Info about Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night:

Official game description:
CRIME BOSS
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About the Game
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Bloodstained®︎: Ritual of the Night is the FULL game experience, an exploration-focused, side-scroller action RPG packing all of the best features you've come to know and love from the Metroidvania genre into a single, content-packed game.  
Play as Miriam, an orphan scarred by an alchemist’s curse which slowly crystallizes her body. In order to save herself, and indeed, all of humanity, she must battle her way through a demon-infested castle summoned by Gebel, her old friend whose body and mind has become more crystal than flesh.  
**WHAT'S IN THE GAME?**  
13 FREE DLCs via future content updates. “Speed Demon” Update containing Speed Run Mode, Boss Rush Mode and the Pure Miriam outfit available at launch!  
Addictingly tight and satisfying gameplay alongside a rich new story in the gothic dark fantasy style of Koji Igarashi, the celebrated godfather of "Igavania" games.  
Story cut scenes and NPC interactions fully voice acted by a star-studded cast, including actors like David Hayter, Ray Chase and Erica Lindbeck to name just a few. (Seriously, we have a lot of voice acting star power in this game, it's kinda nuts...)  
Three playable characters, two of which have yet to be revealed...  
Literally a metric ton of weapons and spells, which you can upgrade, level up and visually customize.  
Beautiful 2.5D graphics: 3D models crafted with a lot of love and care on a 2D game environment. That means lots of cool tricks that "regular" 2D can't do...  
**THE FUTURE**  
Expect a worryingly large amount of announcements and updates, everything from updating the look of this Steam page to the game in general. It's going to be one wild ride.

Release date: Jun 18, 2019

Categories: Metroidvania, Action RPG, Side-scrolling Shooter, Exploration, Character Progression, Weapon Customization, Spell-based Combat, 2D Platformer


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Nostalgic Castlevania-Inspired Design (weight 0.84): The game’s art style, level design, and gothic soundtrack evoke strong nostalgia for *Castlevania*, particularly *Symphony of the Night*. Fans of the series appreciate its authentic homage while maintaining originality.
- Addictive and Rewarding Gameplay (weight 0.55): Players consistently describe the gameplay as addictive and satisfying, with a well-balanced progression system (weapons, shards, buffs) and engaging exploration. Side quests and crafting add depth without feeling forced.
- High Replayability and Content Variety (weight 0.52): Multiple game modes (New Game+, co-op, versus), unlockable characters, and diverse endings encourage replayability. Weapon/skill variety and flexible playstyles (e.g., grinding vs. skill-based) cater to different preferences.
- Phenomenal Soundtrack and Audio (weight 0.46): The soundtrack is a standout feature, with heavy gothic rock influences reminiscent of *Castlevania*. Voice acting and sound effects are also noted as top-tier, enhancing immersion.
- Accessible Yet Challenging Difficulty (weight 0.23): The game strikes a balance between accessibility and challenge, avoiding excessive grind or punishing mechanics. Hard mode offers meaningful difficulty for players seeking it, while normal mode remains casual-friendly.
- Innovative Shard System (weight 0.14): The shard system (direction-based magic, familiars, passive buffs) is praised for its innovation and depth, offering six distinct types of abilities that expand combat and exploration possibilities.

