Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon

 PC
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Multiplayer.it
    May 25, 2018
    85
    Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon is the Castlevania clone that the Castlevanias’ fans have waited for so long…
  2. PC Gamer
    Jun 4, 2018
    80
    Made with affection and artistry, this retro appetiser is a very pleasant surprise.
  3. Twinfinite
    May 27, 2018
    80
    Aside from the repetition, which is, in retrospect, how many gamers got longevity out of old Castlevania games, Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon is a superb game. It is ideal for gamers who want an old-school challenge as well as an old-school game in both aesthetic and design.
  5. Gameblog.fr
    May 27, 2018
    80
    Classicvanias and retro action games fans can give a chance to Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon on blind faith. This game is a beautiful, really enjoyable - even if it can considered a bit short - and vibrant tribute to Castlevania III : Dracula's Curse with some great action and platforming, beautiful 8-Bit graphics and musics, in a new setting that we hope will fulfill its potential with Ritual of the Night.
  6. Game Informer
    Jun 1, 2018
    75
    Curse of the Moon isn’t incredibly challenging. You can finish it in one or two sittings, and that’s all this game really deserves. I had fun experimenting with Curse of the Moon’s four heroes, but for a game so clearly inspired by a beloved franchise, the level design feels largely uninspired. While I was initially swooned by this Castlevania doppelganger, its nostalgic spell was broken once I realized its 8-bit beauty was only skin deep.

Awards & Rankings

88
#88 Best PC Game of 2018

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 82 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 50 out of 82
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 82
  3. Negative: 13 out of 82
  1. somedude14
    May 28, 2018
    4
    The game gives you the option of two difficulties: Veteran, which is supposedly designed for people who are used to these sorts of games, andThe game gives you the option of two difficulties: Veteran, which is supposedly designed for people who are used to these sorts of games, and Casual, which is for people that aren't used to the NES-era Castlevania difficulty. Veteran is still unbelievably easy. You unlock a new mode called Nightmare after beating the game (which also unlocks an additional stage and the "true" ending, but it's 10 more minutes of gameplay and the story is a generic throwaway affair so who cares), but it only makes the game slightly more difficult by giving the bosses more health and attacks. There's also an Ultimate mode you can unlock but it's basically the superpowered steamroll mode for the game. Hence Veteran is the highest difficulty, you can make it a bit harder by going Solo Zangetsu (which is how you unlock the said Ultimate mode), but no matter how you cut it, this game is very, very easy. Veteran mode feels like it should be called Casual, simply due to the game's design, Veteran is nowhere near an NES-era action-platformer in difficulty...

    Basically an easier Castlevania III (NOT a Metroidvania) with no slowdown and flicker that only occurs when your character is in water. You also have branching paths within stages instead of having the option to choose different stages as the game progresses. You can have up to four playable characters and switch between them on the fly, you can ignore them or sacrifice them as well for different endings. Soundtrack is decent but not nearly as inspired as the classic Castlevania tracks, I can't remember any of the music and I just completed the game, they really dropped the ball here. Worth playing if you want a classic Castlevania game but are sick of the official classic Castlevania games because you've played them too many times, but otherwise this is "same old" with next to nothing to set it apart and honestly I wouldn't put this higher than a 4/10, yeah I said "worth playing if you want a classic Castlevania game but are sick of official classic Castlevania games" but that doesn't mean this is a passable game, just the only one on Steam I can think of that might remotely scratch that itch. It does end up feeling like "No Name Brand Castlevania III". It takes advantage of modern tech for higher resolutions and no slowdown (but again there is flicker when in water), but otherwise the overall quality (especially in the music department) is a dive. There's also a boss rush mode you can unlock.

    Also seems to be more than a little overpriced, but I'm comparing it to something like "Castle in the Darkness" which cost me $6.50CDN on launch and is a better game (despite being derivative in its gameplay and some of its art, the music and level design were clearly labors of love). Too much of a "been there, done that" with not much else put into this to really wow. When I beat it I was dumbfounded by how easy it was.    … Full Review »
  2. jonaskenazi
    May 28, 2018
    10
    Castlevania is back! This game is a punch of nostalgia right in the heart, and a kick in the ass to Konami. **** Konami.
  3. StriderKiwi
    Aug 2, 2018
    5
    Overall a competent throwback that has more than most games from the time it's emulating but still feels lacking compared to contemporaryOverall a competent throwback that has more than most games from the time it's emulating but still feels lacking compared to contemporary games.

    Also, while I backed it on Kickstarter it took me weeks to get my code after non-backers were able to purchase.

    Thoroughly disappointed.    … Full Review »
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