Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night (Was "Like Igarashi? Like Castlevania? Then It is Time to Decide: Sword or Whip")

[Nz17]

It looks like Iga(rashi) is about to launch a 2D "Metroidvania" without Konami. (It seems like everybody who can is leaving Konami these days.) Right now, all that is known about it is at this "teaser" site located online at [ http://swordorwhip.com/ ]. Going by the art style of the Web site, this new game will feature art very similar to the PSX, GBA, & DS Castlevania games. More information is supposed to be available sometime next week.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

What is this? a miserable pile of secrets!

[Tanooki]

I approve of this mass bleed of talent being unshackled from the dying beast that is Konami. Good for him.

[celerystalker]

I'll take more 2D Castlevania(ish)! Action/adventure games like that are many of my very favorite games, and he's made some excellent ones.

[BHvrd]

Only hours into the Kickstarter and already funded lol, looks like it is now reality.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/iga/bloodstained-ritual-of-the-night

[Tanooki]

And now at $880K already it ate up all their stretch goals beyond having Hayter (solid snake) voice for the game.

I see this one will have a physical and digital release. Very pleased seeing that indeed. PS4 or PC(steam)....tough call. Again another case of a good developer and a company gone bad, getting away to make something the consumer actually will enjoy and they'll enjoy making instead of more compromise and meh.

[kupomogli]

I haven't donated yet, but if I do I'm thinking about the $100 one. It'd be nice to have my name immortalized in a game and with this one it'll be one that I more than likely will enjoy.

*edit*

I just threw $100 on it. I'm hoping I didn't throw my money away because IGA has pushed so much garbage out before Konami finally booted his ass. However not only is he trying to get himself out there in the industry again, he's making his first side scrolling exploration on console since SotN.

[Nz17]

A Twitter account to follow along on the fun: https://twitter.com/swordorwhip

"Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night" (the game's official name) has now passed $1,784,389 pledged by backers. That was fast! They have already flown through another batch of stretch goals.

An 8 hour off-and-on chat / game playing with Koji Igarashi and "Kinda Funny Games": http://www.twitch.tv/kindafunnygames/v/4926236

IGA on His Castlevania Spiritual Successor, Konami, More - Kinda Funny Gamescast Special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TzfM6QUs6A

[FieryReign]

Too bad it's on these shitty consoles instead of 3DS. Looks like I'll never play it...

[The 1 2 P]

I'm interested in Bloodstained but have also been waiting a long time for a 2D Metroid and 2D Castlevania on 3DS. I do have Mirrors of Fate(2.5D) but I'd like something a little more similar to the GBA Castlevania and Metroid games. But for now Bloodstained: ROTN is looking pretty good and I'm glad it got funded so quickly.

[Tanooki]

Too bad it's on these shitty consoles instead of 3DS. Looks like I'll never play it...

I hear that. I'd probably buy it on PC, when discounted, since it's DRM'd up with Steam (jerks.) MIghty09 I was up for, but I refused to buy it on a console being stuck there as a download, but the funding was so blown out it is getting a physical release on the 3DS so I'll wait the added 1, 4, 6...months and buy that. I did it with that Cave Story 3D(S) so I'm fine being patient.

[mailman187666]

I took the $100 pledge. Does anybody know how to select which system you want it for? it didn't even ask me. I'm assuming they contact you via e-mail. I've never done a kickstarter before, so I'm not fully familiar how it works. I know I probably should have researched it before I dropped $100 haha.

[Bojay1997]

I took the $100 pledge. Does anybody know how to select which system you want it for? it didn't even ask me. I'm assuming they contact you via e-mail. I've never done a kickstarter before, so I'm not fully familiar how it works. I know I probably should have researched it before I dropped $100 haha.

Once the campaign is over, they will send out a backer survey and that's where you tell them what version you would like.

[BetaWolf47]

Too bad it's on these shitty consoles instead of 3DS. Looks like I'll never play it...

I'm surprised they're using Unreal Engine 4 for it. Is there any point in using that engine for a freaking 2.5D game and then not being able to port it over to systems like Wii U, 3DS, and Vita?

[Bojay1997]

I'm surprised they're using Unreal Engine 4 for it. Is there any point in using that engine for a freaking 2.5D game and then not being able to port it over to systems like Wii U, 3DS, and Vita?

The current market for WiiU, 3DS and Vita games is frankly tiny compared to the market for PC, PS4 and Xbox One games and the gap is only going to widen two years from now when the game is released. In fact, Nintendo may not even be supporting the current versions of the WiiU and 3DS at that point and the Vita may be replaced or even discontiuned. Also, Unreal Engine 4 has certain performance and graphic engine advantages over Unity and I suspect the programmers on the team probably have more experience with Unreal Engine than Unity.

