Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon 2 Thumbnail

Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon 2 similar games & best alternatives

Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon 2

PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 • 2020

Related articles

Quick resume

Koji Igarashi and Inti Creates are back with more retro sword-and-whip action! Curse of the Moon 2 brings classic 2D action and a dark, 8-bit aesthetic together with modern playability.

Global score

85/100

Genres

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

Similar games

    Pros

    • Challenging and rewarding gameplay
    • Multiple characters with unique abilities
    • Local co-op mode
    • High replayability with multiple episodes and endings
    • Faithful retro castlevania-inspired design

    Cons

    • Repetition due to replaying same levels multiple times
    • Difficulty spikes and occasional frustrating sections
    • Some players find music less memorable than first game
    • Lack of online multiplayer
    • Certain characters or mechanics can feel overpowered or unbalanced

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Relaxation, Leadership, Competition.

    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 freely choose characters and switch between them to tackle challenges, with multiple routes and episodes offering different experiences."

    • Competence
      4

      "The game is challenging with boss fights requiring pattern recognition and skill, and multiple difficulty levels including a demanding Veteran mode."

    • Competition
      -3

      "Focus is mainly on personal skill and progression; no mention of ranked modes or leaderboards, but co-op play exists."

    • Continuation
      4

      "Multiple episodes, replayability with different characters and routes, and a final episode encourage long play sessions and repeated playthroughs."

    • Cooperation
      4

      "Local co-op mode is a significant feature, allowing two players to work together and interact uniquely."

    • Creativity
      3

      "Players experiment with different characters' unique abilities and subweapons, and explore alternate paths and secrets."

    • Domination
      -4

      "Interactions emphasize shared play and cooperation rather than exerting control or superiority over others."

    • Escapism
      4

      "The retro fantasy setting and challenging gameplay provide an immersive escape from real life."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and nostalgia for classic Castlevania-style games."

    • Experimenting
      4

      "Players try new characters, abilities, and routes, experimenting with strategies to overcome challenges."

    • Exploration
      3

      "Multiple pathways and secrets in levels encourage discovery, though stages are reused across episodes."

    • Expression
      2

      "Character selection and use of unique abilities offer some self-expression, though customization is limited."

    • Fantasy
      5

      "Strong fantasy elements with demons, magic, and a gothic retro setting inspired by Castlevania."

    • Fellowship
      3

      "Community and shared experience are supported through co-op and shared achievements."

    • Growth
      4

      "Players develop skills through repeated play, learning boss patterns and mastering character abilities."

    • Health
      -5

      "No indication of physical activity; gameplay is sedentary platforming."

    • Idle
      -4

      "Requires focused attention and precise input; not suited for passive or background play."

    • Intimacy
      2

      "Co-op play fosters social interaction and bonding, though no deep emotional sharing is described."

    • Leadership
      -3

      "Players collaborate without hierarchical roles; co-op is balanced and supportive."

    • Progression
      4

      "Players collect upgrades, unlock characters, and progress through episodes and endings."

    • Relaxation
      -2

      "The game is challenging and sometimes frustrating, with tension from difficult bosses and platforming."

    • Sensation
      3

      "Enjoyable retro visuals and music provide sensory stimulation and emotional engagement."

    • Status
      -3

      "Focus is on individual or cooperative play rather than social recognition or leaderboards."

    • Story
      3

      "Narrative is present with multiple episodes and character interactions, though story is minimalistic and secondary."

    • Strategy
      4

      "Players must plan character usage, subweapon management, and route selection to overcome challenges."

    • Thrill
      3

      "Challenging boss fights and platforming create suspense and excitement."

    • Value
      4

      "Offers substantial content and replayability for the price, with multiple episodes and modes."

    • Violence
      3

      "Combat against demons and bosses is central, with attacks and destruction as core gameplay."

    • Survival
      3

      "Players must avoid death and manage health and resources to progress through difficult stages."

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 29/04/2026