Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night brings a full-fledged metroidvania to mobile phones, designed by Koji Igarashi, creator of the legendary Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, and funded by fans through a crowdfunding campaign. Miriam makes her way through a vast gothic castle full of demons, collects dozens of weapons and magic items, and gradually unlocks new abilities that open up previously inaccessible parts of the map - following exactly the pattern that Igarashi himself helped define.

The game retains the same content as on consoles and PC, including an extensive combat system, item crafting, and dozens of hours of content in a single playthrough, making it one of the most substantial titles ever to reach mobile. Control via virtual buttons on the touchscreen works surprisingly precisely, though players used to a physical gamepad may still appreciate the option to connect an external controller for the tougher boss fights, where it often comes down to split-second timing.

The mobile port also manages to preserve the atmosphere - dark, gothic music and detailed environments - so the game doesn't feel like a stripped-down version for travel, but a full-fledged experience comparable to the major platforms. It's a paid title with no ads or microtransactions, matching its scope and production values, and it takes up a fairly large amount of storage space on a phone's display.

Why play it: A recommendation for fans of metroidvanias and Castlevania who want a large-scale, honestly crafted game on mobile with no compromises on content, just a higher purchase price.