Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night

93%
Game Brain Score Based on 15,372 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • music
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night Game Cover
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.
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"Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night" is a gothic horror action RPG set in 19th century England, where a demon-infested castle has appeared due to a paranormal force. As Miriam, a cursed orphan with crystallized body, players must fight through the castle, defeat the summoner Gebel, and save humanity. Collect and craft various weapons, equipment, and loot to defeat numerous minions and bosses of hell.

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Reviews

93%
Audience ScoreBased on 15,372 reviews
gameplay959 positive mentions
grinding896 negative mentions
  • gameplay2,537 mentions

    The gameplay of "Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night" has been widely praised for its blend of classic and modern mechanics, drawing heavily from the "Castlevania" series, particularly "Symphony of the Night." Players appreciate the variety of spells and items, responsive controls, and the engaging shard system that allows for diverse playstyles. However, some critiques highlight issues with clunky mechanics, outdated design choices, and a lack of innovation compared to newer titles in the genre, leading to a mixed reception regarding its overall pacing and challenge.

    • “The gameplay is top-notch, with responsive controls that feel great in action.”
    • “The ornate gothic aesthetic, the iconic character designs, the outstanding soundtrack composed by Michiru Yamane, the addictive movement mechanics, the head-spinning variety of weapons and spells to collect, the gigantic castle to explore, and the cute little easter eggs and fun details dotted around the map all come together to make this game an absolute joy to play.”
    • “In the end, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is a solid, enjoyable experience that honors its metroidvania roots while offering fresh gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay just didn't hit very well, unfortunately.”
    • “It's like the devs wanted to make movement as slow as possible in order to waste the player's time, likely to extend the gameplay time and thus give the illusion of 'content'.”
    • “The controls feel unresponsive, the gameplay is slow, some trash mobs take half a dozen hits to kill, absolutely killing any sort of pacing for exploration, and I had to go through the same hallway a dozen times without making progress.”
  • story2,113 mentions

    The story of "Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it to be a predictable and linear narrative that lacks depth and originality. While some appreciate the nostalgic elements reminiscent of classic Castlevania titles, others criticize the dialogue and character development as clichéd and uninspired. Overall, the story serves as a backdrop to the gameplay, which is often highlighted as the main draw of the game, with players enjoying the exploration and combat more than the plot itself.

    • “The story is interesting enough to move along the game, though somewhat predictable.”
    • “The story is engaging and has some nice twists, keeping you intrigued and wanting to know more about it.”
    • “The story is decent, not as deep as you might expect from a full RPG experience, but with a few twists and turns.”
    • “The story itself is fairly linear, and the animations, unfortunately, leave something to be desired.”
    • “A mediocre, tropey story gives a half-hearted context for clunky combat, hideous graphics, and monotonous level design.”
    • “The plot is barebones and by-the-numbers, there's a farming system that never goes anywhere or develops past the (basically irrelevant) 3 seeds you can buy to grow food.”
  • music1,958 mentions

    The music in "Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its quality and composition by Michiru Yamane, known for her work on the Castlevania series. While some tracks are described as memorable and fitting for the game's atmosphere, others feel less impactful compared to the iconic soundtracks of previous titles, leading to a perception of the music as occasionally generic or forgettable. Overall, the soundtrack is generally regarded as a strong aspect of the game, enhancing the experience despite some criticisms regarding its memorability and variety.

    • “The music is amazing and complements each map in a beautifully synergistic manner.”
    • “The soundtrack is fantastic and is very reminiscent of 'Castlevania: Symphony of the Night', in a more modern sense.”
    • “The music, visuals, and overall aesthetics are beyond brilliant.”
    • “The music is forgettable and doesn't contribute much to the mood or enjoyment.”
    • “Uninspired, generic soundtracks that just serve as background noise.”
    • “The music is bland and forgettable; the plot is laughably cliched and predictable.”
  • graphics1,841 mentions

    The graphics of "Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night" have garnered mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the vibrant art style and modern 2.5D visuals that evoke nostalgia for classic Castlevania titles. However, some critics point out inconsistencies in quality, with certain areas and character models appearing less polished, leading to a perception of the graphics as dated or amateurish. Overall, while the visuals are generally considered beautiful and atmospheric, they may not meet the high standards set by contemporary games, leaving room for improvement in future updates or sequels.

    • “The graphics and art style are exceptionally polished, contributing to an immersive gaming experience.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, the music is fantastic, and the gameplay is phenomenal.”
    • “The visuals are jaw-dropping, and the story is engaging.”
    • “A mediocre, tropey story gives a half-hearted context for clunky combat, hideous graphics, anime boobs, and monotonous level design.”
    • “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.”
    • “The graphics are awful.”
  • grinding909 mentions

    The grinding aspect of "Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night" has received mixed reviews from players. Many appreciate the engaging mechanics of farming for shards and crafting materials, which can enhance gameplay and provide a sense of progression, while others find the grinding tedious and excessive, particularly when it comes to low drop rates and the need for repetitive farming to achieve 100% completion. Overall, the game offers a blend of enjoyable grinding for those who relish it, but it may feel overwhelming and monotonous for players who prefer a more streamlined experience.

    • “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 on the map since you might miss some rooms, and it's a real eye strain to look for it in tiny detail.”
    • “Not too grindy and not too lengthy... perfect length to enjoy it.”
    • “Pros: ton of spells and interesting shard system for leveling them up, large map to explore, progression isn't grindy.”
    • “The farming for shards or items or materials is more frustrating than rewarding.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
  • replayability304 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability, with multiple playable characters, a built-in randomizer mode, and various extra game modes that keep the experience fresh and engaging. Players appreciate the diverse builds and customization options, which encourage exploration and experimentation long after completing the main story. However, some reviewers note that certain extra modes may lack depth, potentially diminishing replay value for some players.

    • “These updates encourage players to return long after they’ve finished the main story, keeping the game fresh and replayable over time.”
    • “The game has its flaws, but at its core it's a solid experience with a good deal of built-in replayability.”
    • “With a beautiful art style and satisfying gameplay, you will not get bored, and to help in replayability, there are some other characters that change the playstyle of the game and game modes for you to have fun.”
    • “I feel that the replay value is weak, though, even with alternate characters and a built-in randomizer.”
    • “The game simply has no replay value.”
    • “Overall, I'd recommend getting the game only during a sale; there isn't much replay value for me.”
  • stability243 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting a range of bugs and glitches, including frequent freezes, crashes, and minor graphical issues. While some users have noted that the game runs smoothly on certain platforms, others have experienced significant performance problems, particularly on consoles. Overall, while the game is enjoyable, it is marred by stability issues that detract from the experience, leading to a recommendation for potential players to wait for patches before purchasing.

    • “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!”
    • “The game runs great for me at 1440p, mostly staying at around 144 fps and never hitting below 120 fps on epic quality.”
    • “Ritual of the Night is buggy and is optimized shockingly poorly for modern hardware.”
    • “This game is extremely buggy, to the point that it sometimes feels unplayable.”
    • “The game freezes often and completely locks up the computer to the point that I just have to restart.”
  • optimization151 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its performance on PC and Steam Deck, achieving high frame rates and smooth gameplay. However, many users reported significant performance issues, particularly on the Nintendo Switch, where the game struggled with bugs and frame rate drops. While patches have improved the situation, several players still find the overall optimization lacking, especially in certain areas and during intense gameplay moments.

    • “The game is very well optimized on Steam Deck; I was able to achieve 90fps on my OLED model just tinkering with the game's settings.”
    • “Game is very well optimized and load times are fast, with no input lag or performance drop, even when the visual effects get heavy.”
    • “The optimization is really well done too; the game runs at a consistent, buttery-smooth framerate, and only drops slightly (around 5-8fps) during a late-game boss fight.”
    • “Ritual of the Night is buggy and is optimized shockingly poorly for modern hardware.”
    • “Overall performance is terrible even on the lowest settings and is unplayable in fullscreen borderless mode.”
    • “The optimization is probably the biggest flaw, but it truly undeniably earns its title of Symphony of the Night's spiritual successor.”
  • atmosphere147 mentions

    The atmosphere of "Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night" is widely praised for its rich gothic setting, detailed environments, and immersive soundtracks that evoke nostalgia for classic titles like "Castlevania: Symphony of the Night." While many reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a captivating and varied atmosphere, some express disappointment with certain graphical elements and the overall cohesion of the sound design. Overall, the game successfully combines engaging gameplay with a strong atmospheric presence, making it a standout in the metroidvania genre.

