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[Pimpbaa]

play Rondo of Blood, it'll feel right again.

Didn't feel right again for me. It felt too simple and linear (even with the branching paths). A new old school castlevania would really friggin suck. I wouldn't want to pay for a game now that I could finish in an hour or two. I do think something different from the metroid formula would be nice, but old school is not the answer. Unless it's modeled after Simon's Quest.

 

[SantaC]

Didn't feel right again for me. It felt too simple and linear (even with the branching paths). A new old school castlevania would really friggin suck. I wouldn't want to pay for a game now that I could finish in an hour or two. I do think something different from the metroid formula would be nice, but old school is not the answer. Unless it's modeled after Simon's Quest.

I would like to see a "final fantasy" type of castlevania with party members on the next-gen consoles. What do they got to lose anyway? The 3D style Metroidvanians aren't working.

 

[cartman414]

Didn't feel right again for me. It felt too simple and linear (even with the branching paths). A new old school castlevania would really friggin suck. I wouldn't want to pay for a game now that I could finish in an hour or two. I do think something different from the metroid formula would be nice, but old school is not the answer. Unless it's modeled after Simon's Quest.

Simon's Quest was the original Metroidvania in the series.

Besides, it doesn't matter how long or short a game is if it has the replayability to back it up, and Rondo had a lot more of it for me than the Metroidvanias.

 

[Error]

is that a bad thing? Atleast he is good at something, and the metroidvanians come with very enjoyable gameplay.

it's not 'bad' thing, more like Im getting tired of them. I know you people enjoy these games and I do too, but what's so bad about making an old school castlevania? seriously you people already had a healthy dose of these type of castlevania. let the old school castlevania fans have one game like the old ones and no I dont want a bonus mode tacked in a game just for replay value I want a full blown game designed around the old style.

Didn't feel right again for me. It felt too simple and linear (even with the branching paths). A new old school castlevania would really friggin suck. I wouldn't want to pay for a game now that I could finish in an hour or two. I do think something different from the metroid formula would be nice, but old school is not the answer. Unless it's modeled after Simon's Quest.

ugh...

Gradius V could be finished in a couple of hours and that's still one of the best PS2 games so I dont get your point.

 

[PolyGone]

it's not 'bad' thing, more like Im getting tired of them. I know you people enjoy these games and I do too, but what's so bad about making an old school castlevania? seriously you people already had a healthy dose of these type of castlevania. let the old school castlevania fans have one game like the old ones and no I dont want a bonus mode tackled in a game just for replay value I want a full blown game designed around the old style.

yes, exactly. They can throw in multiple pathways through the game too, like in #3 that'd be ok. I want specific stages that once beaten, I never have to backtrack through again. It'd also be nice to hear the old theme songs for when the level ends, we never hear that stuff anymore with the new ones.

 

[cartman414]

it's not 'bad' thing, more like Im getting tired of them. I know you people enjoy these games and I do too, but what's so bad about making an old school castlevania? seriously you people already had a healthy dose of these type of castlevania. let the old school castlevania fans have one game like the old ones and no I dont want a bonus mode tackled in a game just for replay value I want a full blown game designed around the old style.


ugh...

Gradius V could be finished in a couple of hours and that's still one of the best PS2 games so I dont get your point.

Ditto with Life Force for the NES. Even between 30 min. to an hour, that game's as enjoyable as ever. Replayability is such an overlooked concept these days.

As far as levels go, they could combine the best of both Dracula's Curse (alternate stage paths), and Rondo of Blood (secret stages and goals, i. e. rescuing Annette). And hopefully some awesome alternate characters, with priority on a new rogue/acrobat.

 

[Error]

Ditto with Life Force for the NES. Even between 30 min. to an hour, that game's as enjoyable as ever. Replayability is such an overlooked concept these days.

As far as levels go, they could combine the best of both Dracula's Curse (alternate stage paths), and Rondo of Blood (secret stages and goals, i. e. rescuing Annette). And hopefully some awesome alternate characters, with priority on a new rogue/acrobat.

yes I agree with you completely

hopefully after PoR!

