• Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.

Metroid vs Castlevania: Which is your favorite and why?

H

heringer

Member
Two franchises that, combined, gave birth to a genre. They also share similar release patterns: one classic, fan favorite release to a console and sequels that were loved on Nintendo handhelds. I'm obviously speaking only of the 2D, exploration based entries, so classic Castlevania and Prime series don't apply ("Another Metroid 2 Remake" is fair game).

Order of release and random, shitty, screenshots (I'm doing from memory, so I might be forgetting something):

Metroid

Metroid-start.png


Metroid II

69197-Metroid_II_-_Return_of_Samus_(World)-3.jpg


Super Metroid

35792-Super_Metroid_(Europe)_(En,Fr,De)-10.jpg


Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

Castlevania-Symphony-of-the-Night-2.jpg


Castlevania: Circle of the Moon

2993435-gfs_19699_1_18.jpg


Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance

hoda.jpg


Metroid Fusion

43928-Metroid_-_Fusion_(U)(GBANow)-9.jpg


Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow

GBA-Aria.png


Metroid: Zero Mission

metroidzm_09.gif


Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow

castlevania-dawn-of-sorrow-laser.jpg


Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin

46806-Castlevania_-_Portrait_of_Ruin_(U)(XenoPhobia)-6.jpg


Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

hqdefault.jpg


What is your favorite entry in both franchises?

While most people would probably go with Super Metroid and SotN, my favorites are Metroid Fusion and Dawn of Sorrow (especially the amazing Julius Mode).

What is your favorite of the two franchises and why?

While I love both, I think Castlevania is my favorite. Super Metroid has the superior level design and platforming, but I enjoy the RPG elements, setting, combat, bosses, visuals and soundtrack more in the Castlevania games. I do think Metroid was the most influential one given it's where all started.

And last question: were they surpassed by other game/franchise in the same genre

For me, it's a no. What do you guys think?
 
S

sotolongospeaks

Member
Symphony of the Night is certainly my favorite Castlevania, but Metroid Fusion is my favorite of that franchise. It was also my first Metroid, a cart I found on the sidewalk on my way home from elementary school years ago. I have a lot of love for that game.

Despite having played most Metroid games and a good chunk of Castlevania, Symphony of the Night remains my favorite of all the games in that subgenre. It was the first PS One Classic I bought on my PSP and games of that style are so well-suited to the portable environment, it just clicked for me instantly. It's in my top ten of all-time, honestly.
 
R

RedZaraki

Banned
Castlevania is my preference:

- I tend to prefer fantasy settings over futuristic
- I like the RPG aspects. Experience points and so on.
- The storyline is more interesting to me because there's more characters and villians I care about.
 
A

atbigelow

Member
Metroid is definitely my favorite between the two, almost primarily because Samus is my favorite game character.

I DO think Metroid can take a few things I love about Castlevania, though. I think there are various small details it could adopt, such as damage numbers, that would make it feel a bit more "RPG-ish". And while I know people love Metroid's "alone in the world" storytelling, I think they could do more with it. Fusion was an attempt, but ended up being too linear.
 
K

kromeo

Member
Castlevania as a series but Metroid Prime is the best game from either of them

Think Castlevania IV would be my favourite if you're not allowing 3D games

Not a huge fan of 2D Metroid honestly
 
1

10k

Banned
Metroid. Mostly because I prefer sci-fi and futuristic settings over medieval or high fantasy settings.

Samus's power armor is just so damn cool. I also prefer the soundtracks in metroid.
 
C

Comet

Member
I really do love both series but Castlevania has had a lot of pretty mediocre titles as well so if I'm judging the two series in totality I'd give the nod to Metroid. I also think Metroid was able to really pull off the transition to 3D really well whereas it took Castlevania a long time to figure it out and even then it relied on a God of War formula rather than on its own 2D roots.

One last thing, Super Metroid > Symphony of the Night (by a hair)
 
G

Galamauth

Member
If Aria wasn't there I'd have a harder time. AM2R though...
Still, I give it to Iga's Vanias, they're the only games I actually went out of my way to buy systems for, in particular a DS Phat, and 2 DS Lites, and was never disappointed
(until Mirror of Fate but that's another story).

Regrettably they've never been surpassed for me and I've looked quite a bit for something to fill in the void. Nothing nails that feeling of exploration, movement, combat system and well designed bosses like Iga's Castlevania games.
 
H

heringer

Member
Comet said:
I really do love both series but Castlevania has had a lot of pretty mediocre titles as well so if I'm judging the two series in totality I'd give the nod to Metroid. I also think Metroid was able to really pull off the transition to 3D really well whereas it took Castlevania a long time to figure it out and even then it relied on a God of War formula rather than on its own 2D roots.

One last thing, Super Metroid > Symphony of the Night (by a hair)
Click to expand...

I dunno, of the Igavanias I would say even the weakest entry (Harmony of Dissonance, imo) is pretty decent.

In the 3D space only Metroid managed to achieve the same level of quality, which is why I'm focusing on the 2D games.
 
