Castlevania Dungeon Forums
The Castlevania Dungeon Forums => General Castlevania Discussion => Topic started by: crisis on June 11, 2011, 04:22:23 PM
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lets decide whether or not Koji Igarashi has overall been beneficial or detrimental to the series
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v119/c0mbat/iga3-1.png)
PROS
- he's a big supporter of the 2D format
- has been instrumental in porting one of the best games in the series (DXC)
- has a quirky sense of humor
- he's not afraid to admit his mistakes
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v119/c0mbat/iga2-1.png)
CONS
- due to his love of 2D, his laziness seems to have amplified (reused sprites, Harmony of Despair)
- even though he admits his mistakes, he doesn't seem to learn from them (Curse of Darkness, Nanobreaker)
- hasn't done much to branch out the "metroidvania" formula over the past 10 years
- his direct sequels typically fall short (DoS, CoD) and arguably do more harm than good to the timeline
anymore to add? will his cons outweigh his pros or vice-versa?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v119/c0mbat/iga-6.png)
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I got some cons
- When he makes a sequel, he doesn't seem to put the things in that made the original so great.
- 3D level design... I think he's doing it wrong.
But pros
- He's not afraid to experiment with things
But that's about it.
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So this is technically a "bash IGA thread" huh. :-\
Atleast thats how I think its going to end up turning into.
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So this is technically a "bash IGA thread" huh. :-\
Atleast thats how I think its going to end up turning into.
Probably, but that happens in every other thread too, so..
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I think if he had stopped making CV games after AoS, fans in general would have a much higher opinion of the guy.
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So this is technically a "bash IGA thread" huh. :-\
You're missing part of the title.
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Hey, I still have a high opinion of the guy. ^.^
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Actually Crisis I think you covered just about everything I fully agree with you.
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I think that's a fair list, In my opinion his cons are out weighed by his pros. I like IGA, I like what's he's done with the series, and I'll be happy if he does a few more, but after his timeline is finished I'm ok with him moving on.
I understand why people may not like him, nobody is perfect and a developer of any media can't please everyone, but I think he's done a fine job and I'm always happy with his games.
also, Crisis, great choice of images!
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I, too, am happy with IGA, but only in terms of 2D gameplay. His story telling skills really need some work. It's not just that. His method is counter-intuitive. He comes up with the individual story first and then tries to shoe-horn it into the existing cannon. If he considered the existing cannon first, we would likely wouldn't have as many plot holes.
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His last DS game was my favorite of the bunch. I love his vehement defense of the 2D format, and I'd blame his reuse of sprites and lame 3D level design more on Konami's money-grubbing nature than IGA himself. He just produces the things. (Though yeah, his storytelling needs a bit of work, but it's not at all why I play these anyway.)
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I love his vehement defense of the 2D format, and I'd blame his reuse of sprites and lame 3D level design more on Konami's money-grubbing nature than IGA himself.
Pretty much the exact same thing I was thinking. It sounded like IGA always had a pretty pitiful budget to work with. I'd love to see what he could've done with a decent one.
My main gripe was his storytelling. I know a lot of people don't worry about the storyline either way, but it's something I would really like to enjoy, given the series' deep history. I really did like some of the things he did plotwise (Demon Castle War backstory, Mathias' reason for seeking immortality, etc.), but other things I either didn't personally like or found to be too absurd (creation of the Vampire Killer, Whip's Memory, etc.). But really, all he'd need is some help or editing from someone more competent with making a plot. Besides that, the only other thing that bothered me was the level design of the 3d games (but then again, that could go back to having a shit budget, too).
I really liked the gameplay in his games, though. Each 2d game he produced was really fun to play, and each one had an identity of its own. Although sometimes I thought his execution could've been better, I liked the fact that he was always trying to come up with new gameplay features.
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Yeah, Order of Ecclesia was great because the new gameplay features were actually lavished upon, and not something second to the Metrovania formula. I'd love to see more titles that utilize that emphasis on the new "gameplay gimmicks" for each.
I think his team has a knack for little details, even ones that most people would hardly notice like the different colored butcher in AoS's Dance Hall. I also think the team of artists have an extra notch to the backgrounds than others. They seem to have a stronger interest in compositions and structure. Well, at least in SoTN and the GBA titles. Though I feel that interest somewhat returned in OoE.
As for flaws, the team's level design and dedication to the individuality of rooms has slipped. There's less interesting things going on in the backgrounds, and the layouts themselves are becoming blander and blander. This is even evident in the best of the DS titles, OoE. Then there's stylistic clashes between new sprites and recycled content, worse and floatier physics than SoTN.
