NeoGAF

iKeepPlaying · (10-14-2011, 12:22 PM)

Symphony of the Night. Because:

- Better controls
- Better soundtrack
- Better gfx
- Cheese dialogues
- Not too hard, not too easy, unless you grind and you use Shield Rod+Alucard Shield or Vorpal Blade.

Razor554 · (10-14-2011, 12:23 PM)

SOTN. No contest here.

SpacePirate Ridley · (10-14-2011, 12:24 PM)

Originally Posted by Rash:

Don't forget about Metroid: Zero Mission. It's better than Fusion and actually comes relatively close to Super Metroid even though it takes place on the same world.

Basically, an equivalent comparison to "Super Metroid or Symphony of the Night" would be "Metroid: Zero Mission or Aria of Sorrow."

And honestly, in terms of design I think that Metroid wins in both cases but it's really close. I'm as much a fan of Metroid as I am a fan of Castlevania. Both are fantastic series, though Castlevania obviously has the advantage in terms of number of titles.

I also think metroid zero mission is amazing. One of my favourite games.

Originally Posted by Razor554:

SOTN. No contest here.

No contest? look at the enitre thread. Super Metroid is winning.
I call that a contest.

The Technomancer · (10-14-2011, 12:25 PM)

Symphony of the Night is amazing, but Super Metroid is on another level. The map is one of the most beautifully designed things in gaming.

Rash · (10-14-2011, 12:34 PM)

Originally Posted by The_Technomancer:

Symphony of the Night is amazing, but Super Metroid is on another level. The map is one of the most beautifully designed things in gaming.

Yeah, the game's areas are well balanced and the progression from one area to another, deeper area is quite satisfying. Not to mention the non-linearity of it. For example, I love how you can choose to first approach Maridia from either the top or bottom.

Super Metroid is so perfectly dark, atmospheric, and isolating. The way you discover new areas and secrets is just perfectly executed.

As much as I like SOTN, it does at times kind of feel like a bunch of blandly-designed levels attached to each other via the castle map. The flow isn't as well done as Super Metroid. But again, I don't want to discount the game's achievements too much; it's still a blast to explore everything.

FrontalMonk · (10-14-2011, 12:42 PM)

Without the Metroids there would be no SotN. That said, I strongly prefer the atmosphere and pacing of SM to SotN, and I love the hell out of both. I've always felt the CV games that followed in SM's footsteps all have very little in the way of actual exploration, and are more combat and loot driven, while SM is all about exploring the map. I still haven't 100%'d it (yeah, I know, I'm a sucker).

RooMHM · (10-14-2011, 12:45 PM)

Well I remember people saying Shadow Complex perfected the "metroidvania" genre and was better than the original so ...
*donotwant*

DeaconKnowledge · (10-14-2011, 12:46 PM)

I replayed Super Metroid 2 months ago and enjoyed the shit out of it. Don't think i've ever played any Metroidvania more than twice.

Super Metroid is one of the greatest games ever made even to this day. This is no contest.

Conciliator · (10-14-2011, 12:50 PM)

As an absolute Metroid fanboy, I think SOTN is better in all but a couple of intangible ways(atmosphere, balance) and I'm really surprised by how unanimously you guys have chosen Super Metroid. I think SM is canonized in a way that SOTN isn't, as made evident by some answers like 'SOTN is great...but Super Metroid is Super Metroid'.

And the end of the day, I've finish Super Metroid 2 times and I got a little less from it the second time around. I've finished SOTN 3 times, a much bigger game, and found it just as compelling each run. In fact, I could stand to give it a 4th go...

Bluemercury · (10-14-2011, 12:52 PM)

Super Metroid doesnt even have dialog and yet it tells a better story than SOTN...

giggas · (10-14-2011, 12:52 PM)

Originally Posted by RooMHM:

Well I remember people saying Shadow Complex perfected the "metroidvania" genre and was better than the original so ...
*donotwant*

I hope those people take it back. Shadow Complex was such a let down. It doesn't even hold a candle to Super Metroid or Symphony. It's Metroid Fusion with botched combat and ugly design.

