Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon 2

80%
Game Brain Score Based on 607 reviews
  • music
  • gameplay
  • story
Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon 2 Game Cover
The visuals are great, the controls are exactly what they should be, and there's plenty of satisfying platform action to be had. Bloodstained: Curse of the moon 2 will make fans feel right at home like it's 1989.
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Koji Igarashi and Inti Creates are back with more retro sword-and-whip action

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

80%
Audience ScoreBased on 607 reviews
music55 positive mentions
optimization11 negative mentions
  • The game offers a significant amount of content, including multiple endings and a variety of characters with unique abilities.
  • The graphics and music are excellent, capturing the retro aesthetic while providing a modern gameplay experience.
  • The addition of co-op mode enhances the gameplay experience, allowing for fun interactions and teamwork.
  • The difficulty spikes significantly compared to the first game, with some bosses and levels feeling unfair and frustrating.
  • Replaying the same levels multiple times for different episodes can feel tedious and may detract from the overall enjoyment.
  • Some controls and mechanics, particularly with certain characters, can feel clunky and unresponsive, leading to frustrating gameplay moments.
  • music90 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its catchy chiptune soundtrack and retro aesthetic, while others feel it falls short compared to the original game's standout compositions. Some players appreciate the solid musical quality and its ability to complement the gameplay, but a significant number express disappointment, noting that the tracks are less memorable and more repetitive than those in the first installment. Overall, while the soundtrack is generally considered good, it lacks the extraordinary impact of its predecessor.

    • “The soundtrack is a banger and the pixel art is gorgeous.”
    • “The game’s music is still incredibly good, still done by the incredible Michiru Yamane.”
    • “Expands upon the first Curse of the Moon game and makes it even better; the difficulty, soundtrack, and gameplay are all on point, a must-play for fans of classicvanias and platformer games.”
    • “The only thing that really disappointed me is the music.”
    • “It's just extremely bad or very repetitive musical tracks.”
    • “The music feels like a big step back compared to the first game.”
  • gameplay81 mentions

    The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its nostalgic homage to classic Castlevania mechanics and the introduction of new characters with unique abilities that enhance the experience. However, some players criticized the difficulty spikes, particularly in boss battles and certain segments, which can feel unfair and frustrating. Overall, while the core gameplay is enjoyable and offers significant replay value, it is marred by some design flaws and inconsistencies that detract from the overall experience.

    • “This game has great boss battles, soundtrack, gameplay, and characters.”
    • “The gameplay is very enjoyable since the characters all play a little differently and have clear strengths and weaknesses.”
    • “Expands upon the first Curse of the Moon game and makes it even better; the difficulty, soundtrack, and gameplay are all on point, a must-play for fans of classicvanias and platformer games.”
    • “Overtuned bosses with unfair mechanics where you might as well hit the retry button if you lost whatever character was best suited to face it.”
    • “I could spend another few paragraphs easily on how this game also features the most shockingly awful shmup sequence I've ever played in a video game, which was chock-full of 'wait, what just killed me?' moments due to how many of the most basic and important rules of shmup gameplay were disregarded.”
    • “But the gameplay and level layout is so unforgiving that it renders the game unplayable.”
  • story67 mentions

    The game's story is generally seen as engaging, with a mix of simplicity and complexity that drives players through its levels. While some players appreciate the character interactions and the replayability that offers different story paths, others find the narrative repetitive or lacking in depth compared to its predecessor. Overall, the storytelling is considered a strong aspect, with heartfelt moments and a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic titles, though opinions vary on its execution and originality.

    • “The game looks beautiful, with many compelling characters, along with a decent storyline.”
    • “The story is simple enough to justify fighting through eight stages full of demons and treacherous pitfalls, but there are some twists and turns that add some extra meat to the plot.”
    • “The devs care just as much as the fans do about the story and the little details all throughout, which is truly a rarity nowadays.”
    • “The messenger's story made me not want to play.”
    • “Finally, the story is also lacking; as there aren't any neat twists or good explanations for the alternate options on a subsequent go-through.”
    • “The story of ROTN is totally forgettable.”
  • replayability43 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability, with multiple routes, characters, and endings that encourage players to explore different strategies and experiences. Many reviewers highlight the variety of gameplay modes and the ability to replay levels with different character combinations, enhancing the overall value. While some note a degree of repetitiveness, the overall consensus is that the game offers substantial content and replay value, especially for fans of retro platformers.

