Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon
“Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon” is packed with the retro charm that made the legendary 2D action games of the 80s so enjoyable. Take control of one of four characters that can be interchanged at any time during gameplay: The sword-swinging exorcist Zangetsu, the whip-wielding heroine Miriam, the magic using alchemist Alfred, and Gebel, who can turn into a bat and take to the skies. Finally, you can experience multiple endings depending on how you interact with the characters you meet. This project is the 8-bit style game promised as a stretch goal of the 2015 Kickstarter campaign for "Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night." Backers of the Kickstarter campaign are encouraged to check the Kickstarter page for updates.
What it feels like
Defeating enemies and progressing through stages carries a classic arcade sense of hard-won victory and momentum. The retro callback and character-driven multiple endings suggest sincere commitment to the action-adventure narrative.
What it's about
Demon slaying, dark castle, and gothic horror atmosphere pervade the setting and narrative. User tags highlight 'Gothic' and 'Vampire'; the setting evokes brooding castles and supernatural dread. Zangetsu's journey to defeat a powerful demon in a dark castle follows a classic hero's quest structure.
How it plays
Sword-swinging and whip-wielding combat are core to the moment-to-moment gameplay across all playable characters. Fast-paced melee against enemies with chained weapon attacks is the primary loop, as indicated by genre tags. Platform game explicitly listed in genres; jumping and navigating hazardous geometry is a core challenge.
How it looks and sounds
8-bit retro style with deliberately low-resolution pixel visuals is the defining aesthetic, explicitly promised as a stretch goal. Retro 8-bit music aligns with the classic 80s action game aesthetic; user tags praise 'Great Soundtrack.'
How it's structured
Single-player only; no multiplayer component mentioned. Retro action game structure suggests discrete stages played through in sequence, typical of 80s action platformers. A bounded story arc with Zangetsu's quest to defeat a demon in a dark castle provides narrative arc.
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