Koji Igarashi Kickstarts Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night (2.5D, backdash, 2018)

Here's the art they attached to the news:

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Also, I think I went with Background 1/Character 3, but I'm A-Okay with 3/3~

cool art
 
Ah, they finally made the glass look something like glass. Very nice.

If only they could get the in game model to look like stained glass. I think it would help if the glass wasn't completely flush with her skin and had a reflective sheen to it. As it stand now, it's just a strange tattoo.
 
Her boobs are so massive, lol.

I kinda worry that this is her only costume, it would be nice to have in-game armour changes. I understand if it's too technically demanding though :\
I suspect that her proportions are at least partially a design consideration due to how she looks in silhouette with the camera zoomed out (like it typically would be in-game). They've already made a couple of other adjustments to her design due to this (like the ribbons being added).

As for alternate outfits, there are definitely going to be at least a couple of them as they were part of stretch goals for the campaign.
 
I haven't been following development too closely but has Miriam always been so laughably chesty? That's like early Lara Croft level of breast tissue.


I suspect that her proportions are at least partially a design consideration due to how she looks in silhouette with the camera zoomed out (like it typically would be in-game). They've already made a couple of other adjustments to her design due to this (like the ribbons being added).

As for alternate outfits, there are definitely going to be at least a couple of them as they were part of stretch goals for the campaign.

I hope that's the reason why, but then it really does the design a disservice to show a close-up like this.
 
I haven't been following development too closely but has Miriam always been so laughably chesty? That's like early Lara Croft level of breast tissue.

Always. It's crazy that people are just now noticing it like it wasn't there in the first place. It's like all they saw was "new Igavania hype!" and bought in without even looking at Miriam and are now complaining. XD

I went in knowing full well she was a large-chested moe waifu, it's annoying but I'm willing to deal with it for more Igavania goodness.
 
Always. It's crazy that people are just now noticing it like it wasn't there in the first place. It's like all they saw was "new Igavania hype!" and bought in without even looking at Miriam and are now complaining. XD

I'm perfectly willing to admit that's probably what happened for me. Oh well.

Igavania or bust
 
I hope that's the reason why, but then it really does the design a disservice to show a close-up like this.

I would say the larger issue is that she is wearing a pretty useless costume for adventuring. Everything looks a lot better zoomed out, but it's pretty bizarre overall considering the audience for this game.
 
Victory for character shader 3! Awesome!

I haven't been following development too closely but has Miriam always been so laughably chesty? That's like early Lara Croft level of breast tissue.

I hope that's the reason why, but then it really does the design a disservice to show a close-up like this.

I think the design looks great! I was actually appreciating her proportions - she's busty, but not overly so as far as anime body styles go, and her waist isn't impossibly thin. I couldn't be more pleased!

I would say the larger issue is that she is wearing a pretty useless costume for adventuring. Everything looks a lot better zoomed out, but it's pretty bizarre overall considering the audience for this game.

I'm part of the audience for this game, and I think the outfit is great. I don't care if it's practical. Miriam's outfit is one of my favorite designs I've seen in quite a while.
 
I think the design looks great! I was actually appreciating her proportions - she's busty, but not overly so as far as anime body styles go, and her waist isn't impossibly thin. I couldn't be more pleased!

Well gee, way to set the bar really low. :P

I actually have more respect for anime when it's more honest about the fanservice. Miriam looks like the designers are trying to pretend she's sensibly designed but that couldn't be further from the truth. It's dishonest.
 
I would say the larger issue is that she is wearing a pretty useless costume for adventuring. Everything looks a lot better zoomed out, but it's pretty bizarre overall considering the audience for this game.

ANIME.

There are other costumes, but i dont think any like getting armor pieces or something like that.
a73f85af6d49093ce36ce6b7f23eeb04.jpg

I don't think that's an actual different costume, but her original form before being cursed?
 
I would say the larger issue is that she is wearing a pretty useless costume for adventuring. Everything looks a lot better zoomed out, but it's pretty bizarre overall considering the audience for this game.

Yeah, I really never dug her costume. It's like a mix of Charlotte's ineffectual preppiness and Shanoa's mystical exposure. Would have preferred at least a bit of armor. But I couldn't pass up on helping bring IGAvania back.

