Bloodstained: Ritual Of The Night And Curse Of The Moon!

[bork]

How does this compare to the B-tier Igavanias on gba/ds/3ds?

Curse Of The Moon isn't an Igavania game.  It's a traditional 8-Bit style Castlevania III clone (right down to having four playable characters) from Inticreates.  Ritual Of The Night is the upcoming Igavania.

[bork]

My main issue with the game is some of the level design but overall I think it's a solid classicvania.

Btw, how do you kill allies for a solo run?

EDIT: Nevermind, realized you can attack them instead of talking to them for that.

Wonder if that changes anything up?

[Freyj]

This is very good.

What’s not good is I had to use some spare nintenbucks to buy it because they still don’t have codes.

[tiesto]

So Curse of the Moon downloads for consoles aren't ready yet? Don't really want to have to install Steam on this new computer

[Tasty]

So Curse of the Moon downloads for consoles aren't ready yet? Don't really want to have to install Steam on this new computer

I saw it in the Switch eShop just now.

[Freyj]

It’s been on the eshops since the 24th but they still don’t have the codes ready and haven’t updated since the 23rd.

[Freyj]

Beat Normal. I’d say it’s an appropriate length (8 stages) for this sort of thing especially considering how subsequent playthroughs can branch off. I started a Nightmare game and stopped almost immediately after going the “clearly only Alucard can go here” route right at the beginning of the first level. Little step up in difficulty.

[Cryo]

This is really competently made and not nearly as amateurish as I thought it might play like from the trailer. Up to stage 5 thus far, and the level design's a bit more linear overall than the OG platformers, but there are some cleverly designed portions within these stages to introduce you to mechanics for the characters and their skills. I also appreciate the ability to jump onto stairs and attack in the opposite direction while keeping the classic jump momentum. Haven't yet decided if it apes CV3 too much for its own good, but I'm enjoying the game very much.

The visuals and widescreen portrayal give very strong Shovel Knight vibes, especially in the boss designs. I'm gonna chalk it down to less pixelly, more cartoonish boss designs and tiles.

[Tasty]

Should I buy this?

[Freyj]

Hell yeah. It is pretty much a cleaned up CV3.

[Cryo]

Yes, it's a great buy at $10 IMO.

Can you actually die to a boss's death throes, or is it just there for kicks? Most of them have been really hard to avoid but I haven't died yet lol

[Tasty]

Ugh need to beat Xeodrifter first.

[Tasty]

Beat Xeodrifter. Purchasing now.

[I'm a Puppy!]

So wait. What's the 2.5D stuff? I was utterly uninterested in that. This, this I want. But is that 2.5D stuff the same game with different graphics and it's coming later or what?

[Coax]

Wish this was on GOG but the throwback seems legit.

[Tasty]

So wait. What's the 2.5D stuff? I was utterly uninterested in that. This, this I want. But is that 2.5D stuff the same game with different graphics and it's coming later or what?

Two separate games. The 2D game just released was a stretch goal and is more like a little retro appetizer*. The main focus of development is the 2.5D one.

Think of it like Mighty Gunvolt vs. Azure Striker Gunvolt.

*I'm much more interested in the appetizer as well.

[bork]

Think of it like Mighty Gunvolt vs. Azure Striker Gunvolt.

More like Mighty Gunvolt vs. Mighty No. 9, but yeah.

[Tasty]

Think of it like Mighty Gunvolt vs. Azure Striker Gunvolt.

More like Mighty Gunvolt vs. Mighty No. 9, but yeah.

[Cryo]

Think of it like Mighty Gunvolt vs. Azure Striker Gunvolt.

More like Mighty Gunvolt vs. Mighty No. 9, but yeah.

[bork]

 

That probably doesn't come off the right way.  I mean the visuals, not one game being good and the other being shitty. 

[I'm a Puppy!]

So I broke down and bough this, because of course I did. It's...OK.

[bork]

Finished it tonight.  Really fun CV3 throwback and it's cool that there's a bit more available after a play-through.  I checked and there's apparently six endings you can get, plus various rooms to discover on levels that you might not come across on the first time through.

[paprikastaude]

This game is good. Fast stair walking 

[Bebpo]

I picked this up and played through the first two stages last night. Seems pretty solid, bosses seem ridiculously easy compared to some of the level design. I'm not a big fan of Castlevania pre Metroidvania, I've played Dracula X and a couple others and they were ok. Seems like the whip girl is great and the starting guy sucks and the magic dude is just good for certain situations where you need invincible fire wheel?

