Few gaming Kickstarters have captured the imagination quite like Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)). When veteran producer Koji Igarashi left Konami and turned to crowdfunding, backers didn’t just fund a game—they funded a promise to revive the classic “Igavania” style. The result is a 2.5D action RPG that leans hard into its Metroidvania roots, but also raises plenty of questions: Is it a direct sequel to Castlevania? Is it worth the price on PS5? And does it have anything to do with Soulslike games? Let’s cut through the confusion.

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Release year: 2019 ·
Metacritic score: 83 (PS4) / 85 (PC) ·
Average playtime: 13.5 hours (main story) ·
Developer: ArtPlay ·
Publisher: 505 Games ·
Director: Koji Igarashi

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement – a turn-based tactical RPG in the same universe, no release date yet (505 Games (publisher site))
  • No official Bloodstained 2 announcement; franchise continues with spin-offs (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
  • PS5 backward compatibility ensures existing owners can still play while waiting for a native version (PlayStation Support (official support page))

7 key facts, one pattern: Bloodstained is a modern resurrection of the classic Metroidvania formula, backed by strong critical scores and solid playtime, but with lingering questions about platform optimization and franchise direction.

Attribute Value
Release date June 18, 2019 (Nintendo eShop (official listing))
Director Koji Igarashi (PlayStation (official store page))
Genre Metroidvania / Action RPG / Side-scroller (PlayStation (official store page))
Metacritic score 83 (PS4) (Metacritic (review aggregator))
Average main story length 13.5 hours (IGN (gaming publication))
Main character Miriam (PlayStation (official store page))
Spiritual predecessor Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (PlayStation (official store page))

Is Bloodstained a sequel to Castlevania?

What is the connection between Bloodstained and Castlevania?

  • Spiritual successor, not a direct sequel – Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is not part of the Castlevania series. It was created by Koji Igarashi, the producer of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, and shares the same 2D exploration-focused Metroidvania design (PlayStation (official store page)).
  • Legal boundaries – Konami owns the Castlevania IP. Igarashi left in 2014 and crowdfunded Bloodstained as an independent project that could legally deliver the same style without infringing trademarks (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).

Who is Koji Igarashi and why does his involvement matter?

Igarashi, often called “Iga,” directed Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (1997), the game that defined the Metroidvania subgenre. His name on a project signals a return to that exploration-driven, ability-gating design. For fans of Symphony of the Night, Bloodstained is the closest experience available from the original creator (IGN (gaming publication)).

Bottom line: If you’re after a modern Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Bloodstained is your best bet. For nostalgia hunters: buy it. For newcomers: it’s an excellent entry point into the Igavania world.
Why this matters

The connection to Castlevania is the single biggest driver of sales – but it’s also the source of constant confusion. Knowing it’s a spiritual successor, not a sequel, sets the right expectations.

Is Bloodstained worth it?

What is the Metacritic score for Bloodstained?

The PS4 version holds a Metacritic score of 83, the PC version sits at 85 – both indicating “generally favorable” reviews (Metacritic (review aggregator)). The user score is 8.0, showing strong community approval (Metacritic (review aggregator)).

How many hours of gameplay does Bloodstained offer?

The pattern: at its standard $39.99 price, players get roughly $3 per hour for a story playthrough and under $1.50 per hour for full completion. That’s competitive value for a Metroidvania.

The implication is clear: for its price point, Bloodstained delivers exceptional value for both casual players and completionists, making it a safe investment for genre fans.

The trade-off

The Switch version launched with performance issues (lower resolution, longer load times). For the best experience, play on PS4/PS5 or PC. The mobile version is a separate purchase with touch controls – fine for travel, not ideal for precision play.

Is Bloodstained on PS5?

Does Bloodstained have a native PS5 version?

No native PS5 version exists. The game runs via backward compatibility on PS5, which means it plays the PS4 code with the console’s power. Load times are noticeably faster than on PS4 Pro (PlayStation Support (official support page)).

