When Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night launched on Kickstarter a while back, the concept art shown off made many assume that it would take inspiration from the likes of Muramasa and Dragon's Crown by using 2D sprites, but subsequent development updates stated that it was in fact being built in Unity, with 3D models replacing hand-drawn characters.
Understandably, many feared that this might result in a game that didn't look as eye-catching as the 2D Castlevania's of yesteryear, but a more recent video shows just how closely Bloodstained's 3D models will imitate that all-important 2D art style.
When the model is totally still, you'd be forgiven for assuming it was a hand-drawn image. A screenshot of protagonist Miriam running through a church (shown above) was also revealed.
Here's Koji Igarashi to explain:
Like the shader poll results, we've decided on Character Shader 3 / Background Shader 3. Since the new character shader was so well received, we've also made a video of Miriam's 3D model, reflecting some of the most recent changes we've made.
We thought cosplayers would especially like to see the back view of her design. The camera is the only thing that moves in the first half of the video; in the second, we've demonstrated the shader effect by moving the light source, as well. Please enjoy.
[source kickstarter.com]
Comments 52
This already looks miles ahead of Mighty No. 9. Hopefully they keep this up.
I would still prefer 2D hand-drawn sprites, but assume that going 3D is easier for development. This remains one of very few KickStarter games that I'm excited to see more from.
Gotta admit, that's one of the most beautiful cel-shaded 3D models I ever seen!
It is a very beautiful model, I love her character design.
I didn't know Capcom was doing the characters! Well at least the outfits.
looks great! If it plays well I'll bite!
Not gonna lie. Looks pretty awesome. I really hope this gets a physical release on Wii U. If not, I'll still play it. I miss the Castlevania series. Its' been 8 years since the last 2D Castlevania
I've helped kickstart a few games, now. Mighty No. 9 and Yooka-Laylee piqued my interest enough to donate the minimum to get the game at release, but something about Bloodstained really stuck out to me, and I immediately had more faith in it than any other (obviously the same was true for a LOT of people) and I donated a ton of money - more than I've shelled out for any game ever. And just seeing this model shows the care being put into this project, and I'm pretty confident this project is going to be incredible. I sincerely can't wait to see this game unfold before my eyes
And I certainly can't wait to get that art book
This looks phenomenal! I can't wait to see the finished product!
"We thought cosplayers would especially like to see the back view of her design. "
Not only cosplayers. ( ͡ ° ͜ ʖ ͡ °)
Bloodstained will be mine ASAP.
Looks outstanding!
I almost forgot about this game. Looks good
Just wanted to point out that it's actually being built in Unreal Engine 4, not the Unity engine. Unless they've changed engines after starting development. Also, since there's no official support for Wii U for UE4, Armature studios is porting the engines code to Wii U. Which is neat.
Armature Studios made that kind of okay but ultimately disappointing 3D side-scrolling Metroidvania Batman Arkham Origins Blackgate for the 3DS.
Still no footage? What a way to fool your consumers devs.
I'm a bit positive that this will not end up being that great.
@KrakenSoup mirror of fate on 3DS.
@Bender I remember that looking more like a 2D God of War.
It looks beautiful
Looking good.
3D models will never have the charm of real sprites.
@hiptanaka a 2D Castlevania nonetheless.
Nice looking good can't wait too we eventually play Bloodstained.
How considerate of them thinking about the cosplayers. I really love the detail of the dress I would love to do it but I just don't have the body for her.
Unity? Didn't they emphasise in the Kickstarter that the game is based on the Unreal Engine 4, which is the main reason why they partnered with another developer to work on the Wii U version?
As long as I am concerned, IGA for president of the world.
