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The Castlevania Dungeon Forums => General Castlevania Discussion => Topic started by: Dremn on December 23, 2014, 07:43:44 PM

Title: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Dremn on December 23, 2014, 07:43:44 PM
It's been an awfully anxious and quiet year, the only thing we have to look forward to right now is IGA's project being released or shown sometime next year.

Konami has been dead quiet on the franchise future too, perhaps eventually they'll throw us a bone soon? Some kind of nugget of hope to hold onto? I'm just not used to seeing the Dungeon this dead. :(

Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: ProjectDread on December 23, 2014, 08:30:20 PM
Yeah, it's sort of like how Nintendo is handling the Metroid franchise right now. Hopefully we'll see something next year because seriously man, I'm thirsty for more Metroidvania. I suppose it just isn't a very popular genre? It's unfortunate.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: X on December 23, 2014, 11:23:49 PM
After the disaster of Other M and the not-so-popular LoS trilogy both companies are probably weighing their options on what to do next. When you think about it IGA kinda spoiled us by releasing CV after CV on almost a yearly basis, whereas before it was not so common. I don't mind waiting so long as it's for a product that does not disappoint. I would love to see CV handled with better care this time 'round as well as the next Metroid title. Hopefully both are spearheaded by those who were once gamers and fans, and know what we as gamers want.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Shiroi Koumori on December 24, 2014, 12:59:54 AM
I also hope we hear something but it is also understandable that Konami would lie low after the disaster that is LOS2.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: shelverton. on December 24, 2014, 01:31:22 AM
The problem is I don't know what I'm supposed to look forward to here. What is Castlevania anyway? I used to be extremely excited for new games, but then came Judgment, Harmony of Despair, LoS, Mirror of Fate and finally LoS2.. They were all garbage, and not even consistent garbage. So, I have no idea what Castlevania is or what I should look forward to. I think the next Castlevania game is at least 2 years away, probably more. I'd be very surprised if Konami is working on anything right now. Or maybe we've seen the last game altogether? I would actually be ok with it.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Nagumo on December 24, 2014, 02:47:04 AM
What, aren't you all excited for Japanese LoS3? 

It's been an awfully anxious and quiet year, the only thing we have to look forward to right now is IGA's project being released or shown sometime next year.

It's been cancelled. He's working on mobile games for another company now. I remember because there was a thread about it on NeoGaf. 
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Koutei on December 24, 2014, 06:14:19 AM
Koji Igarashi is a CEO of ArtPlay at present.

http://www.kgconf.com/eng/about/conference_view.html?idx=2034 (http://www.kgconf.com/eng/about/conference_view.html?idx=2034)
http://www.artplay.co.jp/ (http://www.artplay.co.jp/)

ArtPlay is a company that makes the social game for mobile phone. Perhaps, he will work very busily to maintain the company in the future. His dream game is still far.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Chernabogue on December 24, 2014, 06:49:01 AM
Not an official thing, but Vampire Variations: Volume III will be released on Halloween 2015.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Dremn on December 24, 2014, 12:33:47 PM
It's been cancelled. He's working on mobile games for another company now. I remember because there was a thread about it on NeoGaf.
Dang. :(

Oh well, I'm not too excited about the way MN9 is shaping up anymore so maybe it's for the best Castlevania's successor is put on indefinite hold too.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Rugal on December 24, 2014, 12:41:26 PM
Castlevania is dead. Do you really think they are going to make another game after those 3 previous atrocities? They fucked up. Tried to cater to the "dude bro" audience, and alienated their fan base of 27 years.

There won't be a 1999 game. Dracula and his castle are gone forever, but Julius Belmont wasn't the hero, it was David Cox. Go thank his moblin looking ass.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Jorge D. Fuentes on December 24, 2014, 01:22:22 PM
Soul Ares 2 - gameplay (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KELIDX-Cc4E#ws)

At least there are crappy IOS rip-off games like this one (which Paavo clued me in, on).
Complete with MIDI Rip-off of what, I believe, are "Sinking Old Sanctuary" and "Picture of the Ghost Ship", with some phone-synth-MIDI instrument changes.

Rejoice in poor controls, blatantly stolen graphics (check out that SavePoint, does it remind you of anything?), and other shenanigans. :P
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: X on December 24, 2014, 02:33:22 PM
Oh wow! That's exactly what those two songs are. And they don't even bother to hide it either, lol.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Nagumo on December 24, 2014, 04:10:32 PM
I think Konami could take a little bit of inspiration from these rip-offs by choosing a visual style obviously reminiscent of Castlevania yet distinct enough to feel fresh. I think an artstyle like from that iOS game would be pretty cool for one or two titles or so.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Kingshango on December 24, 2014, 06:30:43 PM
Castlevania in 2015?

iPhones.

You know it, I know and Konami most likely knows it. Thankfully I've accepted that iPhone games, when done with care, can be pretty fun.

So if Castlevania's fate is sealed within Steve Jobs last greatest revenge against traditional gaming (aka iPhones) then so be it as long as it's fun in the end.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Neobelmont on December 24, 2014, 07:04:46 PM
It's been an awfully anxious and quiet year, the only thing we have to look forward to right now is IGA's project being released or shown sometime next year.

Konami has been dead quiet on the franchise future too, perhaps eventually they'll throw us a bone soon? Some kind of nugget of hope to hold onto? I'm just not used to seeing the Dungeon this dead. :(

As much as I love me some cv I want some Suikoden(and do not tell me about SII being on psn because I know  :) ) Contra, maybe Goemon for wii-u. Ahh.... The hopes of one dreaming.  Because metal gear I have very little interest in at the moment.

Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Claimh Solais on December 24, 2014, 07:15:08 PM
It's only been about 10 months. Give it time. After how badly Mirror of Fate and LoS2 did, I'm not surprised they're staying a bit quiet on it. Castlevania was doing yearly releases for a really long time, and as a result they were mostly samey (despite being actually good and polished games). And then there was the whole era of badly received games.

-Judgment, the fighting game with good intentions but terrible execution.
-Harmony of Despair, the online multiplayer Castlevania that was essentially Frankenstein's creature, lazily made from pieces of other games.
-Lords of Shadow, the actually good game that was unfortunately too much of other games and not enough Castlevania.
-Mirror of Fate, the extremely short 2D Castlevania that still wasn't very Castlevania.
-And LoS2, the extremely underwhelming ending to the LoS trilogy and was ultimately the worst of the three games, and considered by many to be one of, if not the worst game in the series.

So basically, after a killer streak like that, I think they're probably playing it safe and giving the series a bit of time to cool off for now.

If you guys want some Metroidvania goodness, though, go have a look at Chasm. It captures the Metroidvania feel far more than any other game that has attempted thus far.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Neobelmont on December 24, 2014, 07:21:29 PM
It's only been about 10 months. Give it time. After how badly Mirror of Fate and LoS2 did, I'm not surprised they're staying a bit quiet on it. Castlevania was doing yearly releases for a really long time, and as a result they were mostly samey (despite being actually good and polished games). And then there was the whole era of badly received games.

-Judgment, the fighting game with good intentions but terrible execution.
-Harmony of Despair, the online multiplayer Castlevania that was essentially Frankenstein's creature, lazily made from pieces of other games.
-Lords of Shadow, the actually good game that was unfortunately too much of other games and not enough Castlevania.
-Mirror of Fate, the extremely short 2D Castlevania that still wasn't very Castlevania.
-And LoS2, the extremely underwhelming ending to the LoS trilogy and was ultimately the worst of the three games, and considered by many to be one of, if not the worst game in the series.

So basically, after a killer streak like that, I think they're probably playing it safe and giving the series a bit of time to cool off for now.

If you guys want some Metroidvania goodness, though, go have a look at Chasm. It captures the Metroidvania feel far more than any other game that has attempted thus far.

I think that sometime Castlevania needs a fire emblem awakening under it's belt.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: X on December 24, 2014, 10:28:27 PM
Quote
If you guys want some Metroidvania goodness, though, go have a look at Chasm. It captures the Metroidvania feel far more than any other game that has attempted thus far.

I wouldn't call it a metroidvania because that term only applies to Castlevanias' that play like Metroid; Metroid + Castlevania = Metroidvania. Hence the term. Yeah I know I'm being nit-picky. Just FYI though.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Kingshango on December 24, 2014, 10:44:47 PM
Soul Ares 2 - gameplay (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KELIDX-Cc4E#ws)

At least there are crappy IOS rip-off games like this one (which Paavo clued me in, on).
Complete with MIDI Rip-off of what, I believe, are "Sinking Old Sanctuary" and "Picture of the Ghost Ship", with some phone-synth-MIDI instrument changes.

Rejoice in poor controls, blatantly stolen graphics (check out that SavePoint, does it remind you of anything?), and other shenanigans. :P

This is straight up illegal isn't it? Oh well that's the iPhone gaming scene, full of ripoffs that for whatever reason makes shit ton of money, quality be damned.

Huh, now that I think about it, it's no different than the current AAA gaming market.



Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Nagumo on December 25, 2014, 05:00:13 AM
I admit this is an easy one, but I rather have iOS/Android vania than more Lords of Shadow. And I'm not saying that just to be snarky, since it could have a couple of advantages. There might be more room for niche series like Castlevania, which lessens the risk of misguided attempts to replace old fanbases with larger ones.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: darkmanx_429 on December 25, 2014, 06:11:43 AM
It's over. For some reason Castlevania has always been like the bastard stepchild when compared to other conceived gaming legends like Mario, Donkey Kong, Zelda,and even Kirby.

Probably for the same reason Simon Belmont has never been featured in a Smash Bros. title.

If something new does happen, it ill mostly happen on one of the Nintendo consoles and it probably won't be next year unfortunately. I would be really surprised.

Nintendo needs to take a more active interest in the series again maybe for good.

Personally I would like for WayForward to do a 2D title in the visual style of BloodRayne Betrayal.

I also been clamoring for at least next gen release of a complication disk with all the titles on it for a while, but that is just a fan-boy dream that won't ever happen...
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Zetheraxza on December 25, 2014, 08:16:33 AM
Castlevania and I had a good run for 9 years. Unfortunately, Castlevania is no longer on my top list. I have replaced that with Metal Gear Solid. Now that I look at it, it is such a weird series and it has survived for all these years but the series itself was a creature of chaos which really had no true form. When it did satisfy the fanbase, it didn't had a good enough income but when they gave their all to give it something new and fresh, it sliced the fan base in half. The series has mutated in so many ways now, from 2D to 3D that were decent, mixed or just plain bad. If anything, let it rest in its slumber for a little while longer. If the new game looks good, then hey. It may reignite my hype once more but i'll still buy and play it. I've been a fan for a long time so it is part of me, but do I care about Castlevania like I used to? No. Give me a good 2D or a 3D. Look, 3D games are the market now, and its okay but if they're going the 3D path, give me MGSV with Castlevania Skin. Open world, replace mother base with Belmont's Fortress/churches and everything. Or same idea but 2D.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: darkmanx_429 on December 25, 2014, 12:39:18 PM
Castlevania and I had a good run for 9 years. Unfortunately, Castlevania is no longer on my top list. I have replaced that with Metal Gear Solid. Now that I look at it, it is such a weird series and it has survived for all these years but the series itself was a creature of chaos which really had no true form. When it did satisfy the fanbase, it didn't had a good enough income but when they gave their all to give it something new and fresh, it sliced the fan base in half. The series has mutated in so many ways now, from 2D to 3D that were decent, mixed or just plain bad. If anything, let it rest in its slumber for a little while longer. If the new game looks good, then hey. It may reignite my hype once more but i'll still buy and play it. I've been a fan for a long time so it is part of me, but do I care about Castlevania like I used to? No. Give me a good 2D or a 3D. Look, 3D games are the market now, and its okay but if they're going the 3D path, give me MGSV with Castlevania Skin. Open world, replace mother base with Belmont's Fortress/churches and everything. Or same idea but 2D.
Personally, I don't care for a "MGSV with a Castlevania Skin". Hence comes the inevitable plays like MGS syndrome.

No, keep the Rondo or SOTN formula's and translate that into a 3D world. I think the closest that I cared for was Lament of Innocence/Curse of Darkness, but it they were far from perfect but closer to the original series than anything Mercurystream gave us now.

I wouldn't mind them expanding on the Curse of Darkness template. Or if possible go back to the action oriented original games like Rondo or SCV4 template. Go through the stage, defeat the boss, rinse, repeat but in 3D. Just don't fall into the plays like" DMC" trap.

And please, no more GOW button sequences. They are so played out, and they kill the immersive interactive experience in games for me.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Rugal on December 25, 2014, 01:37:12 PM
I'd rather not have Castlevania if they are going to make iphone games from them. Castlevania needs precision controls.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Chernabogue on December 25, 2014, 02:06:32 PM
I don't think we'll get anything before a big event (either E3 or TGS). LoS2 was released less than a year ago, and they need time to start developing a new game, or to find a new studio to replace MS. I don't think we'll get anything before next summer. (Speculation only)
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Odile Kuronuma on December 25, 2014, 04:12:27 PM
Hmm I'm not looking forward to anything CV related in 2015.Sadly the series is pretty much dead to me, and nothing could change that, not even Iga's rumored game that got cancelled. The only thing that is left for me is to replay the old titles. I'm not remotely interested in playing any of the LoS games, because they didn't live up to Castlevania's name imo. And if Konami plans on making something similar in the future then no I'm not interested. I'd rather they stopped making CV games and let the series die altogether. Although I think mobile games can be an interesting solution if they plan on making 2d cv games.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Kingshango on December 25, 2014, 04:33:33 PM
Castlevania Harmony of Despair 2
iOS exclusive
Create a castle mode that lets you edit enemy placement, stage hazzards etc.
Share castle stages online
Microtransactions out the ass


There I just saved Castlevania in the most realistic and likely way possible.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Nagumo on December 26, 2014, 01:53:49 AM
Just Kickstart something and I'll gladly pay for it.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: shelverton. on December 26, 2014, 06:35:28 AM
Maybe if Konami talked to Yacht Club or something... Shovel Knight was universally praised and I bet they'd be honoured to do a sidescrolling Castlevania, even if it's only as a download on 3DS. I'd like to see it done in a more 16-bit style than Shovel Knight though. I'm sure they'd be able to pull it off brilliantly.

But if Konami would ever outsource again they'd probably give Castlevania to some unknown studio with a terrible track record again. Cause why set the bar higher? Why turn to actual TALENT when you can hire a studio that had made zero good games in the past?
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: piscesdreams on December 26, 2014, 09:31:17 AM
The best hope that I have is for a few fangames that look quality. LOS was a good game but lacked much of the Castlevania feel, imo. But I would like to see a return to form with a new 2d game. Honestly, my biggest hope is for an HD remaster of Super Castlevania IV.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: EstebanT on December 26, 2014, 10:25:26 AM
They rebooted the series... and kept Alucard and Dracula alive.
Why put the series on hold when LOS was actually succesful? We're getting LOS3.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Chernabogue on December 26, 2014, 10:57:03 AM
Castlevania Harmony of Despair 2
iOS exclusive
Create a castle mode that lets you edit enemy placement, stage hazzards etc.
Share castle stages online
Microtransactions out the ass


There I just saved Castlevania in the most realistic and likely way possible.
I LOL'd. +1 for you.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Zetheraxza on December 26, 2014, 12:12:42 PM
LoS had the idea when it came to the gameplay and storytelling but it was really flawed when it came to its execution, I know what they were trying to do or pull off but it was a budget/time issue that sort of devolved those ideas. MoF wasn't a good 2D castlevania and LoS2 was plain disappointment.

Bottom line is reality. We can ask for Rondo/SotN as much as we want but video games are business and things like that may make fans happy but developers gotta eat too. I leave it to indie development team in Konami if they have one to make a 2D Castlevania game but how much will be the quality or replayability? I for one am tired of the generic 2D A.I. and the skeletons having the same damn attack. I know that Konami is trying to be ambitious with Castlevania and that's a good thing. I want Castlevania to be up there and I welcome such changes but I want quality 3D game if they want to make one. LoS has been stale indeed, but I think a good 3D Castlevania can be made. I fast paced 3D open world Castlevania with a lot to do. Nowadays open world games are big and rightfully so and I for one am yearning for a sandbox open world vampire hunting game. Imagine a Simon's Quest game that's properly done and a 3D open world... Rendered in Fox Engine and made by Japanese Developers. Don't even lie if such a concept doesn't make you wet.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: shelverton. on December 26, 2014, 12:49:33 PM
A 3D Simon's Quest-like game with an open world would make me very wet indeed. I could see Transylvania being laid out a bit like Hyrule in Twilight Princess, with Dracula's Castle in the center (though you can't reach it until much muuuuch later in the game). It could have a lot of separate interconnected areas, like graveyards, swamps, forests and ruined villages. And it could have classic MANSIONS (!) here and there, and caves and lakes and mountains....