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You're missing part of the title.
No I did not miss it.
I know how these threads turn out which is why I put put that it will "technically" turn into a IGA bashing thread.
Just my 2 cents.
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Pros: He's gone
Cons: He wasn't gone 12 years ago
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I know how these threads turn out which is why I put put that it will "technically" turn into a IGA bashing thread.
Pros: He's gone
Cons: He wasn't gone 12 years ago
Hahahahaha, oh boy. You don't get much better timing than that.
Jeez.
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Pro:Isnt afraid to inovate (somewhat)
Con: Obsessed with gameplay innovation- comes up with gameplay before story, and has to ALWAYS come up with a new gameplay system if it isnt a remake. AKA, he isnt afraid to innovate but he does it wrong.
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PROS: Symphony, Chronicles, Harmony, Aria, The Dracula X Chronicles, Ecclesia, The Adventure ReBirth
CONS: Lament, Dawn, Curse, Portrait
HEH: Judgment, Harmony of Despair
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Well, I already spoke my extra pros and cons, but here's something else...
PROS: CoD had a decent gameplay system.
CONS: Why was it so lacking?
Seriously, I picked up a copy of Nanobreaker yesterday. And I was playing it... You have one weapon the entire game, but it still felt more complete. As you level up, you can use experience to upgrade the weapon in order to have longer combos and extra moves. The level design wasn't the same thing over and over. The only thing that didn't feel as good or better than CoD was the music (interesting but lacking the CV depth).
These two games play rather similarly. It's just... why does one beat the other so much more? IGA did so much right with that game, but apparently when pulling the game into the CV universe, he could do the same... But I still like CoD, so heh. ^.^ (Yeah, yeah, still doesn't make the game an okay entry or something like that)
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No I did not miss it.
I know how these threads turn out which is why I put put that it will "technically" turn into a IGA bashing thread.
Just my 2 cents.
so offset the bashing with some support
anyway pros: 2d format..where castlevania is best IMO
comes up with interesting characters at times
cons: he cuts out charcaters from the timeline at will
Has rode the SOTNvania style to death
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Pros:
- As a person and as a series figurehead, there is nothing wrong with him. On the contrary. He seems like a nice, humble guy who has a quirky sense of humor (with the cowboy hat and the chibi-IGAs and all). I can imagine lots of people disagreeing with this, but I think he is charismatic.
- He respects the older games a lot. He constantly brings up DC as one of his favorites (or possibly his all time favorite) and Bloodlines / TNG. He actually acknowledges CV's history and roots - something Cox does not, IMO.
- He realizes that the majority of CV fans prefer 2D.
- He has at least tried to clarify the timeline of a 25 year old action series, which never had one person actually paying attention to it while writing it.
- He has tried new things with the series. They haven't always worked, but you can't learn without mistakes, right?
Cons:
- The recycling. We've seen the same sprites reused since RoB. We've seen the MetroidVania formula used title after title.
- He should delegate different parts of development a lot more. However, I have no idea how much he can actually affect this. He works on a budget given by Konami. That budget is limited and I don't know how much authority has over using it. For example, if I were him, I would not hire Ayami Kojima to do a bulk of official illustrations. Instead, I'd hire her to do sketches and I'd veto the ones I don't like at all (pinhead Hector and rubberneck Annette are things I would have simply kept out). There are hundreds of newcomers out there, hungry to work. Or guys who have proven themselves (like those who worked on SCVIV). He should hire those kind of people to do the story, create art and do level design.
- He works too fast. I wouldn't mind waiting a couple or even three, four years to play a kickass CV. Again, I don't know how much he can actually influence the deadline.
- So, to summarize: his job description either keeps him down or he is not fully utilizing his position. One of his pros, as has been mentioned before, is that he admits his mistakes. He knows there's been things that have not been done properly. Therefore, he should get fresh blood on the team. After all, a producer should be the nexus of the team - the one who chooses the people for the job.
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Pros:
- As a person and as a series figurehead, there is nothing wrong with him. On the contrary. He seems like a nice, humble guy who has a quirky sense of humor (with the cowboy hat and the chibi-IGAs and all). I can imagine lots of people disagreeing with this, but I think he is charismatic.
That's a big point for him, I think. He's also confident while being humble. The guy's a real champ, taking the motto of "humble never braggin'" to new levels.
Also one more pro:
- He's dead sexy.
Puwexil already listed everything else, so not much else to say here.
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Cons: He dislikes women protagonists.
Pros: He took his first steps of redemption with Shanoa in OoE. But he still has a ways to go.
