Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night sequel confirmed to be in ‘very early planning stages’

505 Games and Artplay have confirmed plans for a Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night sequel but cautioned fans not to expect it in the near future.

Digital Bros, the parent company of Bloodstained publisher 505, mentioned a “second version” of the game being “in development” in a recently published financial report.

“Regarding recent reports, 505 Games and Artplay are in very early planning stages for a Bloodstained sequel,” the companies said in a joint statement on Friday. “However, current development resources are focused on completing Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night’s upcoming content. We have a lot planned for you.”

Featuring RPG and crafting elements, Bloodstained is a spiritual successor to Konami’s Castlevania series, helmed by former series producer Koji Igarashi.

The side-scrolling platformer was announced in May 2015 and raised more money from backers than any other game in crowdfunding site Kickstarter’s history, excluding Shenmue III, with over $5.5 million pledged by almost 65,000 backers.

It was originally expected to launch in March 2017 but was eventually released in June 2019. After the game missed various launch windows, it was announced in November 2018 that Shantae developer Wayforward had signed up to assist Artplay with development duties.

Ritual of the Night is set in 18th century England in a demon-infested castle. Players take on the role of Miriam, an orphan with a curse which slowly crystallises her body.

To save humanity and herself, Miriam must fight through the castle while collecting, crafting and unlocking a vast array of weapons, equipment and loot, in typical Metroidvania style.

The title was well received by critics and has sold more than one million copies, generating over $30 million, according to Digital Bros.

Edwin Evans-Thirlwell wrote in VGC’s Bloodstained review: “Bloodstained doesn’t quite eclipse the games Castlevania inspired: it’s too much of a nostalgia project, uninterested in what has come to pass during Koji Igarashi’s absence from the limelight.

“But it remains a clever and absorbing play, and worth experiencing, whether you’re a Castlevanian or not, for the smashed opulence of its world.”