X

XandBosch

Member
I prefer Metroid. I prefer the setting(s), the music, the atmosphere, etc. I love how there's almost no dialogue in the best Metroid games, and they just feel more mysterious and creepy as a result. They make you feel alone, vulnerable, but by the end - a fuckin' badass.

I find Castlevania's environments are too repetitive in how they look and what they throw at you (a hallway in Super Metroid vs a hallway in SotN is night and day - one will be a puzzle with a variety of enemies, one will be a simple hallway with a repeating backdrop and a big enemy 5 times in a row). I also do find Castlevania a bit more dated in the mechanics area, while games like Super Metroid, Zero Mission, and Prime (Wii version) all hold up 100%.

I love the weapon, suit upgrades, all that stuff. I just find Metroid more rewarding, cool, and fun to play.
 
O

Opa-Pa

Member
My absolute favorites are Super Metroid and Aria of Sorrow.

I like Metroid better because the series has top tier 2D level design, while in Castlevania it's just a means to an end. This is why I find it silly that people call Metroid clones like Axiom Verge "Metroidvanias" too, they obviously have very different design philosophies. In Metroid there's a synergy between everything whereas Metroidvania is basically a sidescrolling ARPG, for better or worse.

And nope, I consider both the best at what they do.
 
D

DrArchon

Member
If there was a Castlevania game that played exactly like a Metroid game, I'd probably prefer it to just a straight Metroid game because I prefer the Gothic horror fantasty over the sci-fi stuff, but in terms of raw gameplay Metroid takes it. I prefer the lack of RPG elements in Metroid, and I like having a ranged weapon that you can aim everywhere as your primary damage dealer over a sword or a whip.
 
T

tzare

Member
Castlevania, the music on those games is much better than metroid's.

But both are great series, but seem forgotten for both Konami and NIntendo
 
S

Sephzilla

Member
I think Castlevania has had higher highs than Metroid but it's also had lower lows. Metroid has been the slightly more consistent of the two franchises. I think I'd still go with Castlevania though because SOTN
 
Ü

Übermatik

Member
Finished SotN not too long ago... Which Castlevania is next? I was looking at Aria of Sorrow.

OT: A very difficult choice - if Prime is included (it's not, is it?), then Metroid.
 
E

emag

Member
Metroid Prime and Classicvania are way far superior ways to experience each series.

Of the eligible games, I favor Metroid Zero Mission, followed by Symphony of the Night. Other Metroid games have significant drawbacks (garbage controls in OG Metroid and Super, the litany of defects in 2 and Other M, the linear nature and invasive storytelling of Fusion), while the random drops, garbage level design, and grinding of Igavania detracts greatly from those games (SotN was easy and made up for it in other ways anyhow, but later games really went all-in on those elements).

I've still bought, played and completed all the Igavanias at/around launch, though.
 
B

bob_arctor

Tough_Smooth
Man. Really tough choice, but Metroid wins for me. I just prefer isolated sci-fi melancholia; the tinge of fear lurking around every corner. Super Metroid remains my favorite game of all time, in fact.
 
H

heringer

Member
Übermatik;230795869 said:
Finished SotN not too long ago... Which Castlevania is next? I was looking at Aria of Sorrow.

OT: A very difficult choice - if Prime is included (it's not, is it?), then Metroid.
Click to expand...

It doesn't really matter the order. Maybe skip Harmony of Dissonance, but all the others are worth it. In terms of release, the next would be Circle of the Moon. In terms of quality, I would say Aria, Dawn and Order of Ecclesia are in the same tier as SotN.
 
T

tzare

Member
Sephzilla said:
I think Castlevania has had higher highs than Metroid but it's also had lower lows. Metroid has been the slightly more consistent of the two franchises. I think I'd still go with Castlevania though because SOTN
Click to expand...

i agree with this, metroid is probably more consistent, while SOTN is extraordinary and most recent games a lower quality (for me)
 
JohnSpartanLee

JohnSpartanLee

Member
Castlevania because it has Dracula, better music and I prefer medieval/fantasy over sci-fi.

Still hold Super Metroid, Metroid Fusion, Metroid: Zero Mission and Metroid Prime in very high regard.
 
D

DrArchon

Member
Sephzilla said:
I think Castlevania has had higher highs than Metroid but it's also had lower lows. Metroid has been the slightly more consistent of the two franchises. I think I'd still go with Castlevania though because SOTN
Click to expand...

Lower lows than Other M? Shit, I thought this was just about the IgaVanias vs the Metroid games, and here you are bringing in shit like the N64 games.
 
S

shark sandwich

tenuously links anime, pedophile and incels
SotN and Super Metroid.

Definitely prefer Castlevania. I like having stats, EXP, tons of different weapons/armor, magic, etc.

Castlevania is more like an RPG in its character growth, whereas Metroid is a lot more like Zelda - no EXP, only a few weapons, no stats other than HP/missiles, most of the upgrades act as keys to pass certain obstacles rather than "loot", etc.
 