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Cons: He dislikes women protagonists.
Pros: He took his first steps of redemption with Shanoa in OoE. But he still has a ways to go.
I can only wonder where this whole "HE HATES WOMEN AMIRITE GIRLS" thing started. He didn't retcon Legends because a goddamn woman starred in it.
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I can only wonder where this whole "HE HATES WOMEN AMIRITE GIRLS" thing started. He didn't retcon Legends because a goddamn woman starred in it.
I was gonna say the same thing about that but then I decided not to bother.
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^ These guys are just crazy, forget what they say.
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The only thing that didn't feel as good or better than CoD was the music (interesting but lacking the CV depth).
I thought about this too. The music is completely out of place for the setting of the game.
Need to get that game again sometime. It certainly has one of the most fucked up intros of any game I know.
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There are several tracks on the OST which I found enjoyable, but honestly, it was just... not so indepth. It's worth picking it up again. Here where I'm at you can get it for 3 bucks. ^.^
And in an ontopic note: Considering the possibilities of a 3DS Castlevania now, I'm just hoping its IGA coming back and blowing us away with another game like DXC (doesn't necessarily need to be a remake, just a game in that fashion).
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(http://news.dengeki.com/elem/000/000/350/350643/c20110228_maxwell_01_cs1w1_480x640.jpg)
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Pros:
He made Symphony
I find him funny
Cons:
He tried to copy SOTN but failed.
He's not good at coming up with a story for his games.
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'Igarashi in Scribblenauts hat'
That is definitely a pro. ;D
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You guys are crazy. Curse of Darkness has one of the best soundtracks in the series (barring the cutscene music).
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You guys are crazy. Curse of Darkness has one of the best soundtracks in the series (barring the cutscene music).
I don't remember anyone bashing it.
We said Nanobreaker's music was kinda suckish.
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OOPS DISREGARD I MISREAD
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Curse of Darkness had a pretty good soundtrack.
My top 2 would have to be Cordova Town and Abandoned Castle.
Although CVCOD's soundtrack has nothing on CVSOTN and CVLOI's soundtracks.
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My top 2 would have to be Cordova Town and Abandoned Castle.
High-five! My favorites, too! ^.^
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Toccata into Blood Soaked Darkness is one of the best Vania tunes ever, and one of the best Dracula Batte themes ever. (not that there are that many)
Im actually surprised they went with a NEW theme for Dracula other than the usual Dance of Illusions. Considering how much IGA reuses it in his vanias.
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Im actually surprised they went with a NEW theme for Dracula other than the usual Dance of Illusions. Considering how much IGA reuses it in his vanias.
Besides the Symphony of the Night intro and DXC (which are justified), there's just...Dawn of Sorrow. The real battle in Symphony had Black Banquet, Harmony had Old Enemy, Portrait had Banquet of Madness and Ecclesia had Order of the Demon. Aria and Lament had no Dracula battles, so...
Counting only the main series, of course.
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Besides the Symphony of the Night intro and DXC (which are justified), there's just...Dawn of Sorrow. The real battle in Symphony had Black Banquet, Harmony had Old Enemy, Portrait had Banquet of Madness and Ecclesia had Order of the Demon. Aria and Lament had no Dracula battles, so...
Counting only the main series, of course.
Well if you count non-main series, then you have Judgment and Harmony of Despair, Circle of the Moon and Legacy of Darkness.
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Only two of those are IGA games though.
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Only two of those are IGA games though.
Right you are. Though CotM was Ko-G. ^.^
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PROS:
he helped make sotn
and revived the castletroid after cv64 and legacy of darkness came
CONS:
He's mostly making castletroids and pays no attention on improving on 3D
the cv timeline is becoming a time paradox due to weak story
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Right you are. Though CotM was Ko-G. ^.^
Though Ko-G's not IGA. Ko-G even worked on PoR and OoE as an artist.
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Though Ko-G's not IGA. Ko-G even worked on PoR and OoE as an artist.
Never said he was, and nothing in my post implied it. :P
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I've enjoyed pretty much every 2D title he has worked on to date...some more than others, of course. But I've never walked away from any of his 2D works feeling like I wasted my time. His 3DVanias, on the other hand, just weren't on par with other titles of the genre at that time. They both had lots of great CV ingredients in the mix (music, art design, interesting combat systems, plenty of classic monsters), but the overall 3D recipes were sub-par. Action wasn't dynamic enough, level design was poor, and the plots were either uninspired (CoD) or poorly presented (LoI).