[FieryReign]

The current market for WiiU, 3DS and Vita games is frankly tiny compared to the market for PC, PS4 and Xbox One games and the gap is only going to widen two years from now when the game is released. In fact, Nintendo may not even be supporting the current versions of the WiiU and 3DS at that point and the Vita may be replaced or even discontiuned. Also, Unreal Engine 4 has certain performance and graphic engine advantages over Unity and I suspect the programmers on the team probably have more experience with Unreal Engine than Unity.

Good points. But let's just eliminate the Vita from the door, that is pretty much officially dead. And I wish the prices would finally drop on the thing...

2 years? I've already lost interest...

But... I will say, there's been a little tradition going on with metroidvanias and Nintendo handhelds. A really excellent tradition.

And... this seems like a game for the hardcore Castlevania audience, so why cater to the casuals with PS4s and XB1s? The fans are directly funding you. No need for "market research" or any of that corporate nonsense. No excuses anymore with this kickstarter bullshit.

[Niku-Sama]

I'm surprised they're using Unreal Engine 4 for it. Is there any point in using that engine for a freaking 2.5D game and then not being able to port it over to systems like Wii U, 3DS, and Vita?

UE4 is supposed to be ultra flexible in terms of systems and platforms. its range is from high end pc to crap android phones and all in between.

I'm sure there will be a way to make it on to new 3ds and others

[Tanooki]

If it doesn't hit at least the New 3DS with the double spec stuff going on there, it's just a slap to the face to dedicated Nintendo buyers of all things handheld Castlevania as that support really kept his projects going. I get the Wii/U and the Vita, they're toast and totally done within 2 years. New3DS will be probably in its prime or last half of its life with something known coming in another 2 years for another year out. To not support is just shady, especially given the stunning influx of cash being thrown at them well over their needs. I'm pretty certain an added 200K for 'boss rush mode' is bullshit (ie: doesn't cost that much), at that level of cash you could totally work up another version instead and the pot just keeps growing. It is correct UE4 engine can go as high as what you have now maybe more, and as lowly as a couple year old or so android device, so outing something like the upgraded 3DS (if not the normal one either) seems weak to me.

I also find it silly they need this dough now with a vague promise of 2 years later, that seems a bit of a stretch for that kind of trust.

[CDiablo]

The fans are directly funding you.

I also find it silly they need this dough now with a vague promise of 2 years later, that seems a bit of a stretch for that kind of trust.

I find it funny that in the kickstarter video Iga says that he needs kickstarter to prove to his financial backers that this project is worth backing. This money is just gravy over the money already allocated to it.

I like that they are offering a physical version. I don't think I will kickstart but if they release a physical once its done I am in.

[kai123]

Looks good I hope everyone's money gets it funded. I am personally tired of the Metroidvania games. A traditional tough as nails 2D platformer akin to Castlevania 3 would be ideal. I mean they stopped making them because they were not making money plus they started to feel like the same thing over and over again. New sprites and characters will help a great deal though.

[Tanooki]

I think a classic Castlevania could sell great once more. As you said you have that played out feeling with the SOTN style of game, they're played out, but to those who don't care who just buy them as they arrive (like yearly COD funk) they'll keep feeding the beast. At least this well over funded project is going to add a classic Castlevania stage based mode with a linear run, a boss, no XP boosts, pure roots gaming there looking to be. I'd be up for that. You can only stomp around the old 8/16bit Castlevania stuff only so much before it all runs together. If they had the visualized style of the Castlevania on 3DS or something of a sprite based smoothly animated blowout with or without the 2.5D like depth it could do well. Platformers have been coming back, this SOTN style got hot when they were hitting a wall and being ignored mostly outside of NIntendo(mario) circles.

[kai123]

Oh, I agree. I have all of the castlevania games released for the handhelds. I liked them but they did make 6 with the same style and I just got tired of them. I really hope this gets the genre going again. I am still furious that Konami hasn't completely redone SOTN. They have taken some stupid pills over the years.

[PreZZ]

Oh man, so excited for this game! A NEW metroidvania 2d on the NEW gen consoles, by the master of the genre! Just backed a physical copy, really wanted to back the 100$ but canadian dollar is so low, its going to be 150$ with shipping... just the 60$ is 82$

[BetaWolf47]

I backed the Alchemist's Treasure version. I second what Tanooki said... the genre did get almost as stale as the modern FPS, but a renewed interest in the Castleroid style should bring about innovation, like what SOTN did for 2D games almost 20 years ago.