 

[Pimpbaa]

Ditto with Life Force for the NES. Even between 30 min. to an hour, that game's as enjoyable as ever. Replayability is such an overlooked concept these days.

I want my at a decent length AND replayable. A de-evolution of the series will not help it, not even in the slightest. Something new needs to be done.

 

[PolyGone]

I want my at a decent length AND replayable. A de-evolution of the series will not help it, not even in the slightest. Something new needs to be done.

I think its wrong to suggest that returning to a level-based game is a de-evolution. Both of the styles (level based and map based) are as old as gaming, and both have their pros and cons. I don't think you can argue that a level-based game is easier or quicker to beat, because there are speed runs of Castlevania games in both categories that are the same length.

At this point it would just serve as a breath of fresh air to return to a level-based Castlevania. If you think about it, the level design is starting to suffer in the metroidvanias. The rooms don't really present the same kind of challenges that the originals could. There are no pitfalls in the new games, and you NEVER see rotating rooms and cool stuff like you did in the older versions.

 

[Oldschoolgamer]

At this point in the game, I could care less about the style of game, but how the character plays. I'm glad we are getting some older school action with PoR, but I am sick of all the characters moving like Alucard on crutches. Give me someone who moves like Richter in SOTN DAMNIT!

 

[Pimpbaa]

I think its wrong to suggest that returning to a level-based game is a de-evolution. Both of the styles (level based and map based) are as old as gaming, and both have their pros and cons. I don't think you can argue that a level-based game is easier or quicker to beat, because there are speed runs of Castlevania games in both categories that are the same length.

At this point it would just serve as a breath of fresh air to return to a level-based Castlevania. If you think about it, the level design is starting to suffer in the metroidvanias. The rooms don't really present the same kind of challenges that the originals could. There are no pitfalls in the new games, and you NEVER see rotating rooms and cool stuff like you did in the older versions.

They added more than just map based levels. They added RPG elements like countless items to equip (which is the improvement I enjoyed the most). A speed run of a metroidvania does not count, as there is no way it would take someone that long their first time through. Return to a level based game a breath of fresh air? Well if it's worth it to konami to get satisfy nostalgics at the cost of lower sales (not that high to begin with) Again, something new needs to be done with the series. I want the series to thrive to survive the next gen.

 

[cartman414]

They added more than just map based levels. They added RPG elements like countless items to equip (which is the improvement I enjoyed the most).

Said RPG elements drained the challenge quite a bit. Zelda II's RPG elements were more subtle in how much stronger your character became, meaning that you still had to rely on your skills in that game.

One other thing, it isn't just the length, but also the quality and variety within the game itself. Life Force is just the biggest extension I can think of.

 

[Randam_Hajile]

Next one I'll defintiely play is C: DOW for the DS. Gonna search for it tomorrow.

You really should play Aria of Sorrow for the GBA before you play Dawn of Sorrow; Dawn is a direct sequel to Aria, and Aria actually has a really good story that would be completely spoiled if you play Dawn first.

 

[GDJustin]

Followed by...

Don't listen to everyone else suggesting older Castlevania. They're good games in their own right, but they aren't considering that you started with SotN. Since you did, you need to look at checking out the GBA/DS follow-ups, not the older titles. They'll disappoint you.

 

[cartman414]

Followed by...

Don't listen to everyone else suggesting older Castlevania. They're good games in their own right, but they aren't considering that you started with SotN. Since you did, you need to look at checking out the GBA/DS follow-ups, not the older titles. They'll disappoint you.

That's a bit much, don't you think? Whatever happened to openness for different gameplay experiences?

 

[DaCocoBrova]

I can't stand the term "metroidvania". Who came up with it?

It sure is descriptive.

 

[yayaba]

To this day I still consider SoTN to be the best PS game I've played. That's how much I love it.

AoS I loved as well. It -almost- captured the SoTN feeling but not quite. I was a bit disappointed in DoS, don't know why.