Common complaints:
- Clunky and Unresponsive Controls (weight 0.95): The controls are criticized for being slow, unresponsive, and lacking modern mechanics like dashing or forward dodging. Movement feels stiff, and combat suffers from awkward hitboxes and unresponsive inputs.
- Lack of Clear Progression Guidance (weight 0.86): Players struggle with unclear progression, requiring external guides due to poor in-game hints. Systems like shard upgrades and RNG-based drops are poorly explained, leading to confusion.
- Shallow and Unengaging Story (weight 0.76): The narrative is described as clichéd, predictable, and lacking depth. Characters are generic, and the plot fails to engage players, with an unsatisfying ending.
- Repetitive and Linear Level Design (weight 0.75): Players highlight the lack of platforming variety and repetitive, unimaginative areas. The castle layout is described as boring, and the second half of the game reuses assets excessively, leading to tedium.
- Outdated and Poor Visual Design (weight 0.75): The game's graphics are frequently criticized for being ugly, inconsistent, and resembling a PS3-era title. The 2.5D implementation is seen as unnecessary and poorly executed, with issues like janky hitboxes and low-quality textures.
- Excessive and Unskippable Cutscenes (weight 0.71): The game disrupts flow with too many unskippable cutscenes and pauses. This, combined with repetitive quests (e.g., 'kill X monsters'), makes the experience feel padded.
- Overly Japanese Aesthetic and Fan Service (weight 0.66): The game's aesthetic is criticized for being overly Japanese with unnecessary fan service. Dialogue and character designs are seen as repetitive and unoriginal.
- Poor Combat and Enemy Design (weight 0.62): Combat is criticized for being boring, repetitive, and poorly balanced. Enemies and bosses lack depth, with issues like erratic hitboxes, respawn mechanics, and trivial difficulty.
- Frustrating Save and Progression System (weight 0.31): The lack of auto-save and poorly placed save/teleport points leads to lost progress on death. Players find backtracking tedious due to slow movement and unclear progression markers.
- Problematic DLC and Grind Mechanics (weight 0.21): DLC is perceived as intrusive, overpriced, and required for full completion. Achievements tied to RNG-heavy mechanics (e.g., farming shards) add unnecessary grind.
- Translation and Localization Errors (weight 0.21): Poor translation quality, including unclear upgrade descriptions and errors, detracts from the experience. Some players recommend playing in traditional Chinese for better clarity.
- Early Game Difficulty Spike (weight 0.12): The initial adaptation to the game is described as painful due to poor movement controls and slow pacing. Players struggle to engage with the early-game experience.

Gameplay feedback:
- Boss fights require strategy (weight 0.5): Boss encounters vary in difficulty and creativity, often requiring preparation (potions, food, shards). Early-game boss 'Moon Slasher' is frequently cited as a challenging checkpoint.
- Food and crafting mechanics (weight 0.39): Unique food items and a crafting system (weapons, armor, consumables) add depth to progression. Some players enjoy the playful mechanics, while others critique deterministic farming.
- Shard-based progression system (weight 0.32): The shard system (5 types: directed, spellcasting, manipulation, passive, familiars) allows players to acquire enemy abilities, upgrade stats, and customize combat. Some find it grindy but rewarding.
- Weapon and ability variety (weight 0.28): Combat customization is multifaceted, with numerous weapons, equipment, and shards offering numerical differences. Players appreciate the variety but note some abilities feel overpowered.
- Multiple playable characters/modes (weight 0.23): The game offers four playable characters (Miriam, Zangetsu, Aurora, Bloodless), multiple gameplay modes (New Game+, Classic, Aurora), and unlockable endings, encouraging replayability.
- Sidequests and secrets (weight 0.22): Optional sidequests (e.g., NPC requests, hidden bosses) and secret areas add replay value. Players enjoy discovering hidden content but note the map is smaller than expected.
- Grinding for progression (weight 0.2): Grinding for shards, materials, and fragments is noted as a core mechanic, though its necessity varies by difficulty (minimal on Normal). Some players enjoy the grind, while others find it tedious.
- Difficulty settings and balance (weight 0.17): The game includes NORMAL, HARD, and NIGHTMARE modes, with boss difficulty often debated (some find it easy, others strategic). The lack of a 'fullness' mechanic is occasionally criticized.
- Teleportation and movement (weight 0.16): Teleportation points and save stations streamline exploration, though the protagonist’s basic moveset (no dash/roll initially) is occasionally criticized for limiting mobility.

