Bloodstained: Scarlet Engagement Argues for a True Cinematic 2D Game

by

Summary

  • Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement features stunning visuals in cinematic cutscenes.
  • The title aims to improve on its predecessor in both gameplay and artistic presentation.
  • The Scarlet Engagement could lead to a new trend of highly cinematic 2D games utilizing modern production values.

The Sony Summer State of Play event concluded, showcasing a variety of upcoming games for the remainder of this year and into the next. One of these titles is “Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement,” developed by ArtPlay, a studio led by Koji Igarashi, a well-known figure in gaming circles for his work on numerous “Castlevania” games such as “Symphony of the Night,” a classic favorite and pioneer of the Metroidvania genre. “Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement” continues the legacy of the franchise that is considered the spiritual successor to “Castlevania,” and the upcoming release promises enhancements on the strong fundamentals established by its predecessor, “Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night.

The trailer for Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement not only unveiled its fresh characters, setting, and battle dynamics but also featured some awe-inspiring visuals, notably in its dynamic cinematic sequences. These segments seemed to set a high standard for production quality and stylish delivery. Judging by these clips, it’s possible that The Scarlet Engagement could influence future 2D games to adopt this style, aiming to produce truly cinematic titles within the genre.

The game titled ‘Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement’ is slated to drop in the year 2026 on platforms like PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PS5.

Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement Makes a Great Case for Fully Cinematic 2D Games

Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement Improves on Ritual of the Night With Incredible-Looking Scenes

In a pre-sequel, the game titled “Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement” takes place two centuries before “RoTN.” The narrative follows the adventures of Leonard Brandon, a member of the Church’s Black Wolves, and Alexander Kyteler, a knight of the White Stags. Together, they wage war against the Demon Lord Elias and his army of evil creatures that are spawning from his supernatural castle and causing chaos across different realms. This epic setup mirrors the grand ambition seen in the game’s sneak peek.

In 2019, following a highly successful Kickstarter campaign, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night was launched, living up to expectations of a contemporary Metroidvania game from Igarashi’s mind in many aspects. It incorporated numerous traditional design elements within its lively and colorful art style, while offering tight and reactive combat and platforming mechanics. Unlike some games, it lacked extensive or elaborate cutscenes, opting instead for classic text-based dialogue boxes to facilitate character interactions and crucial plot developments.

In the unveiling of Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement, the 2.5D levels and gameplay appeared more refined than ever before. However, what truly stood out, even more so than expected, were the visually striking cinematics. If you saw these scenes outside their context, it’s easy to mistake them for epic cinematic sequences from an AAA RPG by Bethesda or FromSoft, rather than work produced by a smaller indie or AA-level studio.

Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement Could Spark a Chain Reaction of Highly Cinematic 2D Games

In Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, certain areas and stages occasionally change camera angles and perspectives to make the environments feel more expansive and lively. It appears that The Scarlet Engagement is taking this approach even further, as it includes slow-motion shots that focus in on characters using a powerful, possibly unique ability.

As a gamer, I can’t wait to dive back into the world of Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement! Not only will it undoubtedly polish its already impressive fluid and responsive mechanics, but ArtPlay has also poured heart and soul into creating dynamic and stunning cinematics to seamlessly blend story and gameplay. This focus on captivating cutscenes could be a sign of things to come in the realm of modern 2D games. Games like Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, which is set to release soon, are also pushing the boundaries by merging classic 2D design with cutting-edge production values and visuals. This trend might just be the dawn of a new era for such titles!

Read More

2025-06-06 21:44