Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon

Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon keeps the lifeblood of the Castlevania series pumping with a condensed, and appropriately retro homage. It might not blaze the trail on anything new like a few other recent Inti Creates projects have, but it does exactly what it needs to do, and helps bolster the new legacy of Bloodstained proper before it's even out.

Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon delivers a brief but effective burst of nostalgia, and thanks to its many creative modifiers it contains enough replay value to engage (and challenge) anyone who pines for gaming's bygone days. And this isn't even the "real" Bloodstained! As appetizers go, it's substantial — nearly satisfying enough to be its own main course.

Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon, is an expertly put-together homage to classics such as Castlevania III and Rondo of Blood. The controls feel right, the challenge is satisfying, the presentation is nostalgic, and there are numerous reasons to keep returning to it. For fans of old-school Castlevania, or those just seeking an excellent challenge, don’t skip this title!