This is how I would rank 'em though:

SoTN > AoS > CotM > DoS > HoD

 

[tehrik-e-insaaf]

congratulations on reaching manhood

now go find a copy of ONE and bask in the glory of one of the best shoot em ups ever made

oh wait this is a thread about castlevania...

i suggest playing the original castlevania on NES... it rocks... one of the greatest games i have ever played

 

[RavenFox]

I still play SOTN a couple months out of every year. Im on lvl 80 now and that hard to reach bitch lvl 99 will be mine one day muwha muwha muwhahaha ....hmph

 

[Callo Merlose]

Didn't feel right again for me. It felt too simple and linear (even with the branching paths). A new old school castlevania would really friggin suck. I wouldn't want to pay for a game now that I could finish in an hour or two. I do think something different from the metroid formula would be nice, but old school is not the answer.

I was thinking this was the worst post of the thread. What a horrible night to have an opinion. And then I read this:

Unless it's modeled after Simon's Quest.

Preach!

 

[Dalauz]

Started playing this game four days ago. Almost played non-stop until I finished it. The game was frikkin' awesome. My first Castlevania game ever.

It was my intention to 'just check the game', because I've heard so many great things about it. And without even knowing, I was hours into game and didn't want to stop anymore.

How could I miss this game? I always ignored the Castlevania franchise for some strange reason. I now want to explore it thanks to SOTN.

PLEASE RECOMEND ME ANOTHER CASTLEVANIA, PLEASE!

I own a GBA, DS, PSP, Ps2, Xbox and a SNES. What are the Castlevanias that I need to check? And the ones that I seriously need to avoid? I'm already going to purchase Castlevania DoS in the next couple of days, so that one is already in the pocket.

Thanks for your attention.

wich %?

you did

Spoiler

the gold/silver ring@clock room thingy? thats like 10 hours+

 

[Oneself]

Unfortunate part about playing SOTN first is every other Castlevania pales in comparison

So while they will all be very awesome, they won't touch the feeling you got playing SOTN.

I tend to agree.

 

[Error]

Followed by...

Don't listen to everyone else suggesting older Castlevania. They're good games in their own right, but they aren't considering that you started with SotN. Since you did, you need to look at checking out the GBA/DS follow-ups, not the older titles. They'll disappoint you.

are you serious?

 

[RevenantKioku]

are you serious?

The Metroidvania games and the classic CastleVanias are completely different games. I can easily see someone not liking one and liking the other.

 

[cartman414]

I was thinking this was the worst post of the thread. What a horrible night to have an opinion. And then I read this:


Preach!

There are 2 problems with the preceding: 1) Simon's Quest already WAS a Metroidvania (which I already mentioned in an earlier post upthread), and 2) it was a pretty spotty one at that.

The Metroidvania games and the classic CastleVanias are completely different games. I can easily see someone not liking one and liking the other.

Doesn't mean it isn't worth a shot.

 

[Error]

The Metroidvania games and the classic CastleVanias are completely different games. I can easily see someone not liking one and liking the other.

if they are different then why is he suggesting to not bother with them because "They'll disappoint you."

that's like saying to some one that started playing rpgs with ff7 to not bother with SNES or NES rpgs. unless he is a massive graphic whore I dont see any problem.

 

[RevenantKioku]

Doesn't mean it isn't worth a shot.

No, but a fair warning is needed.

 

[nincompoop]

Circle of the Moon is easily the best Castlevania.

 

[Error]

No, but a fair warning is needed.

rk rk rk....

tsc tsc you disappoint me

 

[RevenantKioku]

rk rk rk....

tsc tsc you disappoint me

I can only hear Treevor's death groan so much before I go mad.

 

[cartman414]

The SotN style games would be more fun if they could practically eradicate the elongated backtracking. That's one of the main reasons why IMO they have yet to touch Super Metroid.

