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.

Starting at $1.75Buy now

Get on Steam

Get on Xbox Games Store

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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

86%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,625 reviews

music503 positive mentions

grinding32 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 players who want to adjust volume levels while playing.
Some players experienced issues with controller support, making it frustrating to play without a functioning controller.
The game is relatively short, taking only a few hours to complete, which may leave some players wanting more content.

music
791 mentions
64 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in "Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its nostalgic 8-bit style and catchy compositions reminiscent of classic Castlevania soundtracks. Composed by Michiru Yamane, the soundtrack is described as both engaging and atmospheric, enhancing the gameplay experience, although some critics noted that it may not reach the iconic status of its predecessors. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and replayability.
- “The art is beautiful and imaginative and the soundtrack is one of those chip-tune masterpieces that feel very special.”
- “The music is absolutely fantastic too.”
- “The soundtrack is phenomenal; I found myself humming a couple of the tunes to myself hours after playing.”
- “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 only weak point to this game is the music.”
gameplay
735 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, featuring tight controls, character-switching mechanics, and a blend of old-school platforming with modern refinements. Players can choose from four distinct characters, each with unique abilities, allowing for varied strategies and replayability through multiple paths and endings. While some mechanics may feel dated, the overall experience is engaging, with a solid soundtrack and well-designed levels that capture the essence of retro gaming.
- “Gameplay-wise, Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon perfectly captures the old-school platformer vibe.”
- “Great soundtrack, solid action-platforming gameplay, and a nice pixel art style all come together to make a very solid, memorable experience.”
- “The gameplay is very smooth and is backed by a killer soundtrack that I still listen to regularly.”
- “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 problem is that the base mechanics didn't age very well.”
graphics
435 mentions
46 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon" are widely praised for their beautiful 8-bit pixel art style, which effectively captures the nostalgic essence of classic Castlevania games while incorporating modern touches. Many reviewers highlight the detailed sprite work and vibrant environments, although some note that certain enemy designs can appear silly or lack originality. Overall, the visuals are considered a strong homage to retro gaming, complemented by a fitting soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
- “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
376 mentions
38 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
1 % 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 difficulty settings enhances the overall replay value, making it a compelling experience for those who enjoy revisiting games. However, some players feel that the replay value diminishes after mastering the game, as the rewards for additional playthroughs may not be substantial enough.
- “Stellar visuals, incredible music, and a shocking amount of replay value.”
- “The additional paths and modes add a ton of replay value.”
- “This game is built on replayability, and it delivers.”
- “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
262 mentions
15 % positive mentions
81 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story of "Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon" follows Zangetsu, a demon slayer on a quest for vengeance against evil, featuring a simple yet effective narrative that complements the gameplay. While the plot is often described as generic and reminiscent of classic 8-bit titles, it offers multiple endings and paths that enhance replayability. Overall, the story serves its purpose without being overly complex, allowing players to enjoy the game’s retro charm and mechanics.
- “The story is simple, and it works really well with the gameplay, and has a pretty good amount of replayability.”
- “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.”
- “Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon is a love letter to older Castlevania titles from the NES/GB era with the same charm, in addition to beautiful pixel art, memorable stages, awesome music, engaging story, and good gameplay with easy-to-memorize controls.”
- “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 itself is... weird and doesn't entirely make sense.”
- “There wasn't really a whole lot of effort put into the storytelling.”
atmosphere
44 mentions
50 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its strong homage to the Castlevania series, featuring gothic settings, beautiful 8-bit graphics, and a compelling retro soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. While many reviewers appreciate the nostalgic feel and engaging character designs, some note that certain elements may feel dated or less immersive compared to its predecessors. Overall, the game successfully creates a captivating atmosphere that resonates with fans of classic platformers.
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “I'd rather see a game like this (that is, one built on atmosphere) be reasonably challenging and accessible than be difficult to the point where it turns people away.”
grinding
32 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, particularly when pursuing 100% achievements, which often requires multiple playthroughs with minor variations. The necessity to replay the game several times, coupled with the mechanics that force players to restart sections or sacrifice characters, contributes to a sense of monotony. While the game is praised for its design and homage to classic platformers, the repetitive nature of grinding detracts from the overall experience.
- “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.”
- “In other words, this makes dying very tedious as you often have to just kill yourself multiple times to try again with your full party, and it's totally unnecessary to make you start a boss or section over again if you still have living members if one of them dies.”
stability
18 mentions
11 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
89 % negative mentions
The game's stability is mixed, with some players reporting no significant bugs or glitches during multiple playthroughs, while others have encountered issues such as freezing on specific systems. Despite these problems, many users feel that the overall experience remains enjoyable and worth the occasional troubleshooting.
- “It looks great, it sounds great, it runs great, and it's just super fun to play.”
- “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 would not still work.”
- “The game also suffers from some weird bugs and glitches which the developer seemed to have overlooked.”
- “Running Windows 7 64-bit and it freezes as soon as the game window opens.”
emotional
14 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is largely criticized, with reviewers noting a lack of story and emotional depth, despite some nostalgic feelings it may evoke. While some players enjoyed the challenge and felt empowered by their achievements, the overall sentiment is that the game fails to deliver meaningful emotional experiences.
- “Big company with a legendary IP barely makes good games of said IP, so an indie company makes a heartfelt successor of said IP.”
- “Made me feel like I'm 7 again.”
- “This was cool, quick and made me feel like a rockstar for beating it on nightmare mode.”
humor
11 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a mix of dark and cheesy elements, with some attempts at wackiness falling flat and becoming cringy. However, the absence of forced dialogue and the game's ability to provide humor without frustration are noted as positives, culminating in a particularly funny ending in nightmare mode. Overall, while the humor may not resonate with everyone, it adds a unique flavor to the experience.
- “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.”
character development
10 mentions
40 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The character development in "Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon" is highlighted by its unique and visually striking designs, which are complemented by a gothic atmosphere. Players appreciate the attention to detail in character aesthetics, with many featuring intricate stained-glass motifs, contributing to an immersive experience that enhances gameplay. Overall, the character design is praised for its creativity and strong execution, making a lasting impression on players.
- “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.”
- “At no point does it feel like they phoned it in with the level design, character design, or boss design.”
optimization
8 mentions
38 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
38 % negative mentions
The game features character-specific optimizations that enhance gameplay, but there is notable criticism regarding the lack of prioritization for controller optimization, which has left some users frustrated. Overall, while certain aspects are well-optimized, performance issues and bugs have been reported.
- “Each character has its own advantage and there are specific sections optimized for them.”
- “Overall impressions and performance are quite positive.”
- “The game features specific sections that are optimized for each character's unique abilities.”
- “Why the hell didn't they prioritize controller optimization?”
- “Overall impressions & performance are lacking.”
- “Performance and bug-related incidents are a significant issue.”
monetization
6 mentions
0 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its lack of microtransactions and loot boxes, providing a refreshing experience in a market often dominated by such monetization strategies. Players appreciate this straightforward approach, likening it to a rare oasis amidst a sea of monetized games.
- “To see Koji coming back and doing this is like seeing an oasis in a desert of microtransactions and battle royale games.”
- “No microtransactions, no loot boxes.”
- “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).”