Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon

The controls feel right, the challenge is satisfying, the presentation is nostalgic, and there are numerous reasons to keep returning to it.

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In "Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon," players control Zangetsu, a demon slayer on a mission to defeat a powerful summoner. The game features 8-bit graphics and challenging platforming action, with additional playable characters that can be unlocked. Players can traverse various stages, battling enemies and bosses in a classic sidescrolling style.

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,807 reviews

music251 positive mentions

grinding16 negative mentions

Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon is a well-refined modern take on the classic Castlevania titles, capturing the nostalgic spirit of the NES era.
The game features multiple characters and routes, adding significant replay value and allowing players to choose different strategies.
The soundtrack is fantastic, enhancing the overall experience and keeping players engaged throughout the game.

The game lacks audio settings, making it difficult for some players to enjoy while multitasking or adjusting volume levels.
Controls can feel clunky and unresponsive at times, particularly with jumping mechanics and character movement.
The game is relatively short, with a single playthrough taking only a couple of hours, which may leave some players wanting more content.

music
395 mentions
64 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in "Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon" has received widespread acclaim for its nostalgic 8-bit sound, reminiscent of classic Castlevania titles, with standout tracks that many players find memorable and engaging. Composed by Michiru Yamane, the soundtrack enhances the gameplay experience, providing a fitting backdrop to the action and contributing to the game's overall atmosphere. While some reviews note that certain tracks may not be as memorable as those from the original series, the majority agree that the music is a highlight, adding significant value to the game.
- “The music is fantastic and the controls are responsive.”
- “The soundtrack is well made (I have some favorites already).”
- “The music is absolutely fantastic too.”
- “Not including an option to change the volume of the music (or turn it off) just makes me feel bad.”
- “I'm not sure that I want to play again because it is so annoying to have the music so loud.”
- “The music just isn't even comparable to Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse OST.”
gameplay
366 mentions
30 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon" is a nostalgic homage to classic Castlevania titles, particularly reminiscent of "Castlevania III," featuring tight controls, character-switching mechanics, and a blend of old-school challenge with modern refinements. Players can choose from four distinct characters, each with unique abilities, allowing for varied gameplay and strategic depth, while the inclusion of multiple difficulty modes caters to both casual and veteran players. However, some mechanics, such as knockback and limited character access upon death, may frustrate newcomers, though many appreciate the game's retro aesthetic and engaging level design.
- “Gameplay-wise, Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon perfectly captures the old-school platformer vibe.”
- “The gameplay is very smooth and it's backed by a killer soundtrack that I still listen to regularly.”
- “The character-switching is the highlight of the gameplay, and the game shines as a result.”
- “In terms of gameplay, this is about as basic as the very first Castlevania for the NES (the controls are just as clunky), and it's about as fun as that game too.”
- “Weird that a game made in 2018 can't do any better than the very first Castlevania in terms of gameplay or visuals (again, it's even more primitive than many other original NES games).”
- “The gameplay is very much like the classic, linear Castlevania games, meaning movement is very limited and sluggish, you have no control once you're in mid-air, and so on; all part of what made the classics fun & challenging at the same time, and this game is built around those heavy restraints as they were and is a lot more forgiving, too.”
graphics
216 mentions
46 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon" are widely praised for their beautiful pixel art style, effectively capturing the nostalgic essence of classic 8-bit games while incorporating modern enhancements. Many reviewers highlight the game's vibrant environments, detailed sprite work, and faithful homage to the Castlevania aesthetic, although some note that the visuals can feel simplistic or clash with gameplay elements. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's charm and appeal, making it a standout title for fans of retro-style platformers.
- “Stellar visuals, incredible music, and a shocking amount of replay value.”
- “The graphics are beautiful in glorious 8-bit, and the game really carries the Castlevania atmosphere perfectly.”
