because dracula's best three powers are fireballs, turning into a bat-creature, and lifestealwow, that's actually a really solid answer. gotta admit, i never gave it much thought.
graham was a scrub, he only had fireballs
And the Succubus because Dracula has always been portrayed as a seductive figure, and vampires in general are very sexual creatures.
but here it seems completely arbitrary. As far as I know, it isn't explained in the game.
I also noticed those souls have the same abilities as Dracula. However, I still don't really get it. Soma absorbs Dracula's powers if he has those souls equipped, but if he doesn't have them this doesn't happen for... some reason, I guess.
or in nonmetaphorical terms:
having Big D's Big Three™ and being dracula 2.0 make soma better equipped than literally anyone else to reclaim the throne from not-joel-osteen
killing the evil s'more cracker releases all the shit he'd taken into himself, only when it's dracula 2.0 with Big D's Big Three™ the castle recognizes that person as dracula, since presumably just being the reincarnated soul of mathias isn't enough to retake the throne
having the primary powers on top of the reincarnation is the last key in the door for the castle to go "AYY WAIT A MINUTE THERE'S DAD HI DAD" because in the castle's eyes dracula soul + dracula's big powers + killing the throneholder means dad's home
I suppose that makes sense if Dracula's castle has some sort of conscience (and I suppose there's evidence for this being the case). Though I still a bit iffy on why this is. How did this end up happening? Did Dracula just wake up someday and decide to give his castle a conscience for some reason? For what purpose?
I got another one:
So Barlowe wanted Shanoa to use Dominus on Dracula's seal and break it because it was the only thing powerful enough to accomplish this, right? But then Barlowe manages to accomplish this himself because Dracula gives him power from beyond the seal. Why didn't they just do that in the first place? The only thing I can think of is that Dracula wasn't aware Barlowe wanted to resurrect him until he told Shanoa.
So Barlowe wanted Shanoa to use Dominus on Dracula's seal and break it because it was the only thing powerful enough to accomplish this, right? But then Barlowe manages to accomplish this himself because Dracula gives him power from beyond the seal. Why didn't they just do that in the first place? The only thing I can think of is that Dracula wasn't aware Barlowe wanted to resurrect him until he told Shanoa.
Also, Dracula cannot be aware of who Barlowe is. At the end of the game he is surprised to realize that Shanoa is not his benefactor, indicating he has no idea about who revived him. Whatever happened in that scene, must be some kind of "automatic response" unrelated to Dracula's actual awareness.
This is why I believe Barlowe wanted Dracula revived. Whether Dracula's remains influenced Barlowe or not can be argued. It can also be argued that Dracula would either find a worthy host body (potentially Barlowe) or the sequence of events occurs as per OOE.
Considering Barlowe's original description, I highly doubt he wanted to revive Dracula all along.
I mean, sure. After a certain point he wanted to revive Dracula. But I doubt Ecclesia was "founded with this goal" as many believe.
I want to respond, but first I want you to clarify what do you mean by "Why didn't they just do that in the first place?". What is "that"?
Also, Dracula cannot be aware of who Barlowe is. At the end of the game he is surprised to realize that Shanoa is not his benefactor, indicating he has no idea about who revived him. Whatever happened in that scene, must be some kind of "automatic response" unrelated to Dracula's actual awareness.
I was referring to that scene where Dracula's power is leaking from the vessel and flowing into Barlowe, giving him enough power to break the seal.
I forgot about the part where Dracula doesn't know who revived him. That makes it even more strange, though. It seemed Dracula was mentally communicating with Barlowe. Or was that just part of Barlowe's insanity?
Barlowe absorbs the energy and states "Yes my lord, I see. I will destroy the infernal seal with your blessing.. Truly providence that Dracula would honour me with his guidance".
Yes, so why doesn't this event occur before Shanoa and Barlowe fight? What was the point of needing Dominus to free Dracula if Barlowe managed to do it just fine without it?The answer is desperation. Allow me to elaborate though..
Hmm, I don't really agree with the interpretation that Dracula revived in the underworld. This isn't directly supported by the story itself. If it were true, you would think this would have been stated explicitly in the dialogue. (Which in Castlevania's case is always heavy on exposition, so the stories tend to spell things out directly for the audience instead of leaving it open to interpretation).
Anyway, how about this one? Mathias' goal in LoI was to obtain a vampire's soul so he could become one himself and thus obtain eternal life, correct? Why couldn't he just have absorbed the soul of a minor vampire who is easy to kill? For example, why not take Joachim's soul? Mathias was in the same room when Leon defeated Joachim, so why didn't he do it?
Hmm, I don't really agree with the interpretation that Dracula revived in the underworld. This isn't directly supported by the story itself. If it were true, you would think this would have been stated explicitly in the dialogue. (Which in Castlevania's case is always heavy on exposition, so the stories tend to spell things out directly for the audience instead of leaving it open to interpretation).
Anyway, how about this one? Mathias' goal in LoI was to obtain a vampire's soul so he could become one himself and thus obtain eternal life, correct? Why couldn't he just have absorbed the soul of a minor vampire who is easy to kill? For example, why not take Joachim's soul? Mathias was in the same room when Leon defeated Joachim, so why didn't he do it?
