Bloodstained Curse of the Moon

amazon Bloodstained Curse of the Moon reviews

Gameplay

Core Mechanics

Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon adheres closely to the formula established by the classic Castlevania games, particularly Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse. The gameplay revolves around traversing a series of linear levels filled with enemies, traps, and environmental hazards, culminating in boss fights that test the player’s skill and strategy.

The controls are straightforward and responsive, with players using a combination of movement, attacks, and sub-weapons to navigate the game’s challenges. Each character has unique abilities and weapons that contribute to the game’s depth and strategic variety. For example, Zangetsu, the primary protagonist, wields a katana and can perform a short-ranged slash, while Miriam, one of the allies, uses a whip with greater range but slightly slower speed. The simplicity of the controls combined with the distinct abilities of each character ensures that the gameplay remains engaging and dynamic throughout.

Character Switching and Strategy

One of the standout features of Curse of the Moon is its character-switching mechanic. As players progress through the game, they can recruit up to three additional characters: Miriam, Alfred, and Gebel. Each character brings a unique set of skills and sub-weapons to the table, allowing for a range of playstyles and strategies.

Switching between characters on the fly is essential for overcoming the game’s obstacles and enemies. Some characters are better suited for certain situations—Miriam’s whip is ideal for dealing with enemies at a distance, while Alfred’s magic can take down groups of foes or solve specific environmental puzzles. Gebel, who can transform into a bat, is invaluable for reaching otherwise inaccessible areas.

This character-switching mechanic adds a layer of strategy to the gameplay. Players must manage the health and resources of each character carefully, as losing one character can significantly impact their ability to progress. The ability to switch characters also encourages exploration and experimentation, as different characters may unlock alternate paths or hidden secrets within the levels.

Level Design

The level design in Curse of the Moon is both challenging and rewarding, drawing inspiration from the best of the 8-bit era. Each of the game’s stages is meticulously crafted, featuring a mix of platforming challenges, enemy encounters, and environmental puzzles. The levels are designed to take full advantage of the characters’ abilities, with alternate routes and hidden areas that cater to different playstyles.

For instance, some paths may be blocked by obstacles that only Miriam can destroy with her whip, while others might require Alfred’s magic to reveal hidden platforms. This design encourages replayability, as players are incentivized to revisit levels with different characters to uncover all the secrets.

The enemy placement and patterns are also well thought out, requiring players to approach each encounter with caution and precision. The game’s difficulty is balanced in such a way that it offers a fair challenge without feeling overly punishing, though there are moments where the difficulty spikes, particularly in the later stages.

Boss Fights

The boss fights in Curse of the Moon are among the game’s highlights, offering a blend of creativity, challenge, and nostalgia. Each boss has its own set of attack patterns and phases, requiring players to learn and adapt in order to succeed. The bosses are visually distinct and often serve as a nod to classic Castlevania enemies, while still maintaining their own identity within the Bloodstained universe.

The fights are designed to test the player’s mastery of the game’s mechanics, including character switching and sub-weapon usage. Some bosses may have weaknesses that are best exploited by a particular character or strategy, adding another layer of depth to the encounters. Despite the challenge, the boss fights are rarely frustrating, as they rely more on pattern recognition and skill than on cheap tactics.

Story and Narrative

Setting and Premise

Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon is set in a dark, gothic world filled with demons, monsters, and supernatural forces. The story follows Zangetsu, a cursed swordsman who harbors a deep hatred for demons and those who consort with them. His quest is to hunt down and destroy the demon lord who has brought darkness to the land. Along the way, Zangetsu encounters other characters—Miriam, Alfred, and Gebel—who join his mission, each with their own motivations and backstories.

The narrative is delivered through brief cutscenes and dialogue exchanges between characters. While the story is relatively simple and straightforward, it serves its purpose well, providing context and motivation for the player’s actions. The game’s tone is dark and atmospheric, capturing the essence of classic gothic horror.

Character Development

Although Curse of the Moon does not delve deeply into character development, it does provide enough backstory and interaction to make each character feel distinct and memorable. Zangetsu is portrayed as a stoic and determined warrior, driven by a desire to rid the world of demons, even at the cost of his own humanity. Miriam, on the other hand, is a kind-hearted warrior with a tragic past, while Alfred is a wise but morally ambiguous alchemist. Gebel, the final ally, is a brooding figure with a mysterious connection to the dark forces at play.