[kupomogli]

Nintendo fans made the biggest fuss about this game not coming to the Wii and two days ago it was officially announced that the $300,000 stretch goal was a Wii U version. It's only received $100,000 funding since then and there are a lot of posts from Nintendo fans bashing the game that "it should have been on Wii U in the first place," etc, etc. I can guarantee most of that $100,000 in two days hasn't came from Nintendo fans. Most Nintendo fans just aren't happy with anything unless it's first party exclusive. If I was IGA I'd just remove the stretch goal and put that money into putting forth more effort on the other versions.

[BetaWolf47]

Nintendo fans made the biggest fuss about this game not coming to the Wii and two days ago it was officially announced that the $300,000 stretch goal was a Wii U version. It's only received $100,000 funding since then and there are a lot of posts from Nintendo fans bashing the game that "it should have been on Wii U in the first place," etc, etc. I can guarantee most of that $100,000 in two days hasn't came from Nintendo fans. Most Nintendo fans just aren't happy with anything unless it's first party exclusive. If I was IGA I'd just remove the stretch goal and put that money into putting forth more effort on the other versions.
Dude, you're complaining about people not throwing money at something that's not guaranteed. With Kickstarter, if that hadn't hit a $500,000 pledge, NOBODY would be charged. Now if they start throwing money at it now, and it only hits $2,900,000, then they get nothing out of it. Plus, funding is logarithmic. It topped out a few days ago. $100,000 in two days is a hell of a lot faster than it was going the two days before.

[Tanooki]

It has nothing to do with lying Nintendo fanboys. Kickstarters are nothing but hollow promises until the funding is met and the project hopefully happens as was promised for your money, but even that isn't a promise. Nintendo fans if anything get pissed off they get the snub repeatedly when they're Nintendo console owners. The fact it wasn't included originally (or 3DS for that matter) would piss any of them off who aren't multi-system owners (and believe it or not most non-net talking active community gamers) have just one box so of course they'd get angry, especially with the lack of any support the WiiU gets. The money it has popped up since that rewards was known isn't bad at all, but until it is clear that award could/would be hit, don't expect Nintendo fans to be gushing over a currently empty promise. As betawolf basically said it, it could fall short and they get nothing, other than helping send money into something they won't or can't use which is a waste. Hell if I funded kickstarters if they said they'd also throw the 3DS in there as a physical release at 3M, I wouldn't pay until it was clear it would make that or exceed as that's the only format I'd want it on.

[kupomogli]

Dude, you're complaining about people not throwing money at something that's not guaranteed. With Kickstarter, if that hadn't hit a $500,000 pledge, NOBODY would be charged. Now if they start throwing money at it now, and it only hits $2,900,000, then they get nothing out of it. Plus, funding is logarithmic. It topped out a few days ago. $100,000 in two days is a hell of a lot faster than it was going the two days before.

So Nintendo fans aren't confident that their fanbase will support a mere $250k in 17 days? So even Nintendo fans don't place trust in their fanbase to buy games then right? That's exactly what you're saying. You've got three fanbases that put over a million in less than a day, but Nintendo fans who have had most of the games in this style on their systems still haven't funded the game.

Also you're talking out of your ass. Yes, most funding is done when the funding is first available, because most people interested will immediately put money down on it, but you're just spewing bullshit out of your mouth by stating that it's going a hell of a lot faster than it was two days ago(now three days.) Starting yesterday mirror sites for multiple different regions were added so the game can get support from different languages, but even then, it's only received $150k in three days. The kickstarter hit $2m on the 15th, it took until the 20th to get $2,500k, and the 26th to get to get to $2,750k. So it has dropped drastically after hitting the latest goal, taking six days, but the rate it's going right now, it'll still take five days to hit the following goal, and that's hardly "a lot faster."

Right now, no one can be certain any additional increase in sales now though are due to the Nintendo fans or because of support the game is getting from the mirror sites in other countries, but what we do know, based on how much money was gained since the announcement and right now, is that there's a large certainty that Nintendo fans didn't put jack shit into a game that they were bitching and moaning since the announcement on getting.

[Tanooki]

So Nintendo fans aren't confident that their fanbase will support a mere $250k in 17 days? So even Nintendo fans don't place trust in their fanbase to buy games then right? That's exactly what you're saying. You've got three fanbases that put over a million in less than a day, but Nintendo fans who have had most of the games in this style on their systems still haven't funded the game.

Also you're talking out of your ass. Yes, most funding is done when the funding is first available, because most people interested will immediately put money down on it, but you're just spewing bullshit out of your mouth by stating that it's going a hell of a lot faster than it was two days ago(now three days.) Starting yesterday mirror sites for multiple different regions were added so the game can get support from different languages, but even then, it's only received $150k in three days. The kickstarter hit $2m on the 15th, it took until the 20th to get $2,500k, and the 26th to get to get to $2,750k. So it has dropped drastically after hitting the latest goal, taking six days, but the rate it's going right now, it'll still take five days to hit the following goal, and that's hardly "a lot faster."