It also helps that this, the only Kickstarter I've ever backed, is one of the best managed Kickstarters I've ever seen. I love these frequent updates.

I don't think that's an actual different costume, but her original form before being cursed?

That's what it is, but it's also going to be available as a costume. It was one of the rewards in the special tiers from spreading the word via social media during the Kickstarter.
 
I would say the larger issue is that she is wearing a pretty useless costume for adventuring. Everything looks a lot better zoomed out, but it's pretty bizarre overall considering the audience for this game.
Well, the audience being Igavania fans and I can't say I look at those game's protagonists and think they're wearing "Yo I'm gonna fight Dracula (ง •̀_•́)ง" clothing or even armour. It's always about style.
 
Oh hey, new backer email. Let's see what gaf thinaaaand it's all about her boobs again.

I can guarantee people would stop reacting this way if the balloons taped to the front of her chest were deflated somewhat.

A problem doesn't stop being a problem just because it's been there long enough. The game is still in development. Fan input is being solicited. People are distracted.
 
They're large, but it's not like they're an unrealistic, ridiculous size like in Valkyria Chronicles and others.

Some girls have big boobs.

But hey I like the entire design so what do I know ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
 
I can guarantee people would stop reacting this way if the balloons taped to the front of her chest were deflated somewhat.

A problem doesn't stop being a problem just because it's been there long enough. The game is still in development. Fan input is being solicited. People are distracted.

I find it hilariously silly that you basically just called her breasts a problem. You are creating a problem that doesn't exist. Maybe I should start approaching women on the street just to let them know their breasts are a serious problem, and that they should take steps to correct that. Seriously, what in the hell is wrong with you people?
 
What's the likelihood of them really making a Wii U version? Or will it be moved to NX instead?

They promised it and people paid for it so right now the odds of them really, truly making a Wii U version are 100 per cent, but for all we know they might poll the backers once we have details about the NX.

I think the real question is what sort of delays Bloodstained gets. If they're diligent, it could be a great late Wii U title. If the release date sees a big slide of well over a year (which is the rule, not the exception, on Kickstarters) then I think that definitely swings things in the NX's favour.

But these guys have run a very open campaign thus far so I figure they'll test the waters first, which they haven't done yet.

But why everyone keeps asking if this will miss the Wii U, I don't know, because the prequel game is still supposed to come to the 3DS, and if anything that's the thing in jeopardy.
 
Well gee, way to set the bar really low. :P

I actually have more respect for anime when it's more honest about the fanservice. Miriam looks like the designers are trying to pretend she's sensibly designed but that couldn't be further from the truth. It's dishonest.

What bar (besides - smaller boobs = higher bar, what?)? I'm not looking for realism. I'm looking for attractive, interesting character designs, and I think on those fronts, Miriam works for me, and I don't really think it's possible to read honesty or dishonesty out of a character design.

Well, the audience being Igavania fans and I can't say I look at those game's protagonists and think they're wearing "Yo I'm gonna fight Dracula (ง •̀_•́)ง" clothing or even armour. It's always about style.

Bingo - style! Miriam is stylish.

They promised it and people paid for it so right now the odds of them really, truly making a Wii U version are 100 per cent, but for all we know they might poll the backers once we have details about the NX.

I'd agree it's pretty likely. An outside developer was brought in to work on the ports, and they're probably already being paid with the money raised and procured from the publisher. I suppose a platform migration may be possible depending on where Nintendo goes with NX, but I expect there would be some pretty unhappy Wii U backers.

Edit - On other non - boobs related design talk, I was surprised that the crystal flower on her back is three dimensional! Was it always that way? Did we ever see it before?
 
They're large, but it's not like they're an unrealistic, ridiculous size like in Valkyria Chronicles and others.

Some girls have big boobs.

But hey I like the entire design so what do I know ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I find it hilariously silly that you basically just called her breasts a problem. You are creating a problem that doesn't exist. Maybe I should start approaching women on the street just to let them know their breasts are a serious problem, and that they should take steps to correct that. Seriously, what in the hell is wrong with you people?

Okay, I'll admit that I'm biased in this regard because I actually know what it's like to have breasts and to worry about them popping out of my dress, and I like to believe that there are ways of looking sexy without putting yourself in an incredibly impractical position. Plus, saying some girls have boobs in Miriam's proportions is like saying that some people are albino. It's definitely true but it's far and away the outlier.
 
