If you want gothic fantasy, RPG progression, weapons and spells, start with Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night. It is the closest fit here for the Castlevania side of Metroidvania: 505 Games describes it as an exploration-focused action RPG by Koji Igarashi. If you want actual Castlevania games instead, choose the Castlevania: Dominus Collection.
Which game should a Castlevania fan choose?
| Your preference | Best fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Gothic setting and RPG-style weapons and spells | Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night | Its official description highlights gothic dark fantasy, exploration, weapons, spells and upgrades. |
| Official Castlevania games | Castlevania: Dominus Collection | It brings together three Castlevania titles, each with its own combat approach. |
| Exploration-forward 2D adventure beyond Castlevania’s style | Hollow Knight | Its emphasis is 2D action-adventure exploration, rather than gothic RPG progression. |
| Platforming and story emphasis | Ori and the Will of the Wisps | It leans into platforming action and storytelling, offering a distinct take on the genre. |
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is the closest new-game match
For Castlevania fans who want a new game with a familiar blend of exploration and RPG systems, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is the most direct recommendation in this group. 505 Games calls it “an exploration-focused, side-scroller action RPG by Koji Igarashi.” Its official description also points to gothic dark fantasy, weapons, spells and upgrade options—features that make it a closer stylistic match than the broader genre alternatives below.
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That makes Bloodstained a spiritual successor-style pick, not an official Castlevania entry. Steam lists ArtPlay as developer and 505 Games as publisher, with a release date of June 18, 2019. At the time Steam was accessed for this article, 92% of 10,935 English-language reviews were positive; storefront review totals and percentages can change, and this figure is not a critic score or independent quality measure. See the Steam listing and 505 Games’ official game page for details.
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Castlevania: Dominus Collection is the official-series choice
If the key requirement is playing Castlevania rather than a successor or genre neighbor, look at Castlevania: Dominus Collection. GameSpot lists three games in the collection:
#1 Best Overall
- Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse | Night One Edition includes: Main Game, Alucard Style Costume, Digital Sound & Art Gallery, Trevor Style Costume, Sypha Style Costume, and Family's Grace (Relic).
- Medieval Paris, Where the Tolling Bells Herald the End - 1499: Paris is engulfed in flames as monstrous creatures suddenly emerge from the shadows. Armed with the legendary holy whip, the Vampire Killer, Trevor Belmont’s successor ventures into the burning streets and the looming castle to hunt down the beasts. Can they save the city from the brink of destruction?
- Satisfying Whip Action - The iconic whip of the series is now more important than ever! Crack your whip to move around freely like a trapeze artist! Master the whip mechanics and be creative to pounce on your prey like a wolf in fast-paced combats!
- A Large Selection of Weapons and Abilities - The whip is not the only tool at your disposal. You will need to strategically plan your next move in combat and make full use of all the weapons and abilities to stand a chance!
- Environment Hazards That Will make you grit your teeth - Biomes are packed with secrets, traps and puzzles. It is not just about muscles, it's about brains too!
- Dawn of Sorrow
- Portrait of Ruin
- Order of Ecclesia
The entries are not interchangeable: Portrait of Ruin adds tag-team play that affects combat and exploration, while Order of Ecclesia uses glyph-based combat. GameSpot lists the collection for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch, with an August 27, 2024 release date. Check the GameSpot collection guide for its overview; confirm current editions and availability with a retailer before buying.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Hollow Knight and Ori offer different genre strengths
Hollow Knight
Hollow Knight is a good next stop if what you value most is exploring a connected 2D world. Its catalog description emphasizes action-adventure exploration. It is a broader genre alternative, not a direct substitute for Castlevania’s gothic setting and RPG-style progression.
Rank #2
- Classics that defined the Castlevania series.
- Includes the "History of Castlevania - Book of the Crescent Moon" ebook.
- This includes eight classic Castlevania games preserved on one disc with a full-color manual.
- The Castlevania Anniversary Collection on physical disc for the PlayStation 4. Also works on PlayStation 5. Region-free.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a better fit if you want platforming and storytelling to take priority. Its catalog description stresses platforming action and story, giving it a different feel from the weapon-and-spell RPG angle. Metacritic’s descriptions of Hollow Knight and Ori support these distinctions; neither should be presented as identical to Castlevania. See Metacritic’s Hollow Knight listing and Metacritic’s Ori and the Will of the Wisps listing.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 17 Levels - Each one with its own atmosphere, foes and secrets to discover
- 5 Bosses - Made by the most sadistic of the devs, raised on the salt of the testers
- 150 or so weapons and skills - Spears, swords, bows, magic spells, shields, pets, frying pans etc; You name it, we got it
- Unlock the four original Dead Cells DLCs, giving you late-game content plus an entire new pathway to follow, with an alternative ending and tons of new enemies, weapons & outfits
- Battle through the corridors of Dracula’s Castle; Wield weapons against monsters to reach the throne room of the Dark Lord
Rank #4
- LIMITED EDITION: Official Limited Run Games release #251 of the Castlevania Dominus Collection featuring Order of Ecclesia cover art for Nintendo Switch
- GAME FORMAT: Physical DVD-ROM release, not a digital download, packaged in standard Nintendo Switch game case
- CONTENT: Action-packed collection of classic Castlevania games, rated T for Teen by ESRB
- PACKAGING DIMENSIONS: Comes in standard Switch case measuring 6 inches high, 3 inches wide, and 2 inches deep
- REGION AND LANGUAGE: US release with English language support, compatible with Nintendo Switch systems
Rank #3
- 17 Levels - Each one with its own atmosphere, foes and secrets to discover
- 5 Bosses - Made by the most sadistic of the devs, raised on the salt of the testers
- 150 or so weapons and skills - Spears, swords, bows, magic spells, shields, pets, frying pans etc; You name it, we got it
- Unlock the four original Dead Cells DLCs, giving you late-game content plus an entire new pathway to follow, with an alternative ending and tons of new enemies, weapons & outfits
- Battle through the corridors of Dracula’s Castle; Wield weapons against monsters to reach the throne room of the Dark Lord
How to narrow down your pick
- Choose Bloodstained for a new gothic action RPG with exploration, weapons and spells.
- Choose the Dominus Collection when official Castlevania games matter more than finding a successor.
- Choose Hollow Knight for exploration in a distinct 2D action-adventure style.
- Choose Ori and the Will of the Wisps if platforming and story are your priorities.
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