Topic: Castlevania Harmony of Despair is playable on PS4. online co op with PS3 players

[affinity]

My favorite Castlevania ever!!   and IGA's last Castlevania game when they were with Konami.  Shutaro Iida deserves more fame and praise as well, being the director of CVHD:

IGA video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8b6To-Nsnw

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castlevania:_Harmony_of_Despair


http://blog.us.playstation.com/2016/08/30/playstation-now-september-update-pc-streaming-6-greatest-hits/

first impressions after about 3 hours of playing on PS4

1. it looks AWESOME.  Of course, it's the authentic PS3 version, and the new TV helps. back then I used to play CVHD on a 480p. then when I got a PS4, I got a new TV, so playing it in HD looks worlds better.

2. PS+ is not required to play online!!  I subscribed to psnow using a account that doesn't have PS+ and still playable! I purchased sub with PSN wallet/ps store card.

3. PSNow seems universal on the same console.  I was able to stream the game on a different account than the original PSN ID I subscribed ps now to.  So it's not like PS+ server that's tied to a specific account. 

4. PS4 Castlevania HD games can play with PS3 gamers!!  I teamed up with a Maria player, so that confirms PS4 Now version uses the PS3 servers, which is great and this can help expand the people you can meet online.   Of course, if you are new, be sure to learn some of the etiquette so people don't wait too long to start.

5. the netcode is just as solid as it is on X360 and PS3. I played with up to 4 players online, and out of the 3 hours I played it, there was only one connection lag issue (but it must of been a ps now issue), but it fixed in less than a minute.  playing with Japanese and French players, no noticable lag from them at all. Of course it can vary, but CVHD always had above average netcode.

6. it's just as entertaining as it was back in 2010     even starting from scratch and other players moving faster than me, the ones I teamed up with were SO NICE, and emote active and friendly      we even got some dual crushes going (usually the Here emote is a good signal to get someone to move into Dual Crush position, well the quick learner noticed and teamed up each time). 

7. the soundtrack is masterful as always.  I just beat the 7 chapters on normal and then on hard.   I played with people in USA, Japan and France.      

it's such a shame this didn't sell as much as it should have, we could have gotten a new series of Castlevania with this gameplay format, expanding the character selection, loot, bestiary, chapters, music and more!  though yea at least this masterpiece was made and now playable on PS4. 

NOTICE:        I don't recommend playing it on psnnow if you already have a setup to play it on PS3.  this is for those that don't have PS3, or too lazy to pull PS3 out of the closet and rewire things.  I'm not an advocate for PS Now, however, considering CVHD is my favorite Castlevania ever, and it's now playable on PS4 thanks to PSNow, this is the closest to owning and playing CVHD on PS4 instead of waiting for Konami to port/remaster it fully on PS4.   

the recent 3 hours of playing it on PS4 were the greatest Castlevania gaming and co op moments this year so far.   

the only downsides are:
* no addon support (of course it streams the core game, they have to either merge the stores, or remaster CVHD with all the DLC included if people expect the addons to be usable on PS4.)
*can't take screenshots nor record video on Share.
 *dependency on online to play the single player/local content. 

but if fans can look past those things, they can enjoy CVHD on PS4 just as much as on X360 and PS3.

being able to play with PS3 gamers is a HUGE plus.  if more fans are aware of it and ok with subbibg to ps now for it, the online community could be rejuvenated with the PS4 community playing CVHD online alongside PS3 fans.

time for a CVHD art parade.  castlevaniadungeon really should dedicate a Harmony of Despair section to the game.  back then in 2010, it's strange how the site was so biased words this masterpiece of masterpieces, yet LoS got the red carpet treatment of hype.   it's so unfair when CVHD is a worthy Castlevania game, and the ultimate multiplayer Castlevania game.  Well of course Serio's Castlevania Fighter is another co op masterpiece, though CVHD's formula and 6 players co op is one of a kind.   if they made a game that combined SCF and CVHD and expanded it further, they could have a new mainstream series that keeps improving.   those two masterpieces can really learn from each other.   

Ah well, despite the situation with Konami, it's magnificent that these games exist.  ^.^

[Aceearly1993]

Sounds like a good news

If they support map edit mode (aka only my map) in the PS4 version it would be much cooler then I assume core fans can finally realize their dream building their own Castlevania by using official map samples

[Claimh Solais]

Sounds like a good news

If they support map edit mode (aka only my map) in the PS4 version it would be much cooler then I assume core fans can finally realize their dream building their own Castlevania by using official map samples

It's not an actual PS4 version. It's just the PS3 version streamed through PS Now. If they actually ported it, a map edit mode would have been wonderful, even if it were just something like deciding enemy and item placement.

