Topic: Next step in Metroidvania evolution imo

[xdiesp]

Every time a new 2D CV is released, reviews comment about the metroidvania formula becoming stale and little gimmicks being used to avoid the feeling: dual characters, pokemon style grinding, variety of locales, multiplayer... without any real change.

Imo the revolution would be bringing the castle to life, rpg style. More than a series of boxes where to kill monsters. I.e. it would be interesting to find the spectre inhabitants doing their stuff or able to talk, instead of just standing in place waiting. Soma would definitely have the power to command a legion of monsters around.

SOTN had very vague hints at his, like the librarian character. Alucard knew him, he was in a logical role, instead of totally random instertions in the midst of nothingness like Hammer or Wind. OOE has the village which is great, but it is somewhat detached from the rest of the game... as if a mega menu. I would like it all back into the castle, like a sprawling nest of evil which is actually interactable.

[darkwzrd4]

Yeah, I could really see that at least with Alucard and Soma.  Also, in SotN, there could have been more than the librarian.  Based on what Death says in the first meeting, Alucard was with them at one point in the past.  That being said, there could be individuals in the castle who now him and may want to help.  If I remember correctly in the CoD manga, the castle was a haven for individuals how hated God.  So, if that is true, not all of the castles inhabitants may be evil or at least nonviolent.  Plus, money is a source of power and for a price individuals will likely help out somewhat.  After all, everyone has a price (though it differs from person to person).  Hell, there could be some what if situations.  For example, the battle with Olrox in SotN.  There could have been a dialogue in which Olrox asks Alucard what he is doing.  At which point, you could choose an answer.  And, depending on how you answer the question(s), you may be able to avoid the battle and get the relic in the room beyond.  Let's say that Olrox indeed asks the question, one answer could be the following: "I've come to organize a coup and take my father's place as ruler of this castle w/ you as my second in command and Death as your subordinate."  At which point, he can say: "If I can be above Death, then I will assist you.  Don't you dare fail."  With that, a new shop with different stuff than the library shop could unlocked. Of course, if you give a different answer and Olrox fights you, the shop would not unlock.  It would be a one shot event.

If something like this is added, I think that it would add some real depth to metroidvanias that start characters with dark powers like Alucard and Soma.

[X]

All that does sound interesting. Little tid-bits like that would effect the game in a more positive way and giving it replay value above all.

-X

[Munchy]

variety of locales

This is by far the 2D games' biggest shared problem. They just can't help but recycle shit. I wouldn't mind so much if it didn't also boil down to recycling entire room layouts; it's very sad that Super Metroid still beats all the DS Castlevanias in regards to unique and intriguing rooms.

[X]

This is by far the 2D games' biggest shared problem. They just can't help but recycle shit. I wouldn't mind so much if it didn't also boil down to recycling entire room layouts; it's very sad that Super Metroid still beats all the DS Castlevanias in regards to unique and intriguing rooms.

It might be the fact that Super Metroid had a heavy atmosphere to it. There were some spots of repetitiveness, but I was to immersed and freaked out to even bother noticing. That's how good it was for me then and that's how it still is. If we can get another Metrivania to pull that off I'd be dynamite.

-X

[Munchy]

That too. The rooms need to be more intricate and the atmosphere is kinda lacking. OoE was a step forward in that some places were somewhat spooky.

[Chernabogue]

More cutscenes, more characters, more creepy/spooky places.

[DoctaMario]

more characters, more creepy/spooky places.

Definitely these. The castles were, on the whole, too pretty/clean. I want a dilapidated, fucked up looking castle, not one that looks like it has a maid that cleans it regularly. Actually, I'm not opposed to parts of it being pretty, but I really dig the grittiness of Castlevania 4 and wished they'd gone for more of that vibe in places.

It would be pretty cool if there were 2 or 3 different characters that had a unique perspective on the story, and each character had two or three areas of the castle that only they could get to. That way, you don't wind up seeing the whole thing (castle or story) on the first play and there's some incentive to play it again.

[darkwzrd4]

Definitely these. The castles were, on the whole, too pretty/clean. I want a dilapidated, fucked up looking castle, not one that looks like it has a maid that cleans it regularly. Actually, I'm not opposed to parts of it being pretty, but I really dig the grittiness of Castlevania 4 and wished they'd gone for more of that vibe in places.

It would be pretty cool if there were 2 or 3 different characters that had a unique perspective on the story, and each character had two or three areas of the castle that only they could get to. That way, you don't wind up seeing the whole thing (castle or story) on the first play and there's some incentive to play it again.

That would be cool.  There could be a team of heros who split up and explore different areas of the castle.  Sort of like Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep.  Each person would have their own individual story and each character's story would be part of the overall story.  In other words, you only get the full story by playing through each person's adventure.

[Chernabogue]

It would be pretty cool if there were 2 or 3 different characters that had a unique perspective on the story, and each character had two or three areas of the castle that only they could get to. That way, you don't wind up seeing the whole thing (castle or story) on the first play and there's some incentive to play it again.

Make an awesome remake of CV3.

[Viper]

Well, i saw demo of Obreck's Super Castlevania 3 fan game - it can be awesome remake, as far as i can see.
From Konami i want just a new 2D castlevania. Seriously, any.)) Adventure Rebirth had awesome gameplay, but it's still just a remake and sprite/background art is not so good as in any DS game...

[KaZudra]

what the Post-SoTN (with the exception of OoE) games were doing is clone symphony, add gimmicks, subtract effort and atmosphere. OoE actually added a Great Deal of Effort as well as great atmosphere, but that was a one in a million shot, It is very hrrible to hear rthat the most requested games for IGA to work on are remakes, the solution is not advancing the RPG elements, but advancing everything else that made SoTN such a great game, it was successful not but the style, but the effort, atmosphere, soundtrack, and prompted challenges which didn't rely heavily on the RPG system. a Castle that was completely free-roam was the sweet icing to the cake, games since then lack memorability and effort, even with superior technology, IGA still didn't make any game to compete til OoE. Maybe it is that IGA has Burned out, or maybe he has full focas on his most successful recent project, Castlevania: Harmony Of Despair wich has announced MORE DLC support shortly after chapter 11.

[xdiesp]

Truth be told, for lack of verticality OOE and by some degree all recent handheld are more reminiscent of Simon's Quest than SOTN.

[Munchy]

Truth be told, for lack of verticality OOE and by some degree all recent handheld are more reminiscent of Simon's Quest than SOTN.

My god, you're right. I never thought about that.

[thernz]

Would've helped OoE more if its level design was more like Simon's Quest than mostly straight paths for those areas.