Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon 2

 PC
Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon 2 Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 14 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: Koji Igarashi and Inti Creates are back with more retro sword-and-whip action!

    Curse of the Moon 2 brings classic 2D action and a dark, 8-Bit aesthetic together with modern playability. The multi-scenario structure of the previous title returns with an epic new story supervised by IGA (Koji    Koji Igarashi and Inti Creates are back with more retro sword-and-whip action!

    Curse of the Moon 2 brings classic 2D action and a dark, 8-Bit aesthetic together with modern playability. The multi-scenario structure of the previous title returns with an epic new story supervised by IGA (Koji Igarashi) himself.

    Players take control of Zangetsu, a swordsman from the far east who bears a deep grudge against demonkind and the alchemists who summoned them. Zangetsu must battle his way to the demonic stronghold, but he doesn't have to do it alone! Zangetsu can ally himself with a brand new cast of characters he meets along the way and add them to the playable roster. Each new character adds a variety of gameplay options, abilities, and ways to complete the game's many stages.

    Game Flow
    Battle through stages filled with fearsome enemies and dangerous traps, each with a massive boss waiting at the end. A chance encounter with a potential ally awaits you after defeating a boss. Will they serve as a trustworthy partner on your perilous journey?

    Increase Combat Abilities
    You can instantaneously switch between allies you have recruited at any time! Allies have their own life bars, so with each ally you recruit, you're survivability is greatly increased!

    Shortcuts that Only Allies Can Access
    Allies have special, unique abilities which allow them to use shortcuts to skip parts of stages or access new areas! There are no special items obtainable by taking the long way around, so take every shortcut you can find! If your allies are out of commission, you'll have to take longer routes, where stronger enemies await! When your life gets low, be sure to switch then out so they'll be available when you need them.

    Multiple Episodes
    The story is told over the course of multiple episodes. Only the first episode is accessible at the beginning, but more episodes will unlock as you progress through the game. The events that unfold in each episode continue into the next one, so be sure to unlock all the episodes to see the true ending.

    Curse of the Moon 2 had two play styles, "Veteran" and "Casual".

    Veteran Style
    Choose "Veteran" style to experiment a difficulty reminiscent of older games. An enemy's sttack knocks the player to their death...something very familiar to retro game fans.

    Casual Style
    Even if you're a fan of challenging games, sometimes you just want to take it easy! Casual mode is perfect for times like that. On Casual Style, things are more forgiving. Attacks don't knock the player back and lives are unlimited, alongside other changes.

    Changing Style
    Style can be changed when starting a game, loading a save file, or on the Game Over screen.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Multiplayer.it
    Jul 16, 2020
    88
    A new chapter that greatly improves the formula of the original.
  2. PC Invasion
    Jul 14, 2020
    85
    The visuals are great, the controls are exactly what they should be, and there's plenty of satisfying platform action to be had. Bloodstained: Curse of the moon 2 will make fans feel right at home like it's 1989.
  3. GameCrate
    Jul 14, 2020
    83
    While this won’t keep you playing for much more than 10 hours, it’s still a fantastic throwback to classic Castlevania that oldschool action platformer fans will love.
  4. Easy Allies
    Jul 12, 2020
    80
    Even with the disappointing episodic format, if you're looking for classic Castlevania, Curse of the Moon 2 is a largely excellent way to satisfy that craving. It can be grueling at times, but the gauntlet it runs you through is worthwhile to conquer. Considering there hasn't been a peep about any proper Castlevania games, hopefully there can be a lot more Bloodstained in the near future.
  5. TheGamer
    Jul 13, 2020
    80
    What it comes down to is a game that is easy to recommend for fans of the first, but a little hard to review in general. It's a lot of the same stuff and while I enjoyed the co-op more, I can't definitively say this is a better experience. It's still a really great game and one that fans of Castlevania and Bloodstained are sure to enjoy, so don't hesitate to grab it if you liked the first.
  6. Gameblog.fr
    Jul 12, 2020
    80
    Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon 2 is a splendid sequel, that has a lot to offer to players that are in need of some classic Castlevania experience. It offers a good challenge and has some pretty brilliant new ideas and feels like a very good NES game, which is compliment, that is very enjoyable for two players. Question : where do we have to sign for a third episode ?
  7. RPG Fan
    Jul 22, 2020
    65
    I think part of the problem with Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon 2 is that the first game was so good and all they had to do was copy the same design. Maybe the same people didn't work on this title, but it's offensively difficult with few options. Difficult games are fine; in fact, I celebrate difficult games. Unfortunately, without giving tools or proper agency, CotM2 deserves as much respect as it gave me, the player. Unless you are the most die-hard classic gaming fan, I can't recommend this title. In fact, even then, buyer beware.

