Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night Set for October 2024 Update

ArtPlay has announced an upcoming update for the critically acclaimed Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, originally released in 2019. This new version 1.6 update is scheduled to launch on October 22, 2024, and aims to fix various bugs and other issues, including a significant crash problem specifically affecting the Nintendo Switch version of the game.

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night emerged from a successful Kickstarter campaign and was spearheaded by Koji Igarashi, a former producer of the Castlevania series. The game serves as a spiritual successor to the iconic franchise, drawing inspiration from classics like Symphony of the Night. Despite experiencing some launch challenges, particularly on the Switch, the game has been well-received, selling over 2 million units by September 2023.

Update Highlights and Fixes

The forthcoming patch follows version 1.5, released in May, which introduced new multiplayer modes and cosmetics. The version 1.6 update will implement several critical fixes across all platforms, notably addressing a crash issue unique to the Nintendo Switch version. Specific improvements will include resolving a softlock in the Store menu, enhancing loading times in the game's Classic Mode, and fixing the Glacial Tomb crash on the Switch. These enhancements will be rolled out on October 22, 2024.

Community Feedback and Developer Response

The issues addressed in this update were highlighted by fans following the release of the Classic 2 Mode DLC, which alters gameplay to resemble Castlevania 2: Simon's Quest and features Dominique Baldwin, an exorcist NPC, as the playable character. In response to community concerns, the official social media channels and development team expressed their apologies and assured fans that these problems would be prioritized for resolution. With the release of version 1.6, players can finally expect to see these improvements.

Future of Bloodstained

While Ritual of the Night has received numerous updates over the past five years, including its final content update in 2024, ArtPlay is also developing a sequel. Unfortunately, the director of Bloodstained 2 recently stepped back from the project due to health issues. Both fans and Koji Igarashi have extended their well wishes to Shutaro Ida for a speedy recovery. Ida, who has a history of collaborating with Igarashi on Castlevania titles for the Nintendo DS, also contributed as the lead programmer on Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain.