Summary
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Nightis now available onXbox Game Pass. This arrival brings the number of February 2024 additions toXbox Game Passup to six, with several more titles already being confirmed to be launching on the service before the end of the month.
Developed by Tokyo-based studio ArtPlay,Bloodstained: Ritual of the Nightis a content-packed metroidvania that was originally released for PC and consoles in mid-2019. Thesimilarities betweenBloodstainedandCastlevaniaare not merely an homage, as ArtPlay was actually co-founded by Koji Igarashi, the long-time producer of Konami’s celebrated series. The game thus enjoys a reputation as a spiritual successor toCastlevania.
The critically acclaimed title has now been added to Microsoft’s subscription catalog on Valentine’s Day 2024, which is actually the second time it has appeared on the service since its commercial debut.Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night’s original Xbox Game Pass stintwas just under 18 months long, running from September 2019 to March 2021. Assuming publisher 505 Games and Microsoft agreed to similar licensing terms this time around, the metroidvania should remain on the subscription service until the second half of 2025.
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Nightwas met with extremely positive reviewsfrom both gamers and critics alike. Half a decade since its release, its Metacritic Metascore ranges between 83 and 84, depending on the platform, whereas its Steam user ratings have cleared the “Very Positive” threshold, based on over 26,000 opinions. Numerous players have complimented its tight gameplay loop and high production values, on top of singing praises to its enemy variety and exploration-rewarding level design.
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night DLC Is Currently Discounted
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night’s return to Xbox Game Pass coincides with its time-limitedsalethat allows Steam users to grab it for $9.99. That’s a 75% discount that matches the metroidvania’s lowest-ever price on Valve’s storefront. The Iga’s Back bundle comprising the eponymous DLC that’s not included in the Xbox Game Pass subscription has also been treated to a comparable price cut on Steam, with both of those offers being set to end on February 15. The expansion has been discounted on the Xbox Store as well, where it’s currently available at $4.99, or 50% off, until February 26.
In terms of aggregate review scores,Bloodstained: Ritual of the Nightis an immediate lock-in for the list of thebest Xbox Game Pass titles that are currently availableon the service. Microsoft’s subscription offering is confirmed to be adding three more games before the end of February:A Little To The Left,PlateUp, andReturn to Grace.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is the highest tier of Microsoft’s flagship game subscription service that offers over 100 game titles that you may play with a single purchase, making it one of the most outstanding value propositions of the Xbox ecosystem to date.
