Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night was one of the most anticipated Switch releases and it's finally out. It's a return to form for the famed director Koji Igarashi, who helped create the classic platform action RPG series, Castlevania, and thus formed at least half of what is now known as the metroidvania genre. Following the release of modern masterpieces like Hollow Knight and Dead Cells, Bloodstained could not have come at a better time.
Already released on the PC, PS4, and Xbox One with rave reviews, this recent Switch port may still only have a Provisional PlayScore, it looks to follow the pattern. Critic reviews of Bloodstained on the Switch praised the game's level designs, weapon variety, and the sheer nostalgia of its designs.
Bloodstained Ritual of the Night takes place in a gothic, 18th century England and places players in the shoes of Miriam, an "orphan scarred by an alchemist curse which slowly crystallizes her body." Her quest to save humanity will be filled with collecting, crafting, and unlocking a vast array of weapons and equipment.
A project made possible through a successful kickstarter campaign back in 2015, the developers showed their dedication to their backers as well as their sense of humor in their last release date announcement trailer. Along with their progress and technological advancements in their last year of development, the trailer also answered to their fan feedback by putting old and new footage side by side.