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| Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night will remain a free game until tomorrow. Pictured: an edited screenshot from the game. |
It’s another big win for gamers this holiday season. The Epic Games Store’s daily giveaway for December 23, 2025, has been revealed, and it’s a must-claim for fans of classic action and exploration: Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night.
For the next 24 hours, you can add this critically acclaimed “Igavania” title to your library for free, a deal that won’t last long.
The Spiritual Successor Fans Waited For
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is the passion project of Koji Igarashi, the legendary producer behind the beloved Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. After leaving Konami, Igarashi turned to Kickstarter to fund this spiritual successor, which raised an impressive $5.5 million and showed the immense hunger for a game in this style.
The result is a title that IGN called "a worthy successor" to the classics, perfectly capturing the gothic atmosphere, intricate castle exploration, and deep RPG mechanics that defined the genre. You play as Miriam, an orphan scarred by an alchemist's curse, battling through a demon-infested castle to save a former friend.
What Makes ‘Bloodstained’ a Standout?
The heart of the experience is the sprawling, mysterious castle you explore. Filling out the map is a satisfying slow burn, with areas that start with traditional gothic cathedrals and labs before branching into surprising and inventive environments.
The game’s core hook is the Shard system. By defeating enemies, Miriam can absorb their powers, granting her over 70 unique abilities ranging from direct attacks to helpful familiars and passive boosts. This system allows for incredible customization, letting you tailor your playstyle to favor swords, guns, magic, or Kung Fu kicks.
- Deep Combat & Progression: Beyond Shards, there’s a vast arsenal of weapons to find and craft, each with its own special techniques to master. The RPG elements encourage experimentation, as different gear and shard loadouts prove more effective against specific challenges.
- Critical Acclaim: The game has been met with strong praise. It holds a critic score of 89 on Metacritic, with reviewers calling it a "triumphant return" to the genre. User reviews are similarly positive, with a 79% score highlighting its appeal to fans of Castlevania and Hollow Knight alike.
What to Know Before You Dive In
While Bloodstained is widely celebrated, it’s honest about its inspirations. The opening hours can feel familiar to genre veterans, with progression starting a bit slow. Some players have noted that acquiring the best gear can involve a grind for rare monster drops.
The game was also part of a notable shift in development. Initial feedback indicated Miriam was hard to see against detailed backgrounds, leading the developers to refine her design, adding long ribbons to her costume to improve visibility—a testament to the team’s commitment to its backers.
How to Claim Your Copy
The process to grab this free game is straightforward:
- Head to the Epic Games Store on the web or via the Epic Games Launcher. You can go directly to the store’s free games page by clicking here: Epic Games Store Free Games.
- Find "Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night" on the storefront. It will be prominently featured as the current daily giveaway.
- Click "Get" and complete the checkout process. The price will show as $0.00.
- The game is yours to keep forever once it’s in your library.
Remember, this offer is only valid until December 24, 2025, at 16:00 UTC. After that, the free title will rotate to the next mystery game in the Epic Holiday calendar.
Is ‘Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night’ for You?
If you have fond memories of exploring Dracula’s castle in Symphony of the Night, or if you’re a fan of modern Metroidvanias like Hollow Knight that emphasize ability-gated exploration and deep combat, this is an unmissable offer.
At its regular price of $39.99, it represents a significant value. For free, it’s one of the strongest entries in Epic’s 2025 holiday giveaway—a genuine, content-rich love letter to a classic genre that finally gives fans the successor they dreamed of.
Don’t let the ritual pass you by. Claim your copy before time runs out.