Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement will no longer launch in 2026. The new gothic metroidvania from ArtPlay, published by 505 Games, has been delayed to 2027 and remains planned for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam. The delay comes as development has entered its final stages, with new screenshots already released and gameplay footage planned for a future update.
The new window pushes the Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night sequel further out, but the game’s structure is already clearer. The Scarlet Engagement is set in 16th-century England, wrapped in a 2.5D gothic atmosphere where a mysterious ethereal castle ruled by Demon Lord Elias casts its shadow over the land and terrorizes citizens with demonic forces.
The story follows Leonard Brandon, a young fighter from the Church’s Black Wolves clan, and Alexander Kyteler, a knight of the Kingdom’s White Stags and the lone survivor of an earlier failed expedition. Fate brings the two heroes together as they rise against Elias, challenge the castle’s influence and try to break the chains of a kingdom tormented by evil.
One of the main additions is the Buddy System, which lets players use Leo and Alex together to defeat enemies, overcome traps and push through dangerous areas. The game also promises the largest map in Bloodstained history, with dawn, day, dusk and night, shifting light and darkness, the Epiphany Combat System, crafting, cooking and visual customization through armor and expanded appearance options.
For metroidvania players, 2027 is now the year to watch. The Playority Calendar lets users save Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement to their account, receive notifications and keep personalized updates organized around release timing, platforms and new footage. More details are available on the official website for Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement.