Why is this game not a thing?
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Zetheraxza on December 26, 2014, 01:19:10 PM
This guy gets it. A game like that would be FUN and would make Konami money. It's a win-win. I'm tired of fighting low I.Q monsters in every room. I would like a Skyrim/MGSV style day and night cycle where you fight unaligned monsters by day like mythical monsters and demons, vampires and other monstrosities by night. Add economy and side quests and stuff like that. Castlevania has so much potential but Konami and Fans sometimes don't get that.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: JR on December 26, 2014, 08:30:14 PM
Maybe if Konami talked to Yacht Club or something... Shovel Knight was universally praised and I bet they'd be honoured to do a sidescrolling Castlevania, even if it's only as a download on 3DS. I'd like to see it done in a more 16-bit style than Shovel Knight though. I'm sure they'd be able to pull it off brilliantly.

But if Konami would ever outsource again they'd probably give Castlevania to some unknown studio with a terrible track record again. Cause why set the bar higher? Why turn to actual TALENT when you can hire a studio that had made zero good games in the past?

That's the frustrating part...didn't either Yacht Club or WayForward state somewhere that they'd love to make a new CV? It would be pretty nice to see what they could come up with...the ball's in Konami's court on that one, and their ideas for the series over the last 5 years or so have been pretty inexplicable.

I must say, with Judgment, HoD, and the LoS series, I've had some degrees of fun playing all of them (except for maybe MoF...beautiful game, but very uninspired otherwise). But I have no desire whatsoever to replay any of those games. They just really have no lasting appeal like the ones before them. I just wish the series would right itself and give me something that I keep coming back to year after year...like pretty much all of the games pre-Judgment.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Claimh Solais on December 26, 2014, 08:36:11 PM
I wouldn't call it a metroidvania because that term only applies to Castlevanias' that play like Metroid; Metroid + Castlevania = Metroidvania. Hence the term. Yeah I know I'm being nit-picky. Just FYI though.

...Except that Chasm plays almost exactly like Symphony and its fellow CV games. Right down to the controls, the map, etc. So what makes it not a Metroidvania?

That's the frustrating part...didn't either Yacht Club or WayForward state somewhere that they'd love to make a new CV? It would be pretty nice to see what they could come up with...the ball's in Konami's court on that one, and their ideas for the series over the last 5 years or so have been pretty inexplicable.

I must say, with Judgment, HoD, and the LoS series, I've had some degrees of fun playing all of them (except for maybe MoF...beautiful game, but very uninspired otherwise). But I have no desire whatsoever to replay any of those games. They just really have no lasting appeal like the ones before them. I just wish the series would right itself and give me something that I keep coming back to year after year...like pretty much all of the games pre-Judgment.

I'd love to see WayForward tackle Castlevania, after their work with Contra and Double Dragon. If not them, then Double Helix or Ready At Dawn, since both make fantastic games within other companies' IPs yet stay faithful to the source material (Strider/Killer Instinct for DH, God of War/Daxter for RAD).
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: X on December 26, 2014, 10:50:02 PM
Quote
...Except that Chasm plays almost exactly like Symphony and its fellow CV games. Right down to the controls, the map, etc. So what makes it not a Metroidvania?

If its the same principle as Metroid then you should be calling it a Chasmtroid. The reason why we call SotN and it's next of kin Metroidvanias is because it's a Castlevania game that plays like Metroid "hence the term". There's no other way I can explain it.

Quote
A 3D Simon's Quest-like game with an open world would make me very wet indeed. I could see Transylvania being laid out a bit like Hyrule in Twilight Princess, with Dracula's Castle in the center (though you can't reach it until much muuuuch later in the game). It could have a lot of separate interconnected areas, like graveyards, swamps, forests and ruined villages. And it could have classic MANSIONS (!) here and there, and caves and lakes and mountains....

Why is this game not a thing?

Cause konami thinks they can do better then us. Pfft! Wrong so far, they are. I would love to see this too. I still play skyrim and love it, and having a CV II remake functioning in a sandbox world with economy, quests, day/night cycles as well as a deeper story then the original game gave us would keep many a CV fans happy for some time.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Neobelmont on December 27, 2014, 09:12:25 AM
Maybe if Konami talked to Yacht Club or something... Shovel Knight was universally praised and I bet they'd be honoured to do a sidescrolling Castlevania, even if it's only as a download on 3DS. I'd like to see it done in a more 16-bit style than Shovel Knight though. I'm sure they'd be able to pull it off brilliantly.

But if Konami would ever outsource again they'd probably give Castlevania to some unknown studio with a terrible track record again. Cause why set the bar higher? Why turn to actual TALENT when you can hire a studio that had made zero good games in the past?


(https://castlevaniadungeon.net/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F07%2FLove-and-Other-Drugs.gif&hash=2d2f180393744975a978deea485d0d8e)

Why can't konami get their heads outta of their butts? I'm going to be a broken record but if it's not metal gear then good luck. And when they "luck" does happen and they get a developer like Wayforward they put no promotion into it and sales suffer. I had to ask IF Contra 4 even existed when I got it years ago at gamestop!
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: shelverton. on December 27, 2014, 09:30:29 AM
Meanwhile in Europe, Contra 4 wasn't even released at all. That's a series first. I thank the video game gods that the original DS had no region lock. I imported the mutha and loved it to death. It's still my favorite "pick-up-n-just-play-it-for-5-minutes-damnit" kind of DS game. Love love live it.

I would laugh if there's a new 3DS Castlevania and it never makes it to Europe. (Actually, I would cry. Depending on the actual quality of the game.)

Region locking is my nemesis.

Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Nagumo on December 27, 2014, 01:48:34 PM
If they would do a indie-type (not sure if that's the correct word) game for Steam or whatever, I thought it would be cool if they would make a 8-bit metroidvania kind of game. Basically like Maze of Galious for the Famicom which Konami also made. You don't exactly have to backtrack but there's a hub world with five dungeons which are sort of hidden. However, you do you do need to obtain new abilities to progress and you can switch between two characters which slightly different abilities.

(https://castlevaniadungeon.net/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.gamefaqs.net%2Fscreens%2Fa%2F5%2F4%2Fgfs_18180_2_6.jpg&hash=84cfc47a18b64640dbb10a8675cd8a32)
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Sindra on December 27, 2014, 02:44:19 PM
Just port Castlevania: The Arcade to consoles, and I'll be happy for the time being.....

Obviously Dracula's Curse Chronicles would be great....but what BMC_WarMachine is doing as a fan game looks like it'll be just as good almost.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: crisis on December 27, 2014, 04:51:45 PM
1st of all, lol @ those of you that are claiming castlevania is "dead" when the last game was released barely a year ago, and the Japanese version was released LAST, like almost 5 months after the West & European versions. so los2 is still kinda fresh......

B, you guys dont know what its like to wait for the next entry in a beloved series if you think waiting for the next cv is taking too long for instance, fans of the MM saga have been waiting for Rockman ZX3 since 2006... 9 years waiting without closure to the story. and thats just 1 example. so sit ur butts down

C, youre kidding yourselves if yuo think konami is gonna just drop the series cuz los2 "flopped" (which no1 really knows for sure, since ppl tend to believe anything they read nowadays). its still a profitable IP for them, if it wasnt then no way it wouldve lasted for 25+ years. wanna know whats a "dead" property for them? Frogger. when was the last frogger game been released hmmm?


soo what we mite see in 2015? a new pachislot perhaps, a new arrangement CD, some ports of classics on the Wii U virtual console or 3DS, perhaps even a compilation of sorts. quality takes time guys come on, i reiterate LoS2 was released this same year with the Japan release only being several months ago. now should i consider selling my CV collection? who wants a SotN handheld for $100

Quote from: piscesdreams
The best hope that I have is for a few fangames that look quality. LOS was a good game but lacked much of the Castlevania feel, imo. But I would like to see a return to form with a new 2d game. Honestly, my biggest hope is for an HD remaster of Super Castlevania IV.

hey i rememberyou
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Kingshango on December 27, 2014, 05:35:21 PM
You know what, seeing that Capcom is re releasing DmC: Ok we're trying to fix almost everything we've fucked up edition, it wouldn't shock me at the least if Konami joined in on the remaster bandwagon and release "fixed" versions of the Lords of Shadow games.


Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Jorge D. Fuentes on December 27, 2014, 07:56:01 PM
C, youre kidding yourselves if yuo think konami is gonna just drop the series cuz los2 "flopped" (which no1 really knows for sure, since ppl tend to believe anything they read nowadays). its still a profitable IP for them, if it wasnt then no way it wouldve lasted for 25+ years. wanna know whats a "dead" property for them? Frogger. when was the last frogger game been released hmmm?

Frogger Returns on Wii.  It's pretty good. :)
WiiWare times weren't long ago.  Probably came out before Castlevania: Adventure Rebirth.

However, I agree with most of what you're saying, crisis.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Ratty on December 28, 2014, 12:59:14 AM
If its the same principle as Metroid then you should be calling it a Chasmtroid. The reason why we call SotN and it's next of kin Metroidvanias is because it's a Castlevania game that plays like Metroid "hence the term". There's no other way I can explain it.

Nah Metroidvania is probably the most generally accepted term for this 2D exploration genre in my experience. Which includes other recent releases like Shantae and rougelike mixes such as Rogue Legacy and Steamworld Dig. Though people in the steam tagging community have a very loose sense of what the genre is, mistakenly including lots of 3D and level based games. http://store.steampowered.com/tag/en/Metroidvania/#p=0&tab=NewReleases (http://store.steampowered.com/tag/en/Metroidvania/#p=0&tab=NewReleases)

Even if we never get another proper Metroidvania in the Castlevania series, I'm confident the genre will live on with a trickle of indie titles. Which is why it's even more sad we're likely to never see another proper Classicvania. We'll get retrothemed action platformers, but almost all of them copy things like Mega Man instead. And even if one were to copy the distinctive control scheme of Classicvanias (unlikely since so many outside the fandom complain about them) I doubt we'd ever see the artful precision of platforming and enemy placement of the series best again.


It's actually a spiritual successor to Rastan, an old arcade game, but the closest I've gotten to feeling like Classicvania with an Indie game was Volgarr the Viking.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Nagumo on December 28, 2014, 02:55:45 AM
Castlevania: The Arcade

Secretly the best 3D Castlevania.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: X on December 28, 2014, 10:53:13 AM
Quote
Nah Metroidvania is probably the most generally accepted term for this 2D exploration genre in my experience.

I feel it doesn't make sense. It's just them being lazy. If I had to say what genre many of those action/exploration games fit into it would be Metroid-esque. It's not Metroid but it uses the same functionality such as the map, finding items, etc. There's nothing Castlevania about it unless it's a Castlevania game made to play like Metroid. And that's when the term Metroidvania would come up to use. And If I'm not mistaken (please correct me if I'm wrong here) was it us here at the Dungeon that started the whole Metroidvania thing?
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Claimh Solais on December 28, 2014, 01:30:17 PM
The whole Metroidvania term began due to the combining of Castlevania and Metroid formulas with Symphony of the Night. SotN was an action platformer with tons of exploration and hidden goodies. It isn't lazy to call any other game that follows the formula of SotN a Metroidvania, it's just far more convenient. The type of game that Chasm is is at this point known as a Metroidvania to everyone, as that's the term used to describe games like SotN.

Chasmvania doesn't make sense for Chasm since Chasm isn't a game that's combining a previous formula with the Castlevania formula.

Chasm has absolutely nothing to do with either Metroid or Castlevania, but it fits nearly perfectly into the mold that SotN created, so it makes perfect sense to call it a Metroidvania, since that's what SotN is. Trying to call it anything else would make little sense and just be confusing.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: crisis on December 28, 2014, 02:01:07 PM
actually the dungeons very own 'beingthehero' coined the term (or so he claims)

although its still a mystery who created the word "castleroid" o_O
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Gunlord on December 28, 2014, 04:27:58 PM
Beingthehero claims a lot of things...XD
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Super Waffle on December 28, 2014, 05:35:41 PM
I'm betting on Pachislot IV.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: VladCT on December 28, 2014, 06:06:17 PM
I'm betting on Pachislot IV.
At least we'll get another kickass vocal out of it...probably.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: X on December 29, 2014, 01:20:47 AM
@Claimh Solais:

It's fine if you wish to call it that. However to me a Metroidvania is (as I've mentioned before) Castlevania coupled with the Metroid play-style. Otherwise its just called 'Action-exploration' which would be the correct terminology. But each to their own, right?  :)
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Super Waffle on December 29, 2014, 12:05:46 PM
At least we'll get another kickass vocal out of it...probably.

I'm hoping for a new stylized / scantily clad female mascot character for me to write fanfictions about.  I've already got Pachislot Sypha and both Angelas covered.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: RegalX7 on December 30, 2014, 12:12:20 AM
I wouldn't count the series out yet, but it's been something I haven't liked for years, now.
Still! I'm always reminded why I love Castlevania when I play pretty much any pre-LoS game.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Flame on December 31, 2014, 12:55:46 AM
You know what, seeing that Capcom is re releasing DmC: Ok we're trying to fix almost everything we've fucked up edition, it wouldn't shock me at the least if Konami joined in on the remaster bandwagon and release "fixed" versions of the Lords of Shadow games.

To what extent though?

MoF basically just needs to be re-done from the ground up, with new gameplay that isnt just 2D LoS, and LoS2 needs to completely be rewritten, with massive chunks reworked entirely, along with the entire modern city.

"improving" MoF and LoS2 would be making them totally different games, at which point, they might as well just make new games instead.

Also, you people are overreacting with the LoS flop thing. the LoS series was hardly a flop. LoS was a fluke, that managed to be exactly what the franchise needed to keep it fresh, even if it alienated people who hate change, and MoF, despite being a shitty 2D hack n slash, still had some charm and weight to the story and visuals, and overall felt like they were trying.

it's LoS2 that shits the bed, but even then, the main problem is maybe the modern city's bland and boring grey visual design, and the absolutely shit story that goes literally nowhere for the entire playthrough. The gameplay itself was actually really good, and felt really fucking smooth and precise. And everything inside the castle, (including writing and story) was fantastic, and is the only saving grace.

overall, the series was about a 6.5/10. 7/10 if generous.

and it sold porkchops. at least, LoS1 did. MoF noone knows, and LoS2, we know sold well, despite selling less than LoS1.

if Konami paid attention though, the reception, particularly to the botched elements of it, was pretty harsh, even from people who liked LoS. ESPECIALLY people who liked LoS.

SO Im hoping they saw that and are cooling off for a while, since that shit was like just released this year.. Unlike Capcom and Megaman, Konami seems to still care for Castlevania. otherwise they wouldn't have invested in trying to reinvigorate it.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Anglachel on December 31, 2014, 03:11:47 PM

To what extent though?

MoF basically just needs to be re-done from the ground up, with new gameplay that isnt just 2D LoS, and LoS2 needs to completely be rewritten, with massive chunks reworked entirely, along with the entire modern city.

"improving" MoF and LoS2 would be making them totally different games, at which point, they might as well just make new games instead.

Also, you people are overreacting with the LoS flop thing. the LoS series was hardly a flop. LoS was a fluke, that managed to be exactly what the franchise needed to keep it fresh, even if it alienated people who hate change, and MoF, despite being a shitty 2D hack n slash, still had some charm and weight to the story and visuals, and overall felt like they were trying.

it's LoS2 that shits the bed, but even then, the main problem is maybe the modern city's bland and boring grey visual design, and the absolutely shit story that goes literally nowhere for the entire playthrough. The gameplay itself was actually really good, and felt really fucking smooth and precise. And everything inside the castle, (including writing and story) was fantastic, and is the only saving grace.

overall, the series was about a 6.5/10. 7/10 if generous.

and it sold porkchops. at least, LoS1 did. MoF noone knows, and LoS2, we know sold well, despite selling less than LoS1.

if Konami paid attention though, the reception, particularly to the botched elements of it, was pretty harsh, even from people who liked LoS. ESPECIALLY people who liked LoS.

SO Im hoping they saw that and are cooling off for a while, since that shit was like just released this year.. Unlike Capcom and Megaman, Konami seems to still care for Castlevania. otherwise they wouldn't have invested in trying to reinvigorate it.