See all 8 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. TheHambro
    Oct 9, 2020
    8
    Bloodstained, the spiritual successor to the beloved but now butchered Castlevania, has yet another fantastic entry into the series. You’llBloodstained, the spiritual successor to the beloved but now butchered Castlevania, has yet another fantastic entry into the series. You’ll find tough as nails platforming, catchy music, character variety with their own strengths and weaknesses, and excruciatingly difficult bosses. There are also 4 Episodes to keep things interesting and keep you busy for a while. My one major complaint is that a character death can really hamper you since level design is geared towards certain characters, and fighting bosses without a full team can be really frustrating.

    Look no further if you’re looking for an old school, retro platformer with replayability. Is the game tough? For sure, but it’s also incredibly fun. I’m so glad Bloodstained is carrying on the legacy and the torch of Castlevania, and I hope we see more entries into this awesome series. Get it!    … Expand
  2. ylnylmn
    Aug 3, 2021
    8
    It was longer and harder than the first game. But this difficulty was too much. Especially in Episode 2 there is a lot of enemy spam.It was longer and harder than the first game. But this difficulty was too much. Especially in Episode 2 there is a lot of enemy spam. Platforming is much more difficult. Bosses' attacks are hard to understand. Sometimes you pass the bosses just by pressing the attack button. But overall the game was fun and I wasn't bored. It was very enjoyable to play with 7 characters in the final episode. I've collected all the upgrades. Alfred's electrical ability is legendary. I passed most bosses without any difficulty thanks to him. I can say that Miriam is my favourite. High jump, triple blade throw upwards. Long-range whiplash. It's exactly my style. But with Zangetsu, I collected and assembled the Zanmatou pieces. But I was disappointed. I did not receive any buffs and became weaker. I don't understand why they made such a choice. That's why I didn't prefer playing zangetsu. After the final episode is over, you have to play it all over again for the powerful Zangetsu.
    The music was still good.
    I like the new characters.
    There was more dialogue than the first game.
    The Space Ship section has made a difference. I liked it, but it was too complicated. Most of the time I couldn't see the enemy's fire. But it was easy.
    I'm not very good at this kind of Castlevania style Action-Platformer games. That's why I played on Casual difficulty. I'm thinking of starting Castlevania games from now on. Especially "symphony of the night" caught my attention, I will definitely look into it. Bloodstained made me love this style of play. I hope more to come.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

64
#64 Best PC Game of 2020

Current PC Games

Full List »
94 Elden Ring
90 The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe
89 Cuphead in the Delicious Last Course
89 Neon White
88 Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster
88 Rogue Legacy 2
88 NORCO
88 AI: The Somnium Files - nirvanA Initiative
87 Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak
86 Total War: WARHAMMER III
85 Tunic
85 Death Stranding: Director's Cut
85 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge
85 Destiny 2: The Witch Queen
84 Two Point Campus
84 OlliOlli World: VOID Riders
73 Martha is Dead
66 Serious Sam: Tormental
54 DOLMEN
46 Babylon's Fall
All Current Games »