Something went wrong. Try again later

Giant Bomb News

213 Comments

Koji Igarashi's Mysterious New Project is Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night [UPDATED]

Former Castlevania producer has turned to Kickstarter to complete funding on his new action game. UPDATE: It's funded.

This is going to get funded super quickly, isn't it?
This is going to get funded super quickly, isn't it?

UPDATE: As of 4:45 PM eastern time, Bloodstained has crossed its $500,000 funding goal. Now all that's left is 31 days of stretch goal updates.

Following a series of teases over the last few weeks, former Konami producer Koji Igarashi has finally lifted the veil on his latest project: a 2.5D action adventure game called Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night.

Igarashi is teaming with developer Inti Creates (Mega Man 9, Mighty no. 9) to develop the game, which is described as "a gothic, exploration-focused action platformer" and certainly looks very much in the spirit of Igarashi's work on the Castlevania series. Here's the story premise, as described on Bloodstained's Kickstarter page:

You are Miriam, an orphan scarred by an alchemist curse which slowly crystallizes your skin. You must battle your way through a demon-filled castle summoned by Gebel, your old friend whose body has become more crystal than flesh.

Bloodstained will need to hit $500,000 for its crowd-funding goal, though the project is already partially funded through other sources. The Kickstarter is designed to both allow the team to produce Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions of the game (which include physical discs for backers), as well as push toward a number of stretch goals, such as a second playable character at the $700,000 mark, and adding David Hayter to the voice cast at $850,000.

You can check out Kickstarter page here, and you definitely should, if only to watch Igarashi's pitch video, which includes him torturing a man mid-conversation, and transforming into a flock of bats. We all assumed he knew how to do that, it's just good to get visual confirmation of it finally.

Alex Navarro on Google+

213 Comments

Avatar image for emfromthesea
emfromthesea

2161

Forum Posts

70

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 10

David Hayter should be a stretch goal for all kickstarters.

Avatar image for 49th
49th

3988

Forum Posts

26

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

Awesome, I'm really glad that he is making another of these game. Though I'm disappointed that it's going to be 2.5D and there aren't any screenshots yet, I hope it doesn't end up looking as weirdly bad as Mighty No. 9 does.

Avatar image for ford_dent
Ford_Dent

944

Forum Posts

17

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Well, I told myself I wasn't going to back any further game Kickstarters, but the dude did turn into a flock of bats.

Avatar image for jackburtonme
jackburtonme

379

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

Edited By jackburtonme

I've just watched the kickstarter grow $80,000 in about 10 mintues.

@49th I agree, I want to be optimistic because the idea of a new Igarashi game sounds great. Mighty No.9 does seem a bit off, though, so i'm not sure about the choice of using Inti creates.

Avatar image for conmulligan
conmulligan

2292

Forum Posts

11722

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 11

Maybe the actual game will look different but, man, I don't like that art style one bit. It's cool to see more independent Japanese development, though, even if most of it isn't my thing!

Avatar image for shadowswordmaster
ShadowSwordmaster

1119

Forum Posts

714

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

This is so great to hear.

Avatar image for nightriff
nightriff

7248

Forum Posts

1467

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 7

Good for him. Everything I've heard about him is that Konami has kept him working on shitty facebook games. I'm glad he can finally work on something he is passionate about again.

Avatar image for funkyhugo
FunkyHugo

1402

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 4

That video is the coolest thing ever.

Avatar image for somejerk
SomeJerk

4077

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

I'd back this because I have a good hunch this one will actually deliver, which is what Japanese kickstarter projects tend to do, innit weird?

Avatar image for hassun
hassun

10300

Forum Posts

191

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

Edited By hassun
Avatar image for monty222
monty222

79

Forum Posts

1

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 10

The Kickstarter video is pretty awesome.

Avatar image for artisanbreads
ArtisanBreads

9107

Forum Posts

154

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 6

The "Igavania" label they are using is funny.

Maybe the actual game will look different but, man, I don't like that art style one bit. It's cool to see more independent Japanese development, though, even if most of it isn't my thing!

Yeah I don't love it either. Mainly little bits, like the odd tattoos on the main characters legs. Some of it looks nice though. I suppose I had issues with a lot of those later portable Castlevania in character design too tho, so whatever.
@hassun said:

I hope their other investors will put in a lot of money because 500K is a very low goal.

It's going to get way past that. I'm not sure how much initial goals matter to big kickstarters like this.

Avatar image for anbilow
anbilow

272

Forum Posts

1

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

If it hits 850k, the game will turn into a sneaking mission.

Avatar image for vitor
vitor

3088

Forum Posts

51

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

@hassun said:

I hope their other investors will put in a lot of money because 500K is a very low goal.

The hell is egoraptor doing there?

If they can't afford Hayter, they'll just use egoraptor to do an impersonation of him. Simple cost cuts.

Avatar image for comradecrash
comradecrash

603

Forum Posts

40

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 3

I just want to back this because of that pitch video alone! lol So good.

Avatar image for hassun
hassun

10300

Forum Posts

191

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

@vitor: That's... an acceptable reason.

Avatar image for gaff
Gaff

2768

Forum Posts

120

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

@hassun said:

I hope their other investors will put in a lot of money because 500K is a very low goal.

Igarashi mentioned as such in the KS video. "Publishers have said that the interest for these games is dead. But we've had some talks with other parties and we need to show community support and demand for this game before they step in", or something along those lines.

Avatar image for probablytuna
probablytuna

5010

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

Much excite, just backed it for the digital copy. The art style isn't really my thing, but as long as it plays well, I don't think I would mind too much.

