Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is everything that was great about Igarashi’s Metroidvania titles all rolled into one, and feels like it will be as timeless a game as Symphony of the Night.

Starting at $2.45Buy now

Get on Steam

Get on Xbox Games Store

Get on PS Store

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is a Metroidvania-style action RPG, where you play as Miriam, a crystallized orphan fighting her way through a demon-infested castle to save humanity. The game features 13 free DLCs, with additional modes like Speed Run and Boss Rush available at launch, alongside a rich gothic dark fantasy story with full voice acting.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

88%

Audience ScoreBased on 10,258 reviews

gameplay630 positive mentions

grinding577 negative mentions

gameplay
1,595 mentions
39 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night" has been widely praised for its nostalgic homage to classic Castlevania titles, particularly "Symphony of the Night," while incorporating new mechanics like the shard system for absorbing enemy abilities. Players appreciate the fluid controls, diverse weapon options, and rewarding exploration, although some criticize the clunky movement and outdated mechanics that can detract from the experience. Overall, the game offers a satisfying blend of old-school charm and modern gameplay elements, making it a solid choice for fans of the genre.
- “The original design talent behind Castlevania: Symphony of the Night returns with the only true spiritual successor to the 2D Castlevania lineage with new and revisited gameplay mechanics any 'vania fan will enjoy.”
- “The gameplay is fun and swift, exploration and combat is enjoyable.”
- “The gameplay, music, and visuals all help to build an experience that manages to capture the feel of games like Symphony of the Night, Aria of Sorrow, and Order of Ecclesia.”
- “The gameplay and physical mechanics are frustrating.”
- “The jump mechanics lack the kind of crispness that even the most basic platformers have, often resulting in not quite getting the platform.”
- “The gameplay is a mix between symphony, dawn and mostly ecclesia.”
story
1,333 mentions
26 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The story of "Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it decent but not particularly memorable. While some appreciate its engaging elements and satisfying conclusion, others criticize it for being predictable, cliché, and at times, poorly executed with repetitive dialogue and weak character development. Overall, the narrative serves its purpose in supporting the gameplay, but it lacks the depth and originality that fans of the genre might hope for.
- “The story is decent enough and skill system itself is nice but there's a bit of grinding to stay up to pace with everything.”
- “The story is interesting and there are so many play style options to match whatever type of gamer you are.”
- “The story is engaging, and it looks really nice.”
- “The story lacks interest.”
- “You know the vibe: exposition waterboarding, weird hair, costume, and weapons designs, special attacks with obtuse names, a melodramatic story that kinda just fails to capture your empathy because the characters are written so poorly.”
- “The story is predictable and waxes high on implications served through the occasional bookcase littered throughout the castle.”
music
1,289 mentions
57 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The music in "Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night" has received a mixed reception, with many praising its nostalgic ties to the classic Castlevania soundtracks, particularly those composed by Michiru Yamane. While some tracks are celebrated for their atmospheric quality and ability to enhance gameplay, others are criticized for being less memorable compared to iconic pieces from previous titles. Overall, the soundtrack is generally regarded as solid, though it may not reach the heights of its predecessors, leaving some fans wanting more variety and distinctiveness.
- “The music is absolutely fantastic that it gives you goosebumps and that nostalgic feeling, thanks to legendary composer, michiru yamane.”
- “The soundtrack is a joy to listen to and really captures that symphony of the night feel.”
- “The music, the gameplay, the visuals, design and mechanics feel so nostalgic, at times I shed tears of happiness.”
- “The music is annoying and repetitive.”
- “The music, on the other hand, is nothing to write home about, and that's a shame, because Castlevania games boast some memorable tunes with impeccable atmosphere.”
- “The music is also not memorable at all.”
graphics
1,148 mentions
45 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night" have received mixed reviews, with some praising the vibrant and unique art style that evokes a gothic atmosphere, while others criticize it for being inconsistent and unpolished. Many players appreciate the modern 3D visuals and the nostalgic nods to classic Castlevania aesthetics, but some feel that the graphics lack the charm of traditional pixel art and suffer from technical issues. Overall, while the visuals are often described as beautiful and engaging, they can also be polarizing, with opinions varying widely among players.
- “The graphics are beautiful and the gameplay is faithful to Castlevania.”
- “The graphics are stunning, with a gothic look and touches of color.”
- “The visuals are jaw-dropping, and the story is engaging.”
- “The graphics are awful.”
- “The graphics are a stain on my eyes.”
- “The graphics, even after the update, were barely 3rd rate; even older DS games had better visuals than this, the art direction and the 3D models seemed like a cheap game.”
