Castlevania Dungeon Forums
The Castlevania Dungeon Forums => General Castlevania Discussion => Topic started by: theANdROId on November 11, 2017, 09:05:43 AM
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In another topic someone made this comment:
The term 'Metroidvania' only applies to a Castlevania game that plays like Metroid. This does not include games outside of the CV series. Unfortunately many people use the term incorrectly when talking about other Metroid-styled games that have nothing to do with Castlevania.
...which just made me wonder: While I can see the logic in this argument since "Metroidvania" is a portmanteau of "Metroid" and "Castlevania", when you consider that both titles are now known for that gameplay style, and since the term in question is such a catchy term, why not use it for other games (Axiom Verge comes to mind) that use similar gameplay elements? Are there just different groups with different opinions on this, similar to how there are groups that prefer classic or metroidvania style CV games?
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I actually don't care either way, and use Metroidvania to describe games...
But think of it this way... Why say metroidvania when the game basically plays like metroid... You can just say metroid-like and get the same effect. There is nothing castlevania like about those games, at least in the way the term is used. But all about metroid gameplay.
Then again, popular use is how words work, so there is that.
Like Gif and "J"if. It's a hard G, you faggot. I don't care if the creator thinks otherwise.
Oh, and do keep this in mind, I never really got into the Metroid games. i just want to get into Samus. >_> if you know what I mean.
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There was another thread about this very discussion titled 'the term metroidvania should die.' Or something along those lines. The discussion had to do with the over-usage of the term to describe games that had absolutely nothing to do with Castlevania but had a similar play-style to Metroid. For me the logic is clear: If it isn't Castlevania that plays like Metroid it is not a metroidvania. We live in an age where people do not apply a whole lot of thought when it comes to using words in their proper context. They just do it because it is the IN thing now. But that's people for ya; Dumb, panicky, dangerous, and unwilling to take responsibility for anything they do. Not a fan of people.
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I don't agree with that definition. Mainly because the game that "started" the Metroidvania bandwagon plays nothing like the Castlevanias before it most of the time, mirroring more-or-less closely only one of them: Simon's Quest. It's a term created to describe a collection of gameplay mechanics and elements, not a "genre of Castlevania".
For me, this is what the term "Metroidvania" describes:
-You can level up, meaning that your character gets stronger or more resistant;
-Related to the point above: Focus on combat, where the reward is getting stronger.
-You must acquire key relics to progress on the game;
-Equipment is awarded to the player, but is not mandatory to reach the end;
-Related to the point above: Said equipment may be mixed and matched to deal with different situations. "Stronger" doesn't always means "better", and this is also not required, but optional;
-Inventory management is part of the progression, and usage of potions or temporary buffs is encouraged.
-You have a map, and this map shows you how much of the game you have covered;
-Non-linear progression is present;
And then, I disagree with you that this term should be used to describe games like Axiom Verge, because I think Axiom Verge is a Metroid-like, not a "metroidvania". It lacks the high customizability of equipment combination, the inventory management, the leveling, and the focus on combat. Its focus on exploration and puzzle-solving is much more prevalent through the game.
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I've always preferred the term "Castleroid" to "Metroidvania".
Castleroid (at least to me) implies a definition of "a game of any genre which plays in a manner/style codified by classic Metroid or Igarashi-Era "Silver Age" Castlevania titles".
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For a non-CV game that's like SOTN is probably use Metroidvania or Castle Crawler.
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The older I get, the easier it is to simplify. I tend to use Metroidvania to encompass all similar games that are non-linear. It's an easy way to describe in one word what type of game you're talking about.
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For any title where "Metroidvania" might apply -- various Castlevania games, Bloodstained, Axiom Verge, Cave Story, Dead Cells, Owl Boy, whatever -- I don't think I care strongly what term I use or what anyone else uses. I have used Metroidvania because the general public does, and until the comment I mentioned in my original post I didn't realize anyone cared or had any opinions about it (although I do have a vague memory of the existence of that other topic that X mentions). I suspect I'll keep using Metroidvania out of habit, but the varying opinions here all make good points so maybe it's worth a little effort to change my vocabulary. ;-P Thanks for sharing everyone!
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I use "Metroidvania" to describe any sidescroller with a large, interconnected map where progress is made using newly acquired items to reach previously-inaccessible areas. To me, that is the essence of the 2D Metroids and SotN-clone CVs.
I also use the term whenever I'm in the presence of people who hate hearing it. Especially then.
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If you fight with melee weapons, I'd consider it a Metroidvania rather than Metroid-esque. Metroid had no melee until recently, whereas CV games are typically all about melee combat. :-\
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If you fight with melee weapons, I'd consider it a Metroidvania rather than Metroid-esque. Metroid had no melee until recently, whereas CV games are typically all about melee combat. :-\
While that kinda works, I'd say it's more about how enemies and items are treated.
In Metroid they are more like obstacles, while they are basically the main focus of Castlevanias.
Also Castlevanias have items which are not necessary for progress.
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I've always used it to describe the Metroid style Castlevanias vs the traditional kind, but ever since Valve made it a tag on Steam, every side-scrolling action/adventure/rpg platformer is now refereed to as a "metroidvania".
This is really annoying because I used that word for years to describe something different.
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I'm usually a grammar-national-socialist, but for once I stand by the generalized use of the term for any game reasonably similar to Super Metroid and/or SotN.
It's simple and well understood by the general simpletons I encounter outside my cave.
...also, "Mega Man"/"Rockman" is the series title and "Megaman"/"Rockman" is the character's name, thus none of the robot masters should have a space in their name.
Cutman = correct
Cut Man = incorrect
[/random]
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Splashwo Man
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I've always used it to describe the Metroid style Castlevanias vs the traditional kind, but ever since Valve made it a tag on Steam, every side-scrolling action/adventure/rpg platformer is now refereed to as a "metroidvania".
I have the same feeling, it's not a wrong term, but it strips all the individuality from a game.
Like, I know you got inspiration from your heroes Symphony of the Night and Metroid but you and other 20 games have the same description/background, where's your personal touch?
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Zeldroidvania.
How about that instead?
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Zeldroidvania.
How about that instead?
LOL. Eventually we'll get to invent a medical term.
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Zeldroidvania.
How about that instead?
lol. Only when CV, Metroid and Zelda have been intermixed together.
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lol. Only when CV, Metroid and Zelda have been intermixed together.
Well yeah it’s called Castlevania Symphony of the Night.
????
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Fair enough ;D
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LOL. Eventually we'll get to invent a medical term.
Hyperthyrulevania... :-\
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Hyperthyrulevania... :-\
Oh god... I think I might have this...
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hyrumethyroidvanism
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#JetSetWillyClones
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sounds better than "gooniesvania"
goonies 2 gets no love for it's part in pioneering that particular genre, though it was in production at the same time as metroid.
it really did introduce a number of ideas which helped solidify the genre. many people are perplexed by the very nature of the game,
but if those same people gave a fraction of the time they've given to understanding metroid, they may find it as one of the best NES games out there.
and before all you metroid fans get all butthurt, let me just say to you,
yes! they're all a bunch of jet set willy clones!
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goonies 2 gets no love for it's part in pioneering that particular genre, though it was in production at the same time as metroid.
No kidding? I always assumed Goonies 2 came later in the NES's life and Metroid came earlier. I never thought to compare the dates. This is actually really interesting. Goonies 2 is indeed a great NES game and one of my favorites, and not just because I love punching old guys in the face.
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Memetroll'dvania