Bloodstained Sequel Revealed and It Looks Nothing Like the Original

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Summary

  • Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement introduces two new protagonists on a quest to defeat a demon lord in a 16th-century castle in England.
  • The game features a buddy system to control both heroes simultaneously and offers updated graphics with a cel-shaded effect.
  • Players will navigate through the largest map in the series, customize characters with relics and skills, and learn unique combat moves.

At the PlayStation State of Play event on June 4th, developer ArtPlay unveiled their upcoming action RPG titled “Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement”. This highly anticipated sequel to the 2019 hit game, “Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night”, will continue the beloved 2.5D Metroidvania side-scrolling action that fans adore. However, instead of continuing from where players left off, “Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement” introduces two new main characters in a brand new setting.

The Bloodstained games are often seen as spiritual heirs to the Castlevania series, offering players a deep dive into dark, gothic settings teeming with supernatural beings, powerful spells, and breathtaking structures. To date, there have been three instalments: Ritual of the Night, its retro-inspired counterpart Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon, and a sequel to the latter, both released in 2020. Ever since Ritual of the Night hit the shelves, fans have eagerly awaited a follow-up in its vein, and their wishes will soon be fulfilled by developer ArtPlay.

At the June State of Play gathering, it was announced that “Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement” will launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC in the year 2026. This game transports players back two centuries from “Ritual of the Night,” setting them in a floating castle during 16th-century England. For centuries, the residence of the Demon Lord Elias, known as the Ethereal Castle, has been causing terror among the locals. Previous attempts to destroy this threat have proven unsuccessful. Now, two heroes, Leonard and Alexander, are on a quest to eliminate this menace once and for all.

Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement Looks a Little Different

In essence, while there’s been some modification to the graphics, The Scarlet Engagement appears quite similar to Ritual of the Night. However, upon viewing the latest trailer, avid fans will observe two significant differences. Firstly, the characters and adversaries now exhibit a prominent cel-shaded effect, making them more distinct from their surroundings. Secondly, the cutscenes appear markedly different, with ArtPlay opting for fully rendered 3D graphics and voiceovers in this installment, rather than the traditional box-style dialogues used previously.

A notable distinction between “Ritual” and “The Scarlet Engagement” lies in the dual-character control system, allowing players to command both Leo and Alex concurrently. One character is directly controlled, while the other assists and follows, with the option to switch between them freely. Initially, this mechanism might appear challenging, but 505 Games emphasizes that it’s a crucial gameplay aspect to master, as it’s essential for navigating the series’ largest map yet.

Adventurers traversing and battling within the colossal Ethereal Castle find artifacts, weapons, armor, and assorted materials for customizing Alex and Leo’s appearance, crafting items, and enhancing skills reminiscent of the method employed in Ritual of the Night. The pair will uncover novel combat techniques as well, mastering unique attacks and potent abilities vital to overcoming Demon Lord Elias.

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2025-06-05 13:38