Performance notes:
- Error popups cause crashes (weight 0.09): Frequent error popups lead to game crashes, forcing players to redo progress and severely disrupting the experience. This is a critical bug requiring immediate attention.
- Strong low-end performance (weight 0.08): The game runs smoothly on older or lower-end machines, making it accessible to a broader audience. This is a key strength for players with limited hardware.
- Mixed graphics optimization (weight 0.07): While the game has jagged edges on max settings, some players question the necessity of its 2.5D art style, suggesting room for improvement in visual polish or design clarity.

Recommendations:
- Must-play for Metroidvania fans (weight 0.53): The game is overwhelmingly recommended for fans of the Metroidvania genre, particularly those who enjoy Castlevania-style games like Symphony of the Night. Its dark Gothic atmosphere and design make it a spiritual successor to classic titles in the genre.
- Mixed recommendation for general players (weight 0.45): While some players recommend the game despite its flaws, others advise against it unless the player is masochistic or seeking a casual experience. The base game is often recommended only if purchased on sale or during promotions.
- Strong recommendation for genre newcomers (weight 0.42): The game is recommended for beginners in the Metroidvania genre, as well as those looking for a modern take on classic Castlevania-style gameplay. Some reviews suggest it as a gateway to the genre.
- Best value on sale (weight 0.13): The game is frequently suggested as a good purchase when discounted, particularly at 75% off. Players emphasize its value when bought during promotions rather than at full price.
- Enjoyable main story alone (weight 0.04): The main story is praised as enjoyable even without engaging with optional content, making it accessible for players who prefer a straightforward experience.
- Hard difficulty for veterans (weight 0.04): Experienced players are advised to start on hard difficulty to enhance their enjoyment, as the game may otherwise feel too easy or unchallenging for seasoned fans of the genre.
- Harmonious gameplay systems (weight 0.04): The game is praised for its well-integrated gameplay systems, which create a cohesive and enjoyable experience for players who appreciate deep mechanics in Metroidvania titles.
- Play immediately to avoid regret (weight 0.04): Some players suggest playing the game immediately after purchase for at least an hour to determine if it aligns with personal preferences, reducing the risk of regret over the purchase.
- Ownership across platforms (weight 0.04): Some players own multiple copies of the game across different platforms (e.g., PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Steam), indicating a high level of satisfaction and recommendation.