Right now, no one can be certain any additional increase in sales now though are due to the Nintendo fans or because of support the game is getting from the mirror sites in other countries, but what we do know, based on how much money was gained since the announcement and right now, is that there's a large certainty that Nintendo fans didn't put jack shit into a game that they were bitching and moaning since the announcement on getting.

I'd have to agree with that. I don't trust them. I lost trust in die hard Nintendo fans years ago because the N64 started this sour turn of fanboy bullshit where they'd almost exclusively if not entirely just buy crap that Nintendo made or Nintendo published. That as much as any stupid move Nintendo did drove off game makers because the profit was a lot smaller than with the other guys. So no, I'd not trust Nintendo fans to cough up a quarter million to get it on WiiU which is why I went off on that the other day about not seeing a point until it was already there. Nintendo fans, enough of them at least, will talk a lot of shit and complain but when it comes time to buy at retail, they won't get off their mouthy asses to go to the store or even click a button online. That's what I learned, that being a Nintendo fan I'm in the minority as I'll actually buy, play and enjoy, hell enough times prefer the third party games. My 3DS has an even split of titles between what they publish and what they don't, take out their publishing it's even more third party based and I know that makes me not normal which is pathetic. It is yet one of those reasons I sold off the WiiU. Fans as much as Nintendo snubbing developers wants in a new box are responsible for it getting jack shit for releases outside of the first/second party releases and to me that's unacceptable.

[Bojay1997]

Nintendo fans made the biggest fuss about this game not coming to the Wii and two days ago it was officially announced that the $300,000 stretch goal was a Wii U version. It's only received $100,000 funding since then and there are a lot of posts from Nintendo fans bashing the game that "it should have been on Wii U in the first place," etc, etc. I can guarantee most of that $100,000 in two days hasn't came from Nintendo fans. Most Nintendo fans just aren't happy with anything unless it's first party exclusive. If I was IGA I'd just remove the stretch goal and put that money into putting forth more effort on the other versions.

I have to say that as both a WiiU owner and a frequent Kickstarter video game backer, I find the "this game has to be on the WiiU or I won't support it" group to be extremely annoying. They make a ton of noise, but at the end of the day, they rarely make much of a difference in the total funding on projects. I like the WiiU and love Nintendo first party games, but frankly, spending any money as a third party, let alone an independent developer/publisher to port games to the WiiU is a huge financial mistake. Ultimately, PCs, PS4 and Xbox One are an overwhelming majority of the software market right now and in the conceivable future and unless there is a specific reason that a game belongs on a platform like WiiU, Vita or 3DS, it's a poor decision to promise releases for those platforms as the long-term financial return will be terrible and the short term funding bump is negligible.

[kupomogli]

Now a Vita version that no one even asked for. Too many ports going to eat away at the funding and the end product suffers as a result.

*edit*

Wii U has been funded for a day and only $40k more. Thank you for lending your support Nintendo fans and all the additional stretch goals you're helping us reach. We could have had additional content, but noooooo. The amount of extra content we're losing because funding two extra consoles isn't going to be made back by the supporters of those consoles. Maybe we can hit $4m so we atleast get three extra meaningful stretch goals.

It's nothing against Nintendo fans, it's the Nintendo "fans." The die hard fans that Nintendo is better than everything, cries how Nintendo doesn't get this and that and doesn't support it, because why should they when first party is better. I play Nintendo games and consoles so you could call me a fan, but the die hard fanboys are a bane to the industry.

[The 1 2 P]

I'm not sure why they would even waste time making a Wii U or Vita version unless he's just doing that because they are Japanese systems(probably). But even still, why not make a version for the much more popular 3DS than those two systems.

[Tanooki]

I can see the Vita, it's not a total bomb like the WiiU, and it is Sony which is still considered the big fish over there, but the fact the 3DS is being hung out to dry is crap.

[kupomogli]

The Vita version is already going to receive a massive downscale to be ported on the system, the 3DS would be even more so. Neither the Vita or Wii U should receive a port considering that next to no one is going to purchase it and it's wasting resources, while the 3DS is so weak in comparison to the consoles that it won't be the same game. Sure it'll receive a massive graphics downgrade, but pretty sure AI, physics, etc, will all be limited or incorrect on a 3DS version.

