Blood Strike goes all retro with its Block Strike pixel mode and more in new update

• Blood Strike is getting a retro makeover with Block Strike
• Take on the classic gameplay in this new mode that's very Minecraft-like
• There's also the addition of the new Shadow Pearls items, Airdrops and Portals

Blood Strike, the hit battle royale shooter from NetEase, is set to see a major new update which will add a bit of retro flair to proceedings. That's because you need to be there and be square with the new Block Strike mode, which comes alongside other updates and additions.

Block Strike itself isn't exactly a subtle makeover of Blood Strike into a pixellated look akin to Minecraft. You'll find Block Piles full of key items scattered across the map, and be able to enjoy the entire Blood Strike experience now looking like something straight out of the Mojang classic.

For players who aren't going to do much more than give this a go, there's still plenty to enjoy. The new Shard Store allows you to unlock upgrades mid-match, alongside the brand-new Shadow Pearls, Portals and Airdrops that will further switch up the strategic gameplay. All this and more is set to arrive, well, today. Block Strike itself will be available until August 10th.

Block, block, block!

The makeover for Blood Strike is a rare treat for fans to see something familiar change so much. And with the aforementioned loot piles containing everything from Shard Buffs to Gold/Evolution Points and even rarer items such as the Shadow Pearl (hm, wonder what inspired that?), it's worth checking in to find out what this is all about.

The Shard Store itself, I can see becoming a more contentious addition for the ability to directly spend in-game loot on supplies. But with the arrival of the aforementioned Shadow Pearls and the powerful new portals and airdrops, it's well worth waiting to see how this changes the balance of power in Blood Strike.

Has Blood Strike given you a hankering for a winner-takes-all shooting experience? Well, you can see what other options are out there to dive into the genre with our list of the top battle royale shooters on iOS and Android!