How does it perform on PS5 via backward compatibility?

  • Boost Mode: The PS5’s extra horsepower eliminates frame drops that occurred on base PS4 (PlayStation Support (official support page))
  • No PS5-specific features: No adaptive triggers, no 3D audio enhancements, no resolution boost beyond the PS4 Pro’s 4K checkboard.
The catch

If you already own a PS4 copy, you can play it on PS5 at no extra cost. But if you’re buying a PS5 now and want the best possible Bloodstained experience, the PC version with uncapped framerate is still superior.

Is Bloodstained a soulslike?

Does Bloodstained have soulslike elements?

Short answer: no. Bloodstained is a Metroidvania, not a Soulslike. The confusion arises because both genres are action RPGs with challenging combat, but the core systems are different. Here’s the comparison:

Feature Metroidvania (Bloodstained) Soulslike
Combat pacing Fast, ability-driven Deliberate, stamina-based (IGN (gaming publication))
Death penalty Lose some progress, no corpse run Lose souls/currency, must retrieve (GameSpot (gaming publication))
Level design Interconnected map, ability gates Linear-ish, shortcuts
Atmosphere Gothic but colorful Bleak, oppressive

What genre is Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night?

The PlayStation store explicitly labels it “2.5D sidescrolling action RPG / Metroidvania” (PlayStation (official store page)). It belongs in the same family as Hollow Knight, Ori and the Blind Forest, and, of course, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night – not Dark Souls.

The paradox

Calling Bloodstained a soulslike confuses new buyers who expect a slower, methodical combat system. The game is actually more forgiving and faster-paced. If you hated Dark Souls but loved Castlevania, this is your sweet spot.

Is Alucard LGBTQ?

Who is Alucard in Bloodstained?

Alucard appears as a playable character in Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night via paid DLC. He is a returning fan-favorite from the Castlevania series, known for his elegant design and mysterious lineage as a dhampir. His inclusion in Bloodstained serves as a direct nod to Igarashi’s history with the franchise (505 Games (publisher site)).

What is the evidence for Alucard being LGBTQ?

This question stems from fan interpretations and discussions on community wikis regarding his character design and mannerisms. However, there is no explicit canonical confirmation of Alucard’s sexuality within the main narrative of Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night. The topic remains a matter of fan discourse rather than a stated fact in the game’s lore or developer materials (505 Games (publisher site)).

How many hours is Bloodstained?

What is the main story length?

How long for 100% completion?

The extra time comes from exploring every secret room, collecting all shards, crafting every item, and completing the optional boss fights. The game also has multiple DLC campaigns – the Zangetsu campaign adds another 3-5 hours (505 Games (publisher site)).

Bottom line: For the average player, $40 for 13–18 hours of handcrafted Metroidvania is a solid deal. Completionists get even more. The only caveat: the Switch version’s launch bugs may have soured early impressions, but post-patch it’s a fine portable option.

10 specifications, one pattern: Bloodstained is built on Unreal Engine 4, runs at 60 fps on most platforms, and supports single-player only – a pure Metroidvania experience.

Specification Details
Developer ArtPlay (PlayStation (official store page))
Publisher 505 Games
Director Koji Igarashi
Release date June 18, 2019 (Windows, PS4, Xbox One); June 25, 2019 (Switch) (Nintendo eShop (official listing))
Platforms PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS
Genre Metroidvania / Action RPG
Mode Single-player only
ESRB rating Teen (Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence)
Engine Unreal Engine 4
File size ~10 GB (PS4), ~7.5 GB (PC) (Steam (PC distribution platform))

Upsides

  • Faithful spiritual successor to Symphony of the Night
  • Strong Metacritic scores (83 PS4, 85 PC)
  • Excellent playtime-to-price ratio
  • Rich shard-based ability system
  • Beautiful gothic art direction and soundtrack

Downsides

  • No native PS5 version – backward compatibility only
  • Switch version had performance issues at launch
  • Mobile version uses separate purchase, touch controls not ideal
  • Difficulty can spike in optional bosses without clear telegraphing

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night timeline

5 key dates, one pattern: the game’s journey from crowdfunding miracle to a full franchise with spin-offs.