Because he wanted a powerful vampire soul. He clarifies that in the end of the game.
Plus, I'd not want to capture the soul of a minor vampire, and then risk having a more powerful one coming after me to take the stone away. Suppose Mathias captured Joachim, that would become a risk when Walter went after him and the stone. Rinaldo does say these stones are the treasures of the vampires.
But Mathias could just discard the stone if he only thing he's interested in is becoming a vampire, couldn't he? IGA really should have included some sort of motivation for Mathias wanting to be the top dog among vampires. Then everything would make sense.
I don't believe Mathias planned that far ahead, I believe he was only thinking about his two threats: Leon and Walter.
Wait, doesn't the stone make you a vampire WHILE you have it? Because that's what I understood to be the case -- you have the powers but are cursed while you wear the stone.
Wait, doesn't the stone make you a vampire WHILE you have it? Because that's what I understood to be the case -- you have the powers but are cursed while you wear the stone.I believe it to be so.
Providing you absorb a vampire's soul.
I always thought this was a weird rule. Couldn't IGA have taken the opportunity to connect Lament and Aria's stories and say Mathias used the same soul stealing powers that Soma has to absorb Walter's soul. Plotwise, why is the stone even neccessary? It almost feels like Dracula's powers operate under different rules depending on the game.
I don't understand how the soul steal technique would work as a human without some kind of occult , magical or alchemical intervention. If he simply had it, I'm not sure if buy that either as it would mean he should've absorbed Walter's soul before all the events of the game. While my impression initially was Mathias (throughout the events of LOI) could indeed still be crafting or completing the CS, which may also explain why he doesn't absorbs Joachim's soul - should one choose to view it this way.Don't know if it's true, but I've just noticed this bit on the same page:
I always believed that Dracula's "soul steal" may have come from mastering the Crimson Stone over X amount of centuries. In POR we see him actually stealing Death's soul.
As it turned out, Mathias was in the midst of re-creating the gem. He then had Death absorb Walter's soul...That would explain soul steal.
Don't know if it's true, but I've just noticed this bit on the same page:That would explain soul steal.
Now, about the whole "why didn't he take his soul before the game thing", I'm assuming that it's like pokemon(you have to damage it before capturing it).
Although, I'm unsure why he couldn't use Death to beat the crap out of Ronhill.
Probably because Death isn't strong enough and Mathias "knew without a doubt Leon could acomplish it".
Yes. Mathias did use Leon, what I'm saying is being in the midst of completing the stone explains why he didn't and couldn't absorb Joachim's soul.Oh, sorry. Just reread it and saw what you meant.
I do believe Walter would've had to have been significantly injured for this to happen, he has to be vulnerable. Once Leon had shattered the Ebony stone with Walter's defeat, stealing his soul was basically guaranteed.
Moving on to Harmony of Dissonance. Why does the ending change depending on in which castle you fight Maxim? Why are Maxim and Lydie in two places at the same time?
Moving on to Harmony of Dissonance. Why does the ending change depending on in which castle you fight Maxim? Why are Maxim and Lydie in two places at the same time?
Maxim is on the castle in the real world. Evil Maxim is on the bizarro castle.
Evil Maxim is trying to overcome Maxim so he can manifest in the real world. If Evil Maxim is killed before it separates from Maxim, he dies. If you manage to free Maxim from Evil Maxim, he lives.
Lydie can be taken to bizarro castle via portals, just like Death and Juste himself. So this technically isn't a problem in the logic.
isn't castle B the castle "made by maxim's mind/will" or whatever?
if i'm recalling right, that might be it--the mind-castle would be more reactive to maxim's emotive state
The strange thing is that Maxim is only able to overcome Evil Maxim in castle B (the castle associated with Evil Maxim) and not the castle that is associated with himself. You would expect it to be the reverse.
The strange thing is that Maxim is only able to overcome Evil Maxim in castle B (the castle associated with Evil Maxim) and not the castle that is associated with himself. You would expect it to be the reverse.
The last paragraph of what I wrote literally explained the whole thing in a simplistic and concise way.
Actually, I also don't agree with the solution you came up with because I think it condradicts the story. In both castles you fight the "influenced Maxim". There isn't ending where Juste doesn't fight an influenced Maxim. But whatever, if my own theory doesn't work either then all I can do is throw my hands in the air and give up. I might be putting more thought into this than IGA and his team did back in the day.
Are you okay Nagumo? I know that we don't know one another but in the years I've been on the CVD I don't ever recall you saying that you'd throw your hands up about something.
Alright so here's what I understand from it all. I mean, it was clear as day to me, but I will ask you to point out if there is some problem here.
(snip)
1) Why would Lydie live in the best ending if she dies in the worst ending?
