Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement Won’t Arrive Until 2027
ArtPlay's upcoming game has entered its final development stages, while Koji Igarashi hopes to show gameplay footage soon.
The wait for Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement has gotten longer. Director Koji Igarashi confirmed that the new game will not arrive until 2027, and the update did not include a more specific release date.
In an official development update, Igarashi wrote, “We have made the decision to move the game’s release to the year 2027.” He acknowledged that the news would disappoint fans, while saying the team is working hard to make the game “the best it can be” and thanking players for their continued support.
There is at least a little good news tucked inside the delay. ArtPlay’s project has entered the final stages of development, and Igarashi said the team hopes to show gameplay footage soon. The studio also shared several new screenshots alongside the update.
Today, we’d like to share a development update on Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement. Please take a moment to listen to IGA’s update.#Bloodstained #TheScarletEngagement pic.twitter.com/0MkeDpgj0h
— Bloodstained (@SwordOrWhip) August 26, 2026
What Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement will add
Announced in June 2025, The Scarlet Engagement will give players two protagonists to control: Leonard Brandon, also known as Leo, is a young fighter connected to the Church’s Black Wolves clan, while Alexander Kyteler, or Alex, is a knight from the Kingdom’s White Stag.
Both characters will be played simultaneously as they work to stop the Demon Lord Elias and save the kingdom. The dual-protagonist setup gives the sequel two central characters to follow, though gameplay footage has not yet been shown.
The game will also feature the biggest map in the series so far. Its world will include a day-and-night cycle with multiple periods of the day, while progression will unlock new abilities. Crafting, cooking, and customization systems will give players more ways to change their characters’ attributes.
The Bloodstained series was created for players who wanted more games inspired by Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Igarashi has a direct connection to that classic, having worked as its assistant director. The first Bloodstained game, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, launched in June 2019.
The project has also faced a painful loss during development. Shutaro Ida, the game’s creative director, died in February 2026 after battling cancer.
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