You play as a sorcerer from a forbidden line of horticultural mages, returning to your family’s abandoned castle in Chandley village. Here, gardening isn’t ordinary: you’ll grow everyday plants like runner beans and turnips alongside mystical ones like thunder-calling taran. Your goal is to restore the castle’s tangled grounds by placing garden beds, decorations, and cozy spots, nurturing both mundane and magical plants from seed to harvest.

The game’s open world is alive with uncanny spirits and old powers in which you’ll also meet a cast of various villagers, each with their own stories. Evening activities include reading ancient books by candlelight, cooking new recipes, or drinking tea with the god in your chimney. However, the world follows the Covenant of the Hearth: lights go out at night, and the Mara, otherworldly beings, rule the darkness.

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Set before the events of Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, The Scarlet Engagement introduces two new protagonists: Leonard Brandon, a young fighter from the Church’s Black Wolves clan, and Alexander Kyteler, a noble knight of the Kingdom’s White Stags. Together, they confront a mysterious floating castle ruled by the demon lord Elias, whose forces terrorize the realm. Their mission is to unite their skills and defeat the evil.

This new title introduces a dynamic companion system, allowing you to control both Leo and Alex simultaneously. The cooperative mechanics enhance combat and puzzle-solving, letting you switch between characters to tackle enemies and navigate traps. The expansive world is the largest in the series yet, featuring a day-night cycle that alters gameplay and interactions as light and darkness transform the environment.

Combat in The Scarlet Engagement stands out with the new Epiphany system. Through battles, you unlock unique moves and powerful abilities, encouraging experimentation with this innovative mechanic. Beyond combat, the game offers crafting, cooking, and customization options — you can forge armor, cook meals to boost stats, and personalize your characters’ appearances.

The post New Bloodstained Title, The Scarlet Engagement, Takes Place in Haunted 16th-Century England first appeared on IndieGames.