Bloodstained Sequel: Thoughts, ideas, QUESTIONS

I hope that the first game will be successful so that it might be a good starting point for a franchise but as Overlord said, can't answer the majority of those questions without playing it first.
One thing is certain: I really hope they don't need to start a new Kickstarter campaign for the sequel. If there will be a new Kickstarter campaign, I'd ignore it completely and just wait for the finished product.

1) Would you agree and/or contribute to a new Kickstarter for a Bloodstained sequel?

I would, but hopefully they wouldn't need it and I can't realistically see it happen. I'm torn on the idea though, because I love all the extra fun the campaign provided and the much higher volume of physical stuff and involvement with the game we have, but all that comes at a high price to the teams involved as well. 

2) How much would you consider to be "fair" as a goal if Bloodstained sequel required a Kickstarter?

Depends on if the "prove to a publisher" thing is the aim again, which would seem moot at this point. If it just needed help getting off the ground for whatever reason, no idea.

3) Would you like if Bloodstained followed a consistent timeline (with each game happening after the other one) a convoluted timeline (like Castlevania, where games was released at different centuries and years) or a meta-like timeline (where each game happens at it's own universe, sharing common elements, like most Final Fantasy games) or some other way?

Any of those are fine with me. How Castlevania was done didn't bother me at all.

4) Would you like to see any character from Ritual of the Night, in the direct sequel of Bloodstained? Who? Why?

Dominique, obviously, because I like the caster characters and those affiliated with the church (i.e. the original Belnades family). The Netflix show left me a bit wanting in that department even more, as you can imagine.

5) Would you prefer if Bloodstained Sequel followed 2.5D like Ritual of the Night, or something else? (Such as 2D sprite graphics, or a complete 3D gameplay)?

2D will always be my favorite, but I'm not averse to whatever they want to go with.

6) Along the years, Igavania games tried to update or change the usual formula. While Symphony of the Night and Harmony of Dissonance, Aria of Sorrow and Dawn of Sorrow had mostly the same overall idea (Metroidvania gameplay inside a huge castle / fortress-look-a-like) some other games tried something new (Portrait of Ruin had portraits that teleported you to other scenarios, Order of Ecclesia had regions separated from the main castle). Ritual of the Night seems to have followed mostly the classic SOTN formula, with (as of now). Would you like if Bloodstained sequel followed the same formula, or tried something new like PoR and OoE tried? (or something else).

I like how OoE did it, the game felt like an older Castlevania title in that way, reminding me of CV2 and Bloodlines, with also having a sort of "stage select". Mixing it up and making something different is certainly fine with me, but there is nothing wrong with the existing classic formula either.

7) Main character. Male or female? A single character or multiple characters (like Portrait of Ruin)?

Castlevania MCs were almost always male, so with Bloodstained, them being predominantly female would be neat in that way. I don't have a strong opinion either way. I do like Iga's female designs more than the males on average, though.

8) IGA has stated before that Soul Dominance was the best magic system his team ever created and he wanted to use it again, or variations of it (that's one reason of why Dawn of Sorrow and Order of Ecclesia exists). Bloodstained has the Shardbinder, that is a updated version of Soul Dominance. For a Bloodstained Sequel, would you like if the main character had a magic system following the same premise? (stealing something from enemies and using that as powers) or something completely different? What?

This is one thing I'm not really that into, "monster/demon powers". I'd rather use something inherent to the character, blessed weapons/items/attacks etc rather than "making the darkness my own power". I much more like and prefer the "light" when it comes to fighting evil rather than the whole "I'm the son of/clone of/technically THE bad guy or at least using a form of his power and I will cut everyone with my angsty edge". I roll my eyes whenever the side of good/light turns corrupt. There's more than enough of that nowadays.

9) Standard EXP and level, like most Igavanias, or some other kind of leveling system? (Like Lamment of Innocence, that ddn't had level nor EXP, but itens to upgrade Leon Health and Hearts)

Depends on the genre of the game to me. It can work better in 3D action like LoI or a DMC game to just have upgrade items, or for extra modes in a 2D Igavania. I think that the main game experience in an Igavania game could work okay without traditional leveling, but in the end it might just make gear that much more important rather than serve an innovative purpose. Caps per area would just feel limiting and arbitrary and something much more complex I'm not sure would add anything worthwhile.