@Socar How on earth would they have gameplay footage when they've just finalized the art style and the model for the main character? This game was a Kickstarter campaign less than a year ago. I'd wager we won't have a gameplay trailer until at least fall. They've got a long way to go and the model itself looks absolutely stunning. Watch the second closeup with the stationery light source - look how the glass rose on her back and the glass in her skin shine in different colors depending on the angle of the light. They're putting an incredible amount of care into this and saying they're trying to fool people is absurd. They're showing what they're capable of. And it only took this long to come out because they've asked us backers to vote on certain art styles and shaders and adjusted to what we want - something more Kickstarter game devs need to consider doing. I'm certain they're working in plenty more in the background as well. I'd rather them take their time with this one. It's gonna be an incredible game.
I hope these guys deliver. I finally got my Metroidvania fix kind of sated thanks to the excellent Axiom Verge, but more of that is always good.
This looks wonderful! I can't wait for the game to release. I loved IGA's Castlevania, the lord of shadows trilogy was a dissapointment as a reboot, plus, thanks to it (and Konami's incompetence) the series is dead.
@GoshDangTravino You know why? Because its Koji Igarashi, the same guy that made Symphony of the Night and Dawn of Sorrow.
He's purposefully showing off his talent and doesn't really care what gamers want. How the hell can you be certain that the game will do well if we can't see some damn footage? Even Shenmue 3 and Yokalaee are better than this and those games were started.
You defending him for making a quality game and yet you don't see any footage whatsoever isn't promising nor is it worth even watching. Gamers want footage and footage itself judges the gamers decision whether to buy the game or not.
@Socar Both of these games you mentioned is pretty much well received if not awarding of high praise, the former especially. Is there something within both of these games specifically you don't like that you like to share with us or are ya just getting antsy?
@Captain_Toad That's just it. Anybody who has been praised for masterpieces are taken for granted that they don't have to do something simply like gameplay footage or actual screenshots of games.
Perfect example I can come up with is Sonic Boom. Big Red Button had staff who worked on Jak and Daxter. Sanzaru games are famous for bringing out the Sly Cooper trilogy on Vita.
Despite that fact, Boom ended up being bad. Just because you're damn famous doesn't mean you can slack off and ignore things that matter for games. Developing hype and giving promise. Bloodstained doesn't sound all that promising because of the lack of footage that is here. And the game is suppose to be released this year and no footage? Some luck.
@Socar Good point Apparently. Well regarded developers like this does have a reputation to live up to espically when spiritual sucessors like this are on the line. Despite this, For all we know, Both Shemmue 3 and Yooka-Laylee could be the biggest letdown of the generation. And Mighty No 9. and dat Mega man Legends game thingy could pull a Metroid Prime and surprise us with it's awesomeness despite the IMMENSE controversy that swam through it's development cycle. Who knows! Only time itself can answer that question for us.
So yeah, cool ya jets.
And it's actually gonna be released next year, bro, though again that could change.
I don't even like Castlevania games and I'm getting excited for this. I blame the fact that I'm trying to finish the 2d metroid games now.
She needs to something with that hair.
Until I this stop smelling like Mighty No. 9 all over again maybe I'd be at least a bit excited. I've been taken advantage by Kickstarter too much for me to give a damn about this till we at least see something besides concept art and other useless junk.
These types of videos typically bore me, but at the very least the game keeps looking better each time I see it.
sounds like the smash trophy gallery music
@socar You counteracted your own opinion by saying that. Yeah. He's the creator of Symphony of the Night, and knowing how Konami operates anymore, he was probably held back a LOT during his time there. Now he's completely free to do as he wants. He's going to make a great game
It's simply too early in development for footage. Unlike Yooka, he didn't work on the game at all before its funding. He was only going to Kickstarter to prove that people wanted another genuine Metroidvania game and expectations were blown out of the water. Sure, he had some concept art and a basic story set, but nothing actually developed. This is all happening day by day since funding and the idea of them having footage this early is ludicrous when they obviously only just revealed the finished model. Please enlighten me, how would they have footage without a main character model?
It's not plausible, and the sense of entitlement people like you possess these days is horrifying. Give it time. It'll come.
