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Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon similar games & best alternatives

Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon

PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo Switch • 2018

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Quick resume

Battle with swords and whips in this retro-style action game brought to you by game creator Koji Igarashi and Inti Creates! Play as Zangetsu, a demon slayer bearing a deep grudge, who must travel through perilous lands to defeat a powerful demon lurking in a dark castle.

Global score

94/100

Genres

Action, Indie, Platform, Hack and slash/Beat 'em up

Similar games

    Pros

    • Faithful retro castlevania-style gameplay
    • Multiple characters and branching paths
    • Challenging but fair difficulty
    • Great music and visuals
    • High replay value with multiple endings

    Cons

    • Short main campaign
    • Some stiff controls and jump mechanics
    • Lack of modern customization options
    • No multiplayer or social features
    • Some frustrating sections and boss fights

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Relaxation, Survival, Violence, Fellowship. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Expression, Thrill, Status.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      4

      "Players can choose to recruit, ignore, or kill allies, affecting routes, playstyle, and endings; character switching on the fly allows control over actions."

    • Competence
      3

      "Game offers a fair challenge with skill-based platforming and boss fights; multiple difficulties including casual and veteran modes."

    • Competition
      -4

      "Focus is on personal progression and exploration; no mention of ranked or competitive multiplayer features."

    • Continuation
      3

      "Multiple endings, alternate modes, and replayability encourage repeated playthroughs despite short main campaign."

    • Cooperation
      -3

      "Though multiple characters can be used, gameplay is single-player with no multiplayer or cooperative play."

    • Creativity
      2

      "Players can modify experience by recruiting or killing allies to unlock different abilities and paths, adding creative strategy."

    • Domination
      -5

      "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; gameplay is solo and balanced."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Strong nostalgic and immersive retro experience provides escape into classic gaming fantasy."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and nostalgia; no indication of obligation or pressure."

    • Experimenting
      3

      "Multiple routes, character choices, and modes encourage trying new strategies and playstyles."

    • Exploration
      3

      "Levels contain multiple paths and secrets; players encouraged to explore different routes and endings."

    • Expression
      -3

      "Limited customization beyond character selection and route choices; no avatar personalization or cosmetic modifications."

    • Fantasy
      4

      "Set in a demon-infested world with supernatural characters and abilities, evoking classic gothic fantasy themes."

    • Fellowship
      -4

      "Single-player experience with minimal social interaction or community involvement."

    • Growth
      3

      "Players learn boss patterns, level layouts, and character abilities; multiple playthroughs foster skill improvement."

    • Health
      -5

      "Traditional sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

    • Idle
      -4

      "Requires focused attention and precise inputs; not designed for background or casual intermittent play."

    • Intimacy
      -5

      "No social or emotional relationship building; purely individual gameplay."

    • Leadership
      -5

      "No leadership or group management elements; player controls only themselves."

    • Progression
      3

      "Players accumulate abilities, unlock new characters, and access alternate routes and endings."

    • Relaxation
      -2

      "Game is challenging and can be frustrating; some players find it rewarding but not necessarily relaxing."

    • Sensation
      3

      "Retro visuals and chiptune soundtrack provide engaging sensory experience with nostalgic appeal."

    • Status
      -5

      "No social recognition or ranking systems; achievements are personal."

    • Story
      2

      "Simple narrative with multiple endings and character interactions; story supports gameplay but is minimal."

    • Strategy
      3

      "Requires planning character use, weapon selection, and route choices to overcome challenges."

    • Thrill
      2

      "Some tension from challenging platforming and boss fights, but overall predictable patterns reduce suspense."

    • Value
      4

      "Highly praised for price-to-content ratio, especially given replayability and quality."

    • Violence
      3

      "Combat involves defeating enemies and bosses with weapons and magic; typical action-platformer violence."

    • Survival
      2

      "Players manage health and lives to avoid death; knockback and instant death pits add survival challenge."

    Where to buy

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    Last update: 29/04/2026