[Nz17]

All I gotta say right now is that I) the 3DS is the best-selling console month-over-month in Japan, beating every other handheld and TV console in sales, and it has sold extremely well internationally, so supporting it with any project where the game is capable of running on it should be a no-brainer if you want to maximize your sales, and II) running on GBA and DS did not significantly "downgrade" the experience of any of the Castlevania games on those consoles, so it shouldn't be any different with Bloodstained.

[BHvrd]

Just dropped $60 on physical Wii U edition, can't wait to play it on the crapper, in the hot tub, while eating dinner and late nights under the covers.

My Wii U is my little companion and i'll hug him and squeeze him and....NOW I CAN PLAY THIS GAME WOOHOO!!!

[JSoup]

My general knee jerk reply to interesting Kickstarters is "Neat, I'll get it on discount in a year or so from an indie bundle and/or flea market."
But then I saw this is basically Order of Ecclesia 2 and I'm much more interested.

[kupomogli]

$3,750,000 stretch goal is orchestrated tracks.

[Hwj_Chim]

Just dropped $60 on physical Wii U edition, can't wait to play it on the crapper, in the hot tub, while eating dinner and late nights under the covers.

My Wii U is my little companion and i'll hug him and squeeze him and....NOW I CAN PLAY THIS GAME WOOHOO!!!

I was going to wait on the game and then they announced the wii u version. Well there went 60 bucks.:drinking:

[kupomogli]

Now that it seems that all the stretch goals are seemingly guaranteed to being funded, I really don't care that the Wii U and Vita versions got stretch goals. In the past 24 hours, Bloodstained has received over $500,000 in funding, making it's way from under $4m, to over $4.5m, adding three more stretch goals funded. The final stretch goal is at $5m and it looks like it's well on its way to being funded. Bloodstained is going to keep its original vision, but now there's going to be a One Way Heroics mixed with Rogue Legacy style rogue like mode which the castle will be randomized into a level that includes a boss at the end and each level is going to have a password. Hundreds of millions of combinations of levels that you can have an endless amount of content and like One Way Heroics, you can save your favorite passwords to replay your favorite levels over and over again. I have high hopes for Bloodstained and just based on the amount of content the game has, assuming the game itself will be of quality, this may turn out to be one of the greatest games of all time.

Just to make a list of all it has to offer.

-Bloodstained Ritual of the Night with three playable characters, having both local and online co op.
-Classic mode. A stage based game in which the main games assets will be reworked to have six levels and play out like a classic Castlevania.
-Boss Rush mode.
-Speed Run mode.
-Rogue Like Dungeon mode.

It's almost like Castlevania Dracula X Chronicles with the remake to Rondo of Blood, Rondo of Blood, and Symphony of the Night, while this is similar in that it's a new game with all of the same features(and the Rogue Like Dungeon mode, hopefully, which is a new feature.)

[mailman187666]

I think this could turn out to be one of the best metroid-vania style game as well. I hope it hits the $5m mark, because a rouge mode will add on that much more replay value. It sucks that we have to wait so long to get the game, but I think it will be worth the weight. With 13hrs to go, I think it will hit the next stretch goal. It seems to be getting another pledge every 20 seconds or so while I was on the page.

[Flashback2012]

Only $200K to go for the $5M Stretch Goal with 10 hours left. :D

[mailman187666]

Only $200K to go for the $5M Stretch Goal with 10 hours left. :D

It looks like it has passed the $5mil mark with the latest update. The final stretch goal is "boss revenge mode" where you get to play as the bosses and fight against the good guys. it's $5.5M to reach that, and there are 7-8 hours left. I might try and catch some of the live stream about it tonight.

[JSoup]

*sigh*
........fine.
$28 for a digital version.

[BHvrd]

http://i.imgur.com/m3uOgxGh.jpg?1 (http://imgur.com/m3uOgxG)

[kupomogli]

We've hit every stretch goal and even hit the boss revenge goal they added afterwards. With how much potential this game has and the amount of funding it's had to acheive that goal something I wasn't confident in two weeks ago, I'm glad I took part in this funding. Also glad that everyone no matter what console they prefer, so long as it's pc or current gen, has a chance to experience this game.

So BetaWolf, I apologize for the douchebag response. We helped create this potentially amazing game together.

[PreZZ]

This is the game I've been waiting for the past 20 years, sotn is my all time favorite game. The portable games Iga made were amazing, but I always wanted a big budget home console metroidvania style game, I bought all the castlevania 2d, and i rented a couple of the 3d ones since n64 and they all sucked. This is the most epic fuck you we could give Konami, and im glad we did, we dont want god of warvania, they must be kicking themselves in the nuts right now!

