Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night

Narrative: 3 Mechanics: 5 Visuals/Art Style: 5 Audio/Soundtrack: 5 Replayability: 4 Performance: 5 Overall: 27/30 This game is incredible. If you are a fan of the "Metroidvania" 2D style of games, then don't think, just buy. The game follows Miriam, an orphan who was taken in by a group of Alchemists doing experiments with magi-crystals and infusing them with humans. The experiments led to her becoming the host of the "Alchemist's Curse" which put her in a coma like state for 10 years. Upon waking up with amnesia, she found the people turning into monsters caused by the "Bloodstained Ritual" and it's up to her to save the day. The art and characters looked hand drawn. The environments are detailed without seeming too busy. The soundtrack is on par with Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. The game has a lot of replayability. Upon beating the game on Normal; Hard and Nightmare mode are unlocked. You can also continue your journey in NG+ mode. Lastly, similar to Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, there are a few secret characters to play as by entering in specific names for save files. I did not have any performance issues while playing this masterpiece.

The game has a gorgeous 3D scene and a good skill special effects, a variety of weapons and skills can be relatively free to match your own fighting methods and combinations. There are challenges and "classic modes" that may keep you entertained for a few more hours after the game's regular content ends. In terms of difficulty design, other than the fact that the final boss battle is two in a row and no rest is unacceptable, other experiences are moderate. In addition, I found that no matter how I set the keyboard buttons, I could not use the keyboard completely, which is not good for horizontal board action games. (I had to use a mouse + keyboard to use the two shift skills that are mostly used for decryption)

Actually yes, is much better than the stuff i was expecting, and comes with the usual Igavania shenanigans that you will find trouble in solving withouth a guide,

I never played much of Castlevania. The only games I played of this genre were things like Mega Man and, more recently, La Mulana. I generally enjoyed those experiences, but (and I guess this is because La Mulana murdered me so often I lost morale) I never really felt that sense of adventure and wonder. I'm also someone who hates grinding so having to backtrack across the map and farm certain foes for materials frustrates me to no end. But Bloodstained? Sure, such things (the backtracking, resource farming) exist, as in most games, but what helps this game stand out is its ability to keep the player entertained with a wide variety of abilities, and the various hidden rooms that more often than not feature treasure that makes it worthwhile to find them. 100% completing the map is not as arduous a task as it sounds because of this: most nooks and crannies are worth your while. This game has flaws, sure. This review is based on the starting difficulty so hard mode might be better at this, but the bosses save for the very first one felt much easier when you have a lot of abilities at your disposal. The story is generally mundane, save for a very well done twist in endgame. Won't spoil it for you. I do like how a certain character seemed totally irrelevant, but she certainly isn't. Again, nice twists. I can only wholeheartedly recommend this game. It was a great experience from start to finish.

Game is fun. Story is kinda 1980's in its plot and development. That's the only knock I have on the game. The graphics are awesome, the gameplay is awesome. very few game will I support till they are on sale. This wasn't one of them. Yes there were crashes at times. But this game and the gameplay made me get back on it. I haven't beaten it yet, but once I do, i will buy more DLC to it and replay it again. I played the first game on Steam. UMMM GOG I'm gonna need you to get the first game over here as well . That is also a jewel. If you have to get it on sale, then get this game on sale. We have to support good Indie game developers. The industry needs to know that we don't need to spend $60 for a game to have quality and enjoyment.