Do you get to go back to the earlier stages with all your team or is that only after you beat the game?

[Tasty]

I'm not a big fan of Castlevania pre Metroidvania

[Bebpo]

Always preferred Megaman, less bullshit medusa heads knocking you back into pits (which I keep dying from in Bloodstained as well, fuck that shit).

[bork]

Always preferred Megaman, less bullshit medusa heads knocking you back into pits (which I keep dying from in Bloodstained as well, fuck that shit).

Switch the difficulty to casual.

[Tasty]

I bought Mutant Mudds Collection a while back and I'm waiting til I beat it before starting on Bloodstained. (I beat the original game tonight. )

Let me tell you, even on the hardest setting, I doubt Bloodstained can compare difficulty-wise to some of the levels in MM Deluxe and Super Challenge. It makes me look back fondly at my Castlevania 1 playthrough.

Looking forward to having a nice break after I beat Super Challenge, and Bloodstained should be just the thing.

[Trent Dole]

I'm not a big fan of Castlevania pre Metroidvania

Not even CV IV? But you can battle across a bridge and through a room!

[Cerveza mas fina]

Ok
Ive never played a Castlevania really but recently I enjoyed games like Stesmworld Dig and Axiom Verge

From reading here its more like Shovel Knight? (Which I also loved)

Is this for me?

(Hate this type of post myself..)

[Tasty]

Ok
Ive never played a Castlevania really but recently I enjoyed games like Stesmworld Dig and Axiom Verge

From reading here its more like Shovel Knight? (Which I also loved)

Is this for me?

(Hate this type of post myself..)

Ya it should be up your alley.

[paprikastaude]

Ok
Ive never played a Castlevania really but recently I enjoyed games like Stesmworld Dig and Axiom Verge

From reading here its more like Shovel Knight? (Which I also loved)

Is this for me?

(Hate this type of post myself..)

play Castlevania (4, Rondo of Blood, Symphony of the Night).

[Tasty]

Ok
Ive never played a Castlevania really but recently I enjoyed games like Stesmworld Dig and Axiom Verge

From reading here its more like Shovel Knight? (Which I also loved)

Is this for me?

(Hate this type of post myself..)

play Castlevania (4, Rondo of Blood, Symphony of the Night).

Also the first and third ones from NES.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

Yeah 4 is kind of a remake but I still like the original too

[close]

[bork]

Just go play the best- Dracula X on PC-Engine, Symphony Of The Night on PS1, then Aria Of Sorrow on GBA. 

[Cerveza mas fina]

Let me travel back in time to get my gba brb

Btw bought this, is veteran the way to play? Will i get lives back after a stage?

[bork]

Let me travel back in time to get my gba brb

If only there was a way to play older game systems on your PC or other devices.  Like..."emulating" them, if you will.

Btw bought this, is veteran the way to play? Will i get lives back after a stage?

Veteran = Old-school Castlevania style.  You get knocked back when hit, which can make jumps or platforming sections with enemies difficult.  Limited number of lives. 

Casual = You don't get knocked back when hit and have unlimited lives.

Other than that, the difficulty is the same AFAIK. 

[Tasty]

Ugh I can't fuck with limited lives (that boot you back to the main menu*.) Castlevania 1 didn't have limited lives so it was totally beatable.

*If that is indeed the case here.

[AdmiralViscen]

This game is great


You don't lose a life until all your characters die, checkpoints are generous, if you get a game over yous tay on the same stage and can change difficulties


I don't think I ever had less than like 4-6 lives

[Tasty]

Oh good. I just hate that "back to main menu" shit. Part of the reason I've beaten Castlevania and Kid Icarus but not Super Mario Bros. USA.

[tiesto]

Let me travel back in time to get my gba brb

If only there was a way to play older game systems on your PC or other devices.  Like..."emulating" them, if you will.

Btw bought this, is veteran the way to play? Will i get lives back after a stage?

Veteran = Old-school Castlevania style.  You get knocked back when hit, which can make jumps or platforming sections with enemies difficult.  Limited number of lives. 

Casual = You don't get knocked back when hit and have unlimited lives.

Other than that, the difficulty is the same AFAIK.

My girlfriend played Casual last nite and it seems like health drops from enemies more often and you take less damage (like 1 bar instead of 2).

[paprikastaude]

Health... by enemy drops? 

[bork]

Let me travel back in time to get my gba brb

If only there was a way to play older game systems on your PC or other devices.  Like..."emulating" them, if you will.