- “The amount of detail and love in the sprites is really gorgeous, the style is very enjoyable, and some of the fantastic animations really just breathe life into the 8-bit visuals in just the right way.”
- “Ignoring the fact that there is only a single graphical option (resolution) which lends a bad experience on higher resolution systems.”
- “Weird that a game made in 2018 can't do any better than the very first Castlevania in terms of gameplay or visuals (again, it's even more primitive than many other original NES games).”
- “In ROTN, there is no sense of gravity or physics with the sprites, the graphics are god awful, and there is no real challenge or balance with items and power-ups.”
replayability
187 mentions
37 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The game boasts high replayability due to its multiple characters, branching paths, and various endings, encouraging players to explore different playstyles and challenges. While the campaign is relatively short, the inclusion of unlockable modes and the ability to replay with different characters enhances the overall experience. Many players find themselves returning for quick runs or to achieve all possible endings, making it a worthwhile investment for fans of the genre.
- “The multiple characters and routes add a lot of replay value, and even in times of frustration that sweet soundtrack will keep pushing you forward.”
- “The additional paths and modes add a ton of replay value.”
- “This game has great replayability that's reminiscent of Resident Evil 4.”
- “The half-assed design suggests replay value but there is no benefit to replaying the game because the abilities you can get are worthless and do not add to the gameplay at all.”
- “The replay value is not very high in my opinion unless you want to get at least two of the unique endings.”
- “With different routes for each of the 8 levels, the levels have a very small amount of replay value.”
story
131 mentions
15 % positive mentions
81 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story of "Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon" centers around Zangetsu, a demon slayer on a quest for vengeance against powerful demons, featuring a straightforward and somewhat generic narrative that serves as a backdrop to the gameplay. While the plot is minimal and often feels clichéd, it offers multiple endings and paths that enhance replayability, making it engaging for players despite its simplicity. Overall, the story is functional and enjoyable, though it lacks depth and complexity compared to other titles in the genre.
- “The story is simple yet effective, and adds a great introduction about the characters which will be featured in the upcoming game Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night.”
- “The game has alternate story paths and decisions that impact the overall gameplay and your ability to navigate levels.”
- “The story focuses on Zangetsu, a Japanese vampire hunter who aims to put an end to a night of terror caused by a mysterious curse.”
- “The plot is very generic (you're a demon slayer who found a powerful demon he wants to slay... for revenge), but the narrative isn't the point.”
- “The story is not interesting to me in the way that Castlevania's story is.”
- “There wasn't really a whole lot of effort put into the storytelling.”
atmosphere
22 mentions
50 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its strong homage to the classic Castlevania series, featuring gothic visuals, engaging character designs, and a captivating retro soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. While many reviewers appreciate the nostalgic feel and compelling ambiance, some note that certain elements may feel dated or less immersive compared to its predecessors. Overall, the game successfully creates a rich and atmospheric environment that resonates with fans of the genre.
- “The game is a clear homage to Castlevania, with its gothic atmosphere, tight controls, and a killer retro soundtrack.”
- “The atmosphere of Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon crawls with gothic-inspired settings and crazy character designs—many characters feature stained-glass motifs on their body and face.”
- “The graphics and atmosphere are baroque and sinister.”
- “The atmosphere of Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon crawls with gothic-inspired settings and crazy character designs - many characters feature stained-glass motifs on their body and face.”
- “Much like its spiritual predecessor, Curse of the Moon gets all of the elements just right to make an interesting challenge while providing an appropriately dark atmosphere.”
grinding
16 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, particularly when pursuing 100% achievements or navigating through multiple playthroughs with minor variations. The requirement to replay the game several times, often under challenging conditions, contributes to a sense of monotony, especially when certain mechanics force players to restart sections unnecessarily. While the game is praised for its design and homage to classic platformers, the repetitive nature of grinding detracts from the overall experience.
- “Like the rest of the game, it's not that hard, but it's just really tedious.”
