****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
Ahhh. Here's the game I was waiting for.Imagine my relief when, within the first five minutes into Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, my fears evaporated. This game has been a long time coming, and for Castlevania fans, the wait has been almost unbearable. Well, I can tell you with absolute conviction that it was all completely worth it.In every possible area, the game excels. Not just as a game, but as a continuation of the spirit of Castlevania. That might not mean a whole lot, considering that the last three Castlevania games weren't so much Castlevania as they were failed, aimless attempts at God of War. But the important thing here is, the quality that we know to come from Igarashi is here, and in spades. Of course, it helps that the toe-tapping music of the wonderful Michiru Yamane is here, but everything else is, as well. The voice acting isn't just good; it's excellent. The graphics aren't just beautiful; they're gorgeous. The game cuts zero corners in any area. It has every beloved hallmark of a Castlevania game while very much being its own creation.In that way, it's refreshing to see how the devs made their own mark on the take, while giving any direct association with Castlevania a wide berth. Most of the enemies are more of an alchemical/demonic theme, which still fits the bill and allows for ostentatious design that stays away from the usual Gothic look. That's not to say that things are less beautiful---towering palisades, twisted pillars, striking statuary, and glowing torchlight are all here to stunning effect, and every new area begs for in depth exploration. You'll likely slow down a bit to admire the view, too.Weapons, spells, side quests, and crafting are handled as you've seen before in Castlevania games, but here they have a bit more to keep them interesting in the form of the NPCs. Characters in Bloodstained have their own distinct personalities and story design elements that keep them likeable, rather than the character development in Castlevania, where character personalities took a back seat to the game's mechanics. Here, they all have their own place in the story, and important parts to play. It helps that the voice actors are top notch, too. Miriam herself comes across as both a sympathetic and strong soul, likeable without being saccharine or unfeeling. She is feminine without being weak, and strong without being harsh. She is an excellent heroine, and I hope to see more of her.And if the quality of the game, and its reception, are any indication, that will likely happen sooner than later. For that, I couldn't be more happy. IGA and team have given us a gift in the form of what we have grown to love about his vision, and here, he is uncompromising. Some may see that as a big stick in Konami's eye, and it very well may be. For my part, I'm just glad that IGA still has so much passion for his work. Since 1997, I have too.