Btw bought this, is veteran the way to play? Will i get lives back after a stage?

Veteran = Old-school Castlevania style.  You get knocked back when hit, which can make jumps or platforming sections with enemies difficult.  Limited number of lives. 

Casual = You don't get knocked back when hit and have unlimited lives.

Other than that, the difficulty is the same AFAIK.

My girlfriend played Casual last nite and it seems like health drops from enemies more often and you take less damage (like 1 bar instead of 2).

Checking around, looks like that's the case.  Works for me...I'm on veteran on my second play through anyway.

[Cryo]

Zangetsu solo mode is more interesting than I expected, mostly because

spoiler (click to show/hide)

killing your allies instead of recruiting them nets you special upgrades

[close]

also is the challenge i desired, but not the challenge i was ready for 

edit2: up to stage 5 and holy shit this can be extremely difficult at times, but it never feels truly unfair because it's always your fault. this is truly the NES castlevania experience I wanted from this game in terms of difficulty and character control.

[Svejk]

Isn't an extended demo dropping this Thursday?   

[bork]

Isn't an extended demo dropping this Thursday?   

Yup, supposed to be.

[Svejk]

So is the demo simply called Bloodstained E3 Beta Backer Demo?  I have a code for it, but I can't tell if it's the new one or the one from last year. LOL  There's no date or anything.  Haven't gotten an email yet or anything either.

[bork]

E3 2018 demo keys are going out now.  It's called "Beta Backer Demo" on Steam.

So is the demo simply called Bloodstained E3 Beta Backer Demo?  I have a code for it, but I can't tell if it's the new one or the one from last year. LOL  There's no date or anything.  Haven't gotten an email yet or anything either.

Yup, that should be it.  I just redeemed mine.  However, I also got an email update from Kickstarter and the Survey page had a "click to reveal" box for the code.  It shouldn't already be revealed.

[Svejk]

E3 2018 demo keys are going out now.  It's called "Beta Backer Demo" on Steam.

Yup, that should be it.  I just redeemed mine.  However, I also got an email update from Kickstarter and the Survey page had a "click to reveal" box for the code.  It shouldn't already be revealed.

[Svejk]

Finally tried the beta.  It's certainly more polished than before and that Igavania style is really starting to shine.  Even though I voted against the cel-shaded style, it looks good.

I have a gripe though...  the cutscenes are ... ugly.  I know the lip syncing will get worked on and whatnot, but I really feel they should've stuck with Ayami Kojima stills instead.  I mean, they brought her on board, so use her work in game!

[Svejk]

For this month's update, we have an incredible support who will be joining the Bloodstained team. Can you guess who? It's WayForward!

That's right, WayForward, the makers of Shantae! As you may already know, they are top-tier when it comes to side-scrolling action games. There is even a staff member who previously worked on one of my projects, which is incredibly encouraging.

In consideration of their past achievements, WayForward will be helping the development team realize my vision for this game. Maybe I am even more excited than everyone else - with their help Bloodstained will become an even better game.

...I hope it's more for refining rather than damage control....  Guess this will be delayed further for reasons too..

[bork]

Wayforward helping is a good thing.  Let 'em take their time with this so we can get a super-good 'vania.

[paprikastaude]

Contra 4 was good. Shantae is pretty meh overall though. Never played their Alien and Mummy Metroidvanias.

[Svejk]

Wayforward helping is a good thing.  Let 'em take their time with this so we can get a super-good 'vania.

I sure hope so.  I have full faith in WayForward.  But yeah, let Iga take whatever time is necessary.  This game is the glimmer of hope for ClassicVania goodness.

[bork]

Shantae is pretty meh overall though

 

[Cryo]

Wayforward hasn’t had an actual announced project since last year, so I wonder if they’ve been assisting in the background for a while now?

[thetylerrob]

 

[toku]

Hopefully this means they'll speed up the "look/feel" of the game. I understand why they went 2.5d but it just looks so much slower compared to sprites.

How tf is this thing gonna be successful though idk. Seems like a lot of extra work for what shoulda been a great small project 

[Nintex]

Did Microsoft buy up the studio or something. Who's funding this.

Or is this one of those: "Lol here's our 5 minute broken demo, you go fix!" kickstarters?
The 8-bit game was pretty good no?

[Sho Nuff]

Wayforward hasn’t had an actual announced project since last year, so I wonder if they’ve been assisting in the background for a while now?

I would certainly hope so, you don't suddenly bring a design team on 3 years into a project unless you don't feel like shipping

[Cryo]