Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin is a side-scrolling action RPG where you switch between two hunters, Jonathan Morris and Charlotte Aulin, to explore Dracula's castle and defeat the vampire Brauner. Set in 1944, Jonathan wields the Vampire Killer whip while Charlotte casts magic. You'll navigate eight painted worlds hidden within the castle, solve puzzles using each character's unique abilities, and acquire new skills and weapons. Your decisions determine which of multiple endings you receive.

Portrait of Ruin takes place in the fictional universe of the Castlevania series. The series' premise is the conflict between the vampire hunters of the Belmont clan and the immortal vampire Dracula. The story occurs in Dracula's castle and is set in 1944 Europe during World War II. In addition to the castle, the main characters explore various different paintings that have been constructed by the villain named Brauner. The paintings act as portals to new areas and feature a distinct look that is different from the main castle.