    • “Tons of fun, an awesome sequel with hours of gameplay and lots of replay value.”
    • “The multiple routes provide a lot of replayability.”
    • “Amazing game, if you have any nostalgia for the original Castlevania games, this is like a perfect refashioning of the mechanics of Castlevania 1 and 3 with tons of replayability and challenge.”
    • “Overall a more polished game with a lot of replayability; if you liked the first one, then get it for sure. If not, then I wouldn't recommend it since it's essentially the same game at its core.”
    • “I'd say the biggest downside to this game is the 'replayability factor.' To get the most out of the game (including achievements), I believe you need to play it at least 6 times through.”
    • “While the first game had replay value by giving you multiple pathways to choose from and explore for each stage, the second game’s level design took that away.”
  • graphics42 mentions

    The graphics of "Curse of the Moon 2" are praised for their vibrant 8-bit aesthetic, reminiscent of classic titles like Castlevania and Shovel Knight, featuring detailed pixel art and smooth animations. While some reviewers feel the visuals could have been more ambitious, the overall design successfully captures a nostalgic retro vibe, complemented by atmospheric environments and engaging character designs. The game's graphics are considered a highlight, appealing particularly to fans of pixel art and classic gaming aesthetics.

    • “The visuals use the same 'juiced up 8-bit aesthetic' as Shovel Knight, which resembles the NES but with much higher color depth and more judicious use of parallax scrolling.”
    • “The game has some really beautiful environments and the graphics are really well designed and laid out, serving as a perfect homage to the classic Castlevania games.”
    • “In fact, despite stiff competition, I think this game has the best 8-bit inspired graphics out there.”
    • “Indeed, it does feel like the game could've been a little more ambitious, either in changing up its design or upgrading its aesthetics to 16-bit level.”
    • “The monster designs and aesthetic remain terrible because the original Castlevania stole every single cool movie monster aesthetic.”
    • “I knew it would be 8-bit pixel aesthetic, but they did advertise modern playability, which I really don't think this game qualifies as.”
  • optimization14 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with initial reports of significant stuttering and performance issues, particularly on older systems. However, the recent update (1.1.1) has addressed many of these concerns, notably fixing the stuttering problem for most players, although some minor issues, like crashes when switching to fullscreen, still persist. Users recommend further optimization for a smoother experience, especially on lower-end hardware.

    • “As of update 1.1.1, I had no stuttering or other technical issues on my laptop at all, so most people should be fine.”
    • “The optimization in this game has significantly improved, making for a smoother experience overall.”
    • “The controls and optimization in this game are much better than in previous versions.”
    • “The game is poorly optimized; I mean, it's a retro game, and it should run well on old/weak/potato systems, but somehow my old Radeon HD 6970 with my old Athlon II X3 of 3.3GHz struggles and lags in some levels.”
    • “The game is micro-stuttering every 3 seconds from 60fps to around 54-56fps when the game window is focused, making it incredibly frustrating to play or even look at.”
    • “Update: the stuttering was quickly patched, but the crash when switching to full screen still exists.”
  • stability8 mentions

    The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous users reporting persistent glitches and bugs that significantly impact gameplay. Issues such as unresponsive controls, screen glitches, and problems with minimizing the game have led some players to feel frustrated and ultimately seek refunds. While some acknowledge that these issues don't completely ruin the experience, the overall consensus is that the game suffers from a lack of polish and stability.