[BetaWolf47]

We've hit every stretch goal and even hit the boss revenge goal they added afterwards. With how much potential this game has and the amount of funding it's had to acheive that goal something I wasn't confident in two weeks ago, I'm glad I took part in this funding. Also glad that everyone no matter what console they prefer, so long as it's pc or current gen, has a chance to experience this game.

So BetaWolf, I apologize for the douchebag response. We helped create this potentially amazing game together.

Me too. My response was a little unwarranted. I guess I do have a little bit of that Nintendo "fan" in me...

Anyways, I jumped for the Alchemist's Treasure version. I plan on getting it physically on Wii U and digitally on GOG. I'll probably leave the Wii U version sealed for a while and play the GOG version. On a side note, I am looking forward to seeing whether Armature Studios' Wii U engine affects Wii U development in the future.

[evildead2099]

I just learned about this game, and want to learn more about it and possibly support it.

So are we positive that this will be designed as a 2D game, or is that just speculation? Is it pure 2D gameplay and visuals, or 2D gameplay with a 2.5D aesthetic (ala Street Fighter 4)?

Can I still fund the game, or is it too late for that? Where can I go to do this?

I've never funded a game before. If the game gets made and I funded it, am I entitled to own the game without having to fork over more money?

What happens if you fund a game and it doesn't get made? Do you get a refund? Or is funding a game as risky as forking money over to Phil Fish?

[kupomogli]

The Kickstarter is already over and all stretch goals have been funded. We've received an estimated date of early 2017 but according to some people who have funded Kickstarter projects before, it'll probably be late 2017 or even 2018 before we see the game. The game is 2.5D. 3D on a 2D plane with cel shaded characters and enemies.

[JSoup]

And, as of the first update to show something close to an ingame screen shot, people are already complaining as we seem to have another Might No.9 situation.

[Tanooki]

Hell I forgot about the project. That's not good going this long and nothing to show for it yet.

[Nz17]

We seem to have another Might No.9 situation.

Would you please elaborate?

[kupomogli]

The only in game stuff we've seen was back before the Kickstarter was completed, testing out moving the character back and forth across ohkoing enemies. He gave input that the character looked too stiff and needed a different looking animation, make her look like she was jogging to remove that stiff walking look. And to make the camera tilted a little bit so we could slightly see the floor instead of seeing the panel of the floor. But this was way back when.

I don't think people should be comparing this to Mighty No 9 right now because the game doesn't come out until 2017 at minimum. Mighty No 9 is already near completion and it looks disappointing. There's a big difference between a game that just started development this year and still has over a year development time compared to a game that's complete and looks like crap even then.

This right here is the only update we've seen, five months ago. It's also off screen which is even less of a representation. We shouldn't expect the game anytime soon and we should expect any updates any time soon. Let them make the game first so they can have something to show us. I'd rather not see anything and let them develop the game as good as they can than wasting time showing the community what little they have and then people ranting throwing hate at the game for something that isn't even close to finished.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TU-NF6SJxps

[Tanooki]

For the general public or at the least paying parties should be allowed some kind of information, even if it's like at the top of every month just to know how things are swinging along with their hard spent funding of the project as after all it is an investment for those involved. A 30 day check in in text, not even pictures needed I don't think would be asking too much.

[kupomogli]

^Okay, anyways I just got home and I was able to check my email(I can't check use my phone at work and my email won't let me access it at a different computer) so I see they've sent out an update with one image using two different shaders. I have to admit that the graphics do suck, badly I might add, but it's work in progress. Additionally, the kickstarter image said the graphics were a placeholder only and weren't what the final product would look like, they said it would be in 3D and what we've seen in the images were 2D. I agree that the 2D looks a whole hell of a lot better than what we have, but as I've said before, the game is over a year out and they've practically just started. We have no idea how much better that the graphically could end up looking, although I have a feeling this is about as good as they're going to get. I guess I should go back to being pissed that the Wii U got supported because the possibility that other consoles got downgraded for parity but whatever. Let's hope they do a major overhaul to the character model and graphical textures in future updates.

Anyways for those interested, here are the two images that show the differences in shaders. I personally prefer the first one, the second seems that it takes away effects, although since they're giving us a choice, couldn't they add it as an option in the game to change the shader at any time?

*edit*

I've submitted my feedback of what I liked on the first and what I liked on the second and if they could edit it and see how it would look. Additionally in the optional text, I made a comment about the graphics and that I'd like to see at the very least a major character model/enemy model overhaul before the games release going by what we've just seen.

http://podcast.fangamer.com.s3.amazonaws.com/bloodstained/shader1screen.png

http://podcast.fangamer.com.s3.amazonaws.com/bloodstained/shader2screen.png

[JSoup]

Would you please elaborate?

