Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon

 PC
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

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  1. Vincent_Belmont
    Oct 30, 2018
    9
    The difficulty was perfect, it was Castlevania 3 but better, and was a fun game to play. The only thing I would change is that I would have preferred it to be 16 bit. I am personally still waiting for another game like Super Castlevania mixed with a complete version of Simon's Quest. Still, this is a great game!
  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. stop9091
    Jun 25, 2018
    6
    It's difficult to give a general score to this game, because, while being well-produced, it's envisioned to be run in a very specific way (multiple runs, in veteran level, with increasingly difficult mode).

    The other alternatives (straight single run (even in veteran level), or multiple runs at casual level) are relatively easy, making the game pretty short (2/4 hours and without    It's difficult to give a general score to this game, because, while being well-produced, it's envisioned to be run in a very specific way (multiple runs, in veteran level, with increasingly difficult mode).

    The other alternatives (straight single run (even in veteran level), or multiple runs at casual level) are relatively easy, making the game pretty short (2/4 hours and without interesting challenges).    … Expand
  4. VivaElPRI
    Jun 6, 2018
    10
    Castlevania game without Konami, the best 8 bit game in 2018...
    RECOMMENDED!
  5. 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 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.
  6. 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, 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, butThe 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.    … Expand
  7. Seinekar
    May 31, 2020
    4
    Extremely overrated and overprized, even more if compared to other similar (metroidvania= games.

    The game is pretty generic in all aspects. Map design, aesthetics, ambience, characters, story... nothing in it gives the game any identity or make the game special (not to say unique= in any way. Exploring the map (wich is key on metroidvanias, imo) is bland and boring, with little to no    Extremely overrated and overprized, even more if compared to other similar (metroidvania= games.

    The game is pretty generic in all aspects. Map design, aesthetics, ambience, characters, story... nothing in it gives the game any identity or make the game special (not to say unique= in any way.

    Exploring the map (wich is key on metroidvanias, imo) is bland and boring, with little to no suprise nor intrincated connections.

    The character moves quite slow, and the combat is plain bad, with weapons having only 1 single move as for main attack, spiced up (sometimes) with some special moves performed like fighting games, wich is a good addition but doesn´t fix the core combat being mediocre.

    Also the "skills" or abilities you unlock to progress in the game feel like "meh". Double jump is not great, another key skill"light bream teleport" is just and only used on the recquired spots to pass through small places and nothing else, and so on.

    The game tries to fix all those issues by giving (apparently) a ton of customization options, with tons of different powers to equip and use, and thats ok. But in the end you will find yourself using the same 2 OP powers and finding most plays the same.

    I get it has a ton of positive reviews because of the nostalgic people who loved Castlevania: Symphony of the night, wich it HEAVILY ressembles, but aside of said nostalgy, Bloodstained is quite mediocre. There are other games of the genre much better and even cheaper.

    Few suggestions instead Bloodstained:
    -Salt and Sanctuary
    -Axiom Verge
    -Blasphemous
    -Hollow Knight    … Expand
  8. Cheatman
    Nov 5, 2018
    10
    An excellent tribute to Castlevania games of old (particularly the third on on the NES), sharing the same gamplay and aesthetics. While a run through the game can take just about 3-5 hours (depending on your skill level), the game encourages multiple runs through branched levels and the possibiility for either killing recruiting new characters. Multiple difficulty levels and ways to goAn excellent tribute to Castlevania games of old (particularly the third on on the NES), sharing the same gamplay and aesthetics. While a run through the game can take just about 3-5 hours (depending on your skill level), the game encourages multiple runs through branched levels and the possibiility for either killing recruiting new characters. Multiple difficulty levels and ways to go through the game give it some good replay value, and while the game is not as challenging as Castlevania 3, playing thorugh it with just the main character on nightmare more may prove a struggle even for veteran gamers. Giving it a 10, both because the game has virtually no issues and because it's getting some unfair reviews.… Expand
  9. Kosama
    Oct 3, 2019
    9
    Muy Genial, muy buen castlevania clásico, recomendado......................
  10. KhalistaMundi
    Jul 27, 2018
    0
    So disappointing and badly done!! why this sh*t of hell?!!!! I miss the old feelings of Castlevania series!
  11. scojac
    Apr 23, 2019
    9
    This game somehow manages to maintain the feel of a classic NES title without all of the jank, slowdown and poor hit detection. It's a difficult game that requires you to have good timing with your attacks to succeed. Also there is no midair jump correction so if you aren't dead on, you are just dead. Reminds me of the NES ninja gaidens where if you take a hit at the wrong place you areThis game somehow manages to maintain the feel of a classic NES title without all of the jank, slowdown and poor hit detection. It's a difficult game that requires you to have good timing with your attacks to succeed. Also there is no midair jump correction so if you aren't dead on, you are just dead. Reminds me of the NES ninja gaidens where if you take a hit at the wrong place you are knocked into a pit and have to restart the level.
    The character-switching system helps to mitigate the difficulty somewhat, as you can switch between characters who are better at certain things. I.E., the girl has a whip with good reach and can jump higher; the alchemist's spells are all great at clearing enemies as long as you have enough weapon power.
    Some branching paths and the ability to "absorb" characters rather than recruit them gives the game some replay value. I wholeheartedly recommend sitting down with this for a weekend.    … Expand
  12. dae126
    Jun 27, 2020
    7
    El juego ofrece una experiencia notable con una buena variedad de escenarios, enemigos y armas. Visualmente es atractivo y el diseño en general destaca positivamente.

