Castlevania Dungeon Forums
The Castlevania Dungeon Forums => General Castlevania Discussion => Topic started by: kaiwai on February 20, 2014, 11:29:53 AM
-
Hi everyone,
I think about this since a few monthes and I just saw people speaking about this topic in another thread:
I believe that Vanillaware should be the next studio working on the Castlevania serie!
"The studio's past projects have specialized in 2D, or sprite-based, game design. They have garnered positive attention from fans and game media alike for embracing 2D game design in a market dominated by 3D games. The company was formed from members of the Atlus project team which had developed Princess Crown for the Sega Saturn in 1997."
~Wikipedia
Vanillaware is focused on amazing art direction and 2D HD graphics with a sweet japanese flavour. I personally think they are actually the best in this discipline, pushing 2D games at the highest level. If Konami decide to team-up with this studio for a new castlevania episode, I'm convinced it could result to an awesome video game. Graphically, between the occidental felling of "Lords of Shadow" and the subtle Kojima artworks of "Symphony of the Night".
I think their games bacame better and better, and with their last titles such as Muramasa and Dragon's Crown, the gamers are waiting for them. The only concern: Is Vanillaware could work for another company as an independent studio, like Platinum Games did for the Konami's Metal Gear Rizing?
2007
- GrimGrimoire (PlayStation 2)
- Odin Sphere (PlayStation 2)
2008
- Kumatanchi (Nintendo DS, Japan only)
2009
- Muramasa: The Demon Blade (Wii)
2011
- Grand Knights History (PlayStation Portable, Japan only)
2013
- Muramasa Rebirth (PlayStation Vita)
- Dragon's Crown (PlayStation Vita and PlayStation 3)
Here are some beautiful screenshots and artworks from the artists of Vanillaware, not too far from the Castlevania universe:
(http://img1.meristation.com/files/imagecache/bigscreen/imagenes/juegos/ps3/action/beatem_up/dragons_crown/1375842037-4.jpg)
(http://img1.meristation.com/files/imagecache/bigscreen/imagenes/juegos/ps3/action/beatem_up/dragons_crown/1375839119-5.jpg)
(http://img1.meristation.com/files/imagecache/bigscreen/imagenes/juegos/ps3/action/beatem_up/dragons_crown/1375842054-8.jpg)
(http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/a0/f8/95/a0f8957ec29377328fb36b1086fd2e2c.jpg)
(http://cdn-static.gamekult.com/gamekult-com/images/photos/00/01/40/71/ME0001407147_2.jpg)
(http://wiimedia.gamespy.com/wii/image/article/969/969042/muramasa-the-demon-blade-20090402032017941_640w.jpg)
(http://www.jeuxcapt.com/upload/module_images/1306488084_261399_grand-knights-history.jpg)
http://vanillaware.co.jp/ (http://vanillaware.co.jp/)
-
I've only played Odin Sphere a little bit, so I can't comment very well on Vanilliaware's game design, but the visual style these games have are very pleasant on the eyes. It's very colorful and bright, but I could totally imagine them pulling off a very creepy gothic atmosphere with it. In comparision to the GBA and DS games, MoF looked very drab and boring, and having the series return to that visual appeal would be wonderful.
-
i only played Muramasa out of those yuo mentioned, and while an awesome game, it really lacked in the platforming sections. i fear a castlevania game developed by Vanillaware might suffer the same altho like i said i havent played those other games so i cant comment on the platforming in those. it will sure thing be visually impressive, with loads of unique enemies & excellent character designs. it will literally look like a Ayami Kojima painting come to life (UH OH SHOULDNT HAVE SAID THAT HERE COME THE KOJIMA LOLZ PRETTYBOY HATERS), but it would also have to introduce difficult platforming thats reminiscent of castlevania 1 and castlevania 3
-
I've never played any of the games you listed, but that artwork looks like it would fit Castlevania like a glove in my opinion.
