Simone Developer Moonana, known for Keylocker: Turn Based Cyberpunk Action, has officially announced Bathory: Heritage of Blood. Described as a vampire Soulsvania, the upcoming gothic action title is scheduled to launch in 2027 for the Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam. The project draws stylistic and thematic inspiration from classic gothic Victorian literature, Nosferatu, and the Castlevania franchise.
The narrative follows vampire Princess Ursula Bathory, who has spent decades poisoned and sealed inside a coffin by her own mother, Queen Regent Elizabeth Bathory. Upon awakening from her forced slumber, Ursula must navigate the shifting politics of a vampire underworld society and unravel an overarching Church conspiracy. Players must infiltrate the inhuman halls, spectral libraries, and royal galleries of Čachtice Castle – even traveling inside shifting worlds bound within paintings – to dismantle Elizabeth’s loyal servants and wage a war of succession for the Throne of Blood.
Mechanically, the game utilizes a high-stakes combat system where the protagonist uses her own life force to execute attacks. This structure forces players to constantly balance offensive risks against defensive preservation. Striking enemies causes them to spill blood, which Ursula can siphon to regenerate her health pool. Combat customizability features elemental magic lines centered on Blood, Fire, and Bone to modify standard strikes, supplemented by collectible artifacts.
Additionally, Ursula can grow her combative arsenal by stealing spells directly from defeated enemies and unlocking transformations into powerful vampiric beasts.
