Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night was released on the Switch and multiple platforms just over a year ago. Despite this, it's still got its fair share of problems that need to be sorted out.
In an attempt to keep the game's community up to date, 505 Games Senior Community Manager has opened up a 'current status' page. It shows the version of the game each platform is running, along with the top current issues:
Here are the ones the developers are already aware of, as of 21st July (but it's not necessarily everything the team is currently working on):
We are aware of the following issues and are investigating. This is a list of top-priority issues and does not include everything we are working on.
Boss Revenge – A crash occurs when pausing the game while playing as Bloodless or entering the menu.
Achievements / Extra Items – Some achievements cannot be completed due to unobtainable items.
NPC Area Crash – A crash that can occur when you enter or leave an area with an NPC or speak with an NPC.
And if you've encountered any particular bugs yourself, you can report it directly to 505 Games. How's your experience with the Switch version of Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night been in recent times? Have any of the updates improved your own experience with the game? Leave a comment down below.
[source playbloodstained.com, via destructoid.com]
Comments (60)
Did they forget that the game looks like trash on switch? Such a low res on a 2.5d game is shocking. If they couldn't make the game properly, they should have apologised and just released it on the ps4/pc etc.
They’ve waited so long to release this I honestly don’t care anymore 😂 the hypes been long gone 😂
IMO if they left Inti to do their job in the first place then things could've been handled differently with the Switch version. Wayforward is great but I think they were hindered by decisions from 505 and ArtPlay. It's hard to think WayForward and Inti Creates would produce a mediocre performing game (although the game itself is 'good'). The only thing that's actually good that came out of this was Curse of the Moon which I think Inti had more creative freedom.
Back to the waiting game...
I started playing this the other day, and liked it, but then I saw on Facebook that there were more problems after another "update". This is really pathetic. Hopefully they can get everything fixed.
This was one of the games I was really hyped for on Switch... but I ended up just getting it on Steam instead. This game Screams portable but it just is not at an acceptable level for me on Switch yet.
Hmm I played for approx. 10 hours and had no significant problems with it. Docked and handheld.
Sometimes it has performance hickups. But nothing really gamebreaking imho. And since I have no reference other then the Switch version, the graphics felt "okay-ish" to me. Not good, but also not bad.
I think Unreal Engine ports that gone wrong are way worse. (Outer World, Vigor)
Bloodstained at least doesn't look broken.
Also: cool that they care about it so much and still put work in it. A pure money based company would have closed the books a long time ago.
FIX YER GAME GUYS C'MON
The game is buggy as Hell and they charge an arm and a leg for it too.
I already have 20 sidescrolling Castlevania games. I don't need this one.
Huge fan of metroidvanias, but I have to say that this one becomes less and less interesting to me as time passes. The fact that the game is way more expensive than its peers and that it's still bogged down by performance issues really kills my interest.
@TheWingedAvenger an arm and a leg? Have you even seen how much it costs and how many times its been on sale (Switch version included)?
It even retailed for less than regular Switch game cards.
I'm not a fan of this business model whereby you sell your game so your paying customers can beta test it for you.
Oh right, this game is gathering digital dust on my switch...
This game broke my heart. When it ran I had such good fun with it. I persevered and bear this on Xbox but I had so many crashes, specifically in Arvantville where you do all of your crafting and accept quests from the NPCs. Just avoid the save room there, trust me. It’s really unacceptable a game like this had so many issues. Without the bugs tho I can see a real gem tho.
@Zyph I agree, Inti always deliver excellent games. I think the merry-go-round of developers who worked on the game is to blame for all its problems. Inheriting someone else's code is never easy and if it was passed across half finished it's very difficult to know what was completed and what wasn't.
I bought the game on sale many months ago, and only started playing recently. Currently on v1.10 the visuals are fine and the gameplay is mostly smooth as long as I'm playing docked (in handheld it stutters a fair bit). Some areas like the tower can cause dropped frames, although I hear this is an issue on PS4 as well.
I have, however, encountered more crashes than I'd like - about 4 now in roughly 40 hours of gameplay.
Disregarding port issues, the game itself is enjoyable and a worthy successor to the SotN-style Castlevania games.
I'd say it's perfectly playable right now - just save often - and you don't really need more patches to have an overall good experience though of course further improvements will be welcome.
Why not wait another year more?
@Moistnado
The reason it looks like trash is because they targeted higher-end systems in development, and scaled down the graphics as is possible with Unreal engine.
A simple configuration change can cap the frame-rate to 30 or reduce the internal resolution (separate to the UI or HUD). You can do this on PC and this is what they've done on the Switch, amongst other graphical fidelity sacrifices mind you like texture quality, lighting, shadows, etc.
Spectacular game... when played on the PS4.
If they ever finish polishing and fixing the myriad of bugs and issues on the Switch version, I’ll happily purchase it...
@BulkSlash Exactly. One example of bad decisions from the publisher's part is Comcept's Might No. 9 and Deep Silver, and Inti Creates being the developer. Well all know how that turned out.