2) You mention how evil spirit sucking Lydie's blood gives him the power to break free from Maxim. But doesn't that condradict the reason given earlier in the story for why the evil spirit wanted Lydie's blood? He wanted to do it because it would give him enough power to completely surpress Maxim. Therefore, I don't the evil spirit sucking Lydie's blood has an impact on him being able to break free from Maxim. I actually think the evil spirit has more reason to break free from Maxim's body in Castle A than he would in Castle B. If you interpet the evil spirit's action of breaking free from Maxim as an act of desperation, then he would have more motivation to do this in Castle A because Maxim is still restisting him. Compare this to the situation in Castle B where the evil spirit seems to be in complete control.
aren't we forgetting the almighty power of furniture here
aren't we forgetting the best ending where everyone lives
aren't we forgetting the almighty power of furniture here
And by collecting all the furniture pieces we get that one little snip-it of animation of Lydie leaning against Juste rather then her standing like a statue in the best ending sequence.
"Why doesn't Maxim just kill himself then?"
Because suicide is forbidden by God. Reinhardt makes this mention in CV64/LoD. Everyone under the church's influence or teachings would be taught this lesson.
I might have thought of an alternate interpretation that doesn't require the endings to be swapped. What if, in the ending of castle A, Maxim is at no point possessed by the evil spirit and decides to fight Juste on his own accord? He does beg Juste to kill him, and after he refuses, Maxim says something like: "then if will make you change your mind!" and then proceeds to attack him. I always thought that last bit was the evil spirit talking (the fact that they used the portrait of evil Maxim could be seen as an indication of that), but now that I think about, it wouldn't really make sense for the evil spirit to say that. He has absolutely no intention of losing to Juste. If that's the case, that would also explain why Juste wearing both bracelets has no effect on the ending: despite the fact that Maxim is still resisting the evil spirit, he sees no other option than to get himself killed in other to save Juste and Lydie from the evil spirit. Of course, that does raise the question: "Why doesn't Maxim just kill himself then?" but I think the whole "If you won't kill me, I'll make you kill me" thing is a trope that is used in other stories as well. So it's probably possible to justify it.
edit: Zangetsu already came up with something similar, right?
Because suicide is forbidden by God. Reinhardt makes this mention in CV64/LoD. Everyone under the church's influence or teachings would be taught this lesson. Besides which Maxim doesn't harbour feelings of depression which is one the major triggers for suicide. Maxim couldn't kill himself due to his evil counterpart's influence to want to survive at any cost. In order for Maxim to die and save his friends he took the path of least resistance because he knew that the evil entity would also want that as well; to fight Juste. And Maxim knew that Juste would win against him. He counted on it.
I took at a look at that interview a while back with the hopes of finding an explanation but unfortunately it doesn't get us much further. They do indeed spend much time talking about the endings but it's more in terms of development rather than story. Earlier in the interview IGA explain he wanted multiple endings in the game. He mostly just describes how the endings work: there are 2 endings that correspond to each castle + one ending that is related to Juste and Maxim's rings (Lydie gave them the rings apperently). He then says the ending which is the most easy to get is the one where Maxim dies and Juste only manages to rescue Lydie. If the player then goes to the other castle, and doesn't equip the two rings, only Juste survives. He then adds: "That's strange, isn't it?". Later he says he did this deliberately so the player would wonder: "How can I save Maxim even though I've been told he's dead?". He mentions that Juste's line: "All that remains to remember them by is this bracelet..." is a clue for getting the true ending. Takeda also mentions the game over screen is also meant as a hint. That's just a rough summary but I'm certain no story explanations are given.
I think I finally figured out why Maxim and Lydie can "exist in two castles at the same time". The reason is surprisingly simple: we all wrongly assumed that castle A and B exist at the same time, but on seperate planes. However, another possibility is that whenever Juste enters one of those portals, which castle he was in ceases to exist and is replaced by the other castle. This means that whenever Juste enters a portal, Maxim's personality changes as well. This is supported by the game because you only ever encounter normal Maxim in castle A and evil Maxim in castle B.
For example, when you encounter evil Maxim and he transforms into that shadow monster. Afterwards, the only way to progress the game is to go back to the same exact room where you fought Shadow, except in castle A. Then you'll find Maxim there, crouching like he's wounded.
That's true. Yet, there are still odd situations in the game. For example, when you encounter evil Maxim and he transforms into that shadow monster. Afterwards, the only way to progress the game is to go back to the same exact room where you fought Shadow, except in castle A. Then you'll find Maxim there, crouching like he's wounded. But there's no reason why Maxim would show up in that room if you go with the "two castle existing simultaneously" interpretation. However, the developers seemed to think this was logical somehow because absolutely no clue is provided that the player should go back there. Whichever interpretation you go with, things don't add up. It's really bizarre.
This is not so disimilar to SOTN, while playing as Alucard, Maria waits for Alucard in multiple locations at one instant. Classic example being the spike room and ending room, or the Holy Goggles room/ ending room/ spike room. In reality she could only be at one of those locations, but different in game events occur in order to prompt different events to occur.
Could you elaborate on this? I tried looking up what you meant but I couldn't figure it out.
I also considered the idea that Maxim doesn't need to enter a portal and switches castle whenever his personality changes. However, It's difficult to find confirmation of this in an official source. I wish there was some kind of detailed summary of the game's story. That would really help clear up any ambiguities.
Could you elaborate on this? I tried looking up what you meant but I couldn't figure it out.