Originally published as part of an Epic Games Store interview, legendary developers Koji Igarashi (IGA) and Shutaro Iida (SHUTARO) offered new insight into the upcoming Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement.
A full prequel to Ritual of the Night, the new title introduces a dual-character system, expanded RPG mechanics, and a deeper story focus—all without the stretch goal baggage of the original.
Here’s what we learned from the developers.
Dual Characters and Real-Time Swapping
Players will control Leo and Alex, either simultaneously with AI support or by switching between them. Leo leans more toward magic, while Alex specializes in physical attacks. Even in solo play, you can issue commands to your partner for coordinated spells and combo strikes.
While both characters share an inventory, certain scenarios call for solo control—especially during fights requiring focused dodging or defense.
A New Story That Ties Into Ritual of the Night
While the game takes place before Ritual of the Night, it’s not a Miriam-centric prequel. SHUTARO confirms that Leo and Alex are closely tied to an important character from the previous game, but story details remain vague for now.
Class System Expands Customization
The Scarlet Engagement introduces a class system featuring over 10 unique roles. Players can level up each class to unlock exclusive skills, with many being transferable across classes after meeting certain conditions.
Both standard and class levels cap at 99. As players progress and stack skills across roles, their power grows exponentially.
Equipment and Movement Speed Scale with Progress
Gear impacts both stats and visual customization, including head, feet, back, and accessories like glasses. Movement speed starts modestly, but increases over time through specific gear and class boosts.
Combat Epiphanies and Smarter Crafting
One of the standout additions is the Epiphany system, where new combat skills can spontaneously unlock during battle when certain conditions are met.
Crafting has also been improved: if required materials are in stock at a shop, they can be purchased directly from the crafting screen—cutting out tedious backtracking. However, materials not in stock still need to be farmed from enemies.
Notably, the Shard system from Ritual of the Night is gone. Instead, weak weapons can now evolve into high-performance gear via crafting progression.
Base Customization with Furnishings
Players can personalize their Base, which includes the save room and a private space for decoration. Furniture can be obtained through shops, crafting, or exploration. While the original plan allowed for free placement, furniture is now restricted to set locations due to development constraints.
Time System and Co-op Enhancements
The game features a day/night cycle lasting approximately 30 minutes in real-time. Background lighting and environmental visuals shift with the time of day.
Unlike the light co-op seen in earlier games, this time players can fully play together—an expansion SHUTARO sees as a key evolution of the formula.
Post-Launch Plans and Development History
Development officially began in July 2021, but the current team and scope were locked in by mid-2023. This time, without the stretch goals of a crowdfunding campaign, the team has more flexibility—both in ambition and in trimming features that no longer fit the schedule.
DLC and expansions haven’t been announced yet, but IGA hints that updates may come later.
Final Thoughts from the Team
SHUTARO:
“This game is a bit of a departure. It’s co-op focused, has better visuals, and the story is stronger. I hope players enjoy what’s coming.”
IGA:
“With SHUTARO leading creative, I’m confident this will be even more enjoyable than the last game.”
Release Info
Trailer
Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement is currently slated for release in 2026 on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC. A version for the Switch 2 is also under consideration. All quotes sourced from Epic Games Store’s official interview.
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