Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night

Presentation

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is a side-scrolling Action RPG developed by ArtPlay under the direction of Koji Igarashi. It follows a Metroidvania-style exploration structure within a gothic 2.5D world.

The player controls Miriam, a young woman whose body is gradually being crystallized by a curse resulting from alchemical experiments. Her journey takes her into a massive demon-infested castle summoned by Gebel, a former companion affected by the same curse.

The castle forms a vast interconnected network of rooms, hidden passages and areas, some of which are initially inaccessible. New abilities gradually allow Miriam to reach previously unreachable locations and encourage returning to areas already explored.

Miriam can use many weapon categories, including swords, daggers, spears, whips, heavy weapons and ranged weapons. Each family has its own characteristics and moves.

One of the central systems revolves around Shards obtained from demons. These fragments grant supernatural powers that can be used to attack, summon creatures, modify Miriam's abilities or assist with exploration.

The powers obtained can be combined with weapons and equipment to create different playstyles. Certain Shards also play an essential role in opening new routes through the castle.

Progression combines experience levels, stats, equipment and ability upgrades. Enemies can drop materials, weapons, items or Shards that gradually expand Miriam's options.

The alchemy and crafting system allows weapons, equipment, consumables and other items to be created or upgraded using materials gathered during exploration.

The adventure also contains numerous secrets, side quests and optional bosses, with several paths and discoveries capable of altering progression before reaching the true conclusion.

Key points

• A side-scrolling exploration Action RPG.
• Miriam as the protagonist.
• A vast interconnected demonic castle.
• Progression based on acquiring new abilities.
• Many routes become accessible by returning to earlier areas.
• A wide variety of weapons and equipment.
• Demons can provide Shards that grant new powers.
• Shards support combat, utility and exploration.
• Multiple abilities can be combined to create different builds.
• Progression through experience and stat improvements.
• An alchemy and crafting system.
• Materials and equipment found on enemies or throughout the castle.
• Numerous bosses, secrets and side quests.
• A gothic 2.5D art direction.
• Several additional modes were added after release.

Conclusion

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night builds its progression around exploring a castle that gradually opens up as Miriam gains new abilities.

Shards, weapons, equipment and alchemy provide many ways to develop the character, while hidden passages and previously inaccessible areas make revisiting explored locations a central part of the experience.

The game therefore carries forward the Metroidvania principles associated with Koji Igarashi while developing its own world around Miriam, crystallization and demonic powers.

Good to know

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is developed by ArtPlay and published by 505 Games.

The game was released in June 2019 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC, followed by Nintendo Switch on June 25, 2019.

The main campaign is designed as a single-player experience.

The game uses a 2.5D presentation, with 3D characters and environments arranged around primarily side-scrolling progression.

Numerous free updates expanded the game after release, notably adding Speed Run, Boss Rush, Randomizer and Classic Mode.

Update 1.5 in May 2024 added Chaos Mode, made up of a succession of randomized rooms with gradually increasing difficulty.

Chaos Mode can be played solo as well as in local or online co-op.

The same update added Versus Mode, a competitive mode available locally and online.

Online multiplayer for Chaos and Versus works only between players using the same platform: cross-play is not supported.

The game also received different additional characters, content and modes over the course of its updates, alongside several cosmetic DLC packs.

This entry focuses on Miriam, the castle, Shards, weapons, alchemy, exploration and progression in the main campaign, without detailing every power, boss or piece of additional content.