[MooMilk]

Good I guess. But no add-on support sucks. It's no replacement for PS3 version then. Alot of items are exclusive to those levels.

[KaZudra]

No DLC?
Looks like I'm still gonna wait for Xbox ONE BC.

[SecretWeapon]

I still want that artwork

[Aceearly1993]

It's not an actual PS4 version. It's just the PS3 version streamed through PS Now. If they actually ported it, a map edit mode would have been wonderful, even if it were just something like deciding enemy and item placement.

What a shame. I kinda wish there would be a new revision of it

[PFG9000]

Does this mean there are people playing the game online again?  I don't have a PS4 yet, but I'd love to put some more hours into Harmony of Despair.

[Lumi Kløvstad]

If this game uses the PS3 servers, I can always boot up on PS3 and help some Dunegonites out.

I'm endofline_l51

[xscientist5000]

How much would it cost them to get some interns to make new DLC content for a game like this and sell it? I know nothing about game development, but once you have templates for 10 levels, how hard is it to make more? The bosses are mainly the unique part of each stage.

I spent a lot of time playing CVHD - Richter - even got one miser ring. I want more levels!

[Lumi Kløvstad]

How much would it cost them to get some interns to make new DLC content for a game like this and sell it? I know nothing about game development, but once you have templates for 10 levels, how hard is it to make more? The bosses are mainly the unique part of each stage.

I spent a lot of time playing CVHD - Richter - even got one miser ring. I want more levels!

This actually seems like something Konami might do if we wrote a collective letter and asked REALLY nicely and promised to pay $5 a pop.

We'd actually have to pay that though.

Anyone care to start drafting?

[GuyStarwind]

Makes me want to play it now. It's been a long time.

[affinity]

Does this mean there are people playing the game online again?  I don't have a PS4 yet, but I'd love to put some more hours into Harmony of Despair.

Here are some of the players I met online playing Castlevania HD on PS4 PS Now.  I think all of them play on PS3, but it's great PS4 and PS3 can play together.  Be sure to be polite, good natured and respectful and if you want to befriend them, mention Castlevania HD and interest to expand your online network of CVHD friends to play together online:

XxMUDKIPZxX , Chrisdon111 , ADMLT_JA_DE , Sigmacronos, J_MM_B , CamoLogan , Caboozey , AtsunoriHiroki , Toughguypete , aran_belmont , HokagesonX , edvaldo29 , knucklehead_86 , Whipsmemory , spiritualaw , TenshiNoZero , Hmong_Leee , NightmareGunter , CarotMan77, AiuraRr 


but yea, things get complicated when PS3 gamers expect PS4 gamers to have the DLC, but if everyone is fine with playing chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7,  then there's no pressure, lol.   Out of all the hours playing online, there were very few occasions of connection issues and only one time it disconnected when playing with a Japanese player that had no name (but there was another no name Japanese player I played with and we played flawless connection online for several chapters.) 

It can vary depending on the time of day, but there can be players found online, especially if you add the ongoing players to friends list, so that expands options.  there was even one that left my room multiple times, until I waited to give them time to invite someone, they invited like 3 or 4 players, lol!   

So yeah if you are host, it is good to have an understanding of the CVHD online culture and how to effectively keeping the lobby open while the other players ready up, so more could potentially join.  but sometimes, it's good to ready up, because others won't ready up until you do, and if they don't see the host ready up, they might leave.

and be ready to kick a player if they make the others wait too long.  it's tough to gauge when's the right time, but the more skilled you are at good judgement, the more populated and lively your lobby will be.

[affinity]

Awesome!! today had great online sessions with more new players I haven't met before!   first it was a duo co-op, then later, we got 6 players together for at least two chapters (7 and 6).    We even got in the team Richter and Maria (with their default colors, enhancing Ronda nostalgia), AND Charlotte and Jonathan together too (I choose black costume to match Jonathan's colors.) here's some met online

Edensend , Swrd  ,  Zonda GT1 , fazeo12 , Shalashaska32810 . perhaps they are seeking more players to play CVHD with.  also teamed up with some Japanese players:
Kautoyo2541 , Shikyoh696  , ASH-VNR or ASR, I dunno, I should of wrote it more clearly, darn handwriting.   sorry if any of the name are inaccurate. 

I'm getting really motivated to just get the PS3 on this tv so I can use all the DLC for it, lol.   PS4 is more comfy (the only functional ps3 controller I have is some cheap $20 one).   yea maybe Ill play the ps3 version, that way can host chapter 9, 10, and 11. 

oh yea and I heard CVHD is on sale on PS3, not sure if it's still on, and you have to search for CVHD, but they say it's now under $5.

[Lelygax]

This and MGS4 would be a good excuse to get a PS3. Maybe when I get more money...
What makes me happy about it is to see its servers still working and with people playing it.