Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night (Castle Game)

 

Oh damn it’s some Metroid Castlevania shoite, which hardcore gamers like to refer to as “Metroidvania” because we need new words for everything instead of just calling it by its damn title Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night. It does give you some indication of what to expect, but probably not as good as just saying “oh damn,” or “castle game.” This is that, okay? The creator, Koji Igarashi, who was a lead for Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, said very clearly this sumptuous, medieval beast is a spiritual successor and the guy’s made like a million Castlevania games so I get it, Metroidvania. Whatever, listen, the play’s smooth, it looks and sounds beautiful, and I rarely review games with such massive press because they rarely deserve it. Here it’s not just because I want to relive my glory days of playing the original Castlevania at sleepovers. Those days are gone, in with the future, or rather, the stuff that always works. This is just a damn fine castle game.

     

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night plays like all those games with castles, in fact in it there’s a giant castle of evil to adventure through, summoned by a friend whose also evil. Alright so what? The key essence lies in what are called “shards,” your main character Miriam being a “shardbinder;” a super-weapon created by alchemists who can tap into the powers of creatures she kills. Shards can be upgraded and combined in a variety of ways to create some interesting builds, and of course you can change your look just because and do your hair all pigtails and shit died blue. If any complaint can be had it’s that Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night may be too easy for hardcore players and the enemies are, at times, more quirky than serious. But, with the great story, cast of characters, secrets, some decent challenges, and some freaking awesome bosses, it doesn’t matter. I took my time getting this review out because I wanted to nearly complete it and for the past several months of play, nearly every evening, and at almost 80% completion, I have yet to tire. Best castle game I’ve played, I can official forget about that retro crap forever.

 

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night Official Steam Page

Written by Stanley, Devourer of Souls

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
ArtPlay (developer), 505 Games (publisher)
4.5 / 5