Mostly the visual style we're seeing with the last update. People were annoyed that the style shown in the Kickstarter isn't what we're going to see in the final game and Bloodstained is showing those same changes thus far.

[Nz17]

Looking at the update/post in question (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/iga/bloodstained-ritual-of-the-night/posts/1434252), I think I can spot a few problems.

1) Inti Creates is developing Bloodstained for Igarashi. This is the same Inti Creates behind mediocre to bad game after mediocre to bad game with only a few slight exceptions. Some "prime" examples of Inti Creates's work include Eureka 7 V.1: New Wave, Azure Striker Gunvolt, Mega Man ZX Advent, Mighty Gunvolt, Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures, and Mighty No. 9.

2) Holy crap, that is terribly impractical "armor" to be wearing into combat against the violent, fangs-bared and claws-readied, foul forces of Hell unleashed upon the land. I know, a lot of games do this crap, but it is seriously annoying to me every time it happens. If anything, all the exposed skin should get scarred to Hell after a fight ensues as a result, but that never happens! Put on some real armor (not just this game), then we'll talk. Otherwise, the outside-of-the-story reasons for these forms of character design and adornment are obvious and lame.

3) To my knowledge it was never directly stated that the game was going to be in 2D. However the conceptual art for the project on Kickstarter which was showcased clearly implied that this was going to be a 2D game and not a 2.5D game. Plus, though this is still early in development, the 3D graphics do not feature the lavish details which are present in those conceptual illustrations. One might argue that such details are only practical in 2D illustrations and are nearly impossible to achieve in a 3D game.

[stargate]

I really loved the 2D look that they showed being played earlier in development. Reminded me a lot of SOTN which I believe was the whole point here and the reason so many people invested and got excited. The current screen shots above are disappointing to say the least. Honestly it's not rocket science. Give us a 2D SOTN/COTM style game for the next gen systems and everyone will be happy. I hope they pull it off but it seems to be going in the wrong direction.

[kupomogli]

3) To my knowledge it was never directly stated that the game was going to be in 2D. However the conceptual art for the project on Kickstarter which was showcased clearly implied that this was going to be a 2D game and not a 2.5D game. Plus, though this is still early in development, the 3D graphics do not feature the lavish details which are present in those conceptual illustrations. One might argue that such details are only practical in 2D illustrations and are nearly impossible to achieve in a 3D game.

Go to the Kickstarter campaign and scroll to the very bottom where it says faq. It was one of the questions asked during the ask IGA portions of the Kickstarter.


Why 2.5D.

Because this is an Igavania game, the gameplay and feel of traditional 2D games is non-negotiable. Even so, IGA decided to go with 2.5D for this project for both financial and artistic reasons. A 2.5D world built on Unreal Engine 4 was the right choice to balance development time, graphical fidelity, budget, and scope.

At the same time, IGA is very excited about exploring the paths a 2.5D style opens up within the classic Igavania formula. As he begins a new chapter of his career as a developer, he's looking forward to trying things that will enhance, rather than detract from, that core gameplay.

However, we would NEVER discount the fans' love for that classic style. The development team is looking forward to working with backers every step of the way to decide on custom shaders that will give the game a distinctive, hand-crafted look, so there are no surprises. Games like Guilty Gear and Strider are proof that 2.5D can be handled in a way that honors a classic aesthetic while allowing for new possibilities; that’s what IGA hopes to achieve with this project.

That said, one section of the castle will feature an area that Miriam can traverse in beautiful retro graphics. We are dubbing this section “the 8-bit level” although it may be close to 16 bit or 32 bit depending on how we mix it with the full game. While a full-blown 8-bit game doesn't fit into the full budget, backer support allows us to have fun with the development and create a little retro magic in our game.

[kupomogli]

I personally don't have an issue with 2.5D. Look at Lords of Shadow Mirror of Fate HD, an upscaled 3DS game. Coming from seeing what Mercury Steam could do with 2.5D on the 3DS, it's very disappointing seeing what's been done so far with Bloodstained.

http://news.xlcgamingnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Alucard-1.jpg

http://cdn.supersoluce.com/file/docs/docid_5212eb3d8f152f9450000018/elemid_4ee9faa20a2fe93d0e000010/castlevania-lords-of-shadow-mirror-of-fate-hd-016.jpg

Compared to the below, I really hope they're just testing out different techniques on what they'll use to finalize the graphics and it looks much better, but like I said, I doubt it. Despite that, if an amazing gameplay comes out of it when it comes to gameplay, then the graphics will be a disappointment, but obviously something I'll live with.

http://podcast.fangamer.com.s3.amazonaws.com/bloodstained/shader1screen.png

[FieryReign]

2017 for a 2.5D game? Yeah. Indies are pumping these games out far quicker. Expectations are too high based on this dude's name. Take a look at his recent resume. Game nerds hold on too tight and disregard reality.

