Xbox Game Pass Adds Castlevania-Like Game With Excellent Reviews

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is now available on Xbox Game Pass. This arrival brings the number of February 2024 additions to Xbox Game Pass up to six, with several more titles already being confirmed to be launching on the service before the end of the month.

Developed by Tokyo-based studio ArtPlay, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is a content-packed metroidvania that was originally released for PC and consoles in mid-2019. The similarities between Bloodstained and Castlevania are not merely an homage, as ArtPlay was actually co-founded by Koji Igarashi, the long-time producer of Konami's celebrated series. The game thus enjoys a reputation as a spiritual successor to Castlevania.

The critically acclaimed title has now been added to Microsoft's subscription catalog on Valentine's Day 2024, which is actually the second time it has appeared on the service since its commercial debut. Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night's original Xbox Game Pass stint was just under 18 months long, running from September 2019 to March 2021. Assuming publisher 505 Games and Microsoft agreed to similar licensing terms this time around, the metroidvania should remain on the subscription service until the second half of 2025.

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night was met with extremely positive reviews from both gamers and critics alike. Half a decade since its release, its Metacritic Metascore ranges between 83 and 84, depending on the platform, whereas its Steam user ratings have cleared the «Very Positive» threshold, based on over 26,000 opinions. Numerous players have complimented its tight gameplay loop and high production values, on top of singing praises to its enemy variety and exploration-rewarding level design.

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night's return to Xbox Game Pass coincides with its time-limited sale that allows Steam users to grab it for $9.99. That's a 75% discount that matches the metroidvania's lowest-ever price on Valve's storefront. The Iga's Back bundle comprising the