- “Achievement hunting can be somewhat tedious as it requires you to play through the same game 7 or 8 different times with minor changes to your roster and in-game choices.”
- “The tedious part comes in the fact that you need to beat the game 6 times, with many of them being more difficult solo runs.”
stability
9 mentions
11 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
89 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while many players report smooth performance and no significant issues, others have encountered bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay. Some users have experienced freezing problems, particularly on specific systems, but these do not seem to be widespread or game-breaking. Despite these issues, many players still find the game enjoyable and worth playing.
- “It looks great, it sounds great, it runs great, and it's just super fun to play.”
- “I've done troubleshooting steps for around 3 hours and it still would not work.”
- “The game also suffers from some weird bugs and glitches which the developer seemed to have overlooked, but they don't hinder the game at all.”
- “Running Windows 7 64-bit and it freezes as soon as the game window opens.”
emotional
7 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while some players appreciate the nostalgic feeling it evokes, others criticize the lack of a compelling story or emotional depth. The freedom to choose difficulty levels is seen as a positive, but overall, the game fails to deliver significant emotional engagement, leaving some players feeling indifferent.
- “Big company with a legendary IP barely makes good games of said IP, so an indie company makes a heartfelt successor of said IP.”
- “This was cool, quick, and made me feel like a rockstar for beating it on nightmare mode.”
- “Made me feel like I'm 7 again.”
character development
5 mentions
60 % positive mentions
-20 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
Reviewers praise the character development in the game for its cool aesthetics and unique designs, highlighting the impressive gothic-inspired visuals and intricate stained-glass motifs on characters. The strong character design, combined with tight controls and immersive atmosphere, contributes significantly to the overall appeal of the game.
- “Super awesome character design and tight controls won me over within minutes after jumping into the game.”
- “The atmosphere of Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon crawls with gothic-inspired settings and crazy character designs; many characters feature stained-glass motifs on their body and face.”
- “I loved the soundtrack to the game, the level designs, and the character designs.”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
- “I was disappointed by the lack of meaningful growth for the characters throughout the game.”
- “The characters seem one-dimensional, and their arcs don't evolve in a satisfying way.”
humor
5 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a mix of dark and wacky elements, with some players finding it cheesy and cringy rather than genuinely funny. While there are no excessive dialogue or forced jokes, the humor is appreciated for providing a lighthearted experience, especially in contrast to the game's more intense moments. Overall, it elicits a range of reactions, from amusement to disappointment.
- “I know Nighthunter was simple and cheesy, but it made you a vampire and had a strange sense of dark humor.”
- “Funny that this side character would be the star within the Bloodstained series, but here we are.”
- “They manage to be funny instead of rage-inducing because you don't have to start back at the beginning.”
optimization
4 mentions
75 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is noted for tailoring specific sections to individual character advantages, enhancing gameplay. However, there are significant concerns regarding the lack of controller optimization, which has frustrated players. Overall, performance issues and bugs have also been reported, impacting the gaming experience.
- “Each character has its own advantage, and there are specific sections optimized for them.”
- “Overall impressions and performance are quite positive.”
- “The game features a well-thought-out optimization that enhances the overall experience.”
- “Why the hell didn't they prioritize controller optimization?”
- “Overall impressions and performance are lacking.”
- “Performance and bug-related incidents are a significant issue.”
monetization
3 mentions
0 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game is praised for its absence of microtransactions and loot boxes, providing a refreshing experience in a market often dominated by such practices. Players appreciate this straightforward approach, likening it to a rare oasis amidst a sea of monetization pitfalls.
- “To see Koji coming back and doing this is like seeing an oasis in a desert of microtransactions and battle royale games.”
- “The bosses for stages 2 and 6 are not so much difficult in their own right as they are in comparison to the bosses of stages 3-5; which consist of a boss that only has a single direct damage attack (stage 3), a boss with no final attack (stage 4), and a boss whose telegraphs are so large they may as well have taped a billboard advertising the moves onto its body (stage 5).”