progression based combat system

[@Pietreszcz]

That bull history at the very end is priceless

[@mizenbarbarossa494]

We need a movie with a awesome story and great casting choices

[@mahdimerzaei7985]

Wow bro yesterday I was thinking about installing 1&2 again

[@NaumRusomarov]

oh these were a staple of my gaming addiction as a teenager. :-)

[@gameroutoftime117]

One of my favorites games on the Playstation 2. Bloodrayne franchise is a masterpiece. Hell, Rayne was even featured in Playboy Magazine. I was shocked at first when it came back as a 2d platformer but it kind of works. I love Rayne so much.

[@Badruborg]

42:23 You included that!

[@noremorseproductions]

Great video man, very entertaining and informative.

[@loli-knightxardej2252]

Rayne's look in the sidescroller was actually the thing I liked the most about it. Wouldn't mind them sticking with that and transitioning it to 3D in a proper game. That aside, I'm kind of shocked we haven't had a new mainline game yet. It's been long enough that, by industry standards, it's ripe pickings for a remake/remaster.

[@krono5el]

ever since the first bloodrayne i would look for any other games where you could shoot or cut soft body physics objects like flags or curtains in real time and never found one till maybe the first Division game way later : P

[@homophobicyoda]

The Sigmund and Simon brothers remind me of the twins from the movie Deadringers

[@therookie7060]

A good series, can you imagine if Bloodrayne and Wolfenstein had a crossover game, that would be cool as Wolfenstein also had paranormal themes as well.

[@FireShowXS1]

Thank you. Now get out of my steam history mindfrayer.

[@RainbowRenegade]

Dismemberment system in the first game still looks so satisfying

[@holzeister9930]

Great video man, maybe a The Darkness 1 and 2 video coming next?

[@sevenheavenhavengaming]

Good job with this video. I think that the Bloodrayne franchise needed a new game in the series running on next gen systems like consoles and PC. We already have the technology and graphics to make amazing looking games that are way more detailed than back when the early games came out during the original release of the Bloodrayne franchise. Imagine a new Bloodrayne game with the same graphics as newer games like Devil May Cry 5, Resident Evil Village, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Uncharted, etc. As long as they keep the gameplay like the original Bloodrayne games then I'm cool with it! I can only dream of a new game.

[@vanyaimportant669]

I just finished this gem. FUCK YEAH

[@TerryGXD]

waiting for a video like this on time splitters

[@memnarch129]

I personally would like to see a remaster/remake of the first two. Really my choice would be Nightdive to take care of that. They did excellent work with Turok and Turok 2, and their Dark Forces remaster is looking good. They are a studio that does a remaster properly.

[@PerceptionVsReality333]

I still play Bloodrayne 1 & 2 on my PS2 to this day.

[@fernie-fernandez]

Since you mentioned snippets of the movie, I'll confess...I think Paul WS Anderson or Len Wiseman (UnderWorld, yes...!) helming BloodRayne. Hell man, Rob Zombie & Sebastian Gutierrez were my other choices...and all four have a lot a things in common! I know there's a history surrounding movie-adaptations of video games with insane behind-the-scenes issues, one example being CAPCOM doing their choices that fans wouldn't agree. I think the movies happened because Majesco does a lot of business behind many developers' back, including various game under their list that failed to sell millions, such as Psychonauts & Advent Rising, and they would market Boll's films with marketing ads in their manual books or through DVD-bundle. When Majesco & Terminal Reality close-down, a 3rd film was made... On the subject of Terminal Reality is that when the 1st film was in the works, they were making a game based on a cancelled movie from Clive Barker, that is called Demonik... And guess how that cancelled game, as well as modded BloodRayne 2 got into? It was Grandma's Boy. :p

[@Anti-Santa86]

It's a really big shame that not only they haven't made remastered version of the BloodRayne games. No one has found a way to make a third BloodRayne game that picks up more Bloodrayne 2 left off

[@joshuabrien2970]

I got some good news for you on that end they did remaster them it's just the advertising kinda sucked but they are on modern consoles