-
Their art style would be amazing for a Castlevania game, but as Crisis mentioned, I don't know that they can pull it off in terms of gameplay. They tend to focus on a more beat 'em up/RPG method to game design, and the games I've played are more hack and slash with little to no emphasis on platforming or level design.
-
Have Vanillaware on graphics department, Have Someone else do level design.
Vanillaware is great on graphics, but they aren't the best at stage design, it's either too flat or too vertical
-
We already had this discussion and no. Vanillaware makes good looking games with the worst gameplay and 90's design. Please no. I stand by what I think since a long time ago, the Next castlevania is coming from Doble Helix. Mark my words.
-
Can't agree that their gameplay and design is bad. Muramasa and Dragon's Crown are great games. Flat with little level design to speak of, but it works for them, and it appears to have worked for Odin Sphere as well (haven't played it). Their focus is on combat. It's like saying a tactical RPG is bad because there's no free-roaming; it's not the point of the game.
What Vanillaware does, in both graphics and gameplay, they do very well.
And Double Helix? The studio which was bought out by Amazon.com? Don't count on it.
-
I meant Climax, sorry.
-
I'm not familiar with them outside of Silent Hill Origins and Shattered Memories (both good games), or if they even have done much of anything. Is there a reason you think they'd either be given the opportunity to make a new Castlevania or why they ought to? They seem pretty dead in the water.
-
Yes. Their style woulsd be a perfect fit glad I'm not the obly one who thinks that I felt when playing muramasa. Have a two character story arc and boom let's get started. I've also have odin sphere but muramasa just wow.... Love it one of my top wii games.
Edit:I also recall having the ability of getting grimoire but I passed on it instead for odin sphere is it any good?
-
Seeing a game in that beautiful sprite work would make me cry bloody tears of joy.
-
Seeing a game in that beautiful sprite work would make me cry bloody tears of joy.
I would get hungry just saying I feel like sushi. Dang I've felt like that all week too.
-
i like yellowtail sushi and am open to new things
-
Guys, we nearly all agree that the Art Direction of the Vanillaware games is amazing and would fit well to the Castlevania serie. If most of you wants another Castlevania in 2D, this is one of the actual best japanese studio for that!
In term of Gameplay and Level Design, I have to agree that Muramasa, even if I loved the game, was a bit boring after a few hours, but still a good 2D game. But if you think about it, some of the Vanillaware games already have a lot of Castlevania elements: platforming, combat, atmospheric background, farming weapons/items/magics, RPG elements, etc...
Thinking that all the games of Vanillaware have the same hack'n slash mechanics is just a hasty prejudice! Have a look to the list of their titles and see how different they actually are:
- GrimGrimoire: Real-time strategy game
- Odin Sphere: Action RPG
- Kumatanchi: Life Sim
- Muramasa: Action/platform RPG
- Grand Knight History: Traditional RPG
- Dragon's Crown: Action role-playing / beat 'em up
As you see, they have their style but they are absolutely not limited to one only genre and gameplay!! In my opinion, they could have done a game like Symphony of the Night, or something similar (I mean, in term of genre). So, if they actually work with people from Konami that know the CV serie better, it could result in something really interesting, with good story, interesting gameplay and amazing 2D graphics.
Don't be to narrow-minded and think about it, it's not so stupid. Who could have bet on a spanish studio from Madrid directed by an english guy, making an excellent Castlevania trilogy?! So, after their partnership with Platinum Games and Mercury Steam, I really hope Konami will seriously think about making a game with Vanillaware. ;)
We already had this discussion and no. Vanillaware makes good looking games with the worst gameplay and 90's design. Please no. I stand by what I think since a long time ago, the Next castlevania is coming from Doble Helix. Mark my words.
(...)
I meant Climax, sorry.
Ok, there is already a topic about this?? Sorry for that if it's the case.
Double Helix, mmm, well, why not, the Strider reboot looks ok...