I wish they could get the underdogs of Mercurysteam, i.e. the ones who knew what they were doing, to get it done. They had ideas they really wanted to implement and never got to. Konami should give them the chance to develop what they envisioned.

I just see the talent that Mercurysteam has and wish none of it would be held back.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Kingshango on December 31, 2014, 05:34:45 PM
I wish they could get the underdogs of Mercurysteam, i.e. the ones who knew what they were doing, to get it done. They had ideas they really wanted to implement and never got to. Konami should give them the chance to develop what they envisioned.

I just see the talent that Mercurysteam has and wish none of it would be held back.

The group that was responsible for the Alucard DLC should just break off into their own company, since they managed to make a hour and a half DLC that was better (albeit slightly) than the main game.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Little Dracula on January 01, 2015, 03:45:10 AM
I expect nothing for 2015, maybe the GBA games for WiiU if they are not out yet. I just can't see how Konami can revive the franchise, they don't have the money, the internal talent (outside Kojima) or the will to do something with this franchise. And if they do, they are going for the big bucks, they already have a taste of that with the first LoS and I doubt the execs will want something less than that.

Sadly for me, two of my favourite franchises, Mega Man and Castlevania are dead and in hands of incompetent people.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Jorge D. Fuentes on January 01, 2015, 09:36:09 AM
^
Alll three games are out on Wii-U.
Source: I own 'em on it.

Vampire Killer MSX is also going to Wii-U... in Japan only, though.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Nagumo on January 01, 2015, 02:19:02 PM
I believe you can acces Vampire Killer on PC through Project EGG. It's around 500 yen for monthly membership and another 500 to buy the game. Also, I think it's available to people outside of Japan, too. Might be an idea if you want to play the game legitimately.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Zetheraxza on January 02, 2015, 10:52:16 PM
Look, Castlevania either needs to go big, or go home. Right now, Open World games are big, they should spend at least 4-6 years to develop a good Sandbox 3D Castlevania. That would be great. Storywise, something good. Something great and ambitious, get good Japanese/American writers on this hell, revamp the original timeline if you have to and take that 100 year cycle bullshit away. In the meantime, have a small team release Classic 2D Handhelds or much more preferably, Downloadable Games to provide income for the main game and if the 2D games good reception make, keep 'em coming. Developers need to dream big and need to keep their fans happy, that is fact. But fans also need to accept some changes when they want their favourite titles to survive. I think MGS 1-4 are masterpieces but would I still want to play such linear games like that in the future? Nope. Therefore, there needs to be changes. The Action Alert and Regen Health sure pissed a lot of people and even me off, but hey, I began to take positive notes after a time. The next Castlevania developers need to co exist well with fans.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: shelverton. on January 03, 2015, 06:44:21 AM
In terms of the game world I am all for it to be somewhat open, but I dunno about "sandbox". It makes me think of Elder Scrolls which is, IMO, not the greatest fit here. I still want the areas to be areas, with great level design, not just an open, realistic countryside where everything is seamless. I still think the Castlevania game world could be laid out like Dark Souls, or possibly even Ocarina of Time/Twilight Princess (which would be a good fit for a 3D Simon's Questesque game).

Dark Souls is open but not sandboxy, and it has clearly defined areas. Whoever designs the next big Castlevania should study the level design in Dark Souls, not Skyrim. But maybe that's just me... dunno.

They should also study the combat in Dark Souls, not God of War. (without making Castlevania a Souls clone, of course). Then we can talk.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Flame on January 03, 2015, 09:15:33 AM
But souls is a terrible idea of how Castlevania combat should work. Souls combat is focused on defensive play, with strategic counters when an enemy is vulnerable. Shield, strafe, and attack while they are recovering from their attack.

Maybe bloodborne will be a better example, but I doubt it, seing as how its just the same gameplay minus the shield, with a dodge added.

If I'm a whip wielding Belmont, I want to be able to do some cool shit with it. I thought LoS had the right idea. It felt like a natural evolution of LoI's combat. It was also a bit simpler. LoS2 has 2 different weapons aside from the whip, LoS just had the whip, and subweapons, with a light and dark magic system to power up the whip.

too combat focused? no doubt. CV should have a bigger focus on the world and environments, AKA it should have some level design and platforming, and not just shimmy ledges.

but I thought LoS combat, even if you tone it down a notch, can still work.

that said, I can see the merit of not having combos. in LoI particularly, they felt really clunky and useless compared to just mashing the 2 attack buttons. and in LoS, while they were cool, and sometimes useful, mashing attack was still usually superior, with maybe 1 combo out of all of them being real good. (Chainsaw, i think?)

so just leaving it at straight and area attacks has some merit too.

Honestly I dont think its possible to really please everyone with a 3D castlevania. someone will always complain about something.

And its hard to make a whip moveset that is satisfying, but isnt reminiscent of something else.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Nagumo on January 03, 2015, 10:46:45 AM
I was going to say the same thing as Shelverton. Sand box games usually have really lifeless worlds. And perhaps more importantly, in practice you'll just end up using fast travel to quickly warp between places, making such kind off games just having a glorified level select option. I'd prefer a Dark Souls type of game world, too. Or like Demon Souls' where you can choose between five different "worlds" with 3 or 4 stages each would be fine, too. It really wouldn't matter as long as the areas would be well designed.

I would like a battle system similar to Souls as well. Everybody assumes a 3D Castlevania should always have combos, but this would be way more fun. Every attack you make actually carries weight just like in the classic games. It's way more satisfying and intense. 
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Hiryu on January 03, 2015, 10:57:11 AM
For you open world guys, are you wanting a remake of Castlevania 64, haha. I recall the initial game plan was to call for more "openness," villages/people, and different monsters during night time hours. :)
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: crisis on January 03, 2015, 11:54:53 AM
the fanbase doesnt know what it wants
we want everything & nothing at the same time
with a lil bit of something in between
which doesnt make much sense, which is the point
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: shelverton. on January 03, 2015, 12:16:49 PM
i have rather lukewarm feelings for Castlevania 64 and Legacy of Darkness (don't hate them, don't love them either) but I wouldn't mind a combat system like that again, albeit tweaked and perfected and improved uppn and so on. It was rather snappy and simple and felt more like "Castlevania in 3D" than LoI, CoD or LoS ever did to me.

I wish to see a 3D action game again that doesn't necessarily focus on combos. I mean, it could have combos to a certain degree, but I prefer to move at a steady pace through the environments rather than being stuck in arena type battles every other screen. But maybe those things are reserved for Mario platformers these days.

I know I have mentioned PS2 Shinobi millions of times before but I think it was an interesting alternative to DMC and GoW combat. It was really challenging even though enemies had very little health most of the time. The pacing was fucking excellent in that game. You were always pushing forward. Perhaps not ideal for Castlevania but my point is that 3D combat can be done in sooooo many ways. Game developers need to study, study, study. Find inspiration from something unexpected whydontcha.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: crisis on January 03, 2015, 12:30:16 PM
well the reason u were always pushing forward was cuz your sword Akujiki was slowly but consistently depleting your health, so u had no choice but to "feed" it with enemies blood to keep yours constant lol. i guess it was a form of an artificial countdown clock if u think about it

but that was a cool gimmick, aside from that the general pacing & somewhat frenzy-ness of the game is kinda what a 3D cv should adhere to especially the difficulty
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Dremn on January 03, 2015, 01:31:12 PM
Personally I like the standard level progression of LoS1, made the game feel like a journey. I'm not too keen on open world games unless they are certain franchises.

In my opinion, they should go and try to remake/reimagine a Simon's Quest like game in 3D if they want to make an open world Castlevania.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: X on January 03, 2015, 01:32:30 PM
I daresay that if they should decide to remake Simon's Quest into a sandbox 3D game then we are already on our way with the map:

http://www.chapelofresonance.com/wiki/images/f/fd/Nesatlas-map.jpg (http://www.chapelofresonance.com/wiki/images/f/fd/Nesatlas-map.jpg)

Though small in comparison to other Sandbox worlds of today, Konami could expand upon it and give more areas to explore and cleans of evil. A village under siege by Zombies or Ghouls? Need to clean house with a secret coven of witches in the mountains? Need to guard a caravan on it's way to a fortress? Rid a forest infested with giant spiders? Clean out a cave inhabited by troublesome werewolves? Complete the main quest to bring about Castlevania and slay Dracula? Bring on the Belmont.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Zetheraxza on January 03, 2015, 02:47:35 PM
Sandboxes are not lifeless. Maybe early ones did. But of course, knowing Castlevania, we need areas. Ranging from small villages to a few good size towns. There will be open vistas with realistic animals around. But then there are Swamps and forests where you fight wicked beasts and then there are graves, caves, dungeons, necromancer's layers and mansions in this world. I want Castlevania game that's alive. LoS has good combat, but I don't wanna be in a combat that takes too long or locks me in an area unless there are bosses. A little bit of WoW undead themed dungeons and ES V like map is perfect for Castlevania in my opinion. Make an ambitious game. Fox Engine Graphic Power house. Give it mod compatibility. Hell, create your own Vampire hunter with Game+ Mode with dynamic reputation/karmic system.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: olrox2 on January 04, 2015, 09:46:03 AM
I know what i would want and it would be simple.

A Castlevania "iga way" on 3ds.Big castle, lot of exploration. Cool powers to collect. Ambitious game that would equal Sotn.

OR

A Platform game pre Sotn style.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Chernabogue on January 04, 2015, 10:53:11 AM
I'd be okay with another LoS game. Those guys gave us a timeline where 500 years of Belmont vs. Dracula can happen. So yeah.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Nagumo on January 04, 2015, 12:42:52 PM
From my experience, navigating sandbox games isn't any fun since the terrain you walk through is just there to fill up space with nothing much going on. I suppose it's interesting the first time around when you're searching for a particular location, but it becomes a chore afterwards, which is why the fast travel feature exists. I think if they would do a Castlevania game like that there would be lots of dull environments, probably lots of dull forests. The idea sounds good on paper, but the execution fails almost all of the time, if not always.

On a side note, sandbox games I think have always a day/night cycle, but why would you want to play a Castlevania game which takes place during the day? I did kind off work in Simon's Quest, but that's because the landscape has that gloomy, Überwald, stereotypical Transylvania feel to it. I don't have the confidence they would be able (or willing) to replicate that atmosphere in such a game.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Neobelmont on January 04, 2015, 08:19:32 PM
From my experience, navigating sandbox games isn't any fun since the terrain you walk through is just there to fill up space with nothing much going on. I suppose it's interesting the first time around when you're searching for a particular location, but it becomes a chore afterwards, which is why the fast travel feature exists. I think if they would do a Castlevania game like that there would be lots of dull environments, probably lots of dull forests. The idea sounds good on paper, but the execution fails almost all of the time, if not always.

On a side note, sandbox games I think have always a day/night cycle, but why would you want to play a Castlevania game which takes place during the day? I did kind off work in Simon's Quest, but that's because the landscape has that gloomy, Überwald, stereotypical Transylvania feel to it. I don't have the confidence they would be able (or willing) to replicate that atmosphere in such a game.

I really don't care for sandboxes but let's think how day/night would be an awesome concept.
1. The most obvious being the strength and weaknesses of certain monsters. Not going to explain this one

2. Side questing would be interesting. For instance let's say one would have to go into Hoia Forest( here's a link to some information http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoia_Forest (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoia_Forest) and more http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_reportedly_haunted_locations_in_Romania (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_reportedly_haunted_locations_in_Romania)). Now it's been stated that forests have been a thing for weird stuff to occur.  and when one goes into it even in the day strange things start to happen maybe a trickster( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trickster (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trickster)) starting to play mind games on you and as time went on things start to get worst yet the best time is to get on during the day because no one wants to mess with stuff like this at night.

Yes the night would of course be bad but the day could be just as bad due to the unknown especially in the case of the supernatural day or night it should not matter if one should not be there well then one should not be there.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: e105beta on January 05, 2015, 02:25:50 PM
If they do choose to go an open world route, I'd prefer the Dark Souls method over a sandbox.

Level design in Castlevania, at least to me, has always been a showcase of sorts. It's one of the major stars of the games, and in the best levels it has always been easy to recall "that spot" or "that room". Simon's Quest had this to an extent, but many of the "to and from" areas were flat and sameish. Portrait of Ruin was downright terrible about this. Portrait worlds were not only repeated, but the rooms within them were repetative. The non-castle portion of OoE suffered from this same lack of iconic design as well. Copy-paste four bridge, four exit, two tree room. Lots of flat hallways that tended to blend together. Most of LoS2's city suffered from this too, save for maybe the courtyard and the vista overlooking the massive chasm by the first Raisa fight.

Symphony of the Night, however, had this in spades. Aside from maybe a handful of hallways, every room was entirely unique in its design, and even the hallways had different challenges within them. OoE's castle channelled this spirit as well, and I enjoyed that LoS was able to keep the locales feeling unique as well. Dark Souls, while being open world, still has areas that have distinct entrances and exits, with unique locations throughout. Just in the first area, you have the dragon bridge, Havel's room, the boar gate, the barrel stairs, that tower with the obnoxious archer, the black knight tower, and more, and I'm sure anyone who has played Dark Souls will know all the locations I'm talking about just by reading this.

That's something I'd want to keep in Castlevania, and the logistics of making a huge sandbox world tend to take that away. Sure, you have a couple distinct rooms, like a courtyard, a park, a tower, etc, but then in between you have a whole bunch of samey roads, samey buildings, etc.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Mike Belmont on January 05, 2015, 02:38:20 PM
I agree with all of the ones who wants a Dark Souls gameplay over a sandbox, if the combat gameplay were different. Sandboxs are fun, but doing the same things over and over is not that fun with the time.

But personally, I think too that a great game needs time. So, meanwhile an HD remake would be great, or a Dracula´s Curse Chronicles for the XBLA or a Rebirth 2... a want a great game with great music and great replayability.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: shelverton. on January 05, 2015, 05:12:51 PM
Oh yes, the music. THE MUSIC!
I miss the soundtracks from before LoS so much. They were such a big part of what made Castlevania special, even in the games that were less than stellar.

Whenever a new game was released, I remember being super excited to hear the new tunes, more so than with any other video game franchise I can think of. And I know I'm not the only one. The music in Castlevania had a life of its own. Today I can't tell LoS apart from *insert epic orchestral game/movie OST* :(

Even if the next Castlevania is an 8-bit "watch-paint-dry"-simulator I can totally get behind it if the soundtrack is as superb as it always was between 1986-2010 (or whenever Mercurysteam decided to "fix" the one thing that was NEVER broken in this franchise - the spectacularly catchy and memorable music, rivalled only by the NES Mega Man's and, dunno, Squaresoft circa 1990-1997. Oh, and NES Sunsoft and Natsume.)
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: theANdROId on January 05, 2015, 07:43:38 PM
How about a "LEGO Castlevania" ;-D  Might even bring back the campiness!
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Shiroi Koumori on January 05, 2015, 09:16:31 PM
Did you just say Lego?! Hell yeah, bring it on! Camp is good.  ;D
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: BLOOD MONKEY on January 06, 2015, 08:51:06 AM
Noooooo. Right now, I'd be happy with a PC/XBONE/PS4/WIIU remake of SotN using the Saturn version with HD graphic and music remixes the members of the dungeon got together to make!
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Kingshango on January 06, 2015, 10:18:55 AM
I wouldn't mind a remaster of Castlevania Chronicles.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: piscesdreams on January 06, 2015, 06:07:33 PM
LoS and MoF were good games in their own right. I haven't play LoS2 however.
But they were imo, incredibly lacking the CV "feel". Sure they were similar enough, but it didn't feel true.
I think I would have thought more highly of them had they stuck with just Lords of Shadow as the title and didn't label it as Castlevania.
Yeah, it's placebo. But to be fair, Castlevania hasn't felt the same since Bloodlines to me. Though I didn't play Dracula XX upon it's release.

All that being said, I'm down for mostly HD remasters of games (I previously mentioned SCIV, but I forgot about all of the other wonderful games that are almost just as good) such as Castlevania Chronicles, Bloodlines, or hey...even an Adventure Rebirth 2.

But if they went with a new game, I would simply want the 1999 game. Metroidvania or level by level, I don't really care.

I used to look down on IGA's style of games, and Harmony of Despair was largely a joke. But at this point, I'd rather have him back than Dave Cox.

But I really wish we could get some of the original team members from the first 4 or 5 games and have an all new, larger than life adventure in 2D format.

