Topic: Worst Game in Series

[shelverton.]

Vampire's Kiss is a mediocre Castlevania IMO, not because it's "not Rondo" - I didn't even know about Rondo back in 1995 - but because it was released as a sequel to Super Castlevania 4 on the SNES (som magazines even called it Castlevania 5). Compared to CV4 it's very primitive both in terms of level design, graphics, music and gameplay. My initial impression of Vampire's Kiss was that it felt rushed, looked ugly and lacked the atmosphere found in CV4. Had it been released BEFORE CV4 I would've probably liked it more cause it feels more like a natural follow-up to the NES games. In many ways it's actually more faithful to the NES roots than CV4. Which wasn't the greastest thing back in the day. I wanted spectacular graphics, huge sprites and gimmicky MODE 7 awesomeness. We all wanted that.

[Felix]

Stage 4 and 6 had Mode 7.

[uzo]

Also, I feel Richter's taller in Dracula X. In Rondo, he's barely 1mm taller than NES Simon.

Ok, Mr. Magoo.

[Ralph]

Also, I feel Richter's taller in Dracula X. In Rondo, he's barely 1mm taller than NES Simon. Also, the music is better.

They're identical, actually.

[uzo]

For future reference; the screen size to character size ratio is also an invalid argument, seeing as the resolutions are the same for both games. In no way is it possible that Richter could appear to be different between the versions, much less just a hair taller than CV1 Simon, when played on the same display at full screen.

[ReinhardtSchneider]

I voted for Rondo of Blood. I have yet to play a few of the titles, but of the ones I've played Rondo was the least enjoyable.  I can't describe why exactly but it came off as odd.  I even enjoyed CV64 more. The one thing about this poll I don't get is why is Curse of Darkness the least liked entry in the series?  I actually never played it, but it doesn't seem that bad.  I would like to play it eventually.

[e105beta]

How is Order of Shadows not winning this poll?

I voted for Rondo of Blood. I have yet to play a few of the titles, but of the ones I've played Rondo was the least enjoyable.  I can't describe why exactly but it came off as odd.  I even enjoyed CV64 more. The one thing about this poll I don't get is why is Curse of Darkness the least liked entry in the series?  I actually never played it, but it doesn't seem that bad.  I would like to play it eventually.

Are you sure you're not talking about Dracula X?

[corneliab]

The one thing about this poll I don't get is why is Curse of Darkness the least liked entry in the series?  I actually never played it, but it doesn't seem that bad.  I would like to play it eventually.

Curse of Darkness has absolutely dismal level design, probably even the worst in the series. Level design is definitely the most important thing to me in this franchise, so I can certainly understand people voting for the game.

[ReinhardtSchneider]

How is Order of Shadows not winning this poll?

Are you sure you're not talking about Dracula X?

Nope, Rondo of Blood. The one available on Wii's Virtual Console.  I don't know why it just didn't click for me.  Never played Dracula X or Curse of Darkness.  Curse of Darkness looks awesome, but it seems to be the least popular game.  But I'm still going to get it. 

[Sumac]

Voted for Harmony of Dissonance.
Ugly graphics with horrible palette.
Disjointed and repetetive music.
Boring gameplay with non-existent difficulty. Last two bosses are practically cakewalk, like Rondo's Dracula.
Dracula last form is WTF?
Seems this game was made as rip-off Symphony of the Night, but took everything that was wrong with SOTN and upped it to 11.
And story felt like it was retelling of Circle of the Moon, but with trademark IGA twist.

[shelverton.]

Curse of Darkness has absolutely dismal level design, probably even the worst in the series.

This.

However, the soundtrack alone made it almost worth playing CoD. One of my favourites ever. Though I prefer to listen to the music outside of the actual game. It is soooo loooong and boring. And samey. And slow.

[Innovator]

Personally, I can't vote.

There is no "worst" game in my view. But many poor games without "worst". You know already which games I'm thinking.

 

[ReinhardtSchneider]

This.

However, the soundtrack alone made it almost worth playing CoD. One of my favourites ever. Though I prefer to listen to the music outside of the actual game. It is soooo loooong and boring. And samey. And slow.

I just picked up Curse of Darkness the other day.... and I agree.  The game is kind of boring, the gameplay is somewhat fun, but the soundtrack is where it really shines!  It has one of the best soundtracks in Castlevania history in my opinion.  I was really pumped to play this, too.  Oh well.  I still wouldn't say this is the worst game.  I still never liked Rondo of Blood.  I don't know why, I just really don't like it.

[RegalX7]

I still think Lament Of Innocence has worse design, despite short platforming puzzles once in a blue moon. At least in Curse Of Darkness, rooms were more than two shapes, and areas didn't look identical to one another (marble tile).
Even still, I voted for Legends. I didn't like it at all.

[Donvermicelli]

I never expected to see that many votes for Curse of Darkness and Legends, Curse of Darkness had boring repetitive level designs ok.
But was it really that bad? the controls weren't terrible, the soundtrack was awesome and story was somewhat original. I was also shocked that I was the first who voted for Dawn of Sorrow, in my eyes the biggest failure in the franchise after Order of Shadows, Dawn was simply 90% recycled sprites from AoS, The Abysmal anime art that couldn't be worse(nothing against anime here but it simply isn't castlevania) The story was just as much a rerun of the good old damsel in distress combined with the fact that he was actually Dracula incarnate(this was original in AoS). The horrible Hammer crush(I mean how old is this guy?) The genius first stage (this was really the worst intro I have EVER seen in a game) and last but not least Alucard having to change clothes and dye his hair to regain his power? (come on here really...)
And besides the horrible controls, cv64 it wasn't that bad now was it? A good story, reasonable difficulty and the most awesome killer fish ever.
Oh well I guess everyone has his preferences.