10) Anything else you would like to add for a Bloodstained Sequel?

Small thing, but I think I'd like if all the candles didn't have to be purple next time lol.

1) Would you agree and/or contribute to a new Kickstarter for a Bloodstained sequel?

depends on how much I enjoy Bloodstained when it does release / how many copies it sells as if it sells too well it would sound greedy to go back to Kickstarter

2) How much would you consider to be "fair" as a goal if Bloodstained sequel required a Kickstarter?

if it does go to a kickstarter it would have to not have any main goal at all and just be there for stretch goals because if it doesn't sell well enough to make a sequel even without all the stretch goals the first game had I would lose too much confidence in a sequel

3) Would you like if Bloodstained followed a consistent timeline (with each game happening after the other one) a convoluted timeline (like Castlevania, where games was released at different centuries and years) or a meta-like timeline (where each game happens at it's own universe, sharing common elements, like most Final Fantasy games) or some other way?

I prefer consistent timelines

4) Would you like to see any character from Ritual of the Night, in the direct sequel of Bloodstained? Who? Why?

that question would be best answered after playing through the whole game.

5) Would you prefer if Bloodstained Sequel followed 2.5D like Ritual of the Night, or something else? (Such as 2D sprite graphics, or a complete 3D gameplay)?

I love how ROTN looks and was always assuming the likely sequel was going to reuse some assets to speed up the development and lower costs, some improvements are expected but I wouldn't want to go too far off course from what the first game is

6) Along the years, Igavania games tried to update or change the usual formula. While Symphony of the Night and Harmony of Dissonance, Aria of Sorrow and Dawn of Sorrow had mostly the same overall idea (Metroidvania gameplay inside a huge castle / fortress-look-a-like) some other games tried something new (Portrait of Ruin had portraits that teleported you to other scenarios, Order of Ecclesia had regions separated from the main castle). Ritual of the Night seems to have followed mostly the classic SOTN formula, with (as of now). Would you like if Bloodstained sequel followed the same formula, or tried something new like PoR and OoE tried? (or something else).

small changes to keep it feeling fresh but nothing major

7) Main character. Male or female? A single character or multiple characters (like Portrait of Ruin)?
no preference

8) IGA has stated before that Soul Dominance was the best magic system his team ever created and he wanted to use it again, or variations of it (that's one reason of why Dawn of Sorrow and Order of Ecclesia exists). Bloodstained has the Shardbinder, that is a updated version of Soul Dominance. For a Bloodstained Sequel, would you like if the main character had a magic system following the same premise? (stealing something from enemies and using that as powers) or something completely different? What?

something different as I hope to find in the other playable characters of ROTN as well, not creative enough to know what, wouldn't say completely different as I want something similar I just like small changes to keep things feeling fresh

9) Standard EXP and level, like most Igavanias, or some other kind of leveling system? (Like Lamment of Innocence, that ddn't had level nor EXP, but itens to upgrade Leon Health and Hearts)

better understanding of what should happen after I play the full game, but based on the beta I would prefer no leveling system at all as I was enjoying trying to 100% everything before I beat it with crafting a bunch of cool stuff early on but that was making me way too OP just from level no matter what equipment I used

10) Anything else you would like to add for a Bloodstained Sequel? no

1) Would you agree and/or contribute to a new Kickstarter for a Bloodstained sequel?
A: Probably not.

2) How much would you consider to be "fair" as a goal if Bloodstained sequel required a Kickstarter?
A: Minimum the same as what they raised this time.

3) Would you like if Bloodstained followed a consistent timeline (with each game happening after the other one) a convoluted timeline (like Castlevania, where games was released at different centuries and years) or a meta-like timeline (where each game happens at it's own universe, sharing common elements, like most Final Fantasy games) or some other way?
A: For me a consistent timeline is a must.

4) Would you like to see any character from Ritual of the Night, in the direct sequel of Bloodstained? Who? Why?
A: Most likely Miriam. Beyond that it depends on the story, I still think that Johannes is the villain and Gebel is a happenstance villain. Alfred would be good. My bets are also on Zangetsu having a spinoff.

