What started as DLC for Far Cry 3 has turned into the gold standard for what a unique idea and focused game design can, and should be. Blood Dragon is an homage to 80’s action movies and pop culture, all wrapped in a great first-person shooter package. It doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel, but it embraces its ridiculous premise with such commitment that it’s hard not to fall in love with it.
Set in a dystopian 2007, players take control of Rex “Power” Colt, a cyber-commando who exists solely to kill the bad guys, get the girl, and save the world. It’s a tongue-in-cheek setup that leans heavily into the clichés of the era it’s paying tribute to. Think one-liners after explosions, over-the-top villains, and a plot that feels ripped from a VHS tape you’d find in the bargain bin of a 1980s video store.
The game drops you into an open world that feels both familiar and fresh. Like Far Cry 3, you’re free to explore the map, take on side quests, and liberate enemy garrisons. But here, everything is drenched in neon pinks and blues, with laser grids, cyborg soldiers, and of course, the titular blood dragons; towering reptilian monsters that fire beams of energy from their eyes. Which is as awesome as it sounds. These creatures aren’t just set dressing; they’re unpredictable forces of chaos that roam the island, turning even the most carefully planned stealth mission into pure chaos. Watching a blood dragon rip through an enemy outpost before you even fire a shot never gets old, unless you happen to be on the receiving end of their rage, then it becomes painful.
Gameplay is what you’d expect from a modern first-person shooter, with a satisfying mix of stealth and run-and-gun options. Weapons can be upgraded and tweaked, and the arsenal is exactly what you’d want in a game like this; pistols with laser sights, explosive shotguns, and even a bow for silent takedowns. There are plenty of ways to dismantle your foes, whether it’s setting loose cyber-animals, sneaking through shadows, or simply storming in guns blazing. You're the hero in this story and how you go about things is up to you.
That said, the shooting itself can feel a little floaty. Maybe it’s just me, but I felt like my shots weren’t landing quite as precisely as in other shooters. It doesn’t ruin the experience, but it does take some getting used to. Still, progression feels rewarding. As you rack up kills and complete missions, Rex gains noticeable upgrades that make you feel more powerful. Before long, you’re chain-takedowning enemies, throwing shurikens, and generally embodying the unstoppable action hero the game wants you to be.
What really elevates Blood Dragon beyond its mechanics though, is its presentation. This is a game that knows exactly what it is. Michael Biehn (yes, Kyle Reese from The Terminator) lends his voice to Rex Colt, chewing up every line of dialogue with the right mix of deadpan delivery and parody. The soundtrack, a pulsing synthwave musical score, instantly transports you to that imagined neon-soaked future the 80s had once promised us. It’s impossible not to think of films like The Terminator, Predator, or even Escape from New York while the music thunders in the background.
The humor is another highlight. The cutscenes intentionally mimic 16-bit animations, complete with cheesy transitions and dialogue that feels like it was written by someone who only watched action flicks for reference. The jokes land often enough to keep you smiling, and while some of them are groan-worthy, that’s part of the charm. The game is constantly winking at the player, and if you’re in on the joke, it’s a blast.
Length-wise, Blood Dragon hits a sweet spot. At around nine hours to see everything, it never outstays its welcome. It’s lean and focused, which makes it a perfect game for busy adults who might not have time to sink 40+ hours into a typical open-world shooter. Every mission moves the action forward, and the pacing ensures you’re never bogged down by filler. Very rarely did I feel like my time was wasted.
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon succeeds because it knows what it wants to be. It’s not trying to compete with the big blockbuster shooters on realism or scale. Instead, it embraces the absurd and revels in nostalgia, giving players an experience that feels both familiar and fresh. It’s loud, it’s colorful, and it’s unapologetically silly — and that’s exactly why it's brilliant.
"Power Core" from Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon (Ubisoft, 2013). Downloaded via KHInsider. All rights belong to Ubisoft.