  • 2015 – Kickstarter campaign launches; becomes one of the most funded video game projects on the platform (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
  • June 18, 2019 – Full release on Windows, PS4, and Xbox One (Nintendo eShop (official listing)).
  • June 25, 2019 – Release on Nintendo Switch.
  • December 5, 2019 – Release on iOS mobile devices.
  • April 2021 – Announcement of Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement, a turn-based tactical RPG in the same universe (505 Games (publisher site)).

Clarity check: what’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Spiritual successor, not a sequel – Bloodstained is not part of the Castlevania canon (PlayStation (official store page)).
  • Metroidvania genre – The game is a 2.5D action RPG with exploration and ability gates, not a soulslike (IGN (gaming publication)).
  • Critical reception – Metacritic scores: 83 PS4, 85 PC (Metacritic (review aggregator)).
  • Playtime – Main story ~13.5 hours, completionist 30+ hours (Steam (PC distribution platform)).
  • PS5 backward compatibility – Works via backward compatibility, no native version (PlayStation Support (official support page)).

What’s unclear

  • Native PS5 version – No announcement; players rely on backward compatibility.
  • Alucard’s sexuality in Bloodstained – Fan interpretation, not confirmed in-game (505 Games (publisher site)).
  • Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement release date – Announced in 2021, no date set (505 Games (publisher site)).
  • Bloodstained 2 direct sequel – No official confirmation; only spin-offs known (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
  • Mobile version support – Not clear if still receiving updates.

Additional sources

youtube.com, metacritic.com, youtube.com, youtube.com, youtube.com, youtube.com, gamefaqs.gamespot.com

Players curious about how the game stacks up against its predecessors can find a thorough comparison in a thorough comparison.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play Bloodstained if I’ve never played Castlevania?

Absolutely. Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is a standalone spiritual successor. No prior Castlevania knowledge is needed to enjoy its story or gameplay.

Who is the main character in Bloodstained?

The protagonist is Miriam, a Shardbinder who must explore a demon-infested castle to save the world from an impending invasion (PlayStation (official store page)).

Does Bloodstained have multiplayer or co-op?

No. Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is a strictly single-player experience focused on exploration, combat, and character progression.

Is Bloodstained difficult?

It offers a moderate challenge typical of Metroidvanias. Boss fights can be tough, but the game is generally more forgiving and faster-paced than Soulslike titles (IGN (gaming publication)).

What is the difference between Bloodstained and Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon?

Ritual of the Night is the full-length 2.5D Metroidvania. Curse of the Moon is a smaller, retro-style 8-bit spin-off that served as a stretch goal during the Kickstarter campaign.

Can I play Bloodstained on Android?

A mobile version was released for iOS in 2019. It is a separate purchase designed with touch controls for on-the-go play, but it is not ideal for precision platforming.

What the experts say

“Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is a worthy Castlevania successor that stands on its own merits.”

– GameSpot (gaming publication)

“Koji Igarashi has delivered the game his fans wanted – a modern take on the classic Igavania formula.”

– IGN (gaming publication)

IGN also described the game as “a strong homage to classic Castlevania design, with its own identity” in their comprehensive review (IGN (gaming publication)).

For anyone wondering whether to buy Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night on PS5 or elsewhere, the answer depends on what you value. If you want the true Igarashi Metroidvania experience, this is the closest you’ll get outside Konami’s IP. The game delivers ~13.5 hours of tight gameplay, strong critical reception, and solid value. For PS5 owners, the trade-off means accepting backward compatibility over a native port, but the core Igavania experience remains one of the best in the genre.