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The Castlevania Dungeon Forums => General Castlevania Discussion => Topic started by: Belmont legacy on August 22, 2015, 04:37:59 AM

Title: I think I may have a problem with Castlevania 4
Post by: Belmont legacy on August 22, 2015, 04:37:59 AM
So recently I got a request to go and beat Castlevania 4 from one of my good friends and stepping back into that game was like stepping back into my own little happy place where VERY few games do that for me. (mostly Castlevania, Mario, Metroid, and Zelda games do this) Immediately I was welcomed by the fog on Dracula's grave and with whip in hand, everything came oh so familiar again. It was like it was destiny once again to vanquish evil and claim the Belmont name once again as my very own. Swinging through 10 levels of pure madness I had once again made it to the dark lord once again and vanquished him with the legendary vampire killer. Then it happened... I wanted more. I played it again. Then again and again and again. I simply CAN NOT get enough of this game!!! Now don't get me wrong. I am a huge fan of other games in the series and would love to go back and beat some i have yet to like harmony of dissonance, and aria of sorrow (without a walkthrough this time though) but man oh man this game is just amazing! I've been rocking a seriously fantastic game you might know as super metroid recently seeing as it's my first time running through it (yes no walkthroughs... well okay maybe once.) and trust me. This is one of the all time best video games I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing but its like I can feel myself slowly being drawn back to C4... So as stated as the topic, I think I have a problem with Castlevania 4.
Title: Re: I think I may have a problem with Castlevania 4
Post by: piscesdreams on August 22, 2015, 05:25:49 AM
I misunderstood the name of this thread and was readying my torches and pitchforks.

I'm the exact same way. I don't know if it's nostalgia, good game design or both, but SCIV never gets old. I can only hope one day Konami gets their shit together and does an HD remake of this game.
Title: Re: I think I may have a problem with Castlevania 4
Post by: zangetsu468 on August 22, 2015, 08:37:14 AM
I can only hope one day Konami gets their shit together and does an HD remake of this game.

This. Although it's not my favourite of the series and I prefer Chronicles as a re-telling of CV1, SuperCVIV is one of the most unique entries that can not be sneezed at.

I also would like a proper sequel to Simon's Quest based on SCIV (the same engine) with the same gameplay and 8-directional whipping system to boot.
Title: Re: I think I may have a problem with Castlevania 4
Post by: piscesdreams on August 22, 2015, 08:40:17 AM
I also would like a proper sequel to Simon's Quest based on SCIV (the same engine) with the same gameplay and 8-directional whipping system to boot.

I've never really considered a sequel to Simon's Quest. That would actually be very neat to see happen.
Title: Re: I think I may have a problem with Castlevania 4
Post by: Belmont legacy on August 22, 2015, 09:02:04 AM
I misunderstood the name of this thread and was readying my torches and pitchforks.

I'm the exact same way. I don't know if it's nostalgia, good game design or both, but SCIV never gets old. I can only hope one day Konami gets their shit together and does an HD remake of this game.

I knew that was coming with whole "Wait. What's wrong with SCIV?!" lol! Yeah I mean i dont know if its because I have such good memories with this game or the design or both (probably both) and dont get me wrong i like the metroidvania style games but no other game in the series has felt as well done, polished, and flawless as this one.
Title: Re: I think I may have a problem with Castlevania 4
Post by: Belmont legacy on August 22, 2015, 09:05:08 AM
This. Although it's not my favourite of the series and I prefer Chronicles as a re-telling of CV1, SuperCVIV is one of the most unique entries that can not be sneezed at.

I also would like a proper sequel to Simon's Quest based on SCIV (the same engine) with the same gameplay and 8-directional whipping system to boot.

Now that would be pretty epic. I mean I believe simon's quest gets a lot of flak but it's really not THAT bad. I would love to see that happen though. Like a throwback. that'd be pretty bad ass. However I don't really consider SCIV as a retelling as much as I do a sequel to simon's quest. It could be seen either way I think though.
Title: Re: I think I may have a problem with Castlevania 4
Post by: piscesdreams on August 22, 2015, 09:06:24 AM
I have to agree. SCIV is to me, the essential Castlevania period, and especially the classic style games. It's not for everyone, and that's fine. I like the metroidvanias too, but SCIV hit the nail on the head for the atmosphere I think this series needs again.
Title: Re: I think I may have a problem with Castlevania 4
Post by: zangetsu468 on August 22, 2015, 09:34:23 AM
Now that would be pretty epic. I mean I believe simon's quest gets a lot of flak but it's really not THAT bad. I would love to see that happen though. Like a throwback. that'd be pretty bad ass. However I don't really consider SCIV as a retelling as much as I do a sequel to simon's quest. It could be seen either way I think though.