grinding
583 mentions
1 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
99 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that it can be tedious and time-consuming, particularly due to low drop rates for crafting materials and shards. While some enjoy the grind as a core part of the metroidvania experience, finding satisfaction in farming for upgrades and exploring, others feel it detracts from the overall enjoyment, making the gameplay feel repetitive and drawn out. Overall, players suggest that while grinding is integral to the game, it can become overwhelming, especially for completionists aiming for 100%.
- “Game isn't really grindy either as you can finish the story rather quickly, but going for the achievements takes time, especially if you're aiming for 100 percent completion on the map since you might miss some rooms, and it's a real eye strain to look for them in tiny detail.”
- “It's gorgeous, fun, and not too tedious or difficult.”
- “Not too grindy and not too lengthy... perfect length to enjoy it.”
- “The game expects a lot of grinding, which feels inflated due to low drop rates and high item costs, but the payoff isn't really worth it.”
- “This tends to turn the game into a boring and needless slog farming enemies for drops.”
- “The crafting system necessitates grinding to accumulate vast amounts of materials, I actually found this most punishing with respect to healing potions, where the ingredients for basic potions get rarer the further you get into the game.”
replayability
199 mentions
39 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The game boasts exceptional replayability, with numerous characters, difficulty levels, and modes such as a randomizer and boss rush, providing players with hours of engaging content. Players appreciate the variety in gameplay styles, customization options, and the ongoing support with new content that enhances replay value. While some reviewers noted a lack of replayability for certain players, the overall consensus highlights a rich experience that encourages multiple playthroughs.
- “You can also play as additional characters in the game, bringing more gameplay features and replay value to the game.”
- “From different 'bad' endings forcing you to explore the game further in order to obtain the true ending to various shards/weapons to customize your own metroidvania style of play, Bloodstained has all that and more, all packed into a 20-hour game that can be boosted beyond 100+ with various game modes and replayability.”
- “The replayability is insane with so much to find and near endless ways to play and build your character.”
- “Overall, I'd recommend getting the game only during a sale; there isn't much replay value for me.”
- “Amazing game, but replayability is pretty much nonexistent.”
- “I feel that the replay value is weak, though, even with alternate characters and a built-in randomizer.”
stability
147 mentions
12 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
88 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many players reporting a generally smooth experience but also encountering various minor glitches and occasional freezes. While some users experienced significant issues, such as game crashes and audio problems, others noted that these did not severely impact gameplay. Overall, the game is considered playable, but it could benefit from further optimization and bug fixes.
- “The technical execution is very solid, it's basically bug free and runs smooth.”
- “No flaws, no glitches; the game runs at a smooth 60fps. It's perfect, love it, worth the wait!”
- “Fantastic game that runs great on PC and is very reminiscent of classic metroidvania games.”
- “The game freezes after the cutscene after defeating the 1st boss on Steam Deck.”
- “A game that freezes this badly is a game that can't be recommended.”
- “The game just freezes when it feels like it (usually after about 10 minutes of play), and you have to kill the process and start back from your last save.”
optimization
97 mentions
26 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
The game's optimization varies significantly across platforms, with the Steam Deck version receiving praise for smooth performance and high frame rates, while the Nintendo Switch version suffers from severe load times, stuttering, and input lag. Many players report that while the PC version can run well on higher settings, it still experiences occasional performance dips and bugs, indicating that overall optimization remains a mixed bag, with some areas needing improvement.
- “Game is very well optimized on Steam Deck; I was able to achieve 90fps on my OLED model just by tinkering with the game's settings.”
- “The game is incredibly well optimized despite these reports.”
- “Game looks good and performance is great.”
- “The game is terribly optimized.”
- “A poorly optimized build will hurt you more early in the game when you have the least experience to figure out a better way.”
- “At the time of writing, there are some annoying glitches and performance issues in the game, including a pause menu softlock that requires you to restart the application.”
atmosphere
86 mentions
58 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its rich, gothic design and immersive soundtracks that evoke a nostalgic Castlevania feel. While many reviewers highlight the striking visuals and unique environments that contribute to a captivating experience, some note inconsistencies in music quality and certain comedic elements that may detract from the overall tone. Overall, the game successfully blends atmospheric storytelling with engaging gameplay, making it a standout in the metroidvania genre.
