Yesterday, I posted about Ubisoft’s lineup of “safe” video game franchises — games like Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, Just Dance and other annual releases. However, the main focus of my post was something new and different they released — the Mario + Rabbids series, Kingdom Battle (2017) and Sparks of Hope (2022).
In this second Ubisoft post, I wanted to focus on another new and exciting project they just released yesterday. An original animated series titled Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix (now available on Netflix). Although the six episode series released yesterday, I was granted early access by Netflix and got to watch the entire series throughout the week. Thanks Netflix!
What is Blood Dragon?
The concept of Blood Dragon* began as a standalone DLC addition to 2012’s Far Cry 3. There was later a Trials of the Blood Dragon crossover game, as well. In the Far Cry 3 version you play as a part man, part machine cyber-commando, Sergeant Rex Colt. It is a kick ass cyber-shooter where anything can happen.
*I have not played Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon or Trials of the Blood Dragon, but I do remember playing the original Far Cry 3, and after watching this series I hope to get into the expansion very soon.
Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix (a Netflix series)
The year is 1992. The country formerly known as the USA is now called Eden, a technocracy ruled by propaganda and corruption. Super-soldier Dolph Laserhawk has just been betrayed by the love of his life, his boyfriend Alex Taylor, and locked up in Eden’s off-the-grid maximum security prison, Supermaxx. Dolph is forced to lead a team of rebel outcasts on risky undercover missions under the order of the prison’s shadowy Warden.
CAPTAIN LASERHAWK: A BLOOD DRAGON REMIX is an original animated series mixing alternative Ubisoft characters from beloved franchises such as Assassin’s Creed, Rayman, and Far Cry in a highly referenced homage to the early 90s.
-from Netflix
Adi Shankar is known as an executive producer on the recent Netflix series, Castlevania and Castlevania: Nocturne. He also produced a few “bizzaro-type” shorts and web series set in familiar worlds (Power Rangers, The End of Pokémon, and Judge Dredd: Superfiend).
These “bizzaro” projects are what makes him the perfect candidate to help bring this series, Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix, to life. The show is full of strange cameos and references from all over Ubisoft’s game catalog as well as some other well-known cameos.
It all works beautifully together since it is set in the world of Blood Dragon, an expansion that has nothing really to do with the game it was attached to, Far Cry 3, other than the use of the game’s assets and engine. This is how the series is able to get away with some outrageous twists and storylines, including Bullfrog (the frog Assassin).
While the series is animated in an anime style, there are many throwback moments to classic video game genres and styles. Even the opening title sequence is animated like a retro game. There was a vast range of video game sequences throughout the series, including nods to Crazy Taxi, Metal Gear, even newer genres (like dating sims).
Episodes open with Rayman as Eden’s late night talk show host informing the public on what is happening. I love seeing the silly, disjointed Rayman in this new role, especially since we are currently playing through Rayman Legends.
The shorter, six-episode format for this series was the perfect length, and after each episode I was ready for more. The main storyline sort of follows (or spoofs) the Suicide Squad. A group of questionable characters are forced to team up and work for a big corporation (or die). Of course, there is always some sort of twist (or many twists) along the way.
I don’t want to spoil any more of the surprises, but it’s alright if you haven’t played Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon. Anyone who has played, or is slightly familiar with, any of the games and characters from Ubisoft’s massive game catalog should enjoy this series and the many characters that pop up throughout. Adi and the team behind Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix have built this Ubisoft Multiverse, set in an alternate world where anything can happen to anyone.
*Early access to Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix was provided by Netflix.
**You can find the whole series on Netflix right here: www.netflix.com/captainlaserhawk
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