UPDATE: As of 4:45 PM eastern time, Bloodstained has crossed its $500,000 funding goal. Now all that's left is 31 days of stretch goal updates.

Following a series of teases over the last few weeks, former Konami producer Koji Igarashi has finally lifted the veil on his latest project: a 2.5D action adventure game called Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night.

Igarashi is teaming with developer Inti Creates (Mega Man 9, Mighty no. 9) to develop the game, which is described as "a gothic, exploration-focused action platformer" and certainly looks very much in the spirit of Igarashi's work on the Castlevania series. Here's the story premise, as described on Bloodstained's Kickstarter page:

You are Miriam, an orphan scarred by an alchemist curse which slowly crystallizes your skin. You must battle your way through a demon-filled castle summoned by Gebel, your old friend whose body has become more crystal than flesh.

Bloodstained will need to hit $500,000 for its crowd-funding goal, though the project is already partially funded through other sources. The Kickstarter is designed to both allow the team to produce Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions of the game (which include physical discs for backers), as well as push toward a number of stretch goals, such as a second playable character at the $700,000 mark, and adding David Hayter to the voice cast at $850,000.

You can check out Kickstarter page here, and you definitely should, if only to watch Igarashi's pitch video, which includes him torturing a man mid-conversation, and transforming into a flock of bats. We all assumed he knew how to do that, it's just good to get visual confirmation of it finally.

David Hayter should be a stretch goal for all kickstarters.

Awesome, I'm really glad that he is making another of these game. Though I'm disappointed that it's going to be 2.5D and there aren't any screenshots yet, I hope it doesn't end up looking as weirdly bad as Mighty No. 9 does.

Well, I told myself I wasn't going to back any further game Kickstarters, but the dude did turn into a flock of bats.

I've just watched the kickstarter grow $80,000 in about 10 mintues.

@49th I agree, I want to be optimistic because the idea of a new Igarashi game sounds great. Mighty No.9 does seem a bit off, though, so i'm not sure about the choice of using Inti creates.

Maybe the actual game will look different but, man, I don't like that art style one bit. It's cool to see more independent Japanese development, though, even if most of it isn't my thing!

This is so great to hear.

Good for him. Everything I've heard about him is that Konami has kept him working on shitty facebook games. I'm glad he can finally work on something he is passionate about again.

That video is the coolest thing ever.

I'd back this because I have a good hunch this one will actually deliver, which is what Japanese kickstarter projects tend to do, innit weird?

I hope their other investors will put in a lot of money because 500K is a very low goal.

The hell is egoraptor doing there?

The Kickstarter video is pretty awesome.

The "Igavania" label they are using is funny.

It's going to get way past that. I'm not sure how much initial goals matter to big kickstarters like this.

If it hits 850k, the game will turn into a sneaking mission.

If they can't afford Hayter, they'll just use egoraptor to do an impersonation of him. Simple cost cuts.

I just want to back this because of that pitch video alone! lol So good.

@vitor: That's... an acceptable reason.

Igarashi mentioned as such in the KS video. "Publishers have said that the interest for these games is dead. But we've had some talks with other parties and we need to show community support and demand for this game before they step in", or something along those lines.

Much excite, just backed it for the digital copy. The art style isn't really my thing, but as long as it plays well, I don't think I would mind too much.

Koji Igarashi is a pretty cool dude, you guys.

7500 for a ring?

IGA is going to make it????

hmmmmmmm

There's a stream going on at swordorwhip.com

Also, I love Shanoa, so eff yes for not-Shanoa.

Kind of surprising one of the backer rewards is a physical copy of the game. You don't really quite see that anymore with these type of games on console, looks cool though so I guess a box wouldn't be all that bad. I wonder if this game could find itself on handheld like the 3DS or Vita.

* LOL what's up with the random torture bed scene in the video!?

This one is a no-brainer.

この儂が夜の軍団に志願しておるのじゃ！五十嵐、万歳！五十嵐、万歳！

The guy he's torturing is actually Ben Judd.

It's not really my style of game, but it's tempting to contribute just because of that fantastic video.

Love that IGA.

Worth noting that the section on Nintendo versions strongly implies that one of the future stretch goals is a version on a Nintendo platform.

@paulunga said:

Hosted by Simon's Quest expert, Colin Moriarty! Thanks

What a fantastic kickstarter video. I'll be very surprised if this doesn't hit the goal within the next few hours. Also, yay Steam version.

@conmulligan: yeah im with you...i dont really care for the over drawn size like a streetfighter game, go back to a little more pixalated like SON

Seriously though, Igavania. Nothing says "I defined a sub-genre" by putting YOUR FUCKING NAME IN IT.

Igarashi is my spirit animal for life.

He raised $50, 000 while i watched the pitchvideo. He will be fine.

I have a legitimate question before I decide whether I want to contribute money or not. It seems that many people have soured on Mighty No. 9. Can I ask why that is? I was never invested in it and it seemed like something everyone was super pumped about. I looked at the recent screenshots and video footage and to me, it looks like what was promised. Since this is with the same company, I am just curious what changed between the initial kickstarter and what will be released.

I now want all Kickstarters to have their final stretch goals end at David Hayter.

I have never contributed to a kickstarter i was close with Mighty no.9 but i agree that video was amazing it may be my breaking point.

Stretch goals are only the beginning. Unlock enough backer achievements by submitting fanart, making cool things, and joining us on social media, and you’ll unlock Backer Inventory items that will change the campaign and trigger exclusive rewards.

@alex Not going to lie, gamifying crowdfunding makes me extremely queasy.

@49th: They specifically mentioned games that have used shaders to make 2.5D look really fucking good, such as Guilty Gear Xrd (which was GB's best lookin game of the year 2014).

I have perfect confidence that they can make 2.5D look exactly like stylish 2, and they can use some really neat tricks with the 3D. Possibly more costumes with the 3D models.

.... OK, the David Hayter stretch goal is pretty clever. I might have to back this when it gets close to that.

looks great. will probably be backing this.

The screenshot enemy has a kaiju sticking out of its chest.

refreshing the kickstarter's page and watching those dollars tick up is blowing my mind.

Great now we may find out if David Hayter can do other voices.

@hassun: Serious answer: Egoraptor did that criticism video of Castlevania 1 versus 2, and is a pretty vocal fan of the series. I'm assuming they're having him play the game and give his impressions?

But why would you want him to do any other voices?!

"Dracula here, I've infiltrated the castle, didn't know I was going to get backup from such a cute demon spirit.."

Aw yeah just back it, I would buy anything Iga made. That man made some of my favourite games