Topic: What's up with those Belmont Wives, yo?

[Reinhart77]

my theory was that Angela was a relative of Sypha's who worked for the church as Sypha's replacement after she settled down.  and a major tease to her "big brother" Trevor...

[VGuyver]

Interesting about Darcula's past love interests, they were all reincarnations of the same woman he loved when human, and before he became Dracula. Him suddenly getting a countess as a lover. Well that makes me wonder...

[Super Waffle]

Annette obviously left Richter because he was spending way too much time with Sara.

blame IGA for that.

Castlevania's useless females predate IGA.

I recall a number of horrid Japanese manga porn of Maria

hows it goin

[X]

It's true that they do. But once IGA took over the reins the usless female-ism increased a hundred fold.

-X

[Reinhart77]

Let's see, when only considering "good" women:

Usefull females (can fight) by Iga :
Yoko Belnades
Charlotte Aulin
Stella (but still victim of vampirism)
Loretta (but still victim of vampirism)
Shanoa

"Usefull" reimaginations of earlier characters by Iga:
Maria
Sypha

"Usefull" females not reimagined by Iga:
Carrie Fernandez
Sonia Belmont
Carrie's cousin (but still a victim of vampirism)

"Useless females" (can't fight) by Iga:
Liddy Erlanger
Mina Hakuba
Sarah Trantoul
Lisa
Elizabetha
Rosalee
Julia
Misc female Wygol villagers with just as many "useless" males, so they kind of cancel each other out.

"Useless females" before Iga but re-imagined by him:
Annette
Tera
Iris
Rondo sacrifice girl

"Useless females" before Iga but not re-imagined by him:
Legacy of Darkness sacrifice girl
Simon's bride in Haunted Castle
Ada
Rosa (probably couldn't fight until turned to a vampire)

"Useless males" by Iga:
Hammer (ironically)
Vincent
All male wygol villagers
The Merchant / Master Librarian (might not count, as they're somewhat of enigmas)

And some others created by others, but "overseen" by Iga
Michelle Danasty (novel) - Usefull
Illyana Riktor Belmont (Belmont Legacy) - Usefull (but still got captured)
Pasha Totoyan (Belmont Legacy) - Usefull
Liza (LoI manga) - probably usefull
Justine Gandolfi (LoI manga) - useless (vampire victim)
Angela (Pachislot) - usefull
Zoe Belmont (Order of Shadows) - usefull, but not shown fighting
Dolores Belmont (Order of Shadows) - usefull, but not shown fighting
Lady Gunner (Arcade) - usefull
Little Witch (Arcade) - usefull

didn't get any "worse" during Iga's reign, though it does depend how you count them.

[Super Waffle]

Misc female Wygol villagers with just as many "useless" males, so they kind of cancel each other out.

That Belmont baker was totally fighting for the fate of the world with his delicious pastries.

[VGuyver]

Wait didn't Vincent actualy turn into a Vampire if you took too long? Not that he was a terribly tough boss. But still...

[Reinhart77]

ha, there's two "Vincents" who were turned into vampires.  Charles Vincent from Castlevania 64.  I didn't count him as useless because he can fight, although he sucks.  I was thinking of Vincent from Portrait of Ruin.  Too bad you didn't get to fight him for a few laughs when he got turned into a vampire.

[VGuyver]

oh right, that irritating priest. Hmm, I was sorta hoping he would turn into a cool villian since his character was so... "Blah!"

[Reinhart77]

...
Other Belmonts have wives if you look at non-canon sources, such as Haunted Castle or the Simon's Quest children's novel for Simon and the Belmont Legacy for Christopher (Lydie for Juste is just speculation).  I wonder if Julius gets a wife in that novel they made??  
...

Oh hey, I guess Lydie for Juste isn't quite as speculative as I had thought.  I didn't realize there was a "best best" ending in Harmony of Dissonance where Lydie leans on Juste and clings to his arm if he completely furbishes that one room.  Guess their relationship might not be totally platonic after all.

[Mobius]

Well in a technical sense, the shopkeepers (chief among them Julia) weren't entirely useless per se. They did provide you with goods and services after all, especially the ones that actually were willing to buy back useless equipment. Also, Sarah Trantoul proved useful in death by powering up the vampire killer to its final stage of evolution.

Not to go overboard here though. I personally draw the line of usefulness at uttering tips for progression from the safety of a castle entrance.

[Felix]

Useful Character: Actually helps you through the game. Recall how Genya helps Soma.

Not so useful: You may have to find him in order to make him help you. Recall all merchants.

Useless:

uttering tips for progression from the safety of a castle entrance.

[VGuyver]

most useless would have to be the CV2 NPC's some talked utter nonesense to confuse and prank you like "Bang your head agaisnt the cliff's wall to find your way." It was rather irritating at times that you could travel all of transelvania and there was not a single hint to actualy let you pass the level from the NPC's you had to read a guide to beat the game. >_>

[Mobius]

Agreed. If there is ever a CV II redux, there should be more concrete clues as to where to go and a few helpful NPCs. For instance, the crystal knights commenting on the power of the crystals. "This orb can change the course of rivers/command the four winds." Then later on a helpful old man who sees one of the crystals in your possesion tells you that "only the penitent man may pass through Deborha Cliff." Just a thought. ^_^

[VGuyver]

yes, like a 7 year old is going to figure that out right away. XD It's why I went right back to playing Ninja Gaiden after the 8th time geting stuck at the cliff part.