Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon 2 brings back the top-down action of its predecessor with a new setting and a fresh cast. It lands on PS4, PC, XONE and Switch, and it earns a 7.9 out of 10.
Trailer, via INTI CREATES.
What Works
The controls feel tight. Enemies hit hard, and the game does not hold your hand. That mix gives fights weight without slowing the pace.
The setting shifts to a new region, and the art direction leans into a dark, moody tone that suits the series. Character sprites are detailed, and the scenery carries a sense of dread that older games in the genre often miss.
What Falls Short
The difficulty curve is uneven. Some stages punish mistakes harshly while others feel generous by comparison. This inconsistency can frustrate players who want a steady challenge.
There is also a lack of variety in enemy types across the middle portion of the game. Once you learn the moves of a few bosses, the later encounters start to blend together.
How It Compares
- The original Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon set the bar for top-down action in the series.
- Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon 2 raises the production value with better art and sound.
- The sequel’s difficulty dips and spikes more than its predecessor.
- Boss designs in the second half repeat ideas introduced earlier in the game.
Sound and Look
The music matches the mood of the setting, and the sound design sells the hits and dangers well. The presentation is strong, even if the content beneath it does not always match the polish on top.
Where It Lands
Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon 2 is a solid entry in the series, though it does not reach the heights of its predecessor. The highs are higher, but the lows are lower too. Players looking for a steady, fair challenge may find themselves disappointed by the uneven difficulty.
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