 

[Majmun]

wich %?

you did

Spoiler

the gold/silver ring@clock room thingy? thats like 10 hours+

I'm now at 90.1%

I already finished the game, but went back to max the masamune. Just for fun. I really don't know what to do next in the game. I'd like to get 100%. I've bought the most expensive stuff at that store thanks to the Jewel Sword. Still don't have all relics though...

And what about those rings?

Spoiler

I already have the gold ring, but I don't have the Silver ring. And yeah I went up on the left side of the clock. And above as a bat. But I can't get on the right side. That statue is holding me back.

Btw. I could't find DoS for the DS. I think I'm going to search internet for that game. And I'm definitely going to get that Double Pack.

 

[SantaC]

I'm now at 90.1%

I already finished the game, but went back to max the masamune. Just for fun. I really don't know what to do next in the game. I'd like to get 100%. I've bought the most expensive stuff at that store thanks to the Jewel Sword. Still don't have all relics though...

And what about those rings?

Spoiler

I already have the gold ring, but I don't have the Silver ring. And yeah I went up on the left side of the clock. And above as a bat. But I can't get on the right side. That statue is holding me back.

Btw. I could't find DoS for the DS. I think I'm going to search internet for that game. And I'm definitely going to get that Double Pack.

Half the game is left for you. You got the worst ending, and then there is like another 5 hours of gameplay left with the rings.

 

[bionic77]

Sotn would have been much better if it was a little bit more challenging.

Super Metroid doesn't seem challenging anymore, but I remember being lost once or twice and dying a few times on various bosses.

 

[{Mike}]

No love for Castlevania The New Generation (Genesis)? I liked it

 

[Dragona Akehi]

Symphony of the Night rocks.

 

[Daigoro]

heh cool. it took us 2 pages to find out that Second hasnt even beaten the game yet. you got some work to do man!

Well if it's worth it to konami to get satisfy nostalgics at the cost of lower sales

i dont go back and play Castlevania (1) for nostalgic reasons. i go back and play it because the music is fantastic and it is a challenging (not overly difficult) and fun game.

Gradius V could be finished in a couple of hours and that's still one of the best PS2 games so I dont get your point.

right on the money.

 

[lyre]

Castlevania 3 still beats the undead bejezuses out of any of the exploration based Castlevanias, and that game is over fifteen years old. Solid gameplay, unique twists to the fomula, awesome music and good difficulty.

And try to hunt down Chronicles. It's worth it just to see how bad you are at that game.

 

[PolyGone]

I'm now at 90.1%

I already finished the game, but went back to max the masamune. Just for fun. I really don't know what to do next in the game. I'd like to get 100%. I've bought the most expensive stuff at that store thanks to the Jewel Sword. Still don't have all relics though...

And what about those rings?

Spoiler

I already have the gold ring, but I don't have the Silver ring. And yeah I went up on the left side of the clock. And above as a bat. But I can't get on the right side. That statue is holding me back.

Btw. I could't find DoS for the DS. I think I'm going to search internet for that game. And I'm definitely going to get that Double Pack.

Oh man 90.1%? You still have so much more goodness to see in that game, especially some of the best bosses are in the other 110.1% of the game. Go for it! Your quest is not over yet, and the night's still young!

 

[Majmun]

You have got to be kidding me...

So I actually haven't finished the game yet? Thread am failed.

I never knew that a silver ring existed. I have the Gold ring already. At first I wanted it to sell to the merchant, but it was not possible.

It seems that I need the Gold ring + Silver ring to open a HUGE sidestory. PERFECT. The awesomeness isn't over yet. Gonna search for the Silver ring.

 

[brandonh83]

IMO, Super Castlevania IV stands up as one of the best level-based platformers of all time. It isn't as unforgiveably difficult as say Castlevania III but it's still very challenging and it has some of my favorite levels and music of any game.

 

[SantaC]

You have got to be kidding me...

So I actually haven't finished the game yet? Thread am failed.

I never knew that a silver ring existed. I have the Gold ring already. At first I wanted it to sell to the merchant, but it was not possible.