LoS2 isn't even a year old at this point now, so I don't expect anything anytime soon. I would just like Konami to say "yeah, we're doing something that is 2D".
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Chernabogue on January 06, 2015, 10:25:42 PM
Angry Birds: Castlevania.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: shelverton. on January 07, 2015, 09:38:35 AM
Angry Birds: Castlevania.

I can get behind this.

No, but seriously. I wish to play as a medusa head, flying through Drac's Castle trying to avoid Belmonts and stuff. Was there ever a Flappy Bird type game with a medusa head? It seems made for that.

No.
NO!

Must. Remain. Sane.

Next Castlevania will be a 2D retro romp by Yacht Club Games. Calling it now! (Or rather: Keeping fingers crossed)
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Ratty on January 07, 2015, 12:53:39 PM
I wouldn't mind a remaster of Castlevania Chronicles.

Yeah for all of us who didn't have a PSP. A nice PC port would be cool. For that matter while I'm not big on rebuying things I already own if they put out the older games on steam and gave them achievements I'd rebuy them just for the fun of trying to get all the achievements.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Chernabogue on January 07, 2015, 12:55:28 PM
Metroidvania HD collection w/ SotN, CotM, HoD, AoS, DoS, PoR, and OoE.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Shiroi Koumori on January 07, 2015, 08:03:40 PM
Metroidvania HD collection w/ SotN, CotM, HoD, AoS, DoS, PoR, and OoE.
... for all consoles including PC!
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Morning star on January 08, 2015, 11:53:06 PM
Did you just say Lego?! Hell yeah, bring it on! Camp is good.  ;D

I agree with both of you on this one. Everything really would be awesome lol.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: theANdROId on January 09, 2015, 01:14:23 PM
I really wish they'd give it a try!  While I've heard about the many Lego games from a plethora of sources, they all had tons of positive stuff to say about them!  I realize that we're quite a picky crowd, but somehow it feels like it would just work...like it would just fit!  I think they could even make it work well to have some of both play-styles -- Classic- and Metroid- vania style play.  And it's already satisfying to see skeletons explode into pieces...now it can be even more entertaining!
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Shiroi Koumori on January 10, 2015, 12:56:10 AM
I would assure you Castlevania would be perfect for the Lego style gameplay.
I have played 2 Lego games (LOTR and Marvel) and all I can say is. "Everything is awesome!" and "Smash all the Legos!"
They are easy to play but there are loads of collectibles in each stage that would require several playthroughs just to collect them all.
I would buy more of these Lego games once prices start dropping.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Anglachel on January 25, 2015, 12:26:19 PM
Heads up, guys. I was creeping  :P on the Enric Twitter page, and these two caught my attention. They should catch yours as well.


Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Chernabogue on January 25, 2015, 12:49:15 PM
If only MS kicked out Enric after he butchered LoS2... Anyway, if they give us a nice LoS3, I would be happy.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: BLOOD MONKEY on January 25, 2015, 01:01:19 PM
If only MS kicked out Enric after he butchered LoS2... Anyway, if they give us a nice LoS3, I would be happy.

The first LoS was bad

Just give us 1999

or Dracula's big comeback in 3068, where he ends up killing Alexander Belmont, and he takes over the world, and Dracula ends up killing himself because Alucard fights him and tells hime what happened with Lisa because he was resurrected prematurely between SOTN and LoD but thats a different game with a bunch of run on sentances
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Kingshango on January 25, 2015, 01:48:09 PM
Since every single company has been riding on the remaster bandwagon, it makes total sense that It's most likely gonna end up being Castlevania Lords of Shadow: Remastered (or Revamped for maximum pun) collection for the X1, PS4 and PC.




Just give us 1999


Practically everyone involved with crafting the 1999 story is long gone. Like the 90's themselves, 1999 is over, that ball dropped 16 years ago. The best hope you could ask for is fan made game but good luck to whoever decides to do that before Konami comes in with a C&D letter.







Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Koutei on January 25, 2015, 04:55:26 PM
Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. applied to the Japanese Patent Office for a trademark of Lords of Shadow on December 19, 2014.
https://twitter.com/trademark_bot/status/558874350255095808

Lords of Shadow 2 Japanese version was sold on September 4, 2014. It may be one by which this trademark application means a new game.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Nagumo on January 26, 2015, 02:29:19 AM
It may be one by which this trademark application means a new game.

(https://castlevaniadungeon.net/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fabload.de%2Fimg%2F0484_izrml.gif&hash=f71cc2ba07d241f93ea202131e45bf47)
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: shelverton. on January 26, 2015, 02:48:43 AM
They cannot be serious. Another LoS?

I want everything called Lords of Shadow to go away already. It's not funny anymore. You've had three games, please don't make a FOURTH one...  :'(

I hope it turns out to be a false rumour, but if not... Well, thank God for other games/franchises. 2015 is gonna be sweet regardless.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Shiroi Koumori on January 26, 2015, 03:02:20 AM
Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. applied to the Japanese Patent Office for a trademark of Lords of Shadow on December 19, 2014.
https://twitter.com/trademark_bot/status/558874350255095808

Oh boy, here we go again.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Kingshango on January 26, 2015, 03:36:48 AM
Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. applied to the Japanese Patent Office for a trademark of Lords of Shadow on December 19, 2014.
https://twitter.com/trademark_bot/status/558874350255095808

Lords of Shadow 2 Japanese version was sold on September 4, 2014. It may be one by which this trademark application means a new game.

Come on down folks and place ya bets!

Castlevania Lords of Shadow Remastered collection or Lords of Shadow 3?

Either way whatever wins we lose!
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Chernabogue on January 26, 2015, 03:56:23 AM
Either way whatever wins we lose!
I think we have better chances to be pleased with a new game than a PS4/XBO port. The chances are small, but new content > remaster.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Shinobi on January 26, 2015, 04:01:51 AM
Reposting my quote:

Quote
Sounds like it will be going to be the similar case as Transformers, the japanese love the american take on their japanese toyline Diaclone so they also use the Transformer brand as well as making their own sequels of G1 cartoon series and completely abandoned the Diaclone brand.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Inccubus on January 26, 2015, 04:42:01 AM
I'm betting on an HD "collection" that only has LoS 1 & 2 without including MoF.
Whatever, I'm more excited this year for the new Zelda and Xenoblade.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: angevil on January 26, 2015, 09:32:37 AM
For me this is better than a new CV game:
Requiem for the Gods - Castlevania The Concert
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjZ-i9KQE18 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjZ-i9KQE18)

I wish we would see the whole concert in such amazing quality!
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: X on January 26, 2015, 09:50:06 AM
Quote
Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. applied to the Japanese Patent Office for a trademark of Lords of Shadow on December 19, 2014.
https://twitter.com/trademark_bot/status/558874350255095808

Lords of Shadow 2 Japanese version was sold on September 4, 2014. It may be one by which this trademark application means a new game.

Ugh... Fuckkady fuck. Does anyone wish to voluntarily go back in time and Shang-hai Mercurysteam so they could never produce LoS? Or at least never go back on their word about what we were expecting LoS to originally be?
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Kingshango on January 26, 2015, 11:36:06 AM
Ugh... Fuckkady fuck. Does anyone wish to voluntarily go back in time and Shang-hai Mercurysteam so they could never produce LoS? Or at least never go back on their word about what we were expecting LoS to originally be?

Frankly, I would go back in time and burn Konami HQ to the ground for killing Bomberman, but that's another story.

However, instead I'd go to Mercurysteam and tell them to not bother with Castlevania, or Lords of Shadow and just make a sequel to Severance Blade of Darkness.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Nagumo on January 26, 2015, 11:39:44 AM
I don't want to get anyone's hopes up up, but I just remembered something. A while ago there was a leak of several pachislots/panchiko's Konami was going to release. Several of them already did end up getting released, so the list is definitely legitimate. One of the IPs one the list was Castlevania. Revently, there has been a rumor they are going to announce this Castlevania pachinko in the spring. Which got me thinking, could it be a LoS pachinko? The Pachislots recycled assets from the PS2 games, and since the LoS games have been the only 3D games released in the last couple of years, it would make sense if they would recycle assets from those games for that. I'm going to laugh if that turns out to be true.   
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Shinobi on January 26, 2015, 11:43:25 AM
Ugh... Fuckkady fuck. Does anyone wish to voluntarily go back in time and Shang-hai Mercurysteam so they could never produce LoS? Or at least never go back on their word about what we were expecting LoS to originally be?

I'll be more happy to volunteer if it's IGA in place of Mercurysteam, then Bloodletting came true instead of Symphony of the Night.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Anglachel on January 26, 2015, 11:46:25 AM
Summoning Bergaron.

Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Shiroi Koumori on January 26, 2015, 11:47:02 PM
Which got me thinking, could it be a LoS pachinko? The Pachislots recycled assets from the PS2 games, and since the LoS games have been the only 3D games released in the last couple of years, it would make sense if they would recycle assets from those games for that. I'm going to laugh if that turns out to be true.   

ROTFLOL!
Your theory seems very likely to happen.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Chernabogue on January 27, 2015, 12:04:29 AM
If there's something that could bring any more hate than LoS games here, that's Pachislot LOL
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Flame on January 27, 2015, 10:04:12 AM
I really dont want another LoS game as long as Alvarez is involved. He fucked up bad with what was a perfectly good thing. LoS was a good game and a fresh take. He fucking ruined it with his ego.

Hell, half the people who worked on LoS aren't even there anymore, having packed up and left during 2's development, including the artist.

Fuck, just let it end already. He's done enough damage to LoS. All those years of hype for LoS2, and what a letdown it fucking was.

That said, maybe this time we'll get an ACTUAL fucking conclusion?

One can only hope, but with Alvarez heading the script? yeah, nah. Shit's gonna blow.

or better yet, give LoS to Kojima. If anyone can salvage that trainwrecked story it's him.

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: X on January 27, 2015, 11:08:03 AM
LOL! Nice one Flame  ;D
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Rugal on January 27, 2015, 11:48:59 AM
I really dont want another LoS game as long as Alvarez is involved. He fucked up bad with what was a perfectly good thing. LoS was a good game and a fresh take. He fucking ruined it with his ego.

Hell, half the people who worked on LoS aren't even there anymore, having packed up and left during 2's development, including the artist.

Fuck, just let it end already. He's done enough damage to LoS. All those years of hype for LoS2, and what a letdown it fucking was.

That said, maybe this time we'll get an ACTUAL fucking conclusion?

One can only hope, but with Alvarez heading the script? yeah, nah. Shit's gonna blow.

or better yet, give LoS to Kojima. If anyone can salvage that trainwrecked story it's him.

(click to show/hide)

Man, your tune sure changed, hasn't it?
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Flame on January 27, 2015, 12:26:15 PM
Man, your tune sure changed, hasn't it?
Not really.

I liked LoS.

I enjoyed MoF.

I still defend the idea behind it, and the initial story ideas.

What i don't defend, is Alvarez fucking all that up.

I was let down by LoS2, because it was such a hack job. It had a lot of good stuff, and loads of potential- the castle bits, are fantastic. The intro with the modern city, is pretty good. the gameplay, is amazing, and ridiculously fluid and responsive.

but it's bogged down by all the shit, including the modern city maps, the modern city enemies, and unfortunately, the modern city story. Zobek was a great Death fight, but he can't make up for the shitty ending.

Which is the worst part. i could forgive everything else if not for the ending being so fucking bad.

thing is, I wouldn't mind another LoS game, if 2 had actually been great. Instead, we saw that loS went to Alvarez's head, and he single handedly fucked up 2 because it had to be "his vision", while the last 2 were labors of love and respect from the devs, who obviously had nostalgia for classicvanias.

if a new LoS game would come out, it would be Alvarez's LoS. And that's not a LoS I want to see more of.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Claimh Solais on January 27, 2015, 08:39:15 PM
Not really.

I liked LoS.

I enjoyed MoF.

I still defend the idea behind it, and the initial story ideas.

What i don't defend, is Alvarez fucking all that up.

I was let down by LoS2, because it was such a hack job. It had a lot of good stuff, and loads of potential- the castle bits, are fantastic. The intro with the modern city, is pretty good. the gameplay, is amazing, and ridiculously fluid and responsive.

but it's bogged down by all the shit, including the modern city maps, the modern city enemies, and unfortunately, the modern city story. Zobek was a great Death fight, but he can't make up for the shitty ending.

Which is the worst part. i could forgive everything else if not for the ending being so fucking bad.

thing is, I wouldn't mind another LoS game, if 2 had actually been great. Instead, we saw that loS went to Alvarez's head, and he single handedly fucked up 2 because it had to be "his vision", while the last 2 were labors of love and respect from the devs, who obviously had nostalgia for classicvanias.

if a new LoS game would come out, it would be Alvarez's LoS. And that's not a LoS I want to see more of.

Holy crap, that's exactly how I feel about the LoS trilogy.

LoS1 was damn fantastic. I was still in school and I didn't have money when it came out, so I didn't get to play it right away. I think it was until 2012 that I actually got a copy of LoS and finally played it, and I loved it. It's definitely one of my favorite games I've played.

MoF was a bit disappointing, but it was still a very enjoyable experience. Again, I didn't get to play it when it came out, because I didn't own a 3DS. I didn't play it until later that year, when I nabbed the HD version for $15 on PS3. I got to play it with all the big changes that it made to the original version, and it really felt like Castlevania to me. It was just really short.

LoS2... damn, the trailers and that demo had me hyped. And when I played it, it was off to such a good start.

...And then the first stealth segment happened. And shit just snowballed from there. In the end, it was a good game. Just good. Not great, not even a really memorable experience.

The Revelations DLC was far better than the actual game itself.

I'd be all over an LoS3, if they just got rid of Alvarez. LoS2 could have been incredible, but it was bogged down because of that douche at the helm.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Anglachel on January 29, 2015, 07:50:14 AM
Spoiler alert: Lords of Shadow 2 was all a dream in Gabriel's head while he was in his coffin. Satan will return for real in Lords of Shadow 3.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Chernabogue on January 29, 2015, 11:32:32 AM
Spoiler alert: Lords of Shadow 2 was all a dream in Gabriel's head while he was in his coffin. Satan will return for real in Lords of Shadow 3.
That'd be something Kojima would do.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Kingshango on January 29, 2015, 11:59:35 AM
I said this before some time ago but even if they do make a LOS3, how could they even continue the story? Everyone is dead except for Dracula and Alucard, Satan is no longer a threat and the Belmonts have gone extinct. The only way LOS3 can even be a thing is if it's either a prequel or they come up with a time travel plot that retcons everything like Days of Future Past.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Chernabogue on January 29, 2015, 01:20:12 PM
I said this before some time ago but even if they do make a LOS3, how could they even continue the story? Everyone is dead except for Dracula and Alucard, Satan is no longer a threat and the Belmonts have gone extinct. The only way LOS3 can even be a thing is if it's either a prequel or they come up with a time travel plot that retcons everything like Days of Future Past.
Or they could do like MoF and tell the story of another Belmont/character.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Nagumo on January 29, 2015, 01:50:47 PM
I remember there were rumours of a prequel. Not sure how they could extend that beyond one game, though.

I'm no expert on LoS canon, but did Gabula die more than once? The LoS2 intro just glosses over the entire period between it and MoF. If that's the case, the filler basically writes itself. 
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Anglachel on January 29, 2015, 06:50:28 PM
Gabriel does imply that he fought more Belmonts, or at the very least holy warriors, between the events of Mirror and LOS2 prologue. Something like, "This paladin will be like the others before him."
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Dremn on January 30, 2015, 03:14:22 PM
So that trademark claim means more LoS on the way then huh.

Damn, I'm never gonna get a good 3DS Castlevania game am I?
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Anglachel on January 30, 2015, 03:59:49 PM
Let's believe for a second that another LoS is being made. The good thing that can be taken away from it is that the Castlevania brand is still relevant to Konami and they want to see more made.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: crisis on January 30, 2015, 06:05:12 PM
Quote from: Kingshango
I said this before some time ago but even if they do make a LOS3, how could they even continue the story? Everyone is dead except for Dracula and Alucard, Satan is no longer a threat and the Belmonts have gone extinct. The only way LOS3 can even be a thing is if it's either a prequel or they come up with a time travel plot that retcons everything like Days of Future Past.

a while ago before los2 was released, i had a theory that in the climax, dracula uses the time machine located in his castle to travel back in time to prevent himself from turning & rescuing carmilla cornell & zobek (maybe even throw St. Germain in there to really mess with things),  thus obliterating this timeline and allowing for the "canon" timeline to exist starting with lament,

i think that wouldve been a better ending than the 1 we got
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Shiroi Koumori on January 30, 2015, 11:08:07 PM
^ yes. definitely better. BUT it won't happen.  :(
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Flame on January 31, 2015, 12:29:58 AM
a while ago before los2 was released, i had a theory that in the climax, dracula uses the time machine located in his castle to travel back in time to prevent himself from turning & rescuing carmilla cornell & zobek (maybe even throw St. Germain in there to really mess with things),  thus obliterating this timeline and allowing for the "canon" timeline to exist starting with lament,

i think that wouldve been a better ending than the 1 we got
or changing the status quo so instead of Gabriel becoming Dracula, he just has a normal fucking family, and we can get other belmonts doing their thing.