The interactions between these characters are minimal but effective, adding a layer of depth to the narrative. The game’s multiple endings, which depend on the player’s choices regarding the characters, provide additional insight into their personalities and fates. These endings range from tragic to bittersweet, reinforcing the game’s dark and melancholic tone.

Themes

The primary theme of Curse of the Moon is the struggle between light and darkness, both externally in the form of demons and internally within the characters themselves. Zangetsu’s journey is one of vengeance and redemption, as he battles not only the forces of evil but also his own inner demons. The game also touches on themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and the cost of power, particularly through the character of Alfred, whose pursuit of forbidden knowledge has led him down a dangerous path.

While the story and themes are not overly complex, they are presented with a sense of gravitas that elevates the game beyond a mere action-platformer. The narrative is tightly woven into the gameplay, creating a cohesive experience that resonates with players who appreciate the gothic horror genre.

The murky forests under the moonlight, death prisons, castles covered by scary night … every aspect of the game is depicted darkly on 8-bit graphics. Adorned among those creepy spaces are various polymorphic monsters, like stepping out from the works of Werewolf, Dracula, or Frankenstein. And then, when all the images blend with the classical, simple but familiar music, everything becomes a game that is just like Castlevania.

Full of beautiful retro graphics frames, but Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon is not about exploration, but combat is the main highlight. The “star” of the game is Zangetsu, and on his journey to eliminate demons, he will have a chance to save three other companions. Then you will gradually have more characters to role-play, instantly switching with each person possessing their weapons, abilities, and strengths. You will experience the unique features of each team member, using each of them at the most appropriate times and unlocking secrets in the game. At the same time, each character will give you one more chance, because when one dies, the rest can continue the journey. Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon did so probably to force you to get acquainted with all the characters, and also to make the game somewhat “easier to breathe”, because you only count as losing a life when everyone dies.

On the other hand, you can also let Zangetsu destroy the characters instead of saving them, and then unlock other powers only for him, but that means Zangetsu will step into a lonely dark path …

Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon brings simple but unforgettable bosses. Accumulating the most primitive things, the “fools” will not use many attacks to “treat” you, but to survive against them, you not only need good reflexes but analysis, a calculation to know how to attack, how to dodge. Preserving the simple mainstream ancient tone of the game, but the bosses are also unique and outstanding, from the style, shape to attack, especially their attacks to scare your spirit one last time before you fall.

It can be said that Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon is a great choice to set foot in Castlevania in modern times for those who are new to playing, and will also have tough challenges and special modes for fans former, wants to express themselves.

Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon is inherently a “promotional” game on the sidelines, so the small amount of content is understandable. With the number of stages playing count on your fingers and the playing time per screen can be said to be very short, especially if you play fast (speedrun) will only take 1-2 minutes, so those familiar with this game genre I could see that Zangetsu’s journey was a bit poor.

But if you want to buy this game for the sake of playing time … don’t. The value of Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon is not in how much time you spend on it, but in what that little time will bring you: An opening to the world of Castlevania? A little old childhood memory? A “breakfast” game that plays the role of increasing the aftertaste of the main course Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night? Finally, to fill the gaps left by the game, try different directions of the game with more challenging game modes!

where can you get a Bloodstained Curse of the Moon online

Bloodstained Curse of the Moon – Playstation 4: Buy it now

Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon PSV: Buy it now

Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon (Switch) – Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]: Buy it now

Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon Classic Edition (Limited Run #236) – PlayStation Vita: Buy it now

Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon (3DS) – 3DS [Digital Code]: Buy it now

Conclusion

Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon is a masterful blend of nostalgia and innovation, offering a rich and challenging experience that pays homage to the classics while carving out its own identity. With its tight gameplay, strategic character-switching, atmospheric design, and unforgettable soundtrack, the game stands as a shining example of how to modernize retro gaming.

For fans of the Castlevania series and retro platformers in general, Curse of the Moon is a must-play. It captures the essence of what made those classic games great while adding new twists that keep the gameplay fresh and engaging. Whether you’re a veteran of the genre or a newcomer, Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon offers a journey through darkness that you won’t soon forget.