I never finished the game due to the crippling frame rate during the valefar boss fight. I've never even seen them acknowledge the issue. At this point I consider it having been a waste of money.
I was going to buy this day One on switch olif it was a good port. I played a lengthy demo on pc prior do released and loved it. After all this mess i am not only not going to buy on switch at all and I will wait for a substantial discount on PC (at least on the 70% Mark)
@Balta666 the game is perfectly playable just save often as you might have a few crashes. Other than that and a few frame rate dips in larger areas it’s fine. Some of the people here are exaggerating a bit, especially the ones who haven’t even purchased the game yet.
@Yanina Well said. These guys care enough to polish it up.
I ended up getting this on Xbox in a sale, unfortunately it felt so bland and uninspired I stopped playing after 5 hours. Haven't felt the need to go back to it. If I want a Metroidvania I have all the GBA and DS Castlevania's and even Mirror of Fate on 3DS is better. Currently playing Metroid Samus Returns for the fourth time, great remake.
I bought this game digitally for Switch, July 2019. I only crashed exactly 1 time in the 80+ hours I've played it. I am very pleased with the fast and precise controls that I expect from Igavanias. I'd easily say this is the best Igavania game so far to anyone, and do so with a straight face. Currently loving the Randomizer Mode and eagerly awaiting Chroma Wheel. This is the game I've always wanted.
@Zyph I’d forgotten Deep Silver were involved, I pretty sure Shenmue III went off the rails right around when they came on board.
@Strictlystyles i am well informed as I was looking forward to the game. Crashes, very inconsistent frame rate and above all longo loading Times between screens are big NOs on my book.
@MagnaRoader
I live in Russia and here Bloodstained for the Switch costs 3000 rubles, i.e. 42 US dollars. It's a retro game that could easily have been made for the PS1, so you can't justify it costing that much. A big-budget PS4 game costs 60 dollars. Bloodstained should cost 20 dollars max. When they do a 50%-off sale, then it'll be at a reasonable price... for a game not littered with bugs. This game is full of them, so it should cost 5 bucks really.
Feel free to gift your money to these scam artists, but I'll be playing the three Castlevania games on DS and the three on the GBA, not to mention Symphony of the Night on the PSP. I'll buy Bloodstained in a few years when it's in the bargain bin.
@SwitchVogel This game is by far the best and most creative metroidvania of this gen. Don't listen to trolls who exagerate its flaws. As the comment of @Moistnado shows this game is basically punished by sony fanboys for being released and selling more on switch.
@TheWingedAvenger OK so because of your oddly specific scenario, the world needs to follow your views and opinion of the game? OK bozo. Good luck with that mind set.
Also try being less of a jerk to people not in your part of the world. The world could use less angry stereotypes right now lol
Kinda just told us what we already knew.. but at least they’re being proactive on it?
@Moistnado lmao salty it's not that bad and they've been working on it. Remember the switch isnt a ps4. And yes they had a decent budget but they are not a triple a company
@RupeeClock this explanation of why the game looks a mess does not excuse the way it looks. I was looking forward to this as it seemed to be an evolution of the castlevania GBA and DS titles. It seems like one step forward and three steps back. I feel sorry for all the people who preordered. In the right hands the switch runs BOTW and Doom but in the wrong hands it runs a 2.5d game; bloodstained... badly.
@glaemay I do have a ps4 but I would much rather play on Switch as this seems like a simple handheld style game, something that the switch should handle easily. it is clear that this game was designed for other platforms and then pared down to just about run, badly, on switch. It is a shame because it is such a missed opportunity.
@Apportal You make it sound like you only play games if people are hyped. It’s still fun game, presumably, that people would like to play on Switch (if the devs drastically improve the visuals/performance), even now. Or maybe it’s just me...
@MagnaRoader they shouldn't put the game on sale. It is like knocking 10% off a car because it doesn't start and hoping some mugs don't do any research before buying.
@Moistnado and yet, the game is playable and some people even reported noticing no real game breaking issues. So your example makes no sense in this context.
wat about a performance update which is badly needed for this game.
@MagnaRoader even in this comments section people reported giving up due to performance affecting gameplay and needing to repeatedly save due to crashing. For me, it is an art style that has made its details become invisible, behind muddy pixelation. Instead of putting it on sale, the right and honest thing to do would be offer refund to people who were disappointed after preordering or buying at launch.
@PickledKong64 then explain why they release the other versions first without any issues why the switch version was released broken and unpolished graphics.
I like this game alot. Its great. If I never saw the PS4 version I would never notice any problems (now when the critical problems are fixed and the graphics are better with the latest update).
I am looking forward to more graphical updates like the rain on the ship in the beginning, better lighting and more content. It's a great game.
8 / 10 for me.
@BlubberWhale MY hype is gone! I’m not excited anymore
@MagnaRoader
Okey so you're either one of the developers of the game, or you're just a scam victim who doesn't like anyone pointing out that you allowed yourself to be duped by scam artists. Nintendo's official site right now has the game at 40 US dollars, discounted at 28. That's almost the same as Russia's 40-dollar price tag.