I know Castlevania is sort of weird without Dracula, but i DID always wish we'd get some other big bad evil monster overlords that aren't just shown up by Dracula in the end. Walter was cool. Though he was still just a Dracula stand-in. AoS was cool, as Dracula wasn't a villain at all, but the fucking protagonist, the main villain was basically the castle itself, and a mad cultist trying to obtain it's power.

I liked that in LoS, the villain thing was 3fold. you had 3 big bads, each representing a different prominent mythos character. A Werewolf, a Vampire, and Death. With an ancient demon thrown in for good measure, and Satan, because if you're gonna introduce Hell into the series(DoS), you might as well go all the way.

I'd be all for prequels with other Belmonts vs Dracula.

I liked that aspect of MoF, but I feel it was held back by it's awkward gameplay.

I LIKED LoS2's gameplay. the combat, specifically. the open world aspect was poorly done in general, though the castle was alright. I prefer LoS' chapter method, as it also allows for replaying bosses.

In the end I guess only time will tell.

That'd be something Kojima would do.
Im probably like the only person who'd actually be very ok with kojima directing a Castlevania. Knowing him, it'd be campy as hell, with a cheesy as fuck plot.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Dremn on January 31, 2015, 03:54:35 AM
They could reboot LoS altogether so LoS2 isn't canon anymore, I dunno how else they could continue the series.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: shelverton. on January 31, 2015, 04:31:02 AM
If anything, the LoS games look FANTASTIC in screenshots. I'd argue that the pre-release screenshots for both LoS and LoS2 could be considered trolling. Or fraud.

If LoS3 is ever gonna be a thing I'd recommend Mercurysteam to release it in the form of, y'know - a BOOK. With screenshots. That is all.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Anglachel on January 31, 2015, 08:20:13 AM
I still want a complete remake of LOS2. It won't happen, but that's what would make me the most happy.

I'm curious, has there been a video game remake that changed not only the graphics, but the game-play, story, characters, etc.?
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: theANdROId on January 31, 2015, 09:38:28 AM
What if they retell the original timeline, or either one really, but gender switch every character like the two "worlds" in Adventure Time!? ;-D

Heh...Gabriella Belmont...or Gabriellula X-D

(I am trying to be funny...but I don't think I'd actually be against such an idea.  Might cost more than it'd be worth...but still fun to think about!)
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Kingshango on January 31, 2015, 10:05:22 AM
I still want a complete remake of LOS2. It won't happen, but that's what would make me the most happy.

I'm curious, has there been a video game remake that changed not only the graphics, but the game-play, story, characters, etc.?

The Twin Snakes kinda sorta did in terms of gameplay but the story and characters were pretty much the same. Except for maybe rocket jumping Snake that is.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: DoctaMario on January 31, 2015, 11:30:21 AM
If anything, the LoS games look FANTASTIC in screenshots. I'd argue that the pre-release screenshots for both LoS and LoS2 could be considered trolling. Or fraud.

If LoS3 is ever gonna be a thing I'd recommend Mercurysteam to release it in the form of, y'know - a BOOK. With screenshots. That is all.

They're probably from the PC version. I don't know which version you played, but if your PC could handle the higher settings, the games are GORGEOUS.

That said, I'm not sure if I'd want another LoS unless Alvarez knows his damn role and lets people do what they know how to do. LoS2 wasn't good because they'd do something cool and then follow it with a bunch of modern day city crap. The whole Wolf Medallion thing wasn't cool either IMO. And it seems like it would be a hard to screw up the player taking the role of Dracula, but somehow they managed to do it. I don't even remember the ending. LoS1 at least had a memorable ending.

I think it would be interesting to explore what might have happened if Gabriel hadn't drunk Laura's blood and taken down the Forgotten One. He wouldn't have become a vampire and the story would have turned out differently; it might be exploring as an alternate timeline possibility.

Or they could just port Castlevania The Arcade (why hasn't this been done yet?)
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: deadsanto123 on January 31, 2015, 03:52:07 PM
Ill give my first born for another castlevania like OoE
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: BLOOD MONKEY on January 31, 2015, 05:23:37 PM
Ill give my first born for another castlevania like OoE

Ahem... Don't you mean SotN or RoB?
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Dracul_Belmont on January 31, 2015, 05:50:36 PM
If another LOS is being made, I think that it would involve Dracula as the main and ultimate antagonist. Maybe Gabriel would shed his vampiric side, becoming a battle of Gabriel Belmont vs Dracula (Inner Dracula or something). Trevor could return and maybe Victor didn't die somehow. That's how I would approach a LOS3 story.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: X on January 31, 2015, 10:54:07 PM
Quote
If another LOS is being made, I think that it would involve Dracula as the main and ultimate antagonist. Maybe Gabriel would shed his vampiric side, becoming a battle of Gabriel Belmont vs Dracula (Inner Dracula or something).

Kinda like the lords of shadow. Where they had shed their wickedness and ascended to heaven leaving behind their negative and bestial attributes. The same could be done with Gabriel where he sheds all that is evil inside of him and can finally ascend--thus leaving behind a very evil and menacing Dracula who has absolutely no shred of compassion within him. The kind of Dracula CV should have had from the get-go rather then the emo guy we got in the end.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Dremn on February 01, 2015, 06:00:40 AM
I just expect Gabriel/Dracula as the protagonist again against some kind of new force with Alucard helping out. It will have absolutely nothing to do with "Castlevania" at that point.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Anglachel on February 01, 2015, 08:01:59 AM
I bet Zobek would return. He's hinted at being alive somewhere. Galamoth could be thrown in the mix too.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Dremn on February 01, 2015, 09:18:44 AM
I wonder if Sir Patrick Stewart would even want to work on LoS again.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Nagumo on February 01, 2015, 11:04:33 AM
Not to grind anyone's gears, but what's so compelling about the LoS timeline that people want to see more stories in it anyway? While it's I'm not not a fan of these games, but even if one really likes them, wouldn't you agree that the writing, even in the first game, is really, really bad?

Like how overwritten the first game but nothing really matters except what happend in the DLC? The awful gambit pileup at the end where the manipulator immediately turned out to be manipulated by yet another manipulator? Or how Gabula seems to decent motivation for doing what he does aside from "because he's Dracula"? The presence of the Belmont family and their feud with Dracula being inherently pointless as it stops being relevant after 60 years in a 1000+ year timeline? And of course gems like "Castlevania City".

It tries to emulate of the same story beats of the IGA timeline but without any thought given to if it makes sense or not. It's a complete and utter mess. Certainly Castlevania can do much better?       
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: X on February 01, 2015, 11:56:11 AM
Castlevania can certainly do better however like Mercurysteam IGA was also not the greatest story-teller either. What Castlevania needs is a really good writer; someone who can keep a coherent stance on the way the story unfolds, and also a editor; someone who can spot elements that clash with the story and iron them out. Neither Mercurysteam nor IGA had an editor for their works so lots of elements just got in the way, didn't make any sense, and/or were just plain useless and ambiguous.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Chernabogue on February 01, 2015, 01:09:19 PM
Castlevania can certainly do better however like Mercurysteam IGA was also not the greatest story-teller either. What Castlevania needs is a really good writer; someone who can keep a coherent stance on the way the story unfolds, and also a editor; someone who can spot elements that clash with the story and iron them out. Neither Mercurysteam nor IGA had an editor for their works so lots of elements just got in the way, didn't make any sense, and/or were just plain useless and ambiguous.
My thoughts exactly. Which is a shame, since Castlevania has (had?) so much potential for great stories.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Kingshango on February 01, 2015, 01:29:49 PM
My thoughts exactly. Which is a shame, since Castlevania has (had?) so much potential for great stories.

This.

However, I and many others, would mind if the story was the same old "Dracula has awoken after 100 years, Belmont seeks out to defeat him" storyline and nothing more else.

I just want a Castlevania game, period at this point 

Instead we're probably getting a remaster collection and a million bucks says it's gonna be the Lords of Shadow remaster collection.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Rugal on February 01, 2015, 01:48:15 PM
No. They need to stop fucking making LoS games. They are BAD GAMES. NO. STOP. BAD.

I can just imagine how they will fuck up Galamoth. He will be a little goblin that throws watches at you or some shit.

Fucking quit it.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Flame on February 01, 2015, 04:42:02 PM
If anything, the LoS games look FANTASTIC in screenshots. I'd argue that the pre-release screenshots for both LoS and LoS2 could be considered trolling. Or fraud.

If LoS3 is ever gonna be a thing I'd recommend Mercurysteam to release it in the form of, y'know - a BOOK. With screenshots. That is all.
LoS games do look fantastic, not just in promotional screenshots.

(click to show/hide)

LoS2 of course, was a case of selective screenshotting, as we got mostly castle shots and a few pre-apocalypse city shots. the city post-apocalypse looks pretty bad. everything else does look good though. But I played PC so I dunno.


No. They need to stop fucking making LoS games. They are BAD GAMES. NO. STOP. BAD.

I can just imagine how they will fuck up Galamoth. He will be a little goblin that throws watches at you or some shit.

Fucking quit it.
That's just like, your opinion, man. I liked LoS because it felt like a more action evolution of LoI's gameplay. And I liked the character and most of the monster designs. Gabriel especially. MoF had plenty of good designs as well, though the gameplay wasn't quite that good, either as a 2D CV, OR as a LoS game. Story was fine though. LoS2 is the one that shits the bed in regards to level design and story, though even still, the gameplay was just fine, and much refined over LoS1's.

They can't please everyone, and looks like in this case, that's you.

Though- Im not too certain I want another LoS game either after Alvarez fucked up not just the game, inserting himself as head writer and ignoring everyone else, but ruined the studio itself.

LoS either way though, unless japan wants to take a crack at fixing it's mess, (Kojima could SURELY fix LoS2) has run it's course. It was fresh at the time, but its time for something fresh again. IMO, something that embraces some of the earlier camp, and not just the super srs plot side, would be great.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: KaZudra on February 01, 2015, 09:48:07 PM
In actuality, the polarity of opinion of gameplay in the LoS games are still there, I personally love a good hack n slash. The main issue withe the LoS games is how bad the story dropped off at LoS2, which is a pretty easy fix which just involves with a "definitive edition" marketing, not saying much has to be changed, just fill in the plotholes, add a few new stages, and extend parts such as the final battle, and make a playable Dragon mode sequence.

As for the future of Castlevania, the franchise, surely another recreation of the Belmont clan vs. Dracula will come, but I'd rather see some new stories from the non-canon universes, part-vampire Trevor, Cornell in another game, things such as that
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Dremn on February 02, 2015, 09:01:33 AM
However, I and many others, would mind if the story was the same old "Dracula has awoken after 100 years, Belmont seeks out to defeat him" storyline and nothing more else.
In my opinion that's all you need for a story, Castlevania's shouldn't be anymore complicated than that. I find that the moment you try to do something different with the character of Dracula, that's when whatever you're making becomes awkward and hard to take seriously.

The game design is what will really matter.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Little Dracula on February 03, 2015, 04:58:54 AM
I wonder if Sir Patrick Stewart would even want to work on LoS again.

Why not?, it will take very little time for him to record some lines and is money after all and probably he will enjoy playing the character again.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Anglachel on February 03, 2015, 09:09:47 AM
I bet he had a ball recording his boss battle lines.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: X on February 03, 2015, 10:50:23 AM
Quote
In my opinion that's all you need for a story, Castlevania's shouldn't be anymore complicated than that. I find that the moment you try to do something different with the character of Dracula, that's when whatever you're making becomes awkward and hard to take seriously.

^^^
This.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Nagumo on February 06, 2015, 08:48:42 AM
Does anyone think we'll even get a handheld CV this generation? The last game Konami released on the 3DS (at least in the west) was in 2013. Seems like such a waste if they wouldn't put out at least one with some nice spritework.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: shelverton. on February 06, 2015, 11:40:59 AM
Does anyone think we'll even get a handheld CV this generation? The last game Konami released on the 3DS (at least in the west) was in 2013. Seems like such a waste if they wouldn't put out at least one with some nice spritework.

Well, an inhouse developed game sounds unlikely, which leaves us with the question: Who's gonna make it? Mercurysteam? Wayforward? Yacht club?

A trio of handheld Castlevanias were always a given but the 3DS is the first Nintendo device that may very well break the tradition, sadly. I'd say the Vita is out of the question here. Maybe if they make a download exclusive 2D sidescroller for the 3DS? But once again: Who the f**k is gonna make it happen?

Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: KaZudra on February 06, 2015, 11:52:27 AM
Well, an inhouse developed game sounds unlikely, which leaves us with the question: Who's gonna make it? Mercurysteam? Wayforward? Yacht club?

A trio of handheld Castlevanias were always a given but the 3DS is the first Nintendo device that may very well break the tradition, sadly. I'd say the Vita is out of the question here. Maybe if they make a download exclusive 2D sidescroller for the 3DS? But once again: Who the f**k is gonna make it happen?
Hell, Konami could turn a profit with a cheap HD remake of DXC, update some models, slap some new textures on it, and Put it on XBLA, PSN, and Steam for a good $15. The sales would show that people are still interested in Castlevania, by this point I would even buy another Harmony of Despair.

with the 'new' 3DS hitting the market, I'm a bit dissapointed that there isn't at least a new castlevania being teased by now
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Horrorfreak on February 06, 2015, 04:53:45 PM
Just gotta be patient, but I am really craving a new old-school styled Castlevania.  The last one we got was in 2010.  It's been almost five years so it would be nice to see another one, except one that is longer and has more original music score.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: shelverton. on February 06, 2015, 04:55:30 PM
I'm curious to know what happens in Konami planning meetings these days. Especially when they talk about the future of their IPs. Here's what I think:

- So, what should we do next? Let's talk about Suikoden first!
- Uhmm... Screw dat, let's move on.
- Ok.... Sooo... What about Contra? It's been a while!
- Uuuh... That is sooo 80's. Forget it.
- Oh...ok... Well, I was thinking about Gradius the other day and...
- Next!
- Yeah... Of course... Well... Uhmm... Goemon?
- Don't make me laugh.
- Yeah, you're right... Moving on... Castlevania!
- No. Just no. We're not making any money on that old turd.
- Well, it's.... I mean.... You have a point.... So, Metal Gear Solid is...
- YES! OH GOD YES! Let's talk about Metsl Gear Solid!

I made myself depressed now.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Shiroi Koumori on February 07, 2015, 02:13:39 AM
^ You just don't do that to yourself. Promise yourself that.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: deadsanto123 on February 07, 2015, 01:03:51 PM
At this point I would be happy for Harmony of despair on steam. Just something thats not lords of shadow that I could throw money at konami
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: EstebanT on February 08, 2015, 02:23:13 AM
I'm curious to know what happens in Konami planning meetings these days. Especially when they talk about the future of their IPs. Here's what I think:

- So, what should we do next? Let's talk about Suikoden first!
- Uhmm... Screw dat, let's move on.
- Ok.... Sooo... What about Contra? It's been a while!
- Uuuh... That is sooo 80's. Forget it.
- Oh...ok... Well, I was thinking about Gradius the other day and...
- Next!
- Yeah... Of course... Well... Uhmm... Goemon?
- Don't make me laugh.
- Yeah, you're right... Moving on... Castlevania!
- No. Just no. We're not making any money on that old turd.
- Well, it's.... I mean.... You have a point.... So, Metal Gear Solid is...
- YES! OH GOD YES! Let's talk about Metsl Gear Solid!

I made myself depressed now.

You forgot Silent Hill
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Foffy on February 08, 2015, 01:37:17 PM

You forgot Silent Hill

Which is only happening because of Hideo Kojima. He seems to be the only guy the company allows to do what he would like to do. I find that to be a bad thing, for it's the leashing that's essentially killed every other IP he hasn't had a hand behind.