In short, I don't mind him making 2D titles (though he does need to up his production values)....but I have no desire to see him helming a new 3DVania ever again.
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In short, I don't mind him making 2D titles (though he does need to up his production values)....but I have no desire to see him helming a new 3DVania ever again.
I would love 2DVanias.
And 3DVanias wouldn't be too bad... if he actually put some work into it. I just can't convince myself that real work was put into CoD. The only thing done right was the sound (music, voices, etc.)
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Never said he was, and nothing in my post implied it. :P
i just wanted to post
postcount ++
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Pros: To be honest I like almost everything Iga has done with series.
Cons: Lack of playable Belmonts as the lead!!!
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PROS:
- He made SotN, breathing new life into the series.
CONS:
- He keeps trying to make another SotN, and AoS is the closest he's ever come.
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He made SotN, breathing new life into the series.
IGA didn't produce SotN. He was the assistant director and one of the graphics artists.
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He made SotN, breathing new life into the series.
IGA didn't produce SotN. He was the assistant director and one of the graphics artists.
But no one likes the other guy. :P
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But no one likes the other guy. :P
So? that doesnt magically make IGA the producer. he's still only assistant director and graphic artist.
if anything, having that other guy back would be nice. Maybe he could do what IGA keeps failing at- making another game like Symphony.
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He was the assistant director and a programmer for Symphony (also scenario writer but). He didn't do anything with the graphics.
You people do know that directors and assistant directors have more creative freedom/control than producers, right? If anything, Symphony goes to show how much better the games would be if he were given more creative control.
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So? that doesnt magically make IGA the producer. he's still only assistant director and graphic artist.
if anything, having that other guy back would be nice. Maybe he could do what IGA keeps failing at- making another game like Symphony.
Can't take a joke? :P
He was the assistant director and a programmer for Symphony (also scenario writer but). He didn't do anything with the graphics.
You people do know that directors and assistant directors have more creative freedom/control than producers, right? If anything, Symphony goes to show how much better the games would be if he were given more creative control.
Producers are the ones who make all the decisions, though.
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But no one likes the other guy. :P
No one likes Toru Hagihara? Could've fooled me. He worked on Belmont's Revenge as a programmer, directed and programmed Rondo, and finally culminated with Symphony in a director/programmer/producer position. Those are pretty bangin' credentials.
Now, it's to Igarashi's credit that Symphony turned into the kind of free-roaming series revolution that it was, as reportedly Hagihara stepped down from his directorial position fairly early on in the project and handed the reigns over to him, and thus the game took on new life. But really, it's better to look at how great it turned because it was both a last hurrah for the old guard of Castlevania developers, and simultaneously a subject to a lot of new blood, the Igarashi/Yamane/Kojima power trio being of course the most notable.
I'm pretty sure if Hagihara is still at Konami, he's been promoted to a managerial position by now and is not directly involved in making games anymore, so it's kind of a lost cause to want him back in that capacity.
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No one likes Toru Hagihara? Could've fooled me. He worked on Belmont's Revenge as a programmer, directed and programmed Rondo, and finally culminated with Symphony in a director/programmer/producer position. Those are pretty bangin' credentials.
I was kidding, dudelaws. >.>
I think Hagihara's a badass.
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directed and programmed Rondo
get this man back right now.
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Producers are the ones who make all the decisions, though.
Producers are the "this is our deadline and scheduling, and here's the budget we got" and then later the "FFFFF WE'RE ALMOST AT OUR DEADLINE! APPROVING OVERTIME FOR EVERYONE!" guys.
If you have a good one, he'll try and motivate you too. I remember the long overtime nights of free Redbull and snacks. (We still didn't technically meet our deadline though.)
They don't particularly have anything to do with the game's creative aspects though, as they are more of a project organizer and leader in management. At least in an American company.
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Producers are the "this is our deadline and scheduling, and here's the budget we got" and then later the "FFFFF WE'RE ALMOST AT OUR DEADLINE! APPROVING OVERTIME FOR EVERYONE!" guys.
If you have a good one, he'll try and motivate you too. I remember the long overtime nights of free Redbull and snacks. (We still didn't technically meet our deadline though.)
They don't particularly have anything to do with the game's creative aspects though, as they are more of a project organizer and leader in management. At least in an American company.
I 'unno. I was reading a book from Japan, whilst I was studying up on game design. According to that book, the producers make the decisions. Either my book was wrong or we're all misinformed.
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Ehhh, I remember a tweet from Hideki Kamiya saying pretty much the same thing as Uzo. I really don't think they would switch around roles like that just because they're in Japan.