Publisher 505 Games and developer ArtPlay have officially unveiled Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement, a highly anticipated prequel to Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, slated for release in 2026.
Set in 16th-century England, years before the events of the original game, The Scarlet Engagement unfolds in a world gripped by fear as a mysterious floating castle—commanded by the fearsome Demon Lord Elias—hovers above the land, unleashing waves of demonic forces upon the populace. Players will step into the roles of two new protagonists: Leonard Brandon, a young warrior of the Church’s elite Black Wolves unit, and Alexander Kyteler, a valiant knight of the Kingdom’s White Stags. United by duty and destiny, they embark on a perilous journey to dismantle Elias’ reign of terror and liberate a kingdom shackled by darkness.
Crafted by Koji Igarashi, the visionary behind iconic titles like Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, The Scarlet Engagement delivers a bold new chapter with a fresh roster of allies and adversaries. While deeply connected to the lore of its predecessor, the game is designed to be fully accessible to newcomers, offering an immersive entry point without requiring prior knowledge of the series.
One of the game’s standout features is the ability to play as both Leo and Alex—either individually or simultaneously—unlocking dynamic combat combinations and synergistic abilities as you progress. Explore Bloodstained’s most expansive map to date, complete with a dynamic day-night cycle that not only alters the environment’s lighting but also impacts enemy behavior, NPC interactions, and hidden pathways.
Beyond combat, the game deepens its world-building with robust crafting, cooking, and character customization systems, allowing players to tailor their experience and strengthen their heroes in meaningful ways.
Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement is scheduled for release on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S in 2026, though an exact launch date has yet to be announced.
Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement Screenshots
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Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night launched in 2019 to critical acclaim, with IGN praising it as a worthy spiritual successor, awarding it a Great 8.8 and stating: "Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is a whole new castle to crash, full of unexpected monsters and mysteries in the vein of classic Castlevania."
This announcement adds to the growing momentum of 2025’s game reveals. Sony recently kicked off the summer showcase season with a high-impact State of Play, unveiling a wave of upcoming titles ahead of Summer Games Fest. [ttpp] Highlights included 007 First Light, Marvel Tsum Tsum Fighting Souls, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, Romeo is a Dead Man, and the official release date for Silent Hill f.