    • “The atmosphere fits the game’s gothic setting perfectly, with environments that are both richly detailed and immersive.”
    • “Crafted by Koji Igarashi and his team, this game stands as a testament to the timeless appeal of intricate exploration, engaging combat, and a rich, darkly atmospheric world.”
    • “Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is a macabre gothic metroidvania that truly immerses you in its atmosphere, attention to detail, and addictive gameplay.”
    • “It lacks the detail and quality lighting to really sell the atmosphere.”
    • “I can't help it, but it feels like a fan project without proper art direction to give it a distinct style and atmosphere.”
    • “The bad news is that the art style choice, the overall atmosphere design is honestly ugly to look at most of the time.”
  • humor92 mentions

    The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players praising its cheesy voice acting, quirky enemy designs, and amusing gameplay mechanics that often blend serious themes with lighthearted moments. Many found the dialogue and character interactions to be intentionally funny, contributing to an overall enjoyable experience that doesn't take itself too seriously. The game is filled with humorous easter eggs, silly outfits, and absurd scenarios that keep players entertained throughout their adventure.

    • “The voice acting is hilariously bad, featuring American voice actors stumbling through amateurish and inconsistent English accents to sound vaguely flush with the fantasy.”
    • “The map feels way too big for its own good and the story is kind of a big nothing sandwich, but it's fine, and most of the actual moment-to-moment writing is funny enough to keep you entertained along the way.”
    • “It's time to kick ass and wear funny hats, and I'm all out of ass.”
  • character development77 mentions

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a lack of depth and evolution for the protagonist, Miriam, despite her appealing design. While some appreciate the unique and visually striking character designs, others criticize them as uninspired or overly derivative, suggesting that the focus on aesthetics detracts from meaningful character growth and storytelling. Overall, the game excels in visual presentation but falls short in delivering a compelling narrative and character progression.

    • “Challenging levels, memorable design, and deep character development make this game a true gem.”
    • “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.”
    • “Nothing gave a positive feedback of character development other than increasing my HP and MP pools.”
    • “The protagonist doesn't evolve; there's literally zero character development on her part throughout the whole game.”
    • “Only gripe I really have is with the music and the main character design.”
  • emotional65 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night" is characterized by a nostalgic connection to classic Castlevania games, evoking feelings of warmth and fond memories for many players. While the game features a heartfelt story and an immersive soundtrack that enhances emotional moments, some players found the narrative lacking depth and criticized gameplay mechanics that detracted from the overall experience. Overall, it successfully resonates with fans of the genre, making them feel like children rediscovering a beloved classic.

    • “Composed by Michiru Yamane, whose work graced earlier Castlevania titles, the music sets the mood perfectly for each location and situation, enhancing the immersion and emotional impact of the game.”
    • “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.”
    • “This is a wholesome Metroidvania / Igavania experience.”
    • “A solid metroidvania with a somewhat boring story.”
    • “Looks ugly, boring story (I skipped every dialogue and cutscene) and the first hour is weak but it's a fine game whether you like the genre or have never played any metroidvania.”
  • monetization18 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players expressing frustration over in-game advertisements and perceived cash grabs, particularly regarding additional paid content like bosses and weapons. However, many appreciate the absence of microtransactions, highlighting a nostalgic return to a time when games were sold without the burden of in-game purchases. Overall, while some criticize the monetization strategies, others value the lack of microtransactions as a positive feature.

    • “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.”
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Critic Reviews

82% average critic score

Buy Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night

Play time

23hMedian play time
33hAverage play time
14hMain story
35hCompletionist
10-46hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 81 analyzed playthroughs

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