It seems that I need the Gold ring + Silver ring to open a HUGE sidestory. PERFECT. The awesomeness isn't over yet. Gonna search for the Silver ring.

the final map is 200% and you're at 90%

 

[HomerSimpson-Man]

You have got to be kidding me...

So I actually haven't finished the game yet? Thread am failed.

I never knew that a silver ring existed. I have the Gold ring already. At first I wanted it to sell to the merchant, but it was not possible.

It seems that I need the Gold ring + Silver ring to open a HUGE sidestory. PERFECT. The awesomeness isn't over yet. Gonna search for the Silver ring.

Looks like the game just got more amazing to you.

Freakin' blew me away when it released to find out than when I beat the "boss" I was truely only half complete the entire game!! First thought was...where was Dracula, there had to something more to this....and there was...and it was simply magnificient. So many secrets.

 

[cartman414]

IMO, Super Castlevania IV stands up as one of the best level-based platformers of all time. It isn't as unforgiveably difficult as say Castlevania III but it's still very challenging and it has some of my favorite levels and music of any game.

Super Castlevania IV was a little too easy for its own good, due to the brokenness of the multi-directional whip, which also effectively reduced the boss fights to setpiece battles for the most part. Also too long for a linear game, which resulted in eventual monotony when combined with the relative lack of difficulty. The music IMO didn't fit the Castlevania mood as well either due to either instrument arrangements or a lack of tension/energy in the tracks themselves, if not both.

Castlevania III had the best balanced difficulty out of any pre-Rondo of Blood game, most definitely if you're playing the Japanese version.

 

[brandonh83]

Super Castlevania IV was a little too easy for its own good, due to the brokenness of the multi-directional whip, which also effectively reduced the boss fights to setpiece battles for the most part. Also too long for a linear game, which resulted in eventual monotony when combined with the relative lack of difficulty. The music IMO didn't fit the Castlevania mood as well either due to either instrument arrangements or a lack of tension/energy in the tracks themselves, if not both.

Castlevania III had the best balanced difficulty out of any pre-Rondo of Blood game, most definitely if you're playing the Japanese version.

It's definitely easier than the prior three, and I love those as well... but I do find them frustrating to play. I just think 4 is a great pick up and play game, and I like how long it is. Is it longer or shorter than the third? I'm really not sure.

 

[SuomiDude]

the final map is 200% and you're at 90%

The final map is over 200%, even without any cheats.

 

[SantaC]

The final map is over 200%, even without any cheats.

well ok, but if you got 200% you get the best ending.

 

[PolyGone]

It's definitely easier than the prior three, and I love those as well... but I do find them frustrating to play. I just think 4 is a great pick up and play game, and I like how long it is. Is it longer or shorter than the third? I'm really not sure.

in the first three games holy water is the key, it totally immobolizes the bosses. Just pepper 'em with a little of that s**t and they're all "OH TEH NOES I CAN'T MOOB!" and then you're all like shwip shwap with the whip whap, and the demons are gone...

 

[yayaba]

You have got to be kidding me...

So I actually haven't finished the game yet? Thread am failed.

I never knew that a silver ring existed. I have the Gold ring already. At first I wanted it to sell to the merchant, but it was not possible.

It seems that I need the Gold ring + Silver ring to open a HUGE sidestory. PERFECT. The awesomeness isn't over yet. Gonna search for the Silver ring.

Hahah, damn, I did the same thing. Finished the game and I didn't even know about the other half .

But didn't you notice you were missing a whole bunch of Relics? (if that's what they were called, I forget). That tipped me off on maybe there being more to the game than I realized.

The second half rules, you'll love it. The difficulty ramped up considerably for me.

 

[cartman414]

in the first three games holy water is the key, it totally immobolizes the bosses. Just pepper 'em with a little of that s**t and they're all "OH TEH NOES I CAN'T MOOB!" and then you're all like shwip shwap with the whip whap, and the demons are gone...

In CV3 Sypha is wicked powerful with the right spells. She can take down the Grim Reaper with as few as 4 shots of flame.