... but Climax? Well... not sure about that mate!! :rollseyes:
Don't worry, I "mark your words" !! 8)
-
A Vanillaware Castlevania game would look awesome, but as others stated, the gameplay might be more RPG (walking back and forth) and beat em up - afterall, the guy behind all the Vanillaware game started off being involved in the Capcom Dungeons and Dragons games, which Dragon's Crown is considered a spiritual Sequel to.
How about Arc Systems and Wayforward? I think the former would be innovative, but would be filled with an exaggerated anime art style with a heavy metal soundtrack. If one could over the art style, the game would probably be good. As for Wayforward, I would imagine them making a CV sequel more like a remake of the first Castlevania game, but with a few elements thrown in. One of the things I do not like about Contra 4 is that the gameplay feels too dependent on nostalgia with the first half of the game being based on Contra 1 with an ability of Bionic Commando thrown in. I had fun playing their Ducktales remake, but that, of course is a remake of a classic Capcom game. Then again, Castlevania games of the past heavily used stages and boss battles from other Castlevania games, so that might work for CV.
-
Yes, I vote for WayForward in a Castlevania game. Handheld or digital. I love Contra 4, because its feels like a true Contra game.
As for the art direction from Vanillaware, I prefer the one from the Order of Ecclesia game. But, lets give them an opportunity, if is available in the end. But, I can´t imagine CV characters like the Amazon or the Sorceress from Dragon´s Crown...
...But, anything than Anime art, please!!! :P
P.D. Yay, at least I am a Vampire Hunter :D !!! After a few years, I know...
-
...But, anything than Anime art, please!!! :P
It depends on the artist in question really. There is an entire demography of anime styles out there. Some are bad, some are good and some are just plain awesome. There's got to be some stylization of anime that will cater to your liking.
-
I took a look at what Wayforward produced over the years, and the vast majority appear to be poorly received licensed titles. I really wouldn't want a studo with such a poor looking track record take a shot at a Castlevania game.
-
But, I can´t imagine CV characters like the Amazon or the Sorceress from Dragon´s Crown...
Dragon's Crown is George Kamitani's most stylistic game. He originally envisioned the art style to be more typical of '90s RPGs (since the game was conceptualized as far back as that time).
(http://cdn2.dualshockers.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Dragons-Crown-Dreamcast-1998-Cropped.jpg)
He has a broad scope of character design.
I took a look at what Wayforward produced over the years, and the vast majority appear to be poorly received licensed titles. I really wouldn't want a studo with such a poor looking track record take a shot at a Castlevania game.
They've also done some of the most fun games of recent memory. Contra 4, Aliens Infestation (a better Super Metroid styled game than everything after Symphony of the Night), LIT, Mighty Switch Force!, and their remakes and entries to existing video game IPs have been pretty well-received, including A Boy and His Blob, Bloodrayne: Betrayal, and DuckTales Remastered. They're a wholly competent game developer and could do the series justice.
-
Compenent perhaps, but there are better choices in my opinion.
-
Hi guys,
I found a nice vampiric succubus from Vanillaware:
(http://www.cute-pop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06b/vampire.png)
How about Arc Systems and Wayforward? I think the former would be innovative, but would be filled with an exaggerated anime art style with a heavy metal soundtrack. If one could over the art style, the game would probably be good. As for Wayforward, I would imagine them making a CV sequel more like a remake of the first Castlevania game, but with a few elements thrown in. One of the things I do not like about Contra 4 is that the gameplay feels too dependent on nostalgia with the first half of the game being based on Contra 1 with an ability of Bionic Commando thrown in. I had fun playing their Ducktales remake, but that, of course is a remake of a classic Capcom game. Then again, Castlevania games of the past heavily used stages and boss battles from other Castlevania games, so that might work for CV.
You suggest Arc System but unlike Vanillaware, they only have one type of games to their credit!!
I can't see them doing an adventure game like Castlevania, even if I like their titles (the next Guilty looks amazing) !!