I was hoping something would happen with IGA's Castlevania successor, but hasn't he migrated to mobile games? Isn't that what he wanted to get away from..?
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Kingshango on February 08, 2015, 06:49:44 PM

I was hoping something would happen with IGA's Castlevania successor, but hasn't he migrated to mobile games? Isn't that what he wanted to get away from..?

He did at first. Then he probably realized that he has a family to feed and bills to pay and that mobile games are in right now. Im sure IGA will make his dream game once the mobile well has dried up, which probably will take a while.




Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: DragonSlayr81 on February 11, 2015, 02:32:22 PM
I still think, as of recent, the closest we are going to get to something CV-like is Bloodborne. The newest environment trailer even hits the nail deeper into that belief:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo2tgWAvNlw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo2tgWAvNlw)
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Ratty on February 13, 2015, 03:05:29 AM
I still think, as of recent, the closest we are going to get to something CV-like is Bloodborne. The newest environment trailer even hits the nail deeper into that belief:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo2tgWAvNlw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo2tgWAvNlw)

Looks fantastic. And they even snuck a clock tower in there! Have to believe that was an intentional nod.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Dremn on February 13, 2015, 11:22:41 AM
I still think, as of recent, the closest we are going to get to something CV-like is Bloodborne. The newest environment trailer even hits the nail deeper into that belief:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo2tgWAvNlw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo2tgWAvNlw)
In a perfect world this is actually a Castlevania game.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Flame on February 13, 2015, 11:34:03 AM
Looks fantastic. And they even snuck a clock tower in there! Have to believe that was an intentional nod.
...or... because it's based on victorian England?

Clocktowers are a common victorian set piece as well

I still think, as of recent, the closest we are going to get to something CV-like is Bloodborne. The newest environment trailer even hits the nail deeper into that belief:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo2tgWAvNlw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo2tgWAvNlw)
I'm hesitant to call it anything close to CV. I mean, why, because it's gothic victorian and you play some kind of variant on the undead curse?

Besides, I remember people here hyping up Dark Souls 2 as "the TRUE next castlevania". I wonder where that went after release?
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: EstebanT on February 13, 2015, 03:07:07 PM

Quote
...or... because it's based on victorian England?
NOPE. NOPE. STOP TALKING. Clocktowers = Castlevania.
Take your logic somewhere else, boy.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: shelverton. on February 13, 2015, 06:25:21 PM
There are elements of Dark Souls that Konami should study veeery closely. Level design, atmosphere and pace for starters. Those are done better and more Castlevania-like than Castlevania itself has managed in 3D so far. IMO.

But other than that - No, Dark Souls 1&2 are not "true Castlevania experiences" and I don't think most people would claim that either.

With Bloodborne however, Fromsoft has taken a huge leap towards something that visually looks like the 3D Castlevania I've always wanted. I don't necessarily think the combat is how I'd like it (though maybe a whip could solve that), nor is the punishing difficulty, but it definitely looks like something I wish Konami had done years ago.

If Bloodborne turns out great, and manage to scratch the Castlevania itch for (some of) us, it would be pretty awesome to start some kind of "thank you" campaign, aimed at Fromsoft. It would really funny if thousands of Castlevania fans come together to thank Fromsoft for making the game Konami was incapable of.  ;D Ideally the message would eventually reach Konami so they can feel really f*cking embarrassed about it.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Kaori on February 13, 2015, 10:24:19 PM
Bloodborne may very well cure my crave for a new Castlevania. I have never played a Dark Souls game, because I really had no interest. However, Bloodborne has had my interest ever since I saw the E3 announcement trailer for it. It reminded me of Castlevania, lol. And it still does. Now that I have a PS4 and have only been using the thing for FFXIV, I need more games for it anyway. So even though I need to get Final Fantasy Type-0, I'm going to have to drop money on Bloodborne next month as well. Let's just hope Bloodborne doesn't disappoint me like LoS did.  :P
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Flame on February 14, 2015, 06:47:34 AM
NOPE. NOPE. STOP TALKING. Clocktowers = Castlevania.
Take your logic somewhere else, boy.
very mature

(though maybe a whip could solve that),
well there is that cane whip
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Jorge D. Fuentes on February 14, 2015, 12:46:23 PM
very mature

Pretty sure EstebanT is being facetious, here.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: DragonSlayr81 on February 14, 2015, 01:17:51 PM
I'm hesitant to call it anything close to CV. I mean, why, because it's gothic victorian and you play some kind of variant on the undead curse?

Besides, I remember people here hyping up Dark Souls 2 as "the TRUE next castlevania". I wonder where that went after release?
It won't play like a CV, but I think the atmosphere is more aligned with the "spooky" style I've come to associate with the CV series and the fact it's set in a Victorian era always peaks my interest(I've been aching for a newer 3D Victorian-set CV game for a while). Besides, the first castle and church shown remind me of Hammer film set pieces.

I've never been a supporter of Dark Souls being CV-like simply because regarding the horrific themes within the Dark and Demon Souls series, they are "Dark Medieval Fantasy"(games like the Diablo series would also fit with this) games first, while Castlevania, I tend to believe, has always been "Horror Adventure". It's also why I've grown sick of medival set CV games(like LoS), because they tend to focus on the medieval fantasy aspects rather than the pure horror aspects(though MoF and LoS2 would seek to right the "style", I found both those games far worse than LoS, which I didn't like much to begin with). And while we are on the subject, I did like how DmC actually put in the effort make sections with REAL platforming(where you actually jump over gaps, or elevated platform to elevated platform), which both IGA and MS struggled to do themselves without resorting to the "don't give a shit" mentality of IGA's team(resulting in flat corridors after flat corridors) or the "shimmying, wall climbing and plankwalking equals platforming" mentality of MS(even though they KINDA tried with LoS2, but they could've(and should've) done more. If the CV series EVER comes back, we need that platforming to return as well. You CAN have flat hallways and hell, you can have parts where you have to shimmy through areas, but make the platforming a MAJOR part of the gameplay.

But yeah, until that happens, think the closest(of recent) we'll get to something "CV-like" is Bloodborne. Konami's not interesting in CV right now(they are probably putting their all in MGSV and Silent Hills) and I don't see any other company interested in trying to take a foothold into that "market"(as in "horror adventure"). 
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: mistressalucard on February 14, 2015, 07:26:20 PM
I have the collectors edition of Bloodborne preordered.  When I first saw it a few months back I thought it looks Castlevania ish.  I am sure it will be fun because I like games set in that sort of atmosphere.

And it will hold me over until Witcher 3 comes out or a new Castlevania is announced.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: X on February 15, 2015, 02:17:09 AM
Witcher 3 is already out where I am.

As for Bloodborne game? I may or may not get it. I'm not a fan of the souls' series difficulty and this has led the games to sit out collecting dust rather then being played. But it does look very Castlevania-ish. More-so then the other souls games. And having it look more the Victorian part gives it that classic Bram Stoker's Dracula vib too.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Shinobi on February 16, 2015, 07:26:26 AM
I have seen the screenshots and videos of Bloodborne, nope it doesn't feel a Castlevania-ish for me. It reminds me more of Master of Darkness(In the Wake of the Vampire) for SMS or Frankenstein for SNES which also sets in Victorian place.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Kale on February 21, 2015, 06:39:20 PM
Witcher 3 is already out where I am.

WUT!?
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Flame on February 21, 2015, 08:29:31 PM
I have seen the screenshots and videos of Bloodborne, nope it doesn't feel a Castlevania-ish for me. It reminds me more of Master of Darkness(In the Wake of the Vampire) for SMS or Frankenstein for SNES which also sets in Victorian place.
IMO Bloodborne so far has more of a "Nightmare Creatures" vibe.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Jop on February 26, 2015, 07:53:58 AM
WTF is this?

Anathema - Official Teaser Trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vy4Rw7HxyEU#ws)
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: X on February 26, 2015, 10:03:33 AM
Something that both IGA and Konami should've done a long time ago! Sweet! No-doubt made by oldschool CV fans probably because they feel Konami has essentially failed them. The character is looking quite a bit stiff in her base movements (mainly stair-climbing and whip-swinging) however this looks good to me so I'll definitely want to pick it up upon release.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: angevil on February 26, 2015, 12:19:48 PM
For me, Castlevania is dead, but the old games are still with me in spirit. Castlevania ended with a bang, with Order of Ecclesia.

Lords of shadow is not Castlevania, despite what Konami and game developers wanted you to think. Similar to what a man with make-up, dress and wig would make..he was masked to look as a woman, but he is still a man. Lords was a different game masked and marketed as Castlevania.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Shinobi on February 26, 2015, 01:45:23 PM
For me, Castlevania is dead, but the old games are still with me in spirit. Castlevania ended with a bang, with Order of Ecclesia.

Lords of shadow is not Castlevania, despite what Konami and game developers wanted you to think. Similar to what a man with make-up, dress and wig would make..he was masked to look as a woman, but he is still a man. Lords was a different game masked and marketed as Castlevania.

Dude, ironically that's how I feel with Metroidvania or Igavania games just saying.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Flame on February 27, 2015, 08:17:20 AM
The character animations are atrocious.

Im honestly not really a fan of that prerendered 2D stuff.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Kingshango on February 27, 2015, 05:00:31 PM
WTF is this?

Anathema - Official Teaser Trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vy4Rw7HxyEU#ws)

Art style and visuals makes the game look like one of those cheap throwaway Xbox live indie games, not a fan of that look.

Shame since the gameplay looks pretty straightforward like a traditional 2D Castlevania.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: piscesdreams on February 27, 2015, 07:38:41 PM
I know LoS2 was released around this time last year. And I know Konami is really invested in MGS5, and (hopefully) the new Silent Hill. That said, when they can appropriate a team, I just want a new 2D CV. Preferably an HD remaster of SCIV, or the 1999 game. Seems unlikely though.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Dracula9 on February 27, 2015, 09:41:15 PM
Art style and visuals makes the game look like one of those cheap throwaway Xbox live indie games, not a fan of that look.

Shame since the gameplay looks pretty straightforward like a traditional 2D Castlevania.

Insert comment about not judging books by their cover and how one shouldn't be playing games just because of the graphics here.

If they're really really bad I can understand detracting from the overall experience, but really, I've seen far worse uses of prerenders in games.

Pisces is the one working on Anathema, so we know the gameplay's gonna rock. And honestly, placing such heavy judgments on a game that has been clearly stated by aforementioned creator to be very early in seems counterintuitive. I know that the CV fandom has excruciatingly high standards, but they also want new content that calls back to the good ol' 2D days. Can't have your cake and eat it too, people.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Kingshango on February 28, 2015, 01:33:01 AM
Insert comment about not judging books by their cover and how one shouldn't be playing games just because of the graphics here.

If they're really really bad I can understand detracting from the overall experience, but really, I've seen far worse uses of prerenders in games.

Pisces is the one working on Anathema, so we know the gameplay's gonna rock. And honestly, placing such heavy judgments on a game that has been clearly stated by aforementioned creator to be very early in seems counterintuitive. I know that the CV fandom has excruciatingly high standards, but they also want new content that calls back to the good ol' 2D days. Can't have your cake and eat it too, people.

Didn't mean to come off as a jerk with my comment, it's just how I feel. The backgrounds and the animation just looks a little off (right now, Im not saying it's gonna stay that way since it's clearly a work in progress) I do know it's an unfinished product and im sure Pisces will tune it up. As I said before the gameplay looks solid enough and that ultimately matters in the end. It could look like a Atari 2600 game for all I care as long as the gameplay is fun.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: piscesdreams on February 28, 2015, 08:51:11 AM
No harm no foul. I'll be the first to admit there's tons of work to do. Some of the animations are stiff to me too. It's all a work in progress. :)

As to not derail from the thread though...does anyone feel Konami will make any announcements around E3 for CV?
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: X on February 28, 2015, 09:44:58 AM
Quote
As to not derail from the thread though...does anyone feel Konami will make any announcements around E3 for CV?

Probably not. As mentioned before LoS 2 was only recently released in Japan, and not too long before that, over here. It might be a couple of years or longer before were hear anything CV related.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Kingshango on February 28, 2015, 11:59:59 AM


As to not derail from the thread though...does anyone feel Konami will make any announcements around E3 for CV?

The two most likely scenerio's are:

1. Nothing.
2. Castlevania Lords of Shadow Remastered collection for the current gen consoles.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Shiroi Koumori on February 28, 2015, 11:55:14 PM
I'm going with scenario number 1.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Dracula9 on March 01, 2015, 12:06:26 AM
I'd like to imagine Konami's secretly been working on the DCW game all this time, and has been putting out distraction games to dash the fan's hopes, only to skyrocket them back up with the release of DCW.

I'd like to.

But yes, nothing - or at least nothing new - seems the most probable. With the next-gen consoles gaining popularity, I'm sure the company's been weighing their options there.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: piscesdreams on March 01, 2015, 06:40:17 AM
I couldnt seem to find them. Does anyone know what the sales figures have been like for LoS2?
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: VladCT on March 01, 2015, 06:51:05 AM
Before anyone posts anything, a quick reminder that VGChartz has admitted to guesswork and is therefore bollocks. :V
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Flame on March 01, 2015, 07:05:56 AM
I couldnt seem to find them. Does anyone know what the sales figures have been like for LoS2?
All we know is that Cox said that LoS2 (at least in the UK) sold less than LoS1, but still more than any previous CV.

Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Jorge D. Fuentes on March 01, 2015, 04:07:36 PM
I, on the other hand, am enjoying the 90's vibe that Anathema has.
Reminds me of Killer Instinct, Donkey Kong Country, Nosferatu, etc.

The character's stair animation is a little stiff and is missing the shadow under the character, but otherwise it's neat.  A little glossy and brown, so is the entire game.  Gameplay looks great, though.  Totally loving that whipswingin'.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: piscesdreams on March 01, 2015, 05:59:21 PM
I, on the other hand, am enjoying the 90's vibe that Anathema has.
Reminds me of Killer Instinct, Donkey Kong Country, Nosferatu, etc.

The character's stair animation is a little stiff and is missing the shadow under the character, but otherwise it's neat.  A little glossy and brown, so is the entire game.  Gameplay looks great, though.  Totally loving that whipswingin'.

Just so I can be sure, is the up stairs animation that looks stiff to you? Because I feel the same and will be fixing that. Or is it up and down?
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: X on March 02, 2015, 12:15:03 AM
To me it's the stair-climbing that needs work, secondary to that would be the whip-swing animations (as the character looks like she's squatting rather then forward momentum carrying her like it does with Simon Belmont in SCV4).
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Chernabogue on March 02, 2015, 12:43:29 AM
Let IGA replace Alvarez at the head of MS and I'll be the happiest man on Earth.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: JR on March 02, 2015, 01:58:57 AM
Heh, that would be cool. Let the developers do their thing and let IGA put the feel back into the series. Would never happen, but I really love that idea.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Nagumo on March 02, 2015, 01:45:22 PM
I'd like to imagine Konami's secretly been working on the DCW game all this time, and has been putting out distraction games to dash the fan's hopes, only to skyrocket them back up with the release of DCW.

Would you want DCW without IGA being involved in some way? I think by now that ship has sailed. Unlesss they would be able to get him back somehow.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Dracula9 on March 02, 2015, 08:48:35 PM
Hence the "I'd like to."

I wouldn't want a DCW if IGA wasn't involved, tbh. Too much of the series leading up to DCW was lead by him, I can't imagine anyone else able to fit those shoes.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Koutei on March 03, 2015, 09:52:42 PM
They sent Poll Results to KONAMI, Some hints may be obtained.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Operation-Akumajo/243488722337560 (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Operation-Akumajo/243488722337560)

But there are no responses from KONAMI at present.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Chernabogue on March 03, 2015, 11:39:43 PM
"Over 66% of the fans “strongly agree” with the following statements."
-> 90% of this stuff was found in the LoS games LOL
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: e105beta on March 06, 2015, 01:44:11 PM
Not sure how I feel about that Anathema trailer. The art looks really cheap, and I can't even tell if the gameplay looks good because the art and animation make it look like it controls stiff and clunky. In a parallel universe, I might be interested in it.

But man, that OA post made me die a little inside.

"it was irresponsible"
"do the right thing"
"cost you dearly"

It's so patronizing, especially when you get to the "Do 2D games need longer development cycles to be better?" questions. Umm, no shit. You think Konami needs you to tell them that? Reminds me of that time Sakurai told off some Smash Bros player for thinking he could make a better Smash Bros game than him.

Imagine the good that could be done for the world if all of this effort and indignation was spent on something other than getting people to make you video games.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Intersection on March 07, 2015, 12:53:38 PM
Gotta love the way they presented their survey.

