The metroidvania Igarashi fans were waiting for: sprawling exploration, compulsive loot and a wild arsenal of shard powers. The Unreal engine occasionally muddies the mood, but the joy of combing every corner of the castle holds firm.
Your verdict
Category
Action Adventure1 player12+
Description
Miriam, marked by a crystalline curse, explores a demonic castle to stop an alchemist. Published by 505 Games, released worldwide in 2019. Interconnected exploration, shards to absorb for new powers, a wealth of weapons and an open tribute to the Castlevania classics.
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
MAX
Music
★★★★★
"Legendary"
4/5
Story
★★★★★
"Captivating"
Michiru Yamane returns to the gothic vein of Castlevania for this Metroidvania ode: solemn organs, harpsichords, baroque strings and cutting guitars dress every haunted castle. The melodies, by turns tragic and heroic, punctuate the exploration. That shadowy, refined atmosphere feeds the pleasure of every searched corner.
An unabashed homage to Castlevania, the adventure makes every castle lord a test of timing and build: backing off on the right frame, alternating weapons and summoned shards, exploiting an elemental weakness. The big foes chain phases and transformations that rewrite the arena, and savoring the dodge-counter dance against gothic colossi rekindles the great Metroidvania thrill.
Is Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night still worth playing in 2026?
Bloodstained is the fulfilment of a Metroidvania homecoming, led by the very creators of Symphony of the Night. Its interconnected castle, collectible shard system and overflowing arsenal deliver an exploration loop that still rewards. The 3D rendering drew debate at launch and stays a touch cold, yet the mechanical core is wonderfully deep. For fans of the genre, it is one of the sturdiest tributes to Castlevania, and the Switch version, after its patches, now holds up well.
