Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night

A game in the spirit of Castlevania, it's just as fun as it used to be and tries to modernize old gameplay. 2.5D is implemented well, it controls as a 2D platformer, but a 3D effect is created in the backgrounds and in one area of the game, it feels like you're climbing a tower in 3D. It has a decent difficulty, but like “Symphony of the Night” you can become overpowered towards the end of the game by using certain equipment in a targeted way. This way, grinding can also be made bearable and collecting crafting materials is made easier. If you want to craft all the things and collect every item, you'll have to be willing to grind and collect, but it's kept within limits; we're not talking about an MMO here. I really enjoyed the game, it has replay value and offers several game modes and also other characters or costumes that change abilities, giving you variety, either in the same run or in later ones, if you will.

If you think all you get with B:RoTN is a spiritual successor to metroidvania-style Castlevania games, then you'd be wrong. Now, let's get something clear: this IS as much of a spiritual succesor as you've ever dreamed for if you are a fan of the metroidvania games. But as you keep on playing you'll realize there's more to it than just that. This game could have been done with extreme laziness, and just copy over everything that was done in previous Koji developed games and call it a day. Instead, we get all that in a much more refined and dedicated way. Elements such as the soul system from the Sorrow games and the overall combat mechanics of SOTN are present here and they have been reimplemented with the upmost care, feeling expanded and improved upon phenomenally. This game excels in 5 key aspects, and this is what sets it apart from being some type of nostalgia cash-in. These are: presentation, music/sound design, level design, story and most importantly, gameplay. By combining multiple elements from many of the metroidvania games, ArtPlay has succesfully created a gameplay that serves as a great homage while being original on its own right. The presentation is outstanding. Yuji Natsume's art design really shines through here, with vivid and colorful gothic style designs and scenery. Michiru Yamane's score is perfect as a mix between the familiar style of songs featured in other Castlevania games (which she has scored in the past) and songs that are fresh and new to give the game a bit of its own personality. Of course, level design is perfectly familiar and true to the metroidvania style, but thanks to the unreal engine 4, a few twists are thrown here and there with some of the sections. The story could have been thrown together without much effort and just ride the Castlevania nostalgia, but Mr. Igarashi's writing succeds in setting Bloodstained apart with its own identity so that it doesn't come off as uninspired. In summary, buy this. It's good.

I backed the kickstarter for this game because I am a long time fan of SOTN. It's one of my all time favorite games. I just finished it yesterday, and I am not disappointed. I'm already considering new builds and planning to play it on a harder difficulty. When you finish a game and immediately want to start it again - you know you have a winner. I genuinely hope this is the beginning of a whole new franchise.

I missed the Kickstarter for Bloodstained, as it was launched during a few years when I wasn't gaming at all. Having wishlisted the game as soon as possible, and purchased it shortly after release, I regret that fact immensely. Bloodstained makes you play (at least until they release the other playable characters) as Miriam, a "shardbearer" who is able to make use of the mystical skills of demons in combat. Fighting your way off a galleon, you find your way to a village and a demonic castle from which evil energy is overflowing the land. You must travel through this castle, hunt down a former friend, and discover the true evil that endangers the entire Earth. Over the course of your journey, you receive a range of special abilities such as double jump, inversion, and teleportation. These enable you to reach new areas of the castle, discover hidden items and other secrets, and gain immense power. Important in your quest is your ability to craft items and cook food, through which you can further increase your power. If this sounds like the classic "Castlevania" formula, that's because it is. The game was designed by Koji Igarashi, the brilliant mind behind the Castlevania series and one of the fathers of the Metroidvania genre. It features a number of callbacks to that earlier series, but a story and animation style that stands on its own. As such, although you may be experiencing flashbacks at some points, you will still find a new experience. Technically, the game runs like a dream. Despite my 940MX being far under the "minimum" specs, I was able to run it consistently at 40 FPS using the "Epic" preset and 720p resolution. Controls are responsive; animation is nice; and the music suits the game well. Although earlier versions may have been buggy, in my 30 hours of play time (Version 1.05) I did not encounter any gamebreaking bugs. All in all, Bloodstained is definitely worth the money. I can't wait until they release the free DLC!

I like how it seem inspired by castlevania Aria of sorrow