Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement has been delayed to 2027

ArtPlay and 505 Games have delayed Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement from its planned 2026 release window to 2027.

In a video message, ArtPlay co-founder Koji Igarashi said the game has entered the final stages of development. The delay was announced alongside new screenshots from the gothic action game.

A prequel to Ritual of the Night

The Scarlet Engagement is set years before the events of Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night. It follows Leo and the Black Wolves as they prepare to storm the cursed Ethereal Castle and confront the demon lord Elias.

The game is being developed as another gothic action adventure, with a supernatural castle, demonic enemies and a battle for humanity’s survival at its centre.

A difficult development

The project is being developed in the shadow of the death of ArtPlay creative director SHUTARO, who died from pancreatic cancer in February. Igarashi previously said the team would work to complete the game in a way that honours SHUTARO’s vision.

The Scarlet Engagement was originally announced for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store.

Our opinion

A delay is disappointing, but a gothic action game should not be rushed simply to hit a date already printed on a calendar. The Bloodstained name carries considerable goodwill after Ritual of the Night, which means the sequel needs to arrive as a finished adventure rather than a promising castle full of loose floorboards.

The connection to SHUTARO makes the extra time feel particularly important. ArtPlay has a responsibility to finish the game properly, not merely quickly.

2027 is a broad window, but the move at least suggests the team is choosing development time over pretending everything is ready. That is usually the less exciting announcement and the better decision.

Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement is now scheduled for 2027.