Avatar image for brake
Brake

1301

Forum Posts

14420

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 15

Koji Igarashi is a pretty cool dude, you guys.

Avatar image for kblosnack
kblosnack

385

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

7500 for a ring?

IGA is going to make it????

hmmmmmmm

Avatar image for paulunga
paulunga

3517

Forum Posts

176

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

Edited By paulunga

There's a stream going on at swordorwhip.com

Also, I love Shanoa, so eff yes for not-Shanoa.

Avatar image for i_stay_puft
I_Stay_Puft

5581

Forum Posts

1879

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

Edited By I_Stay_Puft

Kind of surprising one of the backer rewards is a physical copy of the game. You don't really quite see that anymore with these type of games on console, looks cool though so I guess a box wouldn't be all that bad. I wonder if this game could find itself on handheld like the 3DS or Vita.

* LOL what's up with the random torture bed scene in the video!?

Avatar image for cale
CaLe

4567

Forum Posts

516

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

This one is a no-brainer.

この儂が夜の軍団に志願しておるのじゃ!五十嵐、万歳!五十嵐、万歳!

Avatar image for arjann
ArjanN

356

Forum Posts

45

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 4

The guy he's torturing is actually Ben Judd.

Avatar image for bigevil1987
bigevil1987

435

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 10

It's not really my style of game, but it's tempting to contribute just because of that fantastic video.

Avatar image for zorak
zorak

301

Forum Posts

241

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By zorak

Love that IGA.

Worth noting that the section on Nintendo versions strongly implies that one of the future stretch goals is a version on a Nintendo platform.

Avatar image for superjoe
superjoe

1450

Forum Posts

3149

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 4

Avatar image for xymox
xymox

2422

Forum Posts

2520

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 7

User Lists: 8

What a fantastic kickstarter video. I'll be very surprised if this doesn't hit the goal within the next few hours. Also, yay Steam version.

Avatar image for snaggmouth
snaggmouth

75

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@conmulligan: yeah im with you...i dont really care for the over drawn size like a streetfighter game, go back to a little more pixalated like SON

Avatar image for scarlet_rogue
Scarlet_Rogue

542

Forum Posts

27

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

Seriously though, Igavania. Nothing says "I defined a sub-genre" by putting YOUR FUCKING NAME IN IT.

Igarashi is my spirit animal for life.

Avatar image for rethla
rethla

3725

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

He raised $50, 000 while i watched the pitchvideo. He will be fine.

Avatar image for beyondstrange
BeyondStrange

256

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

I have a legitimate question before I decide whether I want to contribute money or not. It seems that many people have soured on Mighty No. 9. Can I ask why that is? I was never invested in it and it seemed like something everyone was super pumped about. I looked at the recent screenshots and video footage and to me, it looks like what was promised. Since this is with the same company, I am just curious what changed between the initial kickstarter and what will be released.

Avatar image for mayor_mccheese
mayor_mccheese

288

Forum Posts

2

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

I now want all Kickstarters to have their final stretch goals end at David Hayter.

Avatar image for gablekevin
gablekevin

197

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

It's not really my style of game, but it's tempting to contribute just because of that fantastic video.

I have never contributed to a kickstarter i was close with Mighty no.9 but i agree that video was amazing it may be my breaking point.

Avatar image for hassun
hassun

10300

Forum Posts

191

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

Edited By hassun

Stretch goals are only the beginning. Unlock enough backer achievements by submitting fanart, making cool things, and joining us on social media, and you’ll unlock Backer Inventory items that will change the campaign and trigger exclusive rewards.

@alex Not going to lie, gamifying crowdfunding makes me extremely queasy.

Avatar image for belegorm
Belegorm

1862

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@49th: They specifically mentioned games that have used shaders to make 2.5D look really fucking good, such as Guilty Gear Xrd (which was GB's best lookin game of the year 2014).

I have perfect confidence that they can make 2.5D look exactly like stylish 2, and they can use some really neat tricks with the 3D. Possibly more costumes with the 3D models.

Avatar image for l33t_haxor
L33T_HAXOR

950

Forum Posts

297

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 26

Edited By L33T_HAXOR

.... OK, the David Hayter stretch goal is pretty clever. I might have to back this when it gets close to that.

Avatar image for bradbrains
BradBrains

2277

Forum Posts

583

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

looks great. will probably be backing this.

Avatar image for oddballs
Oddballs

332

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

The screenshot enemy has a kaiju sticking out of its chest.

Avatar image for bombedyermom
bombedyermom

439

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

refreshing the kickstarter's page and watching those dollars tick up is blowing my mind.

Avatar image for kasaioni
kasaioni

2397

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Great now we may find out if David Hayter can do other voices.

Avatar image for quid_pro_bono
Quid_Pro_Bono

1139

Forum Posts

678

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 1

@hassun: Serious answer: Egoraptor did that criticism video of Castlevania 1 versus 2, and is a pretty vocal fan of the series. I'm assuming they're having him play the game and give his impressions?

Avatar image for humanity
Humanity

21858

Forum Posts

5738

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 40

User Lists: 16

Edited By Humanity

@kasaioni said:

Great now we may find out if David Hayter can do other voices.

But why would you want him to do any other voices?!

"Dracula here, I've infiltrated the castle, didn't know I was going to get backup from such a cute demon spirit.."

Avatar image for evanomeara
evanomeara

116

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

Aw yeah just back it, I would buy anything Iga made. That man made some of my favourite games