Guys sorry I meant to say "remake" of Simon's Quest, not sequel :-/ I had a brain fart writing that previous post. Though an official sequel done like SQ would be epic.

Deep down I also see SCIV as more of a sequel to SQ rather than a re telling. For starters it's so far removed from CV1 and Drac's form/final form seems underpowered to me. I therefore don't believe it's necessarily a centennial resurrection. How did Drac return? The same way Ganon did in LOZ i.e. Because reasons :p

I realise the English versions of the game do allude to SCIV being a re telling though, so I'm not downplaying peoples' beliefs on this. For me personally, Chronicles' design is much closer (nearly identical) to CV1, so  I believe SCIV either the same Simon fighting Dracula for the third time or it happens in the parallel timeline of Legends and LOD. 

Title: Re: I think I may have a problem with Castlevania 4
Post by: X on August 22, 2015, 11:26:13 AM
So DarkYoshiMonster. You have an addiction eh?  :)  Can't seem to scratch that SCV4 ich no-matter how much you play it? Yep, Super Castlevania IV severely pushed the envelop of the classic CV style that has never been topped since. Bloodlines came close but the Genesis system held it back a bit in some areas. SCV4's music, atmosphere, game play, sounds, etc. still hold up today as they did back in the day. I still have an addiction to that game-...or is it an obsession..? Either way it's all good shit to me  :D I very much see SCV4 as a sequel to CV II rather then a re-telling or re-imagining. Especially in the prologue scene showing Dracula's grave (which looks identical to the one in CV II. That and both Slogra and Gaibon were first introduced in SCV4, and have been showing up in other games since. And the whole scene of fighting Slogra, then Gaibon, and finally Death before you face Dracula was epic in its own right. I've still yet to see such a gauntlet like that happen again in CV.
Title: Re: I think I may have a problem with Castlevania 4
Post by: zangetsu468 on August 22, 2015, 05:41:14 PM
I very much see SCV4 as a sequel to CV II rather then a re-telling or re-imagining. Especially in the prologue scene showing Dracula's grave (which looks identical to the one in CV II.

The mention below of Dracula's grave coupled with 'his hand' in the good CVII ending isn't coincidence to me. Simon had already fought Dracula twice prior to SCIV so no wonder his whip skills were so godlike. (8 directions)
Title: Re: I think I may have a problem with Castlevania 4
Post by: X on August 22, 2015, 08:47:43 PM
That and he survived the fatal curse, so yeah he's the man of men! 8)
Title: Re: I think I may have a problem with Castlevania 4
Post by: Belmont legacy on August 23, 2015, 06:07:19 AM
I have to agree. SCIV is to me, the essential Castlevania period, and especially the classic style games. It's not for everyone, and that's fine. I like the metroidvanias too, but SCIV hit the nail on the head for the atmosphere I think this series needs again.

Exactly. It did everything right I feel. I mean the atmosphere, the difficulty, the controls and mechanics, the graphics, the level layouts, the music, (especially) just everything was perfect in the game.
Title: Re: I think I may have a problem with Castlevania 4
Post by: Belmont legacy on August 23, 2015, 06:13:41 AM
So DarkYoshiMonster. You have an addiction eh?  :)  Can't seem to scratch that SCV4 ich no-matter how much you play it? Yep, Super Castlevania IV severely pushed the envelop of the classic CV style that has never been topped since. Bloodlines came close but the Genesis system held it back a bit in some areas. SCV4's music, atmosphere, game play, sounds, etc. still hold up today as they did back in the day. I still have an addiction to that game-...or is it an obsession..? Either way it's all good shit to me  :D I very much see SCV4 as a sequel to CV II rather then a re-telling or re-imagining. Especially in the prologue scene showing Dracula's grave (which looks identical to the one in CV II. That and both Slogra and Gaibon were first introduced in SCV4, and have been showing up in other games since. And the whole scene of fighting Slogra, then Gaibon, and finally Death before you face Dracula was epic in its own right. I've still yet to see such a gauntlet like that happen again in CV.

