Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon

I'm going to start this review with what may be a controversial opinion: I was a little disappointed with Super Castlevania IV. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a fun action game and I love how they used the mode 7 effects, but it felt like a step backwards after the masterpiece that was Castlevania III. Part of me wanted to see the series explore multiple characters, diverging paths and all of the new ideas they introduced in Dracula's Curse, but Konami had a different plan. I think that's why I was so excited to get my hands on Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon, a brand new throwback game designed to emulate the fun of those old 8-bit adventures. In a lot of ways, this is the version of Castlevania IV I always wanted.

Curse of the Moon is the retro-themed prequel to Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, the Castlevania clone that ended up earning an astonishing $5.5 million through a successful crowdfunding campaign. It tells the story of Zangetsu, a sword-swinging action hero who has devoted his life to tracking down the demon that cursed him. It's a familiar journey that see him fighting monsters, collecting power-ups and maybe crashing a castle or two.

Like I said in the intro, this feels like a direct sequel to Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse. It's not just in the way the game looks and the alternate paths you can take, but also how you'll team up with other fighters along the way. We first meet up with a whip-wielding heroine named Miriam who is so familiar that her last name might as well be Belmont. And then there's Gebel, a guy in Alucard cosplay who can turn into a bat. And don't forget about Alfred, a powerful magic user with short-ranged attacks.

What I like is how you're able to switch between these four characters at any time, each with their own unique special attacks and health bar. These fighters are also different in more subtle ways, such as Miriam being able to jump higher and slide through tight areas. You'll begin to discover that there are multiple paths through all eight stages, and there may be a better way if you have the right person equipped.

For what could have been just a throwaway fan service extra, Bloodstained is a legitimately great game that makes a lot of smart decisions along the way. In some ways it's actually better than the classic games, especially when it comes to the boss fights. Where Castlevania relied mostly on classic horror staples like the Grim Reaper and Frankenstein's Monster, this game presents us with a bunch of large and imaginative bosses that are a step above what you would have been able to do on the Nintendo Entertainment System.

I also like that the higher difficulties don't just make the game harder, but act as brand new quests, complete with different endings. This changes the way the story plays out and lets you take advantage of some of the paths you weren't able to use early on. More than anything else, this highlights just how much effort went into creating these lengthy stages, and I love that they cover familiar ground while simultaneously feeling new and fresh.

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And that's the thin line Koji Igarashi and his team were forced to walk. They had to create a throwback that honored the old 8-bit games, all while adding a new spin to the formula. I think they've handled this almost impossible task perfectly, giving us a fun and exciting adventure game that more than stands on its own. And for the fans who grew up loving those classic Castlevania sequels, you'll enjoy the nods to familiar enemies, power-ups and hiding spots. This is fan service done right.

The truth is, Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon is so similar to Castlevania that it had me reminiscing about all the things I liked about Konami's long-running franchise. One of those elements has to be a strong villain, and I'm not sure there are many people who would disagree when I say that Dracula is one of the greatest video game villains of all time. Sadly, the main bad guy in Bloodstained isn't nearly as interesting. I realized halfway through that I didn't even know its name or motivation. I think the design is cool, but even now it's kind of a mystery. That's the one thing this game gets wrong, and I hope that won't be an issue with Ritual of the Night.

Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon is the Castlevania sequel I always wanted. Whether you're a longtime fan of Konami's horror franchise or just looking for a fun throwback game, this faux 8-bitter gets almost everything right. From the different characters to the unique stages to the incredible boss fights, this is a game that understands how to use nostalgia. Simon Belmont would be proud.