"subsequent development updates stated that it was in fact being built in Unity,"
This is not true. The game is being made in Unreal Engine 4, not Unity.
@GraveLordXD Then he shouldn't have made a teaser that forced kickstarting to make it into reality.
He should have taken some time showing even very early gameplay footage( And I'm talking about actual gameplay footage, not some concept art that describes it) as much as possible and then opened a kickstarter.
All we had for the kickstarter trailer is just him acting like some big shot claiming that he wanted this and that to happen and just showed some pieces of paper of art.
Hideo Kojima did better than him and instead partnered with Sony to make his own studio and his own game without relying on Kickstarters. That's what he should have done instead of brainwashing us that he's gonna make a great game.
@GoshDangTravino Answer me this. How much of money would you donate concept arts that you won't know how the real game would turn out? like 25$? 50$? 100$? You'd be crazy to donate that kind of money for just concept art alone. Even 15$ is too much.
But ok, somehow you make up your mind and donate whatever money he makes you donate. Now here's the biggest risk you take. You don't know whether or not you end up getting you're money's worth. Why? Because its kickstarter. Its not a guarantee that the game will happen.
Infact many devs failed to make their games happen even when kickstarting their games. Dizzy failed to reach the goal and we'll never see another Dizzy game.
Half Genie Hero didn't reach Wayforward's expectations when they kickstarted it but they still decided to make the game happen for some reason.
By encouraging devs to do this kind of tactic, you're taking them for granted and letting them do stuff that you don't want them to do. Not every dev is going to make use of the money you or anyone donated projects on. You don't even get that money back which is hopeless.
But ok, I'm too negative here so I'll just say this. Its good to be hyped about something like this but don't expect it to really happen. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
Every time these guys put out an update, I have to make sure to curb my excitement. Bloodstained is so far awayyy!
So glad I backed this
@socar See, that's something we can absolutely agree on. I think it's the thrill of the gamble. Most kick starters I've participated in have been successes - my only big letdown so far has been Mighty No. 9. But Iga is doing something incredibly different and should be obvious - he's asking us, the backers, what we want, and he's sticking to it, and that's what gives me faith. We voted for that art style and shading style, we voted on her final design, and he's being incredibly transparent about the results and how each option did. That's what's driving my faith.
We can agree to disagree, I suppose! I have faith in Symphony of the Night's creator, and I backed a lot of money on it. Yeah, it's a huge gamble, but I think that's what makes it fun. But you have to give the developers time. If it's rushed, you get a sloppy looking, buggy project like Mighty that gets delayed again and again for no good reason at all. I feel like they absolutely rushed that game. And that's wherein my passion lies - taking your time to make the product to be exactly what the core consumers want. He's asking us about every single little detail about the game before finalizing any of it l, and it's been a joy to participate in. In comparison, I think MN9 asked us maybe about the design of the female partner, and that's it. I strongly believe that we, the backers, will get what we desire with this game because of how detail-oriented Iga is and intends to be with this game. And that's what's going to make it great.
Wow, I forgot this was a thing. Glad to see it's coming along well.
Hnng!!! That music!!
@manu0 That's disgusting.
@starcatcher77 grow up
@manu0 You grow up! That's so immature!
@starcatcher77 actually it's the opposite. it's mature. ;D
@manu0 Wanting to look at women's butts? That's pretty immature if you ask me. The game is rated M because of the "sexiness" but that doesn't make the game "mature"
@starcatcher77
YES! THANK YOU!
I get why people do that, but not only is it perverted, it's nowhere near being "mature".
Off topic, but related: I will never understand why they call gentleman's clubs "gentleman's clubs". No true gentleman would ever step foot near one of those establishments! This is hearsay!
Society's hypocrisy is overwhelming!
@manu0
No, you grow up schoolboy. Only college kids find a women's a*s entertaining.
The world contains enough undeveloped children already. Ask your dad how to start being an adult, he'll know.
Extremely under cooked Millennials who just found out about sex piss me off. Massively.
You all suck.
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