Do you approve of candidate X we support?
- Strongly approve
- Approve
- No opinion

Do you disapprove of candidate Y we don't support?
- Strongly disapprove
- Disapprove
- No opinion

I kinda wonder what their criteria for "superior games" and "polarizing games" are supposed to be - probably something along the lines of "2D vs 3D". But if they're up in arms against Lords of Shadow, why did they feel the need to include Judgment, CV64, and LoD in their "polarizing" section?
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: piscesdreams on March 07, 2015, 01:24:10 PM
Not sure how I feel about that Anathema trailer. The art looks really cheap, and I can't even tell if the gameplay looks good because the art and animation make it look like it controls stiff and clunky. In a parallel universe, I might be interested in it.


All I can really say is when I release our demo, give it a whirl and give your feedback. All feedback is appreciated.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: theplottwist on March 07, 2015, 03:12:10 PM
Gotta love the way they presented their survey.

Do you approve of candidate X we support?
- Strongly approve
- Approve
- No opinion

Do you disapprove of candidate Y we don't support?
- Strongly disapprove
- Disapprove
- No opinion

I kinda wonder what their criteria for "superior games" and "polarizing games" are supposed to be - probably something along the lines of "2D vs 3D". But if they're up in arms against Lords of Shadow, why did they feel the need to include Judgment, CV64, and LoD in their "polarizing" section?

So. Much. This.

"Look Konami, at the results we got where the majority of the surveyed people agree with us. Please ignore the fact that the very premisse of this page is to have people that agrees with us."

The results would be much different if Konami held the same survey on their page. I feel as if OA had their thing rigged from the very beginning. I might be wrong, but it sure as heck feels like this.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Flame on March 07, 2015, 03:20:54 PM
Operation Akumajo was always a joke. It's just an echochamber club for people who hated LoS just for the sake that it wasnt another DS Metroidvania.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Rugal on March 07, 2015, 07:28:35 PM
Operation Akumajo was always a joke. It's just an echochamber club for people who hated LoS just for the sake that it wasnt another DS Metroidvania.

Man.. I'd throw a couple insults your way for what you said there. I won't though because what I want to say to you will probably get me banned. We wouldn't want that now would we?
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Flame on March 07, 2015, 11:11:10 PM
Man.. I'd throw a couple insults your way for what you said there. I won't though because what I want to say to you will probably get me banned. We wouldn't want that now would we?
Its true though. That's all Operation Akumajo ever was. It was just Cecil-Kain going "NOT MUH CASTLEVANIA", and instead demanding a 1999 Battle game, a lore event from a 2003 game that noone at Konami, not even IGA, ever had any serious intention to make into a game. It was ridiculously entitled, was just an echochamber of one guy's opinion and himself as the mouthpiece- And tried to legitimize itself by comparing to Operation Rainfall or 100K Strong, 2 movements which not only actually DID things to raise awareness and get attention, but were about localising already made games,(O.R.) and getting Capcom to fulfill promises and acklowledge an audience exists for an "interest gauging"  game they had already finished.

Operation Akumajo meanwhile, was just Cecil Kain demanding Konami make the 1999 game because HE didn't like LoS. It was never about anything but his own opinions.

There were plenty of ways OA could have spread the message of wanting more Castlevania, or trying to show Konami Castlevania still has an audience and that they should keep trying to make new games.

But thats the thing, it wasn't about that. It was just about hating one game, and demanding another specific one, and the way he went about it was just cringeworthy.

I mean just READ the "Open letter" to Konami

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=934996516520107&id=243488722337560&substory_index=0 (https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=934996516520107&id=243488722337560&substory_index=0)

It's literally an entitled "OR ELSE!" ransom note

But hey, if the truth hurts you that bad, feel free to insult me.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: piscesdreams on March 08, 2015, 06:35:21 AM
FWIW, and I am not hating on LoS, but I feel Konami should have closed the canon with the 1999 DCW before releasing LoS. I get that it is a lore thing, but if Konami insisted to further expand the beginning of the series and retcon Dracula's Curse being the first game, then I feel they should have gave equal effort to close out Dracula's story arc. He has only been the main villain for almost every game.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Chernabogue on March 08, 2015, 07:40:53 AM
You know what, people? Konami wants $$$, and doesn't give a shit about lore and the hypotetical 1999 game. Maybe IGA cared a little about it.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Shinobi on March 08, 2015, 08:49:46 AM
Like I said before though, the 1999 DCW is nothing more but a backstory that doesn't mean to have it's own game like the rest of the other games(The war of the werewolves in Legacy of Darkness, Maxim's quest on finding Dracula's body parts in Harmony of Dissonance, Hector's defection from Dracula in Curse of Darkness, etc. etc.). The 1999 DCW is not a true closure of the canon IMO since there's still a story afterwards like Aria/Dawn of Sorrow.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: piscesdreams on March 08, 2015, 08:52:37 AM
Perhaps my wording was not the best. But I feel when you deal with a very important part of the series villain, it at LEAST deserves to be heavily expounded upon. And Konami knows people want that story, which = $$$.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Flame on March 08, 2015, 09:05:09 AM
IGA had plenty of chances to make the game.

Instead, he made LoI, DoS, CoD, PoR, OoE, DXC, and Judgement

He once said he wouldnt mind doing it if the circumstances were right, but it obviously wasn't a priority for him. And there's no reason why 1999 NEEDS a game. It's literally designed to just be backstory. It's meant to enrich the setting for Aria, nothing more.

I'd like a Julius game as much as the next guy, but that doesnt mean it has to be 1999. I'd rather see his adventures post-Aria. Middle Aged Badass Beard Julius > Young Generic Belmont Julius
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Shinobi on March 08, 2015, 09:11:08 AM
If the story was the only thing that matters then it should be released as a novel or a radio drama or a manga which is more detailed than making the actual game.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Intersection on March 08, 2015, 02:50:36 PM
@Flame
You appear to have been... Flame-baited 8)

I remember Cecil-Kain. He left the forum around the time I started posting, but I'm pretty sure his last thread was OA's review of Mirror of Fate. It was a surprisingly good review, but it ended with this confusing "endorsement" of the game despite it "not being what we wanted", followed by a page-long laundry list of Operation Akumajo's demands. I can't say he has changed.

I mean, just read his latest letter. It's funny, really.

"Your zeal to reinvent Castlevania in 3D has cost you dearly"
"What profit is it to a man if he gains the world and loses his own soul?"
"But now you have gone astray, and it’s time to repent"

It sounds as if Konami committed some irreparable moral crime or something.

Operation Akumajo is well-intended, but they'll never get anywhere unless they tone down their "demands" a notch. I don't think Konami has even once acknowledged them so far.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Kingshango on March 08, 2015, 03:17:22 PM
I see Operation Akumajo as sort of a unintentional self parody of it's former self now.

Started off genuine enough but as years went by it dove into crazy Bond villian(or Dr.Evil)-ish territory.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: e105beta on March 08, 2015, 03:19:54 PM

All I can really say is when I release our demo, give it a whirl and give your feedback. All feedback is appreciated.

Oh cool, dev right on the forum! Well now I have to try it out when the demo comes out and get back to you.


It sounds as if Konami committed some irreparable moral crime or something.

Operation Akumajo is well-intended, but they'll never get anywhere unless they tone down their "demands" a notch. I don't think Konami has even once acknowledged them so far.

That's really why they come off as so childish. Instead of it being a movement saying "We're still here Konami! We still like 2D Metroidvania! We will give you our money if you make one!" it's a "You really screwed up Konami! How dare you do what you did! Your actions are reprehensible and nothing will be right until you give into our demands!".

They just come off as kids with their priorities all out of whack.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Dremn on March 08, 2015, 09:32:33 PM
Might as well post this here.

http://london1888.bigcartel.com/ (http://london1888.bigcartel.com/)

Pretty amazing fan made Castlevania print/shirt. Definitely gonna get the shirt or print to own.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Chernabogue on March 08, 2015, 11:52:29 PM
Might as well post this here.

http://london1888.bigcartel.com/ (http://london1888.bigcartel.com/)

Pretty amazing fan made Castlevania print/shirt. Definitely gonna get the shirt or print to own.
The CV shirts are amazing. Might buy one! :)
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Kamirine on March 09, 2015, 04:14:53 AM
Might as well post this here.

http://london1888.bigcartel.com/ (http://london1888.bigcartel.com/)

Pretty amazing fan made Castlevania print/shirt. Definitely gonna get the shirt or print to own.

Thank you so much! Ordering one for sure!

As for Castlevania:  at this point, I just want a sign that the series hasn't been shelved.  Even if it's nothing more than a small downloadable only title, a remake, just anything. 
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: X on March 09, 2015, 10:22:33 AM
Unfortunately all we can do is wait and see. But we're all used to this right?
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Rugal on March 09, 2015, 12:38:15 PM
Wow that shirt is awesome.. Might have to get one.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Claimh Solais on March 09, 2015, 04:33:48 PM
Caught up with this thread a bit. Saw a lot of the talk about OA, and I chuckled a bit. I'm actually quite embarrassed to admit it, but I was once an admin of that movement. You know, back when it was at least... somewhat genuine. As time went on, I got sick of how Cecil was shoving his opinion down my throat over and over, and never listened to a lot of what I had to say. I told him several times that he needs to tone down the "DESECRATION" talk about LoS, because it just made OA seem like a bunch of butthurt fanboys. But he always had some justification for it. Plus don't even get me started on how many times he asked me to help with a project, and I put hours into work for it, only for him to just completely ignore the work I put out.

All in all, I'm sad with what it's become. It almost seems like he just enjoys hearing himself talk. There's no reason his speeches should seem so insulting, and over-dramatic.

But enough about that. lol

Anyway, I'm trying to remain at least somewhat optimistic for a Castlevania announcement at either E3 or TGS this year, but it really doesn't seem likely with Konami pouring so many resources into MGSV and Silent Hills (both of which I'm really excited for). But hell, I wouldn't even mind if they got together a small team and put out another WiiWare/PSN/Arcade title.

As for the DCW storyline? I care so little about it at this point that if the next CV game wasn't it, I wouldn't even be mad. But if it was? Coolio, I guess.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Flame on March 09, 2015, 04:46:22 PM
shirt's pretty neato
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: beingthehero on March 09, 2015, 05:28:21 PM
I just want to know when we're going to start Operation Anathema and bother piscesdreams with mildly threatening letters.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: piscesdreams on March 09, 2015, 06:40:32 PM
I just want to know when we're going to start Operation Anathema and bother piscesdreams with mildly threatening letters.

I love when I get mail. It makes me happy.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: pimp dracula on March 16, 2015, 02:23:32 AM
How is Operation Akumajo doing?

Other movements like Suikoden Revival and Operation Rainfall have success because they send humble petitions that doesn't sound like fan rants which the group is doing.

Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Nagumo on March 16, 2015, 07:00:00 AM
How is Operation Akumajo doing?

As far  as how "succesful" it is, this is impossible to say since we don't know what Konami plans to do with the franchise. Regarding raw numbers, the page I believe has over 30,000 likes, which I thought was pretty impressive. I've seen some of those Castlevania related petitions which only ended getting signed 100 times or so, so at least it's better than that.

The points about being "more humble" or "more respectful" seems like empy critism to me. I'm not saying either approach is better than the other, but if I was employed at Konami at took a look at a page like this, I wouldn't be partically interested how the message is being conceived or even if the overall point is well articulated. I would ask myself "How much people would be willing to support this? And how much of those people will actually go out and buy the product if what they demand is actually made?".

Granted, the overall goal of the Operation Akumajo seems a bit vague to me. What do they want? Metroidvania? Classicvania? Roughly dividing the series into "Akumajo Dracula" and "Lords of Shadow" doesn't really help matters either. Operation Moonfall and so on have very straightforward and easy to understand goals, which is probably why some of them ended up succesful (and because of the support, of course). If there's anything Operation Akumajo should focus on doing, it should be that.         
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Chernabogue on March 16, 2015, 07:52:18 AM
Their last open letter to Konami is simply hilarious.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Flame on March 16, 2015, 12:20:39 PM

The points about being "more humble" or "more respectful" seems like empy critism to me. I'm not saying either approach is better than the other, but if I was employed at Konami at took a look at a page like this, I wouldn't be partically interested how the message is being conceived or even if the overall point is well articulated. I would ask myself "How much people would be willing to support this? And how much of those people will actually go out and buy the product if what they demand is actually made?".
this is true, but at the same time, to even get my attention, the tone would matter. if i was told there was a passionate group of fans petitioning capcom to release Legends 3, holding events to raise awareness, and keeping track of megaman news in general and stuff like that, I'd take a look. if I was told there was a small group of Castlevania fans angrily DEMANDING that konami practically apologize for their decisions, and insulting their latest game as some sort of blasphemy with sternly worded letters, I wouldnt even give them the time of day and write them off as a small group of overly entitled angry fanboys.

keep in mind the first people likely to take notice of these movements aren't in japan, they could care less. But the US branches, who then pass the word along to HQ

Quote
Granted, the overall goal of the Operation Akumajo seems a bit vague to me. What do they want? Metroidvania? Classicvania?
They SPECIFICALLY want a 2D Metroidvania that takes place during the battle of 1999. Thats literally Cecil Kain's ONLY goal with OA.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Claimh Solais on March 16, 2015, 12:42:00 PM
Yeah, OA got way out of hand. I mean, back when it started, when I was a part of it, I wasn't even sure then what Cecil wanted. He was demanding a 2D 1999 game with "state-of-the-art graphics" on all current-gen consoles. And then proceeded to demand an HD remake of Castlevania III, again with "state-of-the-art graphics" on all current-gen consoles.

He then proceeded to completely alienate fans of LoS, and said that LoS was "desecration" to the "Castlevania legend" or some crap like that.

The demands themselves have been discussed to death so I'm not really gonna comment on those anymore. But the splitting the franchise up was... well, it was really dumb. LoS brought in a lot of new fans to the series, and to alienate them on a page with over 30,000 fans? That kinda makes the whole CV fanbase look like a bunch of douches.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Nagumo on March 16, 2015, 01:35:43 PM
I think if there was money to be made, Konami would not witheld a CV game out of spite. I think it would be smart for a game company to keep track of "movements" like this regardless of how it's presented. But I suppose arguing about it is pointless since we don't know Konami's handlings of things. 
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Dremn on March 19, 2015, 11:49:43 AM
Kojima is leaving Konami.

http://www.gamespot.com/articles/kojima-expected-to-leave-konami-after-mgs5-inside-/1100-6426024/ (http://www.gamespot.com/articles/kojima-expected-to-leave-konami-after-mgs5-inside-/1100-6426024/)

He was pretty much keeping the company afloat, it's over completely now for Konami, that's it. RIP Castlevania.



:(
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: piscesdreams on March 19, 2015, 11:53:13 AM
Wasnt he involved with PT/Silent Hill too?
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: DragonSlayr81 on March 19, 2015, 12:45:38 PM
Wasnt he involved with PT/Silent Hill too?
Yup. Guess shows over for the CV series. Let's see was IGA's got in store, if he's got anything at all for a "spiritual successor". Spiritual successors are probably the only thing we got left for an unofficial continuation of the spirit of the CV series.

Oddly enough, I still don't get why a lot of the infamous directors just don't ban together to form some super company. Fuckin get Kojima and IGA(both, I guess now, former of Konami) to get Sakaguchi(of MistWalker and former Squaresoft), Inafune(of former Capcom) and Naka(of former Sega) to form "Legendary Corporation"(or something similar). Maybe too many egos(the bulk of them are leaders, after all), but that kind of collab(maybe leading to different types of collabs) would be fuckin awesome and would definitely raise gamers' eyes. Not only that, each and every one of those guys have connections to other folk in the industry they can bring aboard for projects. Probably the definition of "Dream Team".
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Chernabogue on March 19, 2015, 12:47:28 PM
This is bad for CV, but also for other Konami franchises...
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Kingshango on March 19, 2015, 12:50:47 PM
Welp, that's all she wrote not just for Castlevania but every other Konami game in general. :'(
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Nagumo on March 19, 2015, 01:38:41 PM
Wow, is there seriously anyone who hasn't left? Konami to be come fulltime sportclub company confirmed.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Kingshango on March 19, 2015, 02:23:00 PM
Konami may as well just put it's gaming division out of it's misery. It's very sad to see what they've become. :'(
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Maedhros on March 19, 2015, 03:16:03 PM
Castlevania, Silent Hill, MGS (after V), everything is dead.