They promised it and people paid for it so right now the odds of them really, truly making a Wii U version are 100 per cent, but for all we know they might poll the backers once we have details about the NX.

I think the real question is what sort of delays Bloodstained gets. If they're diligent, it could be a great late Wii U title. If the release date sees a big slide of well over a year (which is the rule, not the exception, on Kickstarters) then I think that definitely swings things in the NX's favour.

But these guys have run a very open campaign thus far so I figure they'll test the waters first, which they haven't done yet.

But why everyone keeps asking if this will miss the Wii U, I don't know, because the prequel game is still supposed to come to the 3DS, and if anything that's the thing in jeopardy.

Well seeing as Armature Studios are the devs handling the Wii U and Vita version, and the main studio at Inti Creates is handling the PS4, XB1, and PC version.

Being a port, It's likely that Armatures version will be somewhat different than the main development platform versions that IGA's team is doing. So there will be minimal overlap if any at all. Certainly not in a fashion that would detrimentally affect the main dev platform.

Basically Armature was on their own to get Unreal 4 running on the Wii U and Vita and apparently they accomplished this based on a recent posting on their official website.
 
Well, the audience being Igavania fans and I can't say I look at those game's protagonists and think they're wearing "Yo I'm gonna fight Dracula (ง •̀_•́)ง" clothing or even armour. It's always about style.

I just wish they had done a little more with the lower half, whether it be the bottom of the dress, or her legs, to make it look like less of a maid outfit. Particularly given the size and visibility of her chest, if combines to create a more fanservicy look than necessary. Overall I would have liked the design to be a bit less frilly and more dark.

For what it's worth, the current model is the best I've seen her look so far, and I think zoomed out in game it will look great.
 
I just wish they had done a little more with the lower half, whether it be the bottom of the dress, or her legs, to make it look like less of a maid outfit. Particularly given the size and visibility of her chest, if combines to create a more fanservicy look than necessary. Overall I would have liked the design to be a bit less frilly and more dark.

For what it's worth, the current model is the best I've seen her look so far, and I think zoomed out in game it will look great.

From what I know, the reason they wanted to show so much skin was to show off her affliction. If she's all covered up then you don't really see the crystal markings on her. Originally the dress was actually going to be shorter than that (believe it or not). They chose not to do that because they actually didn't want her sexualized. Hell, they even put bloomers on her instead of some skimpy underwear. Of course people will still ignore that or claim it as BS because it's just convenient that way.

I do agree that I wish that they did more with the bottom of the dress. Even if it was just longer in the back. That mostly because it would compliment the running animation. I know the ribbons were added for that reason and I like them, but it's not the same.
 
Plus, saying some girls have boobs in Miriam's proportions is like saying that some people are albino. It's definitely true but it's far and away the outlier.
Well, not like characters are supposed to be a statistical aggregate of whatever group people see them as representative from. And there are enough liberties taken in the design already, like the horns, which we just accept as "unrealistic" even though the justification given is "[they] are just for decoration."

Personally, I'd love for her breasts to be smaller too just due to personal preference, but the amount of attention given to her size does seem silly to me by now. Especially if you go back a few pages to see the fallout of when her character model was first revealed. Was bloody mental.
 
They're large, but it's not like they're an unrealistic, ridiculous size like in Valkyria Chronicles and others.

Some girls have big boobs.

But hey I like the entire design so what do I know ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I was trying to think of a real world analog, so I spent like 10 minutes googling "Kate Upton sideboob" and trying to measure out her proportions in relation to Miriam but then I had a sudden moment of clarity. This is insane.
 
It's not just her boobs, she has kind of a big butt (and poofy pants) and thick thighs. She's wearing a corset so I imagine she's probably overall 'larger' than the average videogame woman in videogames. Her frame seems fine to me. The design doesn't seem so outlandish or artificial.

Overall I think the design is good. She reads well from a distance (tiny character when the camera's at game's view, lit up tattoo shards probably add to readability in action parts) and she has a dignified look to her. I like that the tattoos are rendered like actual stained glass, with the illusion of light seeping through them, despite being on her body. Some of them (such as the flower on her back) seem to be splintering off of her back, which looks kind of crazy when you take a close look at the rotation.

