Long-awaited Bloodstained is out today

505 Games has released ArtPlay’s eagerly anticipated side-scrolling platformer Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, following more than four years of development.

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

The game was first announced in May 2015 and originally expected to launch in March 2017. It raised more money from backers than any other game in Kickstarter history, excluding Shenmue III, with over $5.5 million pledged by almost 65,000 backers.

Bloodstained is released digitally on PS4, Xbox One and PC today, with the game’s Twitter account proving the following launch times:

Retail editions for PS4 and Xbox One will follow on June 21 and Switch on June 28.

With the game having 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.