Anyway, I love the shit out of Symphony. Hell I bought that game before I even owned a Playstation. That said, Super Metroid is the superior game in nearly every way. That map design is just killer and it's so tight and it's amazing how well integrated all the different areas are. Hell, not even Nintendo themselves have been able to make such an awesome map again.

Sapiens · (10-14-2011, 12:55 PM)

It's like picking between vaginal and anal sex.

ii Stryker · (10-14-2011, 01:00 PM)

Metroid is the founder of that genre and Super Metroid has much better production values throughout because of it.

SOTN is a bit more actiony and a longer experience.

Both are really good, but Nintendo has always had the superior atmosphere, story and gameplay in their titles so, Super Metroid is the better experience IMO.

Originally Posted by Sapiens:

It's like picking between vaginal and anal sex.

Winning!

Derrick01 · (10-14-2011, 01:02 PM)

I don't like any Metroid game at all so I'll go with SoTN. It's still my favorite castlevania and it perfected its genre...whatever it's called.

Haunted · (10-14-2011, 01:03 PM)

Kind of unfair to compare SotN to the one game that is its better.

Compare it to any other in the genre and it comes out favourably.

Count of Monte Sawed-Off · (10-14-2011, 01:04 PM)

hmm. It's too close. Can't say which one is better. When I first started writing this I was going to go with Super Metroid, but I can't decide. I guess I'll go SOTN.

iKeepPlaying · (10-14-2011, 01:07 PM)

Originally Posted by Bluemercury:

Super Metroid doesnt even have dialog and yet it tells a better story than SOTN...

Now you're just being nostalgic.

blame space · (10-14-2011, 01:14 PM)

Shadow Complex

blame space · (10-14-2011, 01:15 PM)

no but really who cares they're both all-time classics.

Rash · (10-14-2011, 01:15 PM)

Originally Posted by blame space:

Shadow Complex

I never even played Shadow Complex beyond the demo and I know just by aesthetics that it doesn't win.

Sleep Arrest · (10-14-2011, 01:16 PM)

I'm going to go with Super Metroid. Because the design of the game is superior to SotN.

While both games are defining, I agree with whoever said that SotN is more :copy paste rooms: while Metroid has distinct areas that are different.

Degen · (10-14-2011, 01:17 PM)

I think we need IGN to settle this

Rash · (10-14-2011, 01:23 PM)

"What Super Metroid could learn from Symphony of the Night."

Oh wait, that wouldn't work.

Noisepurge · (10-14-2011, 01:24 PM)

Brettison please tally up the votes in the OP!

Castlevania hands down, it just has more to do in it and the replay value trying out different weapons is always fun.

_Ace_ · (10-14-2011, 01:25 PM)

Super Metroid, of course.

bodine1231 · (10-14-2011, 01:45 PM)

Super Metroid is my #1 game of all time. I love SOTN to death but Super Metroid blew my mind years before SOTN did.

Struct09 · (10-14-2011, 01:53 PM)

Both are great games, but Super Metroid wins this one for me.

eXistor · (10-14-2011, 02:15 PM)

They're both classics and you could make a case for both games, but for me the clear winner is Super Metroid. It's one I always put in my personal top 3.

Gillian Seed · (10-14-2011, 02:24 PM)

I think Super Metroid is as close to Perfection as any game, but i love Symphony Of The Night more.

Brettison · (10-14-2011, 03:25 PM)

Originally Posted by Noisepurge:

Brettison please tally up the votes in the OP!

Castlevania hands down, it just has more to do in it and the replay value trying out different weapons is always fun.

I'll do that on my lunch break. Just had a spare sec to reply here.

chemicals · (10-14-2011, 03:53 PM)

SOTN. I'm not talking about the downloadable one... the original Playstation game. No achievements, no remade graphics - just the best game ever.

maeda · (10-14-2011, 04:18 PM)

Clearly Super Metroid is the winner. The testament to its greatness is the fact that after 17 years there has been only one game that matched it in terms of: level design, mood and atmosphere, progression, story, music, power up design... Super Metroid is so superior in every single way to the SOTN that it's not even funny. SOTN holds in there pretty well until one gets to the 2nd castle. That is when it becomes apparent how poorly levels are designed in the game. Traversing the world becomes an insurmountable chore.

