Classic Japanese game developer Konami hasn't had a very good month. Now, its seeming collapse has received another stake through the heart: a new Castlevania-like game is being made by that series' most important producer. Koji Igarashi—the series' longest-running producer and the guy who got credit for revitalizing the series by working on PlayStation classic Symphony of the Night—launched a Kickstarter on Monday for a game that resembles Castlevania in everything but name.

The mockup screenshots for Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night paint a familiar picture for Castlevania fans, full of gothic environs, hand-drawn characters, undead warriors, magical weapons, and, of course, whips. The game, which will be available as a digital download to backers who donate at least $28, is Igarashi's first major project announcement since he left Konami last year. While Konami still holds the right to that series' trademarks and its characters, it doesn't have a lock on the 2D action/platform/RPG mashup that Igarashi helped revive years ago.

"Publishers of the world told me that gamers no longer care for this style of game," Igarashi said in a Kickstarter pitch video while sitting in a dark, mysterious castle and sipping a glass of red wine. He then threw his wine glass to the ground and exclaimed, "But I know they are wrong!"

The game, as pitched, will be developed largely by Japanese developer Inti Creates. That company already has some nostalgic Kickstarter experience with the successfully funded Mighty No. 9, a spiritual successor to the Mega Man series from former Capcom producer Keiji Inafune.

Along with a series of "stretch goals" should the game be funded beyond its $500,000 minimum (including the addition of Metal Gear Solid voice actor David Hayter at the $850,000 point), Bloodstained's campaign also includes a relatively unique "backer achievement" system to drum up some viral promotion. The more people do things like tweet about the game or submit fan art, the more rewards and treats backers will receive—everything from soundtrack remixes to free temporary tattoos.