Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon similar games & best alternatives
Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon
PC
2018
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.
Pros
- Faithful and polished homage to classic Castlevania games
- Multiple playable characters with unique abilities
- Great music and pixel art
- Multiple endings and branching paths increase replayability
- Balanced difficulty with casual and veteran modes
- Engaging boss fights with strategic depth
Cons
- Short main campaign length
- Some frustrating platforming and knockback mechanics
- Repetitive enemies and some reused assets
- Unskippable cutscenes
- Occasional clunky controls and stiff jumping
- Save system issues reported
Motivations
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Autonomy
"Players can choose to recruit, kill, or ignore allies, affecting gameplay and endings; multiple paths and character switching provide freedom."
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Competence
"Challenging but fair difficulty praised; boss fights require strategy and memorization; multiple difficulties allow skill growth."
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CompetitionInsufficient data
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Continuation
"High replay value due to multiple endings, modes, and branching paths encourages repeated playthroughs."
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Cooperation
"Party system with up to four characters working together; switching characters on the fly is a key mechanic."
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Creativity
"Players experiment with different character abilities and synergies; multiple paths and strategies enhance creativity."
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DominationInsufficient data
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Escapism
"Retro aesthetic and immersive gameplay provide nostalgic escape and stress relief."
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ExpectationInsufficient data
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Experimenting
"Players try different characters, playstyles, and routes; multiple endings encourage experimentation."
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Exploration
"Levels have multiple branching paths and secrets; exploration rewarded with power-ups and alternate routes."
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Expression
"Character choice and ability customization through killing or recruiting allies allows some expression."
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Fantasy
"Strong dark fantasy theme with demons, curses, and gothic settings reminiscent of Castlevania."
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FellowshipInsufficient data
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Growth
"Players develop skills mastering challenging platforming and boss patterns; multiple difficulties support growth."
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HealthInsufficient data
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IdleInsufficient data
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IntimacyInsufficient data
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LeadershipInsufficient data
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Progression
"Power-ups, weapon upgrades, and character abilities gained through gameplay and choices."
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Relaxation
"Some players find the music and retro style relaxing, though difficulty can cause frustration."
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Sensation
"Engaging pixel art, music, and boss designs provide sensory enjoyment."
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StatusInsufficient data
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Story
"Simple narrative with quick dialogue; story praised for fitting the retro style but not a main focus."
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Strategy
"Boss fights and character switching require strategic planning and problem solving."
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Thrill
"Challenging bosses and platforming sections provide suspense and excitement."
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Value
"Generally considered good value especially on sale; short length noted but replayability adds value."
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Violence
"Combat against demons and bosses is central, but violence is stylized and typical of the genre."
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Survival
"Limited lives and knockback mechanics require careful survival tactics, especially on veteran mode."
Information
Genres
Action
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