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Publisher 505 Games and developer ArtPlay have revealed Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement, a sequel to Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night. The game will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series consoles, and PC via Steam when it launches in 2026.
The announcement was made during a recent State of Play presentation, showcasing the 2.5D side-scrolling action RPG. The game is being created by Creative Director Shutaro and produced by Iga, the same team known for their work on exploration-focused side-scrolling action games.
The Scarlet Engagement takes place in 16th century England within the same gothic world as its predecessor. The story centers around an evil castle called the Ethereal Castle, controlled by Demon Lord Elias, which has been terrorizing the land with its demonic forces. Previous attempts by the Kingdom and Church to destroy the castle have all failed.
Players will control two main characters: Leonard Brandon, a young member of the Church’s Black Wolves group, and Alexander Kyteler, a knight from the Kingdom’s White Stags who survived a failed mission. Together, they must work as a team to enter the castle, fight enemies, collect powerful items, and defeat Demon Lord Elias.
Gameplay Features
The game introduces a new buddy system where players control both characters at the same time. One character is under direct control while the other helps in combat, and players can switch between them with the press of a button. This two-character system is a key part of the gameplay and will be essential for success.
The Ethereal Castle serves as the main location and is described as the largest map in any Bloodstained game so far. It features gothic halls, dark caves, and dangerous traps that players must navigate. The game also includes a day and night cycle that changes how the world looks and affects gameplay.
Combat uses something called the “Epiphany Combat System,” which lets players discover new moves and abilities as they fight enemies. Players can also craft items, cook food, and customize their characters with different armor and weapons that change how they look and perform.
Like other Bloodstained games, exploration is important and rewards players with useful items and resources. Players can collect ingredients, craft upgrades, find magical abilities, and discover powerful weapons and armor for both Leo and Alex. All armor and clothing items have their own stats and unique appearance. The game features fully voiced characters in both English and Japanese, with a cast that includes allies and enemies from the Bloodstained world.
New players can enjoy Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement without knowing the previous story, while longtime fans will find connections to the existing Bloodstained universe. The developers promise to share more details about the game in future updates.