    - La historia: es casi inexistente como tal. Se resume en vamos a vencer al malo. - Lore: existe un interesante lore narrado por distintos personajes cuando los visitas y algunos libros encontrados por el mundo. - Los    El juego ofrece una experiencia notable con una buena variedad de escenarios, enemigos y armas. Visualmente es atractivo y el diseño en general destaca positivamente.

    - La historia: es casi inexistente como tal. Se resume en vamos a vencer al malo.
    - Lore: existe un interesante lore narrado por distintos personajes cuando los visitas y algunos libros encontrados por el mundo.
    - Los gráficos: destacables en lo positivo.
    - Gameplay: Encuentro torpe y lento el movimiento, falta fluidez de la protagonista. Buena variedad de armas pero escasean las técnicas, yo me lo he pasado spameando el botón de atacar.
    - BSO: No molesta pero tampoco destaca.

    Resumen: merece la pena jugarlo por ser un juego muy disfrutable. El mapeado es lo suficientemente grande y atractivo como para querer explorarlo. Un buen metroidvania.    … Expand
  13. Babutto
    Jan 23, 2020
    10
    Pros.:
    - Retro. Hi, Castlevania.
    - Variety of heroes.
    - Simple but interesting story.
    - Gameplay.

    Cons.:
    - Don't have any. Maybe lack of sequel :P
  14. Phased
    Nov 2, 2019
    7
    Nice graphically and mechanically sound. Good responsive controls. Bosses were interesting, especially with a few standouts.

    Cons: A little too easy overall. Dialogue is boring and voice acting is meh.
  15. MVMOFFICIAL
    Apr 1, 2020
    9
    It delivers what it was made for. Promised to be made if a certain goal was reached on Ritual of the Night's Kickstarter page. A great throwback to old Castlevania games. I played through it like it was nothing, enjoyed every second of it. Smooth gameplay, terrific soundtrack, peak quality. Challenging at times, the final level was a pain... i think i 100% it in one day. It was my firstIt delivers what it was made for. Promised to be made if a certain goal was reached on Ritual of the Night's Kickstarter page. A great throwback to old Castlevania games. I played through it like it was nothing, enjoyed every second of it. Smooth gameplay, terrific soundtrack, peak quality. Challenging at times, the final level was a pain... i think i 100% it in one day. It was my first 100% game. You liked Castlevania? Old veteran titles? This is for you.… Expand
  16. gamingmachinery
    Jul 14, 2020
    8
    No review present. No review present. No review present. No review present.
  17. ylnylmn
    Jul 29, 2021
    8
    I played Castlevania style Action Platformer game for the first time and I liked it very much. I finished the game in Casual mode, including Ultimate Mode. You can play with 4 characters in the game and you change characters at strategic points. Bosses and Platforms are not difficult. The only thing that forces you is the jump and attack mechanics. This is normal as it is an old styleI played Castlevania style Action Platformer game for the first time and I liked it very much. I finished the game in Casual mode, including Ultimate Mode. You can play with 4 characters in the game and you change characters at strategic points. Bosses and Platforms are not difficult. The only thing that forces you is the jump and attack mechanics. This is normal as it is an old style game. I wish the game was longer and there were conversations between the bosses and characters in the game. I was not bored while playing, the game took me back to my old times. It gives the nostalgia side very well.… Expand
  18. Jojogonpa
    Apr 12, 2021
    7
    Un bon jeu pour les fans de Castlevania de l'époque NES! (le jeu en reprend presque tout les codes). Petit défaut, le jeu devient redondant pour le 100%, puisque le jeu demande d'être refait plus de 4 fois, mais la rejouabilité est la heureusement! (sachant que le jeu a une durée de vie de jeu NES)
  19. Zeneko90
    Jun 2, 2022
    6
    Nettes. Spiel es hat echt viel Spaß gemacht. Mehr davon! Nicht zu lang, nicht zu kurz. Genau richtig.

Awards & Rankings

88
#88 Best PC Game of 2018

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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. GameOver.gr
    Jun 29, 2018
    70
    Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon is a fun 8-bit nostalgia trip that succeeds in capturing the aesthetic, challenge and gameplay of the Castlevania games of that era, though it doesn’t try to bring anything new on the table. Hopefully, its big brother, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, will not try to only repeat Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, but it will be a true spiritual successor, advancing further the genre of metroidvania.
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  2. PC Gamer
    Jun 4, 2018
    80
    Made with affection and artistry, this retro appetiser is a very pleasant surprise.
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  3. 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.
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