5) Would you prefer if Bloodstained Sequel followed 2.5D like Ritual of the Night, or something else? (Such as 2D sprite graphics, or a complete 3D gameplay)?
A: 2D.

6) Along the years, Igavania games tried to update or change the usual formula. While Symphony of the Night and Harmony of Dissonance, Aria of Sorrow and Dawn of Sorrow had mostly the same overall idea (Metroidvania gameplay inside a huge castle / fortress-look-a-like) some other games tried something new (Portrait of Ruin had portraits that teleported you to other scenarios, Order of Ecclesia had regions separated from the main castle). Ritual of the Night seems to have followed mostly the classic SOTN formula, with (as of now). Would you like if Bloodstained sequel followed the same formula, or tried something new like PoR and OoE tried? (or something else).
A: As long as it retains the Metroidvania ability to backtrack I am not opposed to any major changes in game layout.

7) Main character. Male or female? A single character or multiple characters (like Portrait of Ruin)?
A: As long as they are a character with a personality I don't really have a preference. I would prefer having multiple main characters, as in each character could be picked at the start of the game and you follow their story. Adds replay and can have more in depth story.

8) IGA has stated before that Soul Dominance was the best magic system his team ever created and he wanted to use it again, or variations of it (that's one reason of why Dawn of Sorrow and Order of Ecclesia exists). Bloodstained has the Shardbinder, that is a updated version of Soul Dominance. For a Bloodstained Sequel, would you like if the main character had a magic system following the same premise? (stealing something from enemies and using that as powers) or something completely different? What?
A: I like to collect so any system that allows for hunting is great in my book. But I also loved the SotN system where you just had button inputs to cast spells.

9) Standard EXP and level, like most Igavanias, or some other kind of leveling system? (Like Lamment of Innocence, that ddn't had level nor EXP, but itens to upgrade Leon Health and Hearts)
A: Igavanias are RPGs to me, if anything were to change I would like a system where you allocate your points or maybe a skill tree. Meaningful choices are way more fun.

10) Anything else you would like to add for a Bloodstained Sequel?
A: Not to be insensitive, but with the platform cuts I would oppose releasing sequels on systems that weren't available to RotN on launch. That feels like it would be a slap in the face to current backers who won't be able to play RotN.

1) Would you agree and/or contribute to a new Kickstarter for a Bloodstained sequel?

Without hesitation.

2) How much would you consider to be "fair" as a goal if Bloodstained sequel required a Kickstarter?

Second verse, same as the first?

3) Would you like if Bloodstained followed a consistent timeline (with each game happening after the other one) a convoluted timeline (like Castlevania, where games was released at different centuries and years) or a meta-like timeline (where each game happens at it's own universe, sharing common elements, like most Final Fantasy games) or some other way?

Whatever the heck the devs want to do that helps them feel inspired while making the game. Far less likely to suck if they don't feel 'pinned down'.

4) Would you like to see any character from Ritual of the Night, in the direct sequel of Bloodstained? Who? Why?

Yes, Alfred, because he's the best. He's not evil, just deeply misunderstood (sob!).

5) Would you prefer if Bloodstained Sequel followed 2.5D like Ritual of the Night, or something else? (Such as 2D sprite graphics, or a complete 3D gameplay)?

2.5D is fine for me.

6) Along the years, Igavania games tried to update or change the usual formula. While Symphony of the Night and Harmony of Dissonance, Aria of Sorrow and Dawn of Sorrow had mostly the same overall idea (Metroidvania gameplay inside a huge castle / fortress-look-a-like) some other games tried something new (Portrait of Ruin had portraits that teleported you to other scenarios, Order of Ecclesia had regions separated from the main castle). Ritual of the Night seems to have followed mostly the classic SOTN formula, with (as of now). Would you like if Bloodstained sequel followed the same formula, or tried something new like PoR and OoE tried? (or something else).

I think different contexts of characters is a good justification for different abilities. I doubt there will be more 'Shardbinders', so maybe playing as an Alchemist, a demon slayer, or something else would be a good reason to have a new system. I like that the game mechanics are tied to the characters and setting. Makes it neat. Familiar but refreshing.