- “Its striking visuals and zestful soundtrack create a splendent atmosphere that captivates and delights.”
- “The atmosphere created in each title was well-crafted; nigh irreplicable.”
- “Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is a macabre gothic metroidvania that truly immerses you in its atmosphere, attention to detail, and addictive gameplay.”
- “Hundreds of ways to play, dozens of pretty areas to explore, plenty of bosses and challenges to uncover - I just don't think it nails it in the atmosphere department when it comes to music and boss design.”
- “The atmosphere is different though; forget darkness, gothic environment, and even the soundtrack despite being by Michiru Yamane, the same person behind the OST for Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, is not as iconic and memorable as its predecessor.”
- “Music, action, and atmosphere are all subpar.”
humor
62 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its blend of absurdity and charm, with players enjoying the juxtaposition of serious themes and comically designed enemies, such as a talking sword and a barber. Many found the voice acting and quirky dialogue to be entertaining, contributing to a lighthearted atmosphere that enhances the overall experience. The game successfully incorporates humorous elements, from silly character designs to cheeky flavor text, making it a fun and memorable adventure.
- “The later makes it that the game feels ambiguous between a meme game or a serious game (example: wonderful background and dark atmosphere... and then an enemy is a freaking funny barber with a ridiculous voice?! or a self-moving sword with a manly voice?!).”
- “It's time to kick ass and wear funny hats, and I'm all out of ass.”
- “The humor in the design just shows how enjoyable production on it must have been.”
character development
51 mentions
49 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
16 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising the depth and evolution of characters, particularly in relation to the story and gameplay, while others criticize the lack of growth and insipid storytelling. Many reviewers noted that while character designs are visually appealing, they often lack substance and meaningful development, leading to a disconnect between the aesthetic and narrative elements. Overall, the game excels in artistic design but falls short in delivering compelling character arcs.
- “What made the game rewarding to play was the structure of character development and the scale/potential for growth based on your individual commitment level.”
- “The game design is beautiful, the world created is brilliant, the character development is great; however, the highlight of the metroidvania games for me (the bosses) were not finished coding before the release.”
- “Challenging levels, memorable design, and deep character development make this game a true gem.”
- “Zero character development anywhere in the game.”
- “The protagonist doesn't evolve; there's literally zero character development on her part throughout the whole game.”
- “Also, don't expect any mind-blowing surprises from the story or character development.”
emotional
47 mentions
96 % positive mentions
2 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag; while many players found it nostalgic and heartwarming, evoking feelings reminiscent of classic titles like Castlevania, others criticized its lack of depth and character tension. Some moments were described as touching, but the overall narrative was seen as simplistic and occasionally disconnected, leading to frustration rather than emotional engagement. The soundtrack and gameplay contributed positively to the emotional experience, but technical issues and gameplay mechanics detracted from the intended emotional impact for some players.
- “Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is a heartwarming tale about how even a woman who spent ten years in a coma can get up and be in better shape than you are.”
- “The soundtrack has happy little tunes to let you know you're in a safe area, emotional scores for those moments to reflect on the world you're in and the actions you've taken, and fast-paced tracks that let you know you're in for a fight.”
- “It's a heartfelt, authentic, beautiful Metroidvania game, and I am so very happy with it.”
- “A solid metroidvania with a somewhat boring story.”
monetization
13 mentions
23 % positive mentions
46 % neutral mentions
31 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of "Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night" is generally viewed positively, as players appreciate the absence of microtransactions, loot boxes, and pay-locked content, which contrasts sharply with many contemporary titles. However, some users criticize the inclusion of additional paid content, such as a $10 boss and weapon, labeling it a cash grab. Overall, the game is praised for allowing players to enjoy a complete experience without the worry of in-game purchases.
- “This game is truly the spiritual successor to Symphony of the Night and it does everything it needs to in that respect. In fact, it goes a little further in terms of just how many weapons, special moves, and cosmetics you can collect without spending a penny on microtransactions.”
- “A great game for people that miss games that don't advertise in-game purchases and that deliver strategic action.”
- “Such a welcome change from most games today that are riddled with bugs or microtransactions.”
- “This is a total cash grab and ruins the reputation of the previous games.”
- “Pay-locked content, loot boxes, microtransactions, and outright gambling in some cases.”
- “I can't recommend supporting the current $10 boss + weapon cash grab unless a steam sale makes it more reasonable.”