You've hit the nail in the head, basically. Just everything about this game is perfect. I mean it just OWNS in so many ways. What is really impressive is seeing a game from so long ago being 100 times better than any modern game even with all of the technology they have. Oh man that gauntlet was amazing. I remember getting so pissed trying to beat slogra and after I was super proud of myself then onto Gaibon whom I think they should've made a little harder seeing as he's some demonic entity but either way it kicked ass. And death...oh death. I actaully enjoyed this fight with death unlike in CV1 and 2. Dracula was a very good and challenging boss too. This game was just the perfect Castlevania game and remains it in my eyes.
Title: Re: I think I may have a problem with Castlevania 4
Post by: Belmont legacy on August 23, 2015, 06:16:55 AM
The mention below of Dracula's grave coupled with 'his hand' in the good CVII ending isn't coincidence to me. Simon had already fought Dracula twice prior to SCIV so no wonder his whip skills were so godlike. (8 directions)

Personally I thought that this game was also just a remake for the longest time and I can see how anyone would think that but then again X does put some good points in with the whole grave opening and it being relevant to CV2. I think I heard somewhere that in japan this was supposed to be a sequel and in america its considered a remake so either way. :)
Title: Re: I think I may have a problem with Castlevania 4
Post by: Shinobi on August 23, 2015, 08:56:20 AM
I very much see SCV4 as a sequel to CV II rather then a re-telling or re-imagining. Especially in the prologue scene showing Dracula's grave (hich looks identical to the one in CV II.

IMO, that gravestone is pretty much since the day he died before he turns himself into a vampire rather than it was only made right after Simon defeated him for the second time in Simon's Quest. Also note the gravestone between SCV4 and Simon's Quest was in different location, more likely Dracula's remains or his tombstone was relocated or transferred from cemetery as seen in SCV4 to the middle of the landscape in Simon's Quest.
Title: Re: I think I may have a problem with Castlevania 4
Post by: furiouspaul on October 03, 2015, 11:27:06 AM
you think you have a problem with CV4? hahahahaha, I think I take the cake on that one!  I've been playing it about 8 hours a day for the last few years along with another 6,000 hours of play from 1991 - 2013!
Title: Re: I think I may have a problem with Castlevania 4
Post by: Belmont Stakes on October 03, 2015, 02:30:24 PM
This game is without a doubt a classic. However if you want to get torches and pitchforks point them here. I have a couple of issues with the game. Some of the graphics (some characters and backgrounds) I do not deem worthy of the Castlevania standards. The Medusa heads have been better in the NES games (sans CVIII). I do not care for Simon's movement and jump physics nor how he is animated or drawn. I am not saying he is drawn poorly even for 16 bit sprites. I am just saying he looks better in CVI and VK. As for the movement and jump I am a CVI fan. I like the jump the move and even the injury and fall physics in the first game best. This is not to say that the game is poorly done. In fact I am disappointed that aside from this game only two others have had gap swinging in them. HOD doesn't Count.

With that said as far as atmosphere and music the mood set by this game has never been topped. The music is the high point in the series, forget SOTN. Only the first 3 NES games and Chronicles I feel come close to capturing this series in its essence IMO.
AVGN said it perfectly it just blew my fucking balls off back when I first played it.
Title: Re: I think I may have a problem with Castlevania 4
Post by: X on October 04, 2015, 10:05:30 AM
Quote
you think you have a problem with CV4? hahahahaha, I think I take the cake on that one!  I've been playing it about 8 hours a day for the last few years along with another 6,000 hours of play from 1991 - 2013!

Jesus... Ya got me beat.

Quote
This game is without a doubt a classic. However if you want to get torches and pitchforks point them here.

Trust us, we've read far worse and saw the backlashes it caused. I also have the occasional pet peeve with this game as well, however those are minor when compared to the game as a whole. So no worries bro  :)
Title: Re: I think I may have a problem with Castlevania 4
Post by: Belmont legacy on October 04, 2015, 09:20:56 PM
you think you have a problem with CV4? hahahahaha, I think I take the cake on that one!  I've been playing it about 8 hours a day for the last few years along with another 6,000 hours of play from 1991 - 2013!

got me beat too. damn. You really do love this game. Can't say I blame ya though! ;)
Title: Re: I think I may have a problem with Castlevania 4
Post by: DoctaMario on October 05, 2015, 11:36:14 AM
CV4 to this day just seems like an epic, massive installment of CV. Like the levels just seem huge, and because of how long the game is, it really seems like a QUEST! It's tiring playing through the game for so long because you have to be on point in a lot of it or you're going to die. I agree with PiscesDreams, I think the atmosphere in this game is exactly what CV needs and rarely has it been done better than they did it here.

My ONLY issue with the game is that Dracula doesn't have some massive final form. I was disappointed that he tapped out after throwing the fire pillars as I was expecting him to turn into some demon and try to pull a victory. I'm not sure what they'd have been able to do, but I think it would have capped off the game perfectly had they given him one more form.

BTW: DarkYoshiMonster, what is that in your avatar? Is that from a game?