Boney · (10-14-2011, 04:23 PM)

the fact that people are saying sotn is just fucking with my brain so bad

Criminal Upper · (10-14-2011, 04:26 PM)

Super Metroid.

Insane to think otherwise.

genjiZERO · (10-14-2011, 04:28 PM)

Both are great games, but SotN is the overall better game IMO. But speaking of which man do I need either a decent 2D Castlevania or Metroid to play. Seriously, cell-based (not these crappy 2D games made from polygons) need a resurgence. Mega-man was cool, but I want it to have modern controls and sensibilities.

sponk · (10-14-2011, 04:28 PM)

never finished either of these games, but from what i experienced, super metriod just feels better to me.

xxracerxx · (10-14-2011, 04:29 PM)

Originally Posted by andymcc:

what the hell...

Originally Posted by Riposte:

We are in an arms race to name unchallenging games. When do we start naming Kinect titles?

After playing Portal 2, Ico seems really rather terrible.

brandonh83 · (10-14-2011, 04:30 PM)

I prefer Super Metroid but they're both in a league of their own.

Frost_Ace · (10-14-2011, 04:30 PM)

I choose SOTN simply because it has aged better than super metroid. I concur that it is a bit too broken and not as tightly designed as SM but the atmosphere, the controls and the music are far superior in the konami game.

Apenheul · (10-14-2011, 04:31 PM)

SOTN was my first metroidvania and while I hadn't played SM until it hit the Virtual Console I must admit it's better than vania. More interesting story, great atmosphere, and the controls (except maybe jumping) are tight. I do like SOTN's soundtrack better though.

I like both games and maybe I would recommend SOTN over SM for players who've missed the 8 and 16 bit era, but for myself I choose SM.

Boney · (10-14-2011, 04:31 PM)

sotn isn't even the 3rd best Igavania

an igavania for fucks sake, gamings biggest guilty pleasure!

Relaxed Muscle · (10-14-2011, 04:31 PM)

SOTN is a better game, rose tinted glasses aside is a much more complete game.

Maybe Super Metroid has slightly better level design, but overall SOTN is a better package.

TunaLover · (10-14-2011, 04:33 PM)

Originally Posted by Ysiadmihi:

I can't believe this is a serious question.

this

manueldelalas · (10-14-2011, 04:36 PM)

Super Metroid is a better game in any measurable way; better (1000 better) level design, pacing, music, etc etc.

Also SOTN has been surpassed by CV AoS and both have been surpassed by CV OOE (which is still a worse game than SM).

Also, as Aeana said, adding levels to the characters does nothing to the formula, and it's only proof of lazy design. It also lessens the tension that should be in this type of games. If you die somewhere, just grind until you can brute-force it.

I would love a CV game like Super Metroid, but without the equipments and level ups, and were you find upgrades to the whip or other item, double jump and such things, but I think that great CV level design died with CV 1.

Edit: I do LOVE Metroidvanias, it's like guilty pleasure, but those games don't even touch Metroid.

flintstryker · (10-14-2011, 04:38 PM)

Super Metroid

SOTN isn't even my favorite Castletroid.

we.are.the.armada · (10-14-2011, 04:38 PM)

Metroid 3!

Skilletor · (10-14-2011, 04:39 PM)

Originally Posted by Relaxed Muscle:

SOTN is a better game, rose tinted glasses aside is a much more complete game.

Maybe Super Metroid has slightly better level design, but overall SOTN is a better package.

They came out 3 years apart. What rose tinted glasses?

kharak · (10-14-2011, 04:39 PM)

I don't think that can exist anything in the universe that is better than Super Metroid.

Relaxed Muscle · (10-14-2011, 04:42 PM)

Originally Posted by Skilletor:

They came out 3 years apart. What rose tinted glasses?

People that played Super Metroid first and we're so amused by it, that thought no game could come close.

flintstryker · (10-14-2011, 04:44 PM)

Originally Posted by Relaxed Muscle:

People that played Super Metroid first and we're so amused by it, that thought no game could come close.

I played SOTN first and I still think super metroid is head foot and shoulders above it.