Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement, a 2026 Prequel

Publisher 505 Games and developer ArtPlay have announced the prequel to Bloodstained, titled Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement, for a 2026 release.

Set in 16th-century England, prior to the events of Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, The Scarlet Engagement tells the story of a mysterious floating castle controlled by the Demon Lord Elias, which unleashes terror upon the land with its demonic armies. Players step into the roles of two fresh protagonists: Leonard Brandon—a young warrior from the Church’s Black Wolves clan—and Alexander Kyteler, a knight of the royal White Stags. United, they must rise against Demon Lord Elias’s reign of terror and break the chains binding a kingdom overwhelmed by evil.

Helmed by Koji Igarashi, the creative force behind classics such as Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, The Scarlet Engagement introduces a "fresh cast of allies and enemies" that hint at "deep connections" to its predecessor—while remaining welcoming to newcomers unfamiliar with the game's rich lore.

Players can control both Leo and Alex at the same time and uncover new combat moves and combos while exploring what is billed as Bloodstained's "largest map yet." This expansive world features a dynamic day-night cycle that alters not only lighting but also how players interact with the environment. The game also incorporates crafting, cooking, and customization mechanics.

Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement is slated for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S in 2026, though a specific launch date has not yet been revealed.

Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement Screenshots

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Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night launched in 2019, earning a Great 8.8 review score from us, where we commented: "Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is a whole new castle to crash full of unexpected monsters and mysteries in the vein of classic Castlevania—the wait was worth it."

Of course, this is far from the only major game news we've received lately. Sony ignited the summer reveal season with a spectacular showcase, offering a feast of upcoming titles to build excitement ahead of Summer Games Fest Week. Catch every announcement from last night's PlayStation State of Play 2025, including reveals like 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.