The Metroidvania genre has seen something of a Renaissance of late, punctuated by a game that's a direct "spiritual successor" to Castlevania, ArtPlay's Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night. It should be no surprise then, that Castlevania series producer Koji Igarashi is behind Bloodstained, an action-adventure that captures much of the spirit of that classic.
The game also comes with a similar level of depth and difficulty, resulting in a grueling experience that can be overwhelming to newcomers. But never fear, demon-slayer! This list will highlight 10 pro tips and techniques that will make for a simpler and more effective journey through the darkness.
10 Stay Stocked On Potions & Ethers At Your Home Base
Bloodstained can be relentless when it comes to damage-dealing foes. And what's worse is that healing isn't exactly cheap or easy to come by. It's thus a good idea to regroup back at the home base in Arvantville if the journey is getting treacherous. Load up on crucial items such as Potions, magic-restoring Ethers, and poison-purging Mithridates.
The costs can add up in high quantities, so consider pawning excess gear or duplicate items/materials snatched up to afford them. If you're far from this location, seek out one of the rooms marked green on the map, as this will allow teleportation to Arvantville.
9 Range First, Melee Later
While much of the combat in Bloodstained emphasizes close-range hits, there are plenty of ways to attack from range. It's a good idea to take advantage of this, by way of guns, long-range spells, and Directional Shards.
These will help alleviate some of the danger and whittle down the health of the tougher foes. Then when they're in a weaker state, swoop in and deal the death blows with devastating melee attacks. This is particularly wise to implement on bosses, as being too close to most for a prolonged time can mean a swift death. Again, have Ethers ready - as this offensive strategy may dwindle MP quickly.
8 Leave No Stone Unturned
Being a spiritual successor to Castlevania, it shouldn't be too surprising that there's a similarly large amount of secret collectibles, powerups, and other goodies to be had when exploring. Since the layout of this sprawling map is not linear, there are a number of side rooms and hidden areas that can be easy to miss.
Be on the lookout for strange-looking walls that seem as if they could be destructible - they often are! Chests, power-ups, and additional baddies can often be found lurking behind them. Be sure to inspect bookshelves scattered throughout the game, too, as they can produce new information or grant you a Hidden Technique.
7 Always Take Advantage Of Save Points
Just as the rooms marked green should be sought after and exploited, players should also make a point to retreat to save points as much as possible. While enemies will respawn after doing so, the payoff is usually worth this minor setback. Not only do these oases save the game, but they also instantly heal all health and MP. This can mean the difference between life and death, and can save tons of money on Potions and Ethers over time.
There are plenty of these save rooms scattered around, and they're fairly easy to stumble upon. If you're in dire straits, either fall back to a nearby room, or make a point to check out areas that seem to be off the beaten path - as these will often lead to a save room.
6 Unleash The Power Of The Plume Parma
This one gets pretty specific, but its power is such that it really does warrant its own entry. It's true that Directional Shards, typically speaking, tend to come in handy and can be quite useful offensively. Yet, the Plume Parma makes for a particularly strong ability - even if it's a rather odd one. The greatest aspect of this projectile is that it essentially accumulates.
Players can fire off these flying pigs in rapid fashion, and not only will they deal loads of damage, but they'll also bounce off the walls and take some time to disappear. As one can imagine, this can quickly pile up in terms of devastating damage to enemies. This impactful Shard can be found on the Plume Parma enemies, which are located in the Garden of Silence and the Forbidden Underground Waterway.
5 Take Advantage Of Familiars
Similar to the previous entry, having a Familiar at one's side can really make a difference in combat. It adds plenty of offensive firepower, and take some of the focus and pressure of Miriam while they're on the frontlines. There are a handful of Familiars that can be unlocked throughout the game. Though each has its distinct qualities and advantages, there are a couple that stand out which should be prioritized.
There's the Dullammer Head, which can simply overwhelm foes by swarming the screen. Then there's the warrior combatant called the Silver Knight, who acts essentially like an AI fighting companion.
4 Exploit The Backstep For Quicker Attacks
Since Miriam engages in close-quarters combat pretty often, it's crucial to fight effectively in this manner and lock down certain techniques. One key feature that tends to be underutilized is the backstep command. Not only can it be used to dodge enemy attacks, but it can also be exploited to enhance her offense and speed in battle.
Using backstep directly following an attack - and striking right after - will cancel the recovery animation on her strike. This will cut down the time in-between attacks, which will allow her to inflict more damage at a quicker rate.
3 Use Strike Or Lightning On Armored Foes
Staying on the subject of combat, Miriam can also alleviate some of the defensive prowess of armored foes by busting out a Strike or Lightning attack. This not only deals damage from a safer distance, but it'll also do extra damage to enemies specifically wearing armor.
Make a habit of unleashing these attacks around armored foes, as they can take quite a while to whittle down otherwise.
2 Focus On The Crafting & Consumption Of All Recipes
It may seem like a waste of time, but in the long run, seeking out recipes for various food items can prove very rewarding in the longterm. Make a point to find, craft, and consume as many recipes as possible. Doing so will allow for various stat boosts when consumed.
This means that everything from Miriam's Max HP to Luck and increased EXP Gain will receive a significant boost over time. Food can be prepared back at Arvantville, at the eastern end of the building there.
1 Get The Rhava Velar
One of the best weapons - if not the best - in Bloodstained is fittingly an homage to Castlevania. Specifically, the Crissaegrim. It's known as the Rhava Velar, and it's a weapon that should be sought after. It's certainly not easy to obtain, but it's definitely worth the journey.
It can be crafted using 1 Crimsonite, 1 Imbrued Fang, and 4 Sharp Razors, along with the key asset - the Rhava Bural. The Rhava Bural is dropped by the Killer Barber, who can be found at the Dian Cecht Cathedral. The drop rate for this weapon is only 4.00%, so chances are you'll need to fight him several times.