Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
" Engaging action-adventure RPG with deep customization and exploration but clunky controls "
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night Review
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is a modern Metroidvania crafted by Koji Igarashi, often hailed as a spiritual successor to Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. The game offers a vast castle to explore, a deep RPG-style character customization via the shard system, and a variety of weapons and abilities that cater to different playstyles. Fans of the genre appreciate its homage to classic Castlevania titles, along with Michiru Yamane's memorable soundtrack that enhances the gothic atmosphere.
However, some players find the controls clunky and combat less fluid compared to newer titles. The dodge mechanic is limited to backstepping, which feels outdated for many. Additionally, difficulty spikes lead to grinding that some consider tedious, and the second half of the game suffers from repetitive level design. Despite these issues, the game is praised for its large content offering, replay value through multiple modes, and faithful genre experience. Overall, Bloodstained is recommended for Metroidvania enthusiasts and Castlevania fans seeking a fresh yet familiar adventure.
Highlights
Players praise the game's rich gameplay mechanics, especially the flexible shard system allowing diverse character builds.
The graphics, while not sprite-based, are appreciated for detailed backgrounds and atmospheric environments.
The storyline is simple but effective, fitting well within the gothic Metroidvania theme.
The soundtrack by Michiru Yamane receives high acclaim for its quality and mood-setting.
Multiple game modes and replayability add to the value and enjoyment.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include clunky and unresponsive controls, particularly during jumps and boss fights.
The dodge system is limited and feels outdated compared to modern standards.
Some bosses have unfair or poorly telegraphed attacks, leading to frustration.
The game requires significant grinding to overcome difficulty spikes, which can diminish fun.
Later areas suffer from repetitive environments and less engaging level design.
Pros
- • Deep and flexible shard system enhances character customization and combat variety.
- • Large, explorable castle with rewarding secrets and progression.
- • Rich homage to classic Castlevania games, especially Symphony of the Night.
- • Memorable and atmospheric soundtrack by Michiru Yamane.
- • Multiple game modes and playable characters increase replay value.
- • Engaging RPG elements layered on a Metroidvania platformer.
- • Smooth controls after initial learning curve for many players.
Cons
- • Clunky and occasionally unresponsive controls frustrate some players.
- • Limited dodge mechanic (backstep only) feels outdated.
- • Grinding required to overcome difficulty spikes can be tedious.
- • Certain bosses have unfair attack patterns and poor animation cues.
- • Repetitive level design in later parts reduces engagement.
- • Art style and character animations sometimes don’t blend well with backgrounds.
- • Story and dialogue are simple and not very standout.
Rating Criteria
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is an exploration-focused, side-scroller action RPG by Koji Igarashi. Play as Miriam, an orphan scarred by an alchemist's curse that slowly crystallizes her body. Battle through a demon-infested castle and defeat its master to save yourself, and all of humanity!