[stargate]

2017 for a 2.5D game? Yeah. Indies are pumping these games out far quicker. Expectations are too high based on this dude's name. Take a look at his recent resume. Game nerds hold on too tight and disregard reality.

Plus I mean they got over 5 million from the Kickstarter. I would think they could get this done sooner. But then again I have no idea what goes into it. Hoping for the best.

[JSoup]

Plus I mean they got over 5 million from the Kickstarter. I would think they could get this done sooner. But then again I have no idea what goes into it. Hoping for the best.

They and the Yooka-Laylee guys were both initially shooting for a late 2016 release. That's more than likely not going to happen, but the Yooka-Laylee people seem to be sticking by it.

[Tanooki]

Kind of depends even with that kind of cash. Everyone wants a paycheck as it goes along so that's a good chunk to divvy out to live off of, and then you'll need to get programming tools and other apps/licenses so it will cut into it. Kickstarter also gets over 10% of the cut as well so they're getting only 4-4.5M of the 5M pot they racked up too. You also need to slice out any garbage they'll have to produce for all the fanboys who paid up on various tiers so that comes out of the budget too. Art books, and other merchandise aren't free to produce, especially in smaller numbers when they cost more.

I forgot about that fun 3DS game of mine going HD. I know it hit PS3, think it's on Steam too, I should look.

As to those very alpha images, the bottom one loses good much detail, even the face of the character seems washed away so the only one I see much of any value in was the first top one.

[kupomogli]

The graphics from before were clearly work in progress because they've just recently released a new update on what the game could potentially look like with the newest set of shaders.

Here are images for background 1 and character 1, as well as background 3 and character 3, both being interchangeable with your preferred choice. For me, I'll be okay with whichever background and character that they choose. With the first background, while it's less sharper and shows less details in the textures, the area looks more worn in and grittier. The second picture though shows it much more detailed and sharper which looks really nice, it does sort of have that kind of plastic like look to it a bit(only a bit.) The first character model looks really nice and blends with the background, but . The second character model looks amazing but with it's sort of anime look it does sort of clash with the background. It's really unfortunate we're given a choice between the two character models instead of having the option to switch between both. Seperately, my favorite between the two would be background 1 and character 3, but background 1 is a much better fit with character 1 and background 3 is a much better fit with character 3.

You can find all the images at the kickstarter, but I've only included background 1 character 1 and background 3 character 3 images. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/iga/bloodstained-ritual-of-the-night/posts/1470661

Background 1, character 1.

https://i.imgur.com/sfELXMi.png

https://i.imgur.com/5lTPC7s.png

https://i.imgur.com/rkuKDLi.png

Background 3, character 3.

https://i.imgur.com/hzvAbBh.png

https://i.imgur.com/Vpx22px.png

https://i.imgur.com/Pfdx797.png

[Tanooki]

With the girl it's like a more realistic texture versus well animated cartoon texture, both work, more of a preference game. Background color/lighting is kind of more of a more light vs more dark. At least they're making progress and posting updates on it, so they're less likely to take crap like Mighty No 9 did (speaking of that, I can't seem to find info on a physical 3ds/vita release anymore.)

[kupomogli]

I would have been fine with either one winning the poll, but background 3 and character 3 won. Here's a video they've released moving the camera around the character and then moving the light source as well as the camera.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djiqVFnS30g

[Nz17]

Now that Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is available for purchase for PS4, XBO, Windows, and Switch as well as Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon (its 8-bit-style counterpart), what do you all think of the game(s)? Good, bad, blase? I've heard that the Switch port has serious problems, but the other ones run right.

The user reviews on MetaCritic (https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/bloodstained-ritual-of-the-night/user-reviews) outline most of the problems with Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night. Digital Foundry even posted a breakdown of the Switch port's problems on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcamTEsNu8k).

Personally I'll be passing the game by, however other people seem to like these new games. What are your thoughts?

[gbpxl]

83% right now at GameRankings.com. so its considered slightly above average

I watched videos. Looks pretty good. It made me think the testers are the people buying the game though, rather than people being paid for such purposes. The version 1.0.1 stuff is dumb. Just make the game right to begin with

[Aussie2B]

In all likelihood, 505 Games forced the developer to rush the game out because the project has been going on for, what, 5 years? They probably lost their patience and wouldn't wait any longer for the game to be cleaned up.

[Az]

I picked up Curse of the Moon when it was released for Switch and got it free a few months later for XB1 through Games with Gold. It was fine for what it was. I prefer linear 'vania games so I've had no interest in Ritual.