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Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night

Wii U, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows), iOS, PlayStation 4 • 2019

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Quick resume

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!

Global score

93/100

Genres

Action, Adventure, Role-playing (RPG), Platform

Pros

  • Faithful spiritual successor to castlevania
  • Deep customization and combat variety
  • Large, rewarding exploration
  • Engaging progression and crafting systems
  • Multiple game modes and replayability

Cons

  • Some grinding required
  • Occasional obscure progression
  • Graphics and cutscenes uneven
  • Story and characters not deeply developed
  • Performance and bugs reported at launch

Motivations

  • Autonomy
    4

    "Players have freedom to choose weapons, shards, and playstyles; exploration is non-linear with player-directed progression."

  • Competence
    4

    "Challenging combat and boss fights requiring skill and strategy; grinding and crafting add complexity and mastery."

  • Competition
    -3

    "Focus is on personal progression and exploration; no emphasis on ranked or PvP competition."

  • Continuation
    4

    "Long playtime with multiple modes, replayability, and extensive content encourage habitual and extended play."

  • Cooperation
    -4

    "Primarily a single-player experience with limited social or cooperative gameplay."

  • Creativity
    4

    "Extensive customization of character builds through weapons, shards, and crafting; encourages experimentation."

  • Domination
    -4

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

  • Escapism
    4

    "Players use the game to immerse themselves in a gothic fantasy world, escaping real-life stress."

  • Expectation
    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and nostalgia for Castlevania-style gameplay."

  • Experimenting
    4

    "Encourages trying new weapons, shard combinations, and strategies; multiple modes support experimentation."

  • Exploration
    5

    "Large interconnected castle with secrets and hidden areas; exploration is a core gameplay element."

  • Expression
    3

    "Character customization includes appearance changes and equipment; some cosmetic personalization."

  • Fantasy
    5

    "Strong gothic fantasy setting with demons, magic, and supernatural elements."

  • Fellowship
    -4

    "Minimal social interaction; focus is on solo play and individual achievement."

  • Growth
    5

    "Players develop skills, level up, craft items, and improve abilities throughout the game."

  • Health
    -4

    "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related mechanics."

  • Idle
    -4

    "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement; not designed for idle or background play."

  • Intimacy
    -5

    "No close social relationships or emotional sharing; gameplay is solitary."

  • Leadership
    -5

    "No leadership or group management roles; purely individual gameplay."

  • Progression
    5

    "Strong emphasis on accumulating items, upgrades, and character power through crafting and leveling."

  • Relaxation
    2

    "Some players find the gameplay rewarding and flow-inducing, though difficulty spikes can cause tension."

  • Sensation
    3

    "Enjoyable music, art, and combat animations provide sensory stimulation and emotional engagement."

  • Status
    -4

    "Achievements and progress are mostly personal; limited social recognition or visibility."

  • Story
    3

    "Narrative is present and appreciated but not the primary focus; story supports immersion."

  • Strategy
    4

    "Combat and progression require planning, resource management, and tactical decision-making."

  • Thrill
    3

    "Boss fights and exploration provide moments of suspense and excitement."

  • Value
    4

    "Large amount of content and replayability offer good return on investment for players."

  • Violence
    4

    "Combat involves defeating monsters and bosses with weapons and magic; violence is a core gameplay element."

  • Survival
    3

    "Players must manage health and resources to survive challenging enemies and bosses."

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    Last update: 06/03/2026