7) Main character. Male or female? A single character or multiple characters (like Portrait of Ruin)?

As long as the gameplay maintains solid familiarity, I'm up for anything.

8) IGA has stated before that Soul Dominance was the best magic system his team ever created and he wanted to use it again, or variations of it (that's one reason of why Dawn of Sorrow and Order of Ecclesia exists). Bloodstained has the Shardbinder, that is a updated version of Soul Dominance. For a Bloodstained Sequel, would you like if the main character had a magic system following the same premise? (stealing something from enemies and using that as powers) or something completely different? What?

I'm all down for whatever justification is used for Megaman logic on steroids. Crafting up 'crappy' shards into powerful nukes looks like it will be fun, too!

9) Standard EXP and level, like most Igavanias, or some other kind of leveling system? (Like Lamment of Innocence, that ddn't had level nor EXP, but itens to upgrade Leon Health and Hearts)

I like EXP and level. I'm a tabletop RPG guy, so that will always have a place in my heart.

10) Anything else you would like to add for a Bloodstained Sequel?

Is there such a thing as 'big enough'? No. There is not. BIGGAR!

I really hope Igavanias will continue


1) Would you agree and/or contribute to a new Kickstarter for a Bloodstained sequel?

Yes, of course! Some nice amount.


2) How much would you consider to be "fair" as a goal if Bloodstained sequel required a Kickstarter?

I am not sure, as I don`t know anything about finances around development. Maybe the same amount that was given for Bloodstained, or a bit more.


3) Would you like if Bloodstained followed a consistent timeline (with each game happening after the other one) a convoluted timeline (like Castlevania, where games was released at different centuries and years) or a meta-like timeline (where each game happens at it's own universe, sharing common elements, like most Final Fantasy games) or some other way?

I am fine with both. I like how Castlevania did it..


4) Would you like to see any character from Ritual of the Night, in the direct sequel of Bloodstained? Who? Why?

Zangetsu, he looks so cool and is he my favorite character, I like him a lot more than Miriam. I prefer to let him have his own game wide some mad skills.


5) Would you prefer if Bloodstained Sequel followed 2.5D like Ritual of the Night, or something else? (Such as 2D sprite graphics, or a complete 3D gameplay)?

I really want 2D sprite graphics, no matter how long it takes, or how much it costs. It looks so much better! Less 3D the better. 


6) Along the years, Igavania games tried to update or change the usual formula. While Symphony of the Night and Harmony of Dissonance, Aria of Sorrow and Dawn of Sorrow had mostly the same overall idea (Metroidvania gameplay inside a huge castle / fortress-look-a-like) some other games tried something new (Portrait of Ruin had portraits that teleported you to other scenarios, Order of Ecclesia had regions separated from the main castle). Ritual of the Night seems to have followed mostly the classic SOTN formula, with (as of now). Would you like if Bloodstained sequel followed the same formula, or tried something new like PoR and OoE tried? (or something else).

I am very happy just to get the big castle to explore. If additional levels exist, it makes game more rich and interesting, but it is not a necessity. 


7) Main character. Male or female? A single character or multiple characters (like Portrait of Ruin)?

Male. Please, it is time. We had Ecclesia and now Bloodstained with females, I am hungry for Igavania with a male badass character.


8) IGA has stated before that Soul Dominance was the best magic system his team ever created and he wanted to use it again, or variations of it (that's one reason of why Dawn of Sorrow and Order of Ecclesia exists). Bloodstained has the Shardbinder, that is a updated version of Soul Dominance. For a Bloodstained Sequel, would you like if the main character had a magic system following the same premise? (stealing something from enemies and using that as powers) or something completely different? What?

I don`t care what it is, although my favorite is just this-especially Sorrow games with soul collecting and getting abilities from monsters.


9) Standard EXP and level, like most Igavanias, or some other kind of leveling system? (Like Lamment of Innocence, that ddn't had level nor EXP, but itens to upgrade Leon Health and Hearts)


I like EXP and leveling.

10) Anything else you would like to add for a Bloodstained Sequel?

I always want Ayami Kojima and Michiru Yamane on board!