Overall, Miriam looks like a solid Castlevania style character, and the model actually matches the look we were pitched pretty well.
 
I was trying to think of a real world analog, so I spent like 10 minutes googling "Kate Upton sideboob" and trying to measure out her proportions in relation to Miriam but then I had a sudden moment of clarity. This is insane.
Fucking get forensics on this!
 
From what I know, the reason they wanted to show so much skin was to show off her affliction. If she's all covered up then you don't really see the crystal markings on her. Originally the dress was actually going to be shorter than that (believe it or not). They chose not to do that because they actually didn't want her sexualized. Hell, they even put bloomers on her instead of some skimpy underwear. Of course people will still ignore that or claim it as BS because it's just convenient that way.
Just because they decided to not turn it to 11 doesn't mean they're immune to criticisms or what they did end up with. While I am glad they had enough restraint to putting her bloomers and a longer skirt I still think the massive boobs are indeed distracting and silly.

And don't bring me that crap about complaint to real life women about their breasts. Miriam is a fictional character made up and designed by a human. Her breast size was a conscious decision as was the convenient position of the big tattoo on her left boob.

Overall I do like Miriam but there are some things that could've been better.

Also: yey character3/shader3!!!
 
The torpedo tits and magic invisible areolae just look kind of goofy in a bad way - they go with the tacky, maid-like look of the rest of the outfit to provide something that's not entirely memorable. Shanoa's the best comparison - she still showed plenty of skin, but her build and costume leverage it more elegantly to create a more effective and striking design. I do think the actual model and stained glass tattoos have improved a lot from the initial concepts, though. And the hairstyle and horn headdress were always pretty cute.
 
I would say the larger issue is that she is wearing a pretty useless costume for adventuring. Everything looks a lot better zoomed out, but it's pretty bizarre overall considering the audience for this game.
Well, the audience being Igavania fans and I can't say I look at those game's protagonists and think they're wearing "Yo I'm gonna fight Dracula (ง •̀_•́)ง" clothing or even armour. It's always about style.
Well that's the thing, that style is... bad. She doesn't look cool or badass, she looks like she's on her way to a Babymetal concert.

Compared to ridiculously awesome designs such as these...


Yeah, Miriam is lame. But then again, so was Maria. Oh well, hopefully that won't detract too much from the game.
 
Gebel and the blond guy aren't terribly encouraging either, if you compare them to the more enduring Castlevania designs. I think that undead samurai guy they showed off a while back is the only design I can actually say I like, and even then, it's not great. The actual visuals are shaping up well, but that just makes the designs themselves feel like more of a missed opportunity.
 
Just because they decided to not turn it to 11 doesn't mean they're immune to criticisms or what they did end up with. While I am glad they had enough restraint to putting her bloomers and a longer skirt I still think the massive boobs are indeed distracting and silly.

And don't bring me that crap about complaint to real life women about their breasts. Miriam is a fictional character made up and designed by a human. Her breast size was a conscious decision as was the convenient position of the big tattoo on her left boob.

Overall I do like Miriam but there are some things that could've been better.

Also: yey character3/shader3!!!

A big boob isn't the same thing as artificial sexualization. You can design a character with a bust and not be a total pervert while doing so. It's believable for the character. All characters are designed by a human artist that decides what the character will look like yes, but what I feel should matter is whether the elements feel artificial or clash, not a strip of measuring tape. I think Iga's team pulled her design off well. She manages to not look like a DoA girl. Having a mature figure and being eye candy don't always have to overlap.
 
Well that's the thing, that style is... bad. She doesn't look cool or badass, she looks like she's on her way to a Babymetal concert.

Compared to ridiculously awesome designs such as these...
It still looks fucking rad in art:
And sure, the model is looking more dull but the same can be said for Shanoa's design versus her sprite in the game:
How "ridiculously awesome."

So no, I wouldn't say her style is bad, but that's where the subjectivity divide kicks in. The point was that practicality has been of secondary concern in Castlevania since time immemorial. We're talking about a series famous for using a whip to kill ghastly beasts the size of houses. The coolness of using a whip for that is more important than the absolute stupidity of actually doing it if you were in the same situation in real life.
 
The shaders I voted for won, so that's all good. Still happy with Miriam's design so no complaints there.

Really hoping for some more info on the music in the next update.
Let me hear those dulcet tones.
 
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