I don't feel anything anymore.

And to think that LoS2 was the last game in the franchise... holy fucking shit... what a shit ending to a franchise.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Dracula9 on March 19, 2015, 03:29:50 PM
Man, the Oath of Fëanor fucked everything up, huh?

Yeah, I just found out about Kojima's probable leaving earlier, that's a hell of a gut punch.  :(
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: X on March 19, 2015, 05:27:04 PM
I don't feel this is unexpected. Konami is company like any other--with ups, downs, and eventually a collapse, merger or buy-out. But yeah, this will definitely effect the CV series and other series' on a whole. Unless Konami sell's off all their IPs to other better-off companies before they go under.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Shiroi Koumori on March 19, 2015, 07:12:54 PM
It is better that they do the sell-off rather than just let every IP they have fade into oblivion.
Perhaps IGA already saw this coming when he left.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Kingshango on March 19, 2015, 09:45:29 PM
Some serious shit must be going down over at Konami when even the producers of Tokimeki Memorial and Love Plus have jumped ship.

Im getting some serious modern Sega vibes from all this. :-\
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Nagumo on March 20, 2015, 01:36:44 AM
I think they're taking steps to get out of the "hardcore video game" business. They have other business ventures which are more succesful, so I think losing Kojima isn't a big deal to them. They barely put out anything on both handheld and console compared to 10 years earlier. I'm curious if their E3 presence is going to be as abysmal as last year. 
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: pimp dracula on March 20, 2015, 03:02:18 AM
Is there a willing bidder that will buy Konami IPs out there? Atlus not long ago was bought by Sega.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Nagumo on March 20, 2015, 03:09:09 AM
Just sell it to From Software. Seriously, I can't think of anyone better.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: pimp dracula on March 20, 2015, 03:57:03 AM
If it's a 3D castlevania, From is the best choice. But they are not really a big company that Sony have their life support. They rarely publish games on their own.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Dremn on March 20, 2015, 07:18:56 AM
Castlevania being snatched up from Konami, I can't even think if the consequences of that would be good or bad.

Honestly just let it die, let a successor come in time. I don't have the faith or patience in the series getting another reboot or new director at this point.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Kingshango on March 20, 2015, 08:12:57 AM
People thought I was joking when I said Castlevania's next destination will be pachislots and iPhones.

They looked at me and said I was mad, crazy and insane. (And they were right!)

Now it's looking more likely than ever before.

The announcement will be like a train coming to hit us and we're all tied to it's tracks and there's no Superman to save us this time.

Only thing left to do is to close our eyes and let the train hit us.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Nagumo on March 20, 2015, 09:35:37 AM
They're already trying to hire new people to take over the Metal Gear series. Too bad they apperently don't care enough for Castlevania to do the same for that series (maybe).   
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Dremn on March 21, 2015, 11:40:07 AM
The whole situation is scummy as shit, Konami has lost all respect from me.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: JR on March 22, 2015, 12:02:43 AM
Unless Konami sell's off all their IPs to other better-off companies before they go under.

That looks like the best possible outcome at this point.

It's still shocking to me to compare Konami in its current state to the 80's/90's world-beater it used to be. Same with Capcom...although they seem more relevant still.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Kamirine on March 24, 2015, 09:54:23 AM
I don't think I could put into words how I feel accurately so I'll just say this:  Castlevania was the very first gaming franchise that I was introduced to as a child.  It was the first game my brother played when he got a Nintendo and I sat there and watched him attempt (and fail) to beat it.  Castlevania 3 was the first game I myself actually got to play.  I remembered the music, particularly Mad Forest and Aquarius.  When I couldn't remembered the name of the franchise in years to come, I could remember these two particular songs.

Then around the late 90's, a good friend of mine gave me his old Nes because he had no games for it and thought it didn't work.  I remember cleaning it, replacing the AC adapter, buying a copy of Rainbow Island (my Mom adores that game) from my local Game Exchange and sure enough, the thing worked.

So I called my brother and hummed Mad Forest, asking him what game that belonged to.  He told me the "Dracula game with Simon I think."  So I remeber going back to my Game Exchange and asking about it, and he pulls out Castlevania 1-3.  I bought them all.  Andy from that day on, I have made it my goal to own every game in the franchise, only to date missing LoS2 (by choice, I traded it in to help pay for Guilty Gea Xrd), The Arcade, and Legends because some jerk stole my copy and I was never able to replace it.  (Or stop procrastinating and order it from Amazon.)

This franchise means so much to me as a gamer and hearing that it's coming to an end possibly just...

My only hope for Castlevania now is that Konami will sell it off and it gets the chance to live on.  That, or maybe an indie developer or IGA will make a spiritual successor, ala Mighty No. 9 (Rockman), Freedom Planet (Sonic 2D), and Axiom Verge (Metroid 2D, though Nintendo may get off their butts and make another).  Even the slim chance of them continuing on with the franchise themselves would be great.  Perhaps they could pull a Capcom and have the company pay for the game to be made like SFV. Seeing how Contra and Gradius are fairing, I won't hold my breath, but swimmers of hope are hope.

I feel like such a nerd and loser fan girl, but I will hold out hope that something comes along.  Along with Sega and Capcom, a lot of my favorite developers and their franchises are dying.  I just never wanted Castlevania or Konami to be one of them.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: theANdROId on March 26, 2015, 06:44:48 PM
I'll hold out hope right there with you!

I remember watching my dad play Castlevania 1 on the NES.  I don't know if he ever made it to Death, but he at least made it to level 5.  I loved the game so much and was eager to play, but as a little one, bosses were my undoing.  I remember pausing the game when I got near to one and running to get him to help me beat it.  Sometimes, if he wasn't available, I'd leave it paused and adamantly beg my mother not to turn it off, and to "pause my time" (my Nintendo time was limited) until after dad beat the boss for me!  He'd come do it, and tell me to watch so I could learn...sharing tips and strategies with me.  (Not that there were really that many, but still...)

Years later...(I'd guess somewhere after the release of CV4) I noticed a neighbor had CV3.  I was thrilled to see there was more than one of this game I loved so much!  I begged to borrow it and actually had to get my parents to give permission (It belonged to my friends father.  My friend wasn't allowed to play that one, so his parents weren't sure I should either.)

And of course, if there was a 3, there had to be a 2, which I promptly found and rented from the local Erol's.  Simon's Quest was probably my favorite back then, and is still high on the list today.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Kingshango on March 27, 2015, 05:31:41 AM
Franchises come and go over time but the memories you have will live on forever unless you end up with amnesia or somethin.

Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: The Silverlord on March 27, 2015, 08:48:09 AM
I was half-tempted to say that with Kojima and upper management leaving, could there be new management and new vision within Konami?  Could older series just like Gradius or Contra get a little more of a look-in?

But even I can't pretend that's tantamount to bollocks.

They're effectively opening the floor again with Metal Gear:

Quote
Interested parties are encouraged to contact us to via the recruitment page of the KONAMI official website.

Quote
New "METAL GEAR" production staff

Qualification requirements

- High-end game production
- Practical experience of planning
- Have rich imagination, be innovative
- Strong passion for game making
- Communication skills to convey ideas

What you need to apply

- Work curriculum vitae (not limited to the game), and portfolio

Source: http://www.konami.co.jp/job/jk/spe/mgs.php?cm_mc_uid=37743699541014274695716&cm_mc_sid_50340000|knm02=1427469571 (http://www.konami.co.jp/job/jk/spe/mgs.php?cm_mc_uid=37743699541014274695716&cm_mc_sid_50340000|knm02=1427469571)


Also, Konami Digital Entertainment have lots of mobile job openings:

Quote
- 2D / 3D designer (mobile game browser game smartphone apps)
- Designer Art Director ("Winning Eleven" series production)
- 2D / 3D designer (mobile game browser game smartphone apps)
- Data analyst (mobile gaming operators)
- Content planner (mobile game)   
- Content management charge (mobile game)
- Director (mobile game)
- Net promotion
- Overseas expansion in charge of card games and mobile games

(Ltd.) Internet Revolution

- Network Engineer (mobile game, etc.)   


Source: http://www.konami.co.jp/job/jk/search/search.php (http://www.konami.co.jp/job/jk/search/search.php)
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: The Puritan on March 27, 2015, 04:38:27 PM
Just sell it to From Software. Seriously, I can't think of anyone better.

Platinum Games.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Maedhros on March 28, 2015, 08:13:15 AM
Platinum Games.
Hate their games.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: VladCT on March 28, 2015, 08:15:17 AM
I like Platinum Games, but I'm kinda afraid that they'll go too balls-to-the-wall crazy with Castlevania.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: zaxiou on March 29, 2015, 05:09:57 PM
Has Konami ever sold any of it's IP's before? Imagine if they sold CV to Sony and Sony got Fromsoftware making a true CV game in the likes of Bloodborne.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: piscesdreams on March 29, 2015, 05:19:19 PM
Has Konami ever sold any of it's IP's before? Imagine if they sold CV to Sony and Sony got Fromsoftware making a true CV game in the likes of Bloodborne.

Not that I am aware of. I really don't want Konami to sell the IP. They just need to simply get their shit together. I don't think anyone could handle CV better than Konami when they actually have their A game on.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: zaxiou on March 29, 2015, 05:42:40 PM
Not that I am aware of. I really don't want Konami to sell the IP. They just need to simply get their shit together. I don't think anyone could handle CV better than Konami when they actually have their A game on.

After what they did with Castlevania before and now with Kojima, I don't think they consider their gaming division as important as we think. The minds that knew what Castlevania was really about probably aren't with them anymore.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: piscesdreams on March 29, 2015, 08:24:10 PM
Thats sadly true I am sure. That is why they need to do whatever they need to do to bring these people back. Dont outsource it because it makes me feel like they dont care to develop it themselves. I guess I am TRYING to believe Konami still cares a little, trying to keep a glimmer of hope alive. But, it is most likely in vain.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Nagumo on April 28, 2015, 04:40:51 AM
Reposting this video because this rumour applies to Castlevania too:

Super Bunnyhop - Kojima vs. Konami: An Investigation (http://"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMK-kajdgMA")
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Little Dracula on April 28, 2015, 06:07:41 AM
With this new about Kojima and SH, is really hard to think a near future where Konami will put down money for another Castlevania. As someone that loves Castlevania and Mega Man, this are hard times.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Kingshango on April 28, 2015, 06:19:01 AM
Castlevania will never die as long as slot machines and pachinko slots continue to exist.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Chernabogue on April 28, 2015, 08:44:29 AM
Castlevania will never die as long as slot machines and pachinko slots continue to exist.
LOL

The best thing Konami should do right now is giving Nintendo the right to use Simon in Smash, or give the CV IP to a studio like they did for LoS.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: X on April 28, 2015, 10:25:12 AM
Quote
The best thing Konami should do right now is giving Nintendo the right to use Simon in Smash, or give the CV IP to a studio like they did for LoS.

I think Yacht games and Wayforward would be good contenders. Shovelknight was a blast as well as the Shantae series. If indie games are the way to go with fun, 2D plateformers then I can see Konami's older IPs ie Castlevania, Contra, etc. surviving here then in the hands of a company that has stopped caring for them.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Lelygax on April 29, 2015, 07:45:16 AM
LOL

The best thing Konami should do right now is giving Nintendo the right to use Simon in Smash, or give the CV IP to a studio like they did for LoS.

I'm the one of people that voted in Simon for Smash :P
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: shelverton. on April 29, 2015, 12:14:36 PM
Konami, at this point, needs to take a step back, sit the f* ck down and just take long hard look at themselves in da mirror of shame. Maybe take a time-out and go sit in the corner for a while. Probably hire a bunch of new, younger talent (preferably people with, y'know, an actual PASSION for video games).

They're no strangers to getting rid of people, so why not make a clean sweep while they're at it? FIRE EVERYONE! Especially the higher ups. Start over. Figure out who they are as a company, cause right now I wouldn't feel comfortable with them announcing anything whatsoever, be it Castlevania, Contra, Suikoden, Silent Hill or Gradius. The credibility is lost IMO.

They're doing absolutely everything wrong lately.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Flame on April 29, 2015, 10:24:08 PM
ISnt the head of konami, or, rather, one of the heads of-

really just against videogames? I remember reading somewhere where it said he actually wanted to expand more into gambling territory, and hated that Kojima was there actually making games or something.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: X on April 30, 2015, 12:46:56 AM
Quote
ISnt the head of konami, or, rather, one of the heads of-

really just against videogames? I remember reading somewhere where it said he actually wanted to expand more into gambling territory, and hated that Kojima was there actually making games or something.

And they hired someone who has that frame of mind to a videogame company?? Wow. If that's true, then just...wow.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: JR on April 30, 2015, 01:01:05 AM
I dunno...kind of reminds me of Ray Kassar when he was with Atari.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Nagumo on April 30, 2015, 12:35:42 PM
And they hired someone who has that frame of mind to a videogame company?? Wow. If that's true, then just...wow.

He's the founder actually. Back when Konami just repaired jukeboxes in the 60s.

Konami's financial report is published on May 9th, so we may learn more then.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Intersection on April 30, 2015, 12:38:59 PM
Where did you read that? That's a pretty alarming prospect.

Konami's financial report is published on May 9th, so we may learn more then.
Who knows? Konami might even take the THQ route.  :P
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Harrycombs on May 01, 2015, 10:17:00 PM
And they hired someone who has that frame of mind to a videogame company?? Wow. If that's true, then just...wow.

The problem is they aren't a video game company. Almost all of their money comes from other ventures, trading cards, gambling, and gyms mainly. If the entire video game division is bringing them down, they aren't just going cut the unprofitable video games, they are going to cut everything. The real issue is whether or not they are going to sell all of their IPs once they exit the game industry entirely. If they don't sell Castlevania, the franchise is dead. Metal Gear will probably limp along for a few years until its cut too. The games industry must be really unprofitable if they are willing to ditch all the work they have done building the Fox Engine, since they don't seem to have any long term plan to use it anymore.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: X on May 01, 2015, 11:53:54 PM
Quote
The problem is they aren't a video game company.

That is a real shame... I've never even knew about the other products they made until I heard about it from an earlier thread. I've always known them to make video games. If only that were true  :-\
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Intersection on May 02, 2015, 03:08:58 AM
I'm not sure if this has been mentioned in the thread, but Konami has dropped its NYSE listing.

That's pretty alarming for the company as a whole.

EDIT: It has already been mentioned, sorry. I'm a bit late on the news.
What do you expect will happen, though? Will Konami itself disintegrate, will it be only its gaming division, or is this just a temporary measure?
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Nagumo on May 02, 2015, 05:15:41 AM
I think Konami is going to drop console gaming for the most part and focus on gambling and mobile games. They already have a history of developing pachislots and pachinkos, and from that rumor video it was mentioned they are waiting for gambling to be legalised in Japan (pachislots and pachinkos are not considered gambing because you're not playing for actual money, which is a bit of a loophole). For that reason they probably want to hold on to their IPs which they already have used before for their pachinko and slotmachines (Castlevania, Goemon, Contra). The rumor of KPE developing pachinkos for Castlevania, Silent Hill, and Metal Gear, which I mentioned earlier in this thread, ties in pretty nicely with that.

It's possible they will not abandon console gaming entirely since Konami has been on record saying they want to continue developing Metal Gear and Silent Hill, but they probably want to cut back on the development costs. I have no idea if this will be a good or a bad thing. Other than that, I think the best we can hope for is mobile gaming becoming awesome and bringing about a 2D Castlevania renaissance (probably not). Another longshot could be them leasing their IPs to other devs while continuing to use them themselves purely for gambling and mobile, but I don't think such a thing has ever happend before.         
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: Nagumo on May 08, 2015, 08:06:05 AM
Here's Konami financial report in case anyone is interested:

http://m.neogaf.com/showthread.php?t=1042870&page=1 (http://m.neogaf.com/showthread.php?t=1042870&page=1)

And the whole situation continues to be depressing.
Title: Re: Castlevania in 2015
Post by: JR on May 08, 2015, 03:58:57 PM
Another longshot could be them leasing their IPs to other devs while continuing to use them themselves purely for gambling and mobile, but I don't think such a thing has ever happend before.       

I'm kind of concerned that they'll scrap their console games, but hold on to their IPs for the sole sake of their pachinko machines. That's what has me nervous about them saying they'll keep Silent Hill and Metal Gear alive.

...but then again, if that were the case, I guess they'd have never bothered issuing a statement to the press over here about the status of both series. That will probably be where mobile comes into play, I guess.

No matter what, the whole thing will be awful.