Bloodstained (Series)

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night

Gothic horror action platform video game series, spiritual successor to Konami's Castlevania series, released in 2019

What is Bloodstained (Series)?

Bloodstained is a series of gothic horror action platform video games developed by ArtPlay and published by 505 Games. The series is considered a spiritual successor to Konami's Castlevania franchise, and is directed by Koji Igarashi, who had previously worked as a producer on several Castlevania games.

The first game in the series, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, was released in 2019 following a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2015 which raised over $5.5 million. It follows the story of Miriam, an orphan who is afflicted by an alchemist's curse which is slowly turning her skin to crystal. She must explore a demon-infested castle to confront the summoner and stop the curse from spreading further.

Gameplay in Bloodstained draws heavily from the Metroidvania style that Castlevania pioneered, with elements of RPG mechanics like crafting weapons and armor, leveling up stats, and learning new combat abilities. The Gothic setting and atmosphere also pays homage to the Castlevania series, featuring frightening monster designs as well as a stirring musical score by longtime Castlevania composer Michiru Yamane.

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night was well-received critically and commercially, leading to plans for future installments. A spinoff titled Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon was also released in 2018, featuring retro-style graphics and gameplay reminiscent of older Castlevania titles. The series aims to continue Igarashi's legacy popularizing the Metroidvania genre through intricate level designs and impactful stories.

Bloodstained (Series) Features

Official Links