Does Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night Have Multiple Endings? A Completionist’s Guide
Yes, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night offers multiple endings, enriching the player experience with replayability and narrative depth. There are three distinct endings to discover, each with unique implications for Miriam and the world of Bloodstained. Unlocking each ending requires specific actions and a keen understanding of the game’s mechanics. This guide will help you navigate the intricacies of Bloodstained’s narrative and ensure you witness all it has to offer.
Understanding the Endings of Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, a spiritual successor to the Castlevania series, invites players into a gothic world brimming with demons, shards, and secrets. The core gameplay revolves around exploration, combat, and character progression. However, the path you choose significantly impacts the game’s conclusion.
The “Bad” Ending: Just a Flicker
The first, and arguably simplest, ending to achieve is often referred to as the “bad” ending. To unlock this, you must defeat Gebel without obtaining a crucial item – the Zangetsu Sword or the Bloodbringer. This ending sees Miriam failing to fully understand the nature of the crisis, resulting in a tragic outcome. The implication is that Gebel is not truly saved, and the threat remains.
The “Good” Ending: Dethroned
This ending requires players to obtain the Zangetsu Sword before challenging Gebel. During the fight, when Gebel uses his power, the moon will turn red. You need to use Zangetsu to cut the moon. This will reveal the true enemy behind the demonic invasion, leading you to the final areas of the game. This path takes you to the Glacial Tomb and beyond, where you will face additional bosses and ultimately confront the true mastermind. Successfully completing this path will grant you the “Dethroned” ending, a more optimistic, albeit bittersweet, conclusion.
The “True” Ending
The “True” ending expands upon the “Good” ending and provides the most comprehensive resolution to the story. After cutting the red moon as described above, you proceed through the rest of the game. Defeating the final boss, Bael, unlocks the “Dethroned” achievement. This ending reveals the full scope of Dominique’s betrayal and delivers a more satisfying closure to Miriam’s journey.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Bloodstained Endings
Here are some frequently asked questions about Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night’s endings, designed to help you achieve your desired outcome:
1. How do I get the Zangetsu Sword?
The Zangetsu Sword is obtained after defeating Zangetsu in the Hidden Village. This fight becomes available after certain story triggers have been met, making it a necessary step toward achieving the “Good” and “True” endings.
2. Where is the Hidden Village in Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night?
The Hidden Village is located beyond the Forbidden Underground Waterway. You need to acquire the Deep Sinker ability to access the village, allowing you to submerge underwater and reach previously inaccessible areas.
3. What happens if I beat Gebel without the Zangetsu Sword?
If you defeat Gebel without the Zangetsu Sword and without cutting the red moon, you will get the “bad” ending, titled “Just a Flicker”. This will roll credits and that is the end of that particular playthrough.
4. What is the significance of the red moon during the Gebel fight?
The red moon is a visual cue indicating that Gebel is being manipulated by a greater force. Using the Zangetsu Sword to cut the moon reveals the true antagonist and opens the path to the “Good” and “True” endings.
5. What abilities do I need to get the “True” ending?
You will need the following abilities: Deep Sinker, Reflector Ray, Invert, and Dimensional Shift. These abilities allow you to access all areas of the castle and progress through the necessary steps to unlock the “True” ending.
6. Where do I get the Dimensional Shift shard?
The Dimensional Shift shard is acquired by defeating Gremory in the Glacial Tomb. This shard is crucial for navigating the final areas of the game and facing the true final boss.
7. How do I access the Glacial Tomb?
The Glacial Tomb is accessed through the Den of Behemoths. Navigate to the bottom right of the Den to find the path leading to the Glacial Tomb.
8. Who is the final boss in the “True” ending of Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night?
The final boss in the “True” ending is Bael. Defeating Bael unlocks the “Dethroned” achievement and provides the most complete resolution to the game’s narrative.
9. What is the “Dethroned” achievement?
The “Dethroned” achievement is awarded for achieving the “Good” or “True” ending by defeating Bael. It signifies that you have successfully dethroned the evil forces controlling the castle.
10. Are there any differences between the “Good” and “True” endings besides the final boss fight?
While the core plot points remain the same, the “True” ending provides additional context and closure compared to the “Good” ending. The final cutscenes and dialogue offer a more complete understanding of the characters’ fates and the overall resolution of the story.
11. Can I replay the game after getting an ending?
Yes, after completing any ending, you can start a New Game Plus. This allows you to carry over certain items and abilities from your previous playthrough, making subsequent runs easier and enabling you to explore different paths and endings.
12. Is Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon related to the endings in Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night?
While Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon is a prequel and shares the same universe, it doesn’t directly influence the endings in Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night. Curse of the Moon offers its own branching paths and endings, providing a separate but complementary experience. Understanding the lore of Curse of the Moon can enrich your experience with Ritual of the Night, but it is not required to get any of the three endings.
13. Does playing as Zangetsu or another character affect the endings?
No, the endings are determined by your actions during the main storyline, specifically your actions relating to obtaining the Zangetsu Sword and defeating Gebel. Playing as Zangetsu or another character does not alter the ending requirements. These are only available after getting a good ending.
14. Where is the Millionaire’s Bane boss?
The Millionaire’s Bane is located in the Den of Behemoths. To reach it, you must first find the Millionaire’s Key, which is also located within the Den of Behemoths. This boss is optional and not required for any of the endings.
15. Is it worth getting all three endings?
Absolutely! Experiencing all three endings provides a deeper understanding of the story and the characters. Each ending offers a unique perspective on the events of the game and adds replay value to the experience. Completionists will find the journey of unlocking each ending a rewarding challenge. Furthermore, exploring different gameplay styles and strategies to achieve these endings will allow you to appreciate the depth and complexity of Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night. Understanding educational aspects of such game design can be valuable for educators as discussed on Games Learning Society or GamesLearningSociety.org.