A company that sells you a bug-ridden, low-budget game for 40 dollars is SCAMMING you. That is a fact. I'm not being arrogant, I'm just pointing out the obvious. I understand it hurts to be on the receiving end of a scam, but when you use the word "bozo", you're talking about yourself, because you're the one defending the scam. Also, since you think I'm Russian, I'll give you a little clue to steer you in the right direction: Russians don't speak flawless English.
I'm not aware of there being a stereotype anywhere about Russians being "jerks", so could you specify where you live? Do you live in Ukraine? You certainly don't live in the US, because I'm American and I know my own country. I can guarantee you, though, that the stereotype in most of Europe is that Americans are "less than intelligent", to put it mildly.
This forum needs less of the games' developers posing as gamers. This game is selling well regardless of how many people point out that it's a glaring scam. Why do the scammers feel the need to come here and say the game runs well and has a low price? Here's the price on Nintendo's official site: https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/bloodstained-ritual-of-the-night-switch/
40 dollars regular, 28 dollars on sale. 28 bucks is a rip-off, pure and simple. The game is broken far beyond what can be expected of a professional game developer. Scam, scam, scam!
@Apportal
Fair enough friend, I gotcha. 🙂👍
I just get a little annoyed by gamers with no individuality, or personal opinion (not you) and who only like things because they’re trending, and not because of actual game mechanics, but I know what you mean. Was never really too hyped for this one (still interested), but pretty sure the same thing has happened to me with other games.
On the other hand I still have to finish some of the classics like Odyssey and BOTW, and I still get a little thrill thinking about playing those and others even when they’re practically old hat for most others.
@RiasGremory very easy explanation. The game has been in development since 2015! Switch came out at 2018. They started developing the switch version waaayyyy into the other versions development. They also scrapped a ps vita version which would cost them resources. The switch is also a foreign platform. And remember not everyone is a port pro
They shouldn't have released the version we got early and delayed it until it was in the patched/acceptable state. Didn't they release the PS4 version prior to the Switch? It would've given the impression that they worked on it to an acceptable point.
Instead all the positive PS4 reviews came in, and even with the delay, the Switch version was trash port. So the impression people got was that the company witheld the game to get the glowing reviews and released the switch version after.
I was hype for a physical cartridge to collect and to play it on the go, but not if the unpatched version was terrible (input lag/crashes). I may buy it when its better....in a physical cartridge that has all the updates. Sold the kickstarter version I had.
@FlameVisit
The fact that you sold your kickstarter cartridge says it all about what a scam the Switch version is. I hope people listen to you instead of listening to the paid shills who crawl in this forum.
@PickledKong64 but the problem is dev 505 knew the switch version wasnt done reason why they shouldnt have wasted the switch version delay to polish it up even more but they didnt.
@TheWingedAvenger I agree. I really do think devs are posting fake fan comments. It's either that or some very rich and inconsiderate people think 40usd is nothing to them and like shaming people with more normal incomes. Most likely someone associated with the devs though.
@PickledKong64 this explanation does not excuse anything. Describing possible reasons for fraud does not excuse the fraud. They released a botched, broken game. They sold copies as preorders while releasing trailers that only showed far superior unbroken performance on other platforms and as much better reviews came out for other platforms. If, and it is a big if, they truly didn't know that they were incapable of releasing an adequate product at that time, which is highly unlikely, they should have offered refunds as soon as this information was available to them. Instead they continued accepting preorders, kept quiet, kept showing PC footage to showcase the game. If they are not port pros, as you say, maybe they shouldn't be porting games as a profession?
@Moistnado maybe ppl shouldn't be switch port begging then
@PickledKong64
You don't know what the word "begging" means. Begging is when you ask people for something WITHOUT offering anything in return. People who ask for a Switch port offer money in return, and often get ripped off anyway. I recommend buying a good English dictionary, so you don't come across as illiterate on internet forums.
@TheWingedAvenger lmao you and s hell bruh. You wanna act like a smartass bruh. ***** off.
@Benji80
Okey, I agree when you say that you get what you pay for. My problem with this game is that you pay for something that's broken, so you don't get what you should be getting. And on top of that, they're brazen enough to ask for a higher price than games like Blazing Chrome and Panzer Paladin, which are great games that actually work. I have the money to buy Bloodstained, but I don't like giving money to scammers, so I'm not going to buy it.
@Benji80
I'm sometimes tempted to buy it, but then another one of these articles comes up on this site saying that they're working on the performance. That makes me think it's better to just wait. I still haven't played the DS Castlevania games (which Bloodstained is styled after), so I can play those in the meantime.
@PickledKong64 agreed. Maybe people shouldn't beg for switch ports. Nobody begged for the current version of bloodstained, they wanted something better.
Lol when the “current” status is delayed..
I’m sorry what is the point of a “current” status page if they don’t give update it???
LOL currently last updated 2 months ago
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