S

ScOULaris

Member
Gotta go with Metroid on this one. I love both series, but Metroid has had a higher consistency of excellence IMO. Almost every single Metroid game is fantastic, and the series has this unique atmosphere to it that I feel puts it over the top.
 
T

The Albatross

Member
Castlevania. I like both but I like Castlevania more, I find the levels better designed and less repetitive especially the best Castlevania like Symphony of the Night. I easily get lost in Metroid games which I know is kind of the point, but I think it's some sort of cognitive dissonance between me and the futuristic visual style, where as Castlevania's European gothic style is more memorable for me.

If I'm taking the best of the best, I'm taking Castlevania SoTN over Super Metroid.

Oh, and were they surpassed, I'd say yes. Guacamelee (STCE) is one of my favorite games ever. I think Axiom Verge might be a better Super Metroid than Super Metroid. And I enjoy Shovel Knight more than I enjoy playing SOTN or Super Metroid. On the grand scale of great games I still put SoTN and SMetroid above them because those games wouldn't exist without SoTN or Metroid, but I actually think those three games are better games in the genre.

I'll be playing Salt and Sanctuary soon.
 
Strangelove77

Strangelove77

Member
Castlevania. Pretty much because it has loot and a bigger emphasis on being somewhat of an rpg. I like constantly getting better gear and leveling up and stuff like that. Metroid is severely missing that. Yeah, it's cool to get new abilities to get you farther into the game, but Castlevania has that plus loot.
Plus, I prefer the gothic setting over sci-fi. I find those maps more memorable since each area has a very clear and obvious motif.

And I'm not shitting on Metroid. I love Metroid too.
 
Spukc

Spukc

always chasing the next thrill
In all fairness super metroid is a fantastic game.
But castlevania SotN is just a better game
 
C

creatchee

Member
kromeo said:
Castlevania as a series but Metroid Prime is the best game from either of them

Think Castlevania IV would be my favourite if you're not allowing 3D games

Not a huge fan of 2D Metroid honestly
Click to expand...

My man.

Super Castlevania IV was the pinnacle of the series for me, in that it was linear (which is my favorite form for a Castlevania game), had outstanding aesthetics, and the bosses/minibosses were memorable (the dancing spectres especially).

https://youtu.be/u37IVtb0jUU

Only thing that irked me was the password system, but what can you do?

Edit: also STILL the best multi-directional whip.
 
J

jacobeid

Banned
Man, I honestly can't choose but I guess I will give the crown to Metroid because Super Metroid was only recently surpassed as my GOAT
Shovel Knight is GOAT
. The atmosphere is right up my alley and I love the character design a bit more, but that's all preference. Castlevania is certainly one of my favorite series, moreso after watching the GB videos with Vinny, and nothing to be scoffed at.

Hard question, OP!
 
T

Toxi

Banned
I prefer Metroid, but I think the 2D exploration based Castlevanias are more consistent than the 2D Metroids. This is partially because 2 of the 5 2D Metroids were released on very limited hardware, and that led to some questionable controls and design decisions like Metroid's excessive room reuse and Metroid 2's world design. Still good games (don't let anyone tell you otherwise), but they can feel dated.

Super Metroid is king though. Sorry Symphony of the Night. And Zero Mission is a worthy prince.

On a personal level, I also just prefer Metroid's setting and powers.
 
Barry Burton

Barry Burton

Member
I prefer the Metroid series, but the Prime games factor very heavily into that.

Symphony of the Night is admittedly the only Castlevania of the "2D Metroidvania" variety that I have played, but I think it is a superior game to Super Metroid.
 
M

Mister X

Neo Member
Castlevania, because Super Castlevania IV and Symphony of the Night are among my all-time favorite games. Metroid made an amazing transition to 3D though, I'll give it that.
 
V

vocab

Member
Metroid has never been appealing to me at all. I think the games are boring as shit. Gothic horror has way more personality and atmosphere than any metroid game could hope to come up with.
 
N

Nere

Member
Since the Prime games don't count then I will go with Castlevania. Symphony of the Night is amazing and I consider it superior to Super Metroid also there are just so many more 2d castlevania games than metroid ones and they are all really good. And of course they haven't been surpassed by any game in the same genre, Guacamelee came pretty close though.
 
T

Tain

Member
I was hoping we could talk about the classic Castlevania games, because I think comparing the structures would be more fun than comparing specific games.

I go back and forth on Super Metroid vs SotN. I think that Super Metroid is stronger mechanically, but neither are particularly juggernauts in that area, and whether I prefer SotN's aesthetics or Metroid's seems to change by the year.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Metroidvania the recommendations thread
2 3 4
175
8K
Yerd replied
  • Poll
How much would you pay for a 10/10 or 11/10 game?
2 3
134
5K
Lucifers Beard replied
Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania | Review Thread
Analysis Review Retro
15
2K
jaysius replied
  • Poll
Thief: The Dark Project (PC) or Metal Gear Solid (PSX)?
2
56
3K
TheGecko replied
Castlevania II: Simon's Quest STARTED Metroidvania...change my mind! and other "firsts"
2
54
3K
rogr rogr replied
Top Bottom