Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement Reveals New Gameplay Trailer

505 Games and ArtPlay have brought Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement back into the spotlight with a new gameplay trailer shown during the Xbox Tokyo Game Show 2026 Broadcast. Following the game's move to a 2027 release window, this latest appearance focuses more closely on what players will actually be doing throughout Leo and Alex's journey, from combat and exploration to the way the two characters work together. It also gives several previously announced systems a much clearer presence through actual gameplay.

Gameplay Built Around Combat, Teamwork, and Exploration

Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement is set in 16th-century England and takes place before the events of Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night. A demonic force led by Demon Lord Elias has taken control of Ethereal Castle, while previous forces sent by the Kingdom and the Church have failed to put an end to the threat. This time, the story follows Leonard Brandon, a young warrior of the Black Wolves, alongside Alexander Kyteler, a knight of the White Stags and a survivor of an earlier failed expedition.

Rather than spending much of its runtime setting up the story, the new trailer quickly puts both characters into combat and exploration. This is also where the Buddy System emerges as one of the key elements of Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement.

In single-player, Leo and Alex can travel together, with one character directly controlled by the player while the other provides support. Players can switch between them and make use of each character's individual abilities and equipment. The system also comes into play when dealing with enemies, traps, and other obstacles encountered while exploring.

Combat is further expanded through the Epiphany Combat System. Instead of gaining every skill through conventional progression, certain new techniques can be discovered during combat when specific conditions are met. Once learned, these techniques become part of the character's available skill set and can continue to be used afterward.

The TGS gameplay trailer also spends much of its runtime showing the game's 2.5D action, with Leo and Alex facing a range of enemies as they push deeper into the cursed land. ArtPlay has yet to explain every situation shown in the footage in detail, however, meaning several specific mechanics will likely be explored more thoroughly in future reveals.

Exploration is also set to grow in scale. ArtPlay has confirmed that Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement will feature the largest map in Bloodstained to date, alongside a time cycle covering dawn, daytime, dusk, and night. This is more than a visual change to the lighting and scenery. According to the official description, the passage of time will also affect gameplay and how players interact with the world. ArtPlay has not yet fully revealed what changes at each stage of the cycle, leaving a significant part of the system to be detailed later.

Alongside combat and exploration, crafting and cooking will also return in Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement. Players can develop both characters through equipment and other supporting systems, while many equipped items will also create visible changes to the appearance of Leo and Alex.

Overall, the new trailer clearly retains the 2.5D gothic style associated with Bloodstained, but this time the focus is more on showing how the different systems in The Scarlet Engagement work together. The Buddy System builds the connection between its two protagonists, Epiphany adds another layer to combat progression, while the day-night cycle introduces a new variable to exploring the game's larger map.

Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement is currently scheduled to launch in 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. ArtPlay has yet to announce a specific release date, although the development team previously stated that the project has entered the final stage of development and that more content will be shared as the game moves closer to launch.

Will the Buddy System, Epiphany Combat System, and larger map give Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement enough of its own identity compared with Ritual of the Night? Visit the game's official website to keep up with the latest information, and don't forget to check our price comparison platform to follow Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement and find the best price when the game officially goes on sale.