Other player notes:
- Developed by Castlevania producer (weight 0.05): Koji Igarashi, the original producer of *Castlevania*, led development, reinforcing the game’s ties to the series. This is a major selling point for fans of his work and the genre.
- Artwork vs. in-game graphics mismatch (weight 0.05): Players noted a contrast between promotional artwork and actual in-game visuals, which may lead to disappointment. This highlights expectations set by marketing materials.
- Kickstarter-funded development (weight 0.05): The game originated as a Kickstarter campaign, reflecting strong community backing and a niche appeal. This funding method often attracts dedicated fans but may also set high expectations.
- Features Aurora from Child of Light (weight 0.04): The game includes Aurora, a character from *Child of Light*, suggesting cross-franchise appeal or thematic connections. This may attract fans of both franchises but could also create expectations for similar gameplay.
- Players repurchased on Steam (weight 0.04): Some players bought the game twice (e.g., Xbox at launch and later on Steam), suggesting strong replay value or platform preference. This indicates high satisfaction or a desire for improved performance/features.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.21): Players experience frustration due to repetitive and outdated mechanics, such as forced grinding, lack of modern movement options (e.g., no early dash), and poor progression clarity. Technical issues like input lag, crashes, and unresponsive controls, along with unbalanced combat (e.g., stunlock mechanics and teleporting enemies), further exacerbate the problem.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.13): Players feel satisfied due to the game's rich combat system, authentic Castlevania-like experience, and high-quality map design. The freedom in gameplay, lack of mandatory grinding, and engaging exploration, along with well-balanced difficulty and stylish presentation, contribute to a rewarding experience.
- Disappointment (weight 0.13): Disappointment stems from the game's failure to meet genre expectations, including outdated graphics, stiff movement, and shallow storytelling. Poorly designed optional content, unclear mechanics (e.g., shard upgrades), and a lackluster ending further diminish the experience, making it feel inferior to classic titles it aims to emulate.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.08): The game evokes nostalgia through its soundtrack, level design, and faithful homage to classic Castlevania titles like *Symphony of the Night*. Players appreciate its spiritual successor status, callbacks to older mechanics, and the authentic Metroidvania experience it delivers.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.07): Players enjoy the game's engaging and addictive gameplay, particularly its adherence to Metroidvania strengths like exploration, progression, and combat mechanics. The soundtrack, controls, and overall fun factor contribute to a positive experience, even if some aspects feel repetitive.
- Excitement (weight 0.06): Excitement is driven by the game's extensive content, including weapons, items, and hidden references, as well as its faithful fusion of Castlevania mechanics. The anticipation for *Bloodstained 2* and the game's creative level design and boss fights also amplify this emotion.
- Appreciation (weight 0.04): Players appreciate the game's subtle design twists, strong musical score, and polished presentation, including art style and voice acting. The core gameplay's flexibility, faithful implementation of classic Metroidvania elements, and developer's attention to detail are also praised.
- Boredom (weight 0.03): Boredom arises from repetitive gameplay loops, such as grinding for materials and facing predictable enemy attacks. Unclear progression, uninspired quests, and reused assets in the second half of the game contribute to a lack of engagement and aimless exploration.
- Disgust (weight 0.02): Disgust is directed at the game's perceived poor quality, including ugly graphics, bad enemy designs, and unsatisfying genre mechanics. Terrible gameplay, clunky controls, and an overall lack of polish further fuel this negative reaction.
- Amusement (weight 0.01): Players find amusement in unique or humorous elements, such as the inclusion of Aurora from *Child of Light* as a gameplay variation or dialogue written in a whimsical, sugar-rush style. These lighthearted touches add charm to the experience.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): Admiration is expressed for the game's execution of the Metroidvania genre and the direction of Koji Igarashi. Players praise the collaborative efforts of the creators and the overall experience, which pays homage to classic titles while offering modern refinements.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Enthusiasm is driven by the game's build variety, replayability, and strong recommendation for fans of the genre. Players highlight its engaging mechanics and content as reasons to try it, even for those not typically drawn to Metroidvanias.
- Joy (weight 0.01): Joy comes from the game's alignment with personal preferences, including its visuals, music, and gameplay mechanics like the shard system. Players appreciate finding a title that resonates with their tastes and delivers a fulfilling experience.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Anger is directed at poorly designed sidequests that disrupt immersion and the misuse of the 'Metroidvania' term for subpar imitations of Castlevania. Some players also criticize Konami for not producing similar high-quality games.
- Gratitude (weight 0.01): Gratitude is expressed for the game's origins as a Kickstarter project that evolved into a modern Castlevania-like experience. Players also appreciate personal gestures, such as receiving the game as a gift from a friend.
- Recommendation (weight 0.01): Players recommend the game based on its positive features, such as engaging gameplay, exploration, and faithfulness to the genre. They believe it is worth trying, even for those who may not typically enjoy Metroidvanias.
- Love (weight 0.01): Love is expressed for the game's homage to *Symphony of the Night* and other classic Metroidvania titles. Players develop an intense fondness for the game, often after revisiting it after a long pause.
- Resignation (weight 0.01): Resignation reflects players' acceptance of the game's flaws, such as tedious DLC grinding for full completion, despite its strengths. They acknowledge its imperfections while still appreciating aspects of the experience.
- Preference (weight 0.01): Players express preferences for certain aspects of the game, such as its 2D art style over 3D or a desire for a more serious tone. These preferences highlight personal tastes and how they influence enjoyment.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Surprise arises from discrepancies between personal experiences and the game's positive press or reviews. Unique mechanics, like slow magic, also provide unexpected and memorable moments that stand out.}