I admit that Wayforward is not the worse choice, when we know that they already worked with Konami. They have some good games in their name, but in my opinion, their graphic style is maybe generally a bit too "toony" and certainly not gothic. But I guess they could adapt their style... this is what you ask to your artists when you are a video game studio!! ;)
-
Double post, sorry. :rollseyes:
-
they made guilty gear 2 overture which was like 10 genres
and hard corps uprising too
-
I want the devs who did GuiltyGear Xrd. That's magic in motion.
-
they made guilty gear 2 overture which was like 10 genres
and hard corps uprising too
Yes, true, I forgot about "Hard Corps Uprising"!! That's a very dynamic Contra-like indeed. :)
But "Guilty Gear 2 Overture" was really bad and was more like the proof that it's hard for Arc Systems to make another type of game then the classic Guilty and Blazeblue!! I love their style but I'm not sure it fits to the Castlevania universe. And their chara-design is too manga-style for me!! It's a question of taste but the "Dawn of Sorrow" and "Judgement" chara-design still haunt my worse nightmares!!!
-
DoS's art style isn't too bad when you pair it along-side Judgement's which I find is even more atrocious. Two leather-pimped Belmont's, a mummified Grant, and a male lipstick-wearing time traveler?? No thank you! At least in DoS there was a sense of normalcy in the characters. Same deal with PoR. While the style is not to everyone's liking at least it didn't end up looking like Judgement's. I will say I really like the art style of OoE. It captured Kojima's Gothic style nicely, but at same time it showed people as people and not androgynous prettyboy clones. I also don't mind the art style of Dragon's Crown either. While it's true that the characters are exaggerated in terms of bodily proportions everything else is fantastic. And it's not like they can't draw out a properly proportioned character anyway.
-
DoS's art style isn't too bad when you pair it along-side Judgement's which I find is even more atrocious. Two leather-pimped Belmont's, a mummified Grant, and a male lipstick-wearing time traveler?? No thank you! At least in DoS there was a sense of normalcy in the characters. Same deal with PoR. While the style is not to everyone's liking at least it didn't end up looking like Judgement's.
The artworks of DoS and PoR was not terrible, but really not worthy of Castlevania IMO. It was really standard manga style with an obvious lack of inspiration. That was artistically really poor and uninteresting!! Same for the ingame character portraits.
(http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m79/jgusw/castlevania_dawn_of_sorrow_zps6e2a5752.jpg) (http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portraitofruin_3104.jpg)
I will say I really like the art style of OoE. It captured Kojima's Gothic style nicely, but at same time it showed people as people and not androgynous prettyboy clones.
Yes, I really prefer the art direction of Order of Ecclesia and Harmony of Dissonance. That's really a good compromise and the artworks has definitely more personality. That results in a very nice intro movie for OoE.
(http://games-open.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/castlevania-harmony-of-despair-shanoacastlevania--harmony-of-despair-----castlevania-wiki-tcwpvoqt.png)(http://static3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110919164560/castlevania/de/images/1/18/Alucard_HD.png) (http://www.getready.net.br/get_ready_go/ckfinder/userfiles/images/harmony-of-despair_DLC.jpg)
-
I also don't mind the art style of Dragon's Crown either. While it's true that the characters are exaggerated in terms of bodily proportions everything else is fantastic. And it's not like they can't draw out a properly proportioned character anyway.
Of course, the direction that Vanillaware took in the character-design of Dragon's Crown doesn't mean that they can only create deformed characters!! Same for the gameplay and game-design of their titles: a video game studio is supposed to be able to adapt a little bit their formula for every project... since they keep their amazing 2D graphics !! ♥
-
Yeah, its true that a Vanillaware game can adapt to a Castlevania one without lose its distinct identity (CV identity). I mentioned Vanillaware´s female characters, but only in the art direction, because in terms of gameplay in their games, they have much potential.
And yes, maybe WayForward doesn´t have perfect games, but I have a lot of fun with its games.
By the way, we are all talking about 2D gameplay, isn´t??? :P
-
By the way, we are all talking about 2D gameplay, isn´t??? :P
Yes absolutelly !! ;D
-
Yes absolutelly !! ;D
Perfect!!! Because I love 2D games :)