"Bloodstained: Scarlet Engagement Prequel Set for 2026 Release"

Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement, the highly anticipated prequel to Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, has been officially announced by publisher 505 Games and developer ArtPlay, set for release in 2026.

Set in 16th-century England—long before the events of Ritual of the Night—The Scarlet Engagement follows a mysterious floating castle now under the control of the fearsome Demon Lord Elias. From his airborne fortress, Elias unleashes waves of demonic forces upon the people below, plunging the land into chaos and despair.

In this dark tale, players take on the roles of two new protagonists: Leonard Brandon, a young warrior trained by the Church's elite Black Wolves unit, and Alexander Kyteler, a noble knight of the Kingdom’s White Stags. Together, they embark on a perilous journey to confront Elias and end his reign of terror, breaking the curse that grips their homeland.

Crafted by legendary game designer Koji Igarashi, known for iconic titles like Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, The Scarlet Engagement promises an all-new cast of allies and enemies while weaving subtle connections to its predecessor. Designed to be fully accessible to newcomers, the game ensures both fresh players and longtime fans can enjoy the adventure without needing prior knowledge of the series' lore.

A standout feature is the ability to play as both Leo and Alex simultaneously, enabling dynamic co-op exploration and combat. As you traverse what is described as Bloodstained’s largest map yet, you'll uncover new moves, powerful combos, and a variety of gameplay systems including crafting, cooking, and deep character customization.

Adding another layer of immersion, the game introduces a full day-night cycle that alters not only the lighting and atmosphere but also how players interact with the environment—offering new paths, enemy behaviors, and hidden secrets depending on the time of day.

Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement does not yet have a specific release date but is currently scheduled to launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S in 2026.

Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement Screenshots

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The original Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night launched in 2019 to critical acclaim. We praised it with a [Great 8.8], stating: "Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is a whole new castle to crash, full of unexpected monsters and mysteries in the vein of classic Castlevania."

This latest reveal isn't the only exciting news in the gaming world this season. Sony recently kicked off summer’s big reveal wave with a vibrant showcase at the PlayStation State of Play 2025. Highlights included announcements for 007 First Light, Marvel Tokon Fighting Souls, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, Romeo is a Dead Man, and the long-awaited release date for Silent Hill f.

Stay tuned for more updates on Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement and all the biggest reveals from this year’s Summer Games Fest Week.