    • “The game itself is fine, but omg with this version, it has so many glitches I don't know how they never fixed them.”
    • “Great follow-up and I was very excited for it, but the glitches surrounding the output resolution are a definite problem.”
    • “The game claims it does, but it's glitchy and buggy and hasn't been fixed, so I refunded it after fiddling around with it for 7 minutes.”
  • humor8 mentions

    The game's humor is characterized by a blend of tongue-in-cheek moments and absurdity, particularly highlighted in mid-level cutscenes and amusing death animations. Players find the dialogue, especially exchanges between characters like Zangetsu and Robert, genuinely hilarious, while the overall playful spirit effectively contrasts with the game's darker themes. The humor enhances the experience, making even repetitive gameplay enjoyable through its quirky interactions and comedic scenarios.

    • “The mid-level cutscenes that show the troupe hanging out around a campfire are always amusing, and the death animation where Hachi leaps out of his mecha before it explodes will never not be funny.”
    • “Yeah, it's obvious Inti Creates and IGA had fun here, combining the grim-dark-goth-fantasy tone the game has overall with some tongue-in-cheek humor.”
    • “When you reach that point, some of the dialogue gets genuinely hilarious, most notably the exchange between Zangetsu and Robert, who go full himbo and try to figure out how to light a campfire in their final destination, which features a total lack of oxygen.”
    • “Do you crave tons of random, unfunny junk?”
  • grinding7 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a double-edged sword; while there are numerous upgrades to pursue, the repetitive and tedious nature of farming for resources and replaying levels detracts from the overall experience. Many reviewers express frustration with the slow pace and lack of engagement in certain levels and boss fights, making the grinding feel more like a chore than an enjoyable challenge. Overall, the grinding can overshadow the game's potential, leading to a less satisfying experience for those who appreciate difficulty without the burden of excessive repetition.

    • “This is a problem when you enjoy the difficulty but don't have the time to spare going back over and over through slow, tedious levels.”
    • “That's good and bad - there's a ton of upgrades to be gotten, but when the game really opens up, it can be tedious to go hunting for upgrades you missed.”
    • “The first boss had one attack, and a level/platform structure that was tedious and involved zero engagement for the player.”
  • character development4 mentions

    The game features a blend of goofy and heartfelt storytelling, with character development effectively conveyed through campfire scenes that allow characters to relax and reflect without dialogue. The well-crafted character interactions, particularly for Zangetsu and Robert, enhance the overall depth and engagement of the characters.

    • “I love the goofy, over-the-top feeling of the story, but the game’s narrative also has a lot of heartfelt moments and character development.”
    • “My favorite part is after beating a level, where the characters sit around a campfire. They relax, goof off, or reflect on things, which greatly enhances character development without the need for words.”
    • “The character dialogue in the game is excellent and provides significant development for characters like Zangetsu and others, with Robert having the best character development.”
  • emotional3 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by significant character development and heartfelt moments, particularly from episode 2 onward, where a character confronts their biases and experiences a poignant breakdown, leading to unexpected comfort from another character. While the story maintains a goofy and over-the-top tone, it effectively balances humor with genuine emotional depth.

    • “This is especially heartwarming from episode 2 onward, where one character realizes their biases against two others were completely unfair, to the point where they break down from the event and are soon comforted by the other member whom they viewed so dispassionately previously.”
    • “I love the goofy over-the-top feeling of the story, but the game’s story also has a lot of heartfelt moments and character development.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, featuring excellent music and engaging stage aesthetics that match the quality of its predecessor. Players appreciate the animated stage transitions and the unique experience of controlling a corgi in a magical suit of armor, contributing to an immersive and enjoyable environment.

    • “The atmosphere is great, the music is great, the controls are great, and you get to play as a corgi who controls a magical suit of armor.”
    • “The stage aesthetics are as atmospheric and as good as the first game, and I liked how the stage transition scenes are animated in this game.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization model is praised for being fair and transparent, avoiding exploitative practices like pay-to-win mechanics or excessive microtransactions.

    • “The monetization model feels exploitative, pushing players to spend more than they should just to enjoy the game.”
    • “It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, making it hard to fully experience the game without spending extra money.”
    • “The constant prompts to purchase in-game currency detract from the overall enjoyment and immersion of the game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

79% average critic score

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Play time

3hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
2-11hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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