While attending Summer Game Fest 2026, one of my first appointments was to check out Blood Message – the upcoming action-adventure game from 24 Entertainment Lin’an and published by NetEase. Though it’s worth noting that the game is definitely fairly early in development at this point in time, I came away quite impressed with what I played, as the combat had a truly visceral feeling that I haven’t really felt in another game.
Credit: NetEase
I played as a gruff and fierce nameless warrior who battled alongside someone who he referred to as his brother against violent soldiers. Throughout the demo, the opposing army was murdering pretty much anyone (including a poor barking dog) nearby in pursuit of a simple letter, giving you plenty of motivation to cut them down. The voice performances by the main duo were especially strong, easily conveying their anger towards these murderous vagabonds. Granted, I don’t speak their language and may have missed some of the nuance in the performances and the like, but I was impressed with how much emotion they conveyed even through the language barrier.
The demo was split into optional stealth sections and more action-packed full combat segments. The stealth parts were pretty smooth and mainly composed of my character using his sword or a small hammer of sorts that he carried on his back to dispatch any negligent foes. Hiding in tall grass and behind boxes was easy enough, but the ability to just go wild after being caught is always appreciated. Though it’s fun to sneak around, the ability to fight your way out of a botched stealth approach is always appreciated. Combat felt smooth and slick, with dodges and parries serving as extra layers of depth beyond the simple light and heavy slashes.
Credit: NetEase
The brutal combat of Blood Message is the star of the show.
The violence is extremely graphic but feels totally grounded, if that makes sense. The way my character ripped through enemies with his sword was definitely gory, but the way in which the violence is presented comes off as in line with the gritty world that these characters live in, where murder is a frequent thing. It doesn’t come off as stylish or glorious – which would work in other games – but as a brutal and necessary action in this oppressive environment. Even the controller vibrations were in-tune with this vibe, somehow giving off a “ripping and tearing” sensation that had me wince just a tad.
The visuals of Blood Message are pretty gorgeous, with the main characters looking rather realistic. I was especially impressed by the faces, which convey a ton of emotion through even the subtlest movements and quirks. The blood effects are wild, further adding to the sense of brutality the combat thrives on, and I can only picture them getting more vivid as the game gets further along in development.
Credit: NetEase
I was super impressed by what I saw of Blood Message, even without knowing all that much going in. The violence is both satisfying and almost shockingly intense, in a way that complements the story and the hardcore world it’s set in. Though I’m sure the game is a ways away, I’ll certainly be keeping my eye on the game going forward, as it took me by surprise and got me pretty hooked.
