"Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement," Prequel Coming 2026

Publisher 505 Games and developer ArtPlay have revealed Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement, a prequel to Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, scheduled for release in 2026.

Set in 16th-century England before the events of Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, the story revolves around a mysterious floating castle under the command of Demon Lord Elias, which unleashes demonic forces upon the populace. Players take on the roles of two new protagonists: Leonard Brandon, a young fighter from the Church's Black Wolves clan, and Alexander Kyteler, a knight of the Kingdom's White Stags. Together, they must unite to topple Demon Lord Elias's reign of terror and free the kingdom from its torment by evil forces.

Directed by Koji Igarashi, the creator behind classics like Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, The Scarlet Engagement introduces a fresh roster of allies and enemies, promising deep narrative ties to its predecessor while remaining welcoming to newcomers unfamiliar with the series' lore.

Players can control both Leo and Alex simultaneously, uncovering new abilities and combo attacks while exploring the franchise's most expansive map to date. This world features a dynamic day-night cycle that not only alters lighting but also impacts gameplay and environmental interactions. Additional systems include crafting, cooking, and character customization.

While a specific launch date is yet to be confirmed, Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement is slated to arrive on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S in 2026.

Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement Screenshots

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Released in 2019, the original Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night earned widespread acclaim, with IGN awarding it an excellent 8.8 score and noting, "Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is a vast new castle to conquer, filled with inventive monsters and mysteries that beautifully capture the spirit of classic Castlevania."

This announcement joins a flurry of recent game reveals. Sony has already kicked off the summer announcement season in style, showcasing a diverse lineup of upcoming titles ahead of Summer Games Fest. Discover everything announced at PlayStation's State of Play 2025, including 007 First Light, Marvel Tokon Fighting Souls, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, Romeo is a Dead Man, and the release date for Silent Hill f.