505 Games and ArtPlay released a new trailer and release dates today for Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, a spiritual successor to the Castlevania series helmed by acclaimed producer Koji Igarashi.
After numerous setbacks and changes to release plans, the development team announced that Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night will release on June 18th, 2019 on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC (Steam and GOG). The game will also be coming to Nintendo Switch on June 25th.
In this very fun and bold trailer, the development team directly addresses some of the less than stellar early impressions fans had of the upcoming game’s demo builds, and shows off the many improvements they’ve made to the overall visual design.
The Igavania-style (the term comes from Igarashi’s nickname “Iga”) Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night was first announced on Kickstarter in 2015 where it raised $5.5 million and became one of the highest funded games in in the platform’s history. Fans responded so well to the call for funding that Koji Igarashi also released prequel 8-bit throwback game last year after meeting a stretch goal, titled Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon.
It’s clear from the release date announcement trailer that Koji Igarashi and his development team have been hard at work since then and plan to release a game that is sure to satisfy all the game’s funders and followers.
The trailer also features newly composed music from Michiru Yamane, whose classical and rock inspired pieces in Castlevania: Bloodlines and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night played a major role in propelling the franchise to its legendary status. Noted Resident Evil composer Ippo Yamada is also contributing to Bloodstained‘s score.
According to the official website for Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, the game promises a “deep, rich single player narrative,” multiple playable characters, the requisite dark gothic fantasy version of 18th century England, and “character & gameplay customization via gear, upgradable spells and cosmetics.”
Play as Miriam, an orphan scarred by an alchemist’s curse which slowly crystallizes her body. To save humanity, and herself in the process, Miriam must fight through the castle and defeat the summoner, Gebel.
The website also states that players will “collect, craft and unlock a vast array of weapons, equipment and loot to defeat the countless minions and bosses of hell that await!”
The latest footage from Bloodstained looks phenomenal and really shows how much the growth the title has undergone, proving that patience is often rewarded. This latest Igavania title seems to be shaping up to be exactly what old-school fans of Castlevania and of the genre were waiting for.
More information can be found on the game’s official Discord.