Topic: Why do some people say "Castleroid" or "Metroidvania"?

[Abnormal Freak]

How can anyone be so dense as to not pick up on the similarities?

When SOTN came out, it was noted for being similar to Super Metroid. Same sense of exploration, open-ended level designing, acquiring new items/objects/abilities/upgrades to get past areas you couldn't get through the first time you see them, and then of course the map system in SOTN and later games is very similar to Super Metroid's.

They're called Metroidvanias for this reason: Castlevania games that resemble Super Metroid and the series' later games.

As others have said, "Castleroid" is an idiotic term. "Metroidvania" at least explains something off-hand; you have "Metroid" and "vania" in the title, and when you think of either of those two words, chances are you're not going to think of anything else besides Metroid and Castlevania, 'cos what else has those two words? "Castle" and "roid" are very non-descriptive, and to echo other statements, it resembles "hemorrhoid."

Plus, from a grammatical standpoint, Metroidvania makes a hell of a lot more sense. Why? Because the first part of the word is being descriptive of the latter: it's a Castlevania game that's akin to a Metroid game, thus, a Metroid-esque Castlevania game.

[paletteswapmonster]

As others have said, "Castleroid" is an idiotic term. "Metroidvania" at least explains something off-hand; you have "Metroid" and "vania" in the title, and when you think of either of those two words, chances are you're not going to think of anything else besides Metroid and Castlevania, 'cos what else has those two words? "Castle" and "roid" are very non-descriptive, and to echo other statements, it resembles "hemorrhoid."

That's exactly what I mean.

[RichterB]

Post #16 by Abnormal Freak nailed it on the head. But I'd like to add or emphasize one more important point:

The style "Metroidvania" is noted, because it's not the native game design of Castlevania. It's an abstraction/anomaly that began with the genuinely well thought out SOTN, but has been repeated to the point that people think Castlevania = SOTN.

Castlevania was not about meandering, backtracking exploration featuring platforming with little to no consequences and leveling up. Castlevania was a tense level-by-level action-platformer (that could include multiple paths). Even Simon's Quest was more direct in its layout and skill-based in its platforming challenges. But the design of Stage 10: Sunken City from Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse is a concrete example of the vast difference between what was Castlevania, and what has become Metroidvania.

...For me "Castleroids" are a serious ailment that the series has come down with after SOTN.

[Abnormal Freak]

I agree to a point. I do like the Metroidvanias, but I'm sick of the fact we get nothing besides them in the sidescroller department. Give me a new straight-forward linear platforming game, please--IMO, those are the best Castlevanias.

[erimocard]

In Reply To #19

Well, though I like the Castleroids better, I'd like to get a new Oldschoolvania. But I don't mind playing through CV1, SCV4 and chronicles to my hearts content.

Also, just wanted to say that I HATE CV2. It's like Adventures of Link goes CV. T_T

[Rugal]

Oh, ok. So while we're at it let's find the first first person shooter game ever made, and do the same thing, ok!

What was it, Doom? I don't really know, but hey! It's all the same thing, right?

Doom-Life
Doomlo
Biodoom
Wolfendoom3D
Goldendoom
Medalofdoom
Doomofduty
Battlefield: Doom
Dues Doom
Doom Tournament 2008
Doom Cry
Doom Nukem

Yeah.

Whoever made the term "Castleroid" or "Metroidvania" didn't think about this, now did they!?

[Abnormal Freak]

:

Perhaps you missed the part where Castlevania was originally a different style of game BEFORE Symphony of the Night. You're taking a whole genre, not just a style of gameplay in making your lame comparison.

[Long John Silver]

In Reply To #21
wolfenstein 3d was made before doom.


wolfen-Life
halostein
Biostein
doomstein 3d
wolfeneye
duken nukemstein 3d

etc.

[Rugal]

:

Perhaps you missed the part where Castlevania was originally a different style of game BEFORE Symphony of the Night. You're taking a whole genre, not just a style of gameplay in making your lame comparison.

Castlevania II wants to speak with you privately in his office. (And yes, I know the original Metroid came out before CVII)

Even so. The point I'm trying to make is it's stupid to brand them "Metroidvania" because of some similarities. They are two completely different games.

[erimocard]

In Reply To #23

Now we even have three titles of Metroid Stein. Oh, and also Metroid Stein Hunters.

[Abnormal Freak]

In Reply To #24

But it's more than just "some similarities." If you don't want to acknowledge them, then whatever, but your opinion isn't going to prevent me from using the term.

[Long John Silver]

let's not forget castleraider for the n64 cv titles.

castle raider apocalypse (64)
legacy of a tomb

and castle may cry for ps2 ones.

lament may cry
devil of darkness (now with pokemon included)

etc.

[Rugal]

In Reply To #24

But it's more than just "some similarities." If you don't want to acknowledge them, then whatever, but your opinion isn't going to prevent me from using the term.

That's fine. I'm glad someone around here is finally learning. 

[Abnormal Freak]

Actually, the PS2 games are properly the "Dracula May Cry" installations.

[erimocard]

let's not forget castleraider for the n64 cv titles.

castle raider apocalypse (64)
legacy of a tomb

NOW YOU WENT TOO FAR