Topic: Areas NOT in the castle in old-style games.

[mephistopheles46]

How many of you guys enjoy the outdoor environments in old school CV games?  I'm referring to areas that show no real connection to the castle physically/architecturally.  Think CV3 mines, mountain areas, etc.  The same can be said for ALOT of SCV4, all of these outdoor areas that (for me) just feel like filler until you get to the castle.

CV1 and Rondo got it right for me (yes you start in Aljiba-hush).  Straight to the castle, no mucking about in swamps and what not. 

I just want your opinion, because I know I cannot stand those parts of the game.

[Profbeanburrito]

I love the out door areas from the older games. I really wish they would do more of those for newer games.

I think Dracula would have his minions outside the castle grounds to cause ruckus too. It would just make sense that you battle through them first to get to the castle.

[Steve]

CV1 and Rondo got it right for me (yes you start in Aljiba-hush).

[Baigan]

They build suspense.

[ProtoBelmont]

I honestly enjoy much of the outdoors stages that have been featured through part of the series, pretty much the earlier part that is. I think there is great beauty through most of those stages, well mabey minus the catacombs/caves in CV3. I like to think of Simons trekking adventure through the wilderness, leading to the castle in SCV4. With the lust dark forest leading to the swamp, leading to the stream, leading to the cave, leading to the rising passage way with the spacious mountains in the backround, etc. All of that I like!

Perhaps its because I live in the middle of woods, streams and swamps myself. I dunno. I'm kind hoping the newer CV games (especially the 2D ones) could include some more outdoor places.  (:/

[PFG9000]

I used to hate the outdoor areas.  When I first got into the series, it was the dungeons and clocktowers that made the game worth playing.  But now I've grown to like the outdoor areas too.  When you have to fight through hordes of enemies and traps just to get to the castle, you know the crap is gonna hit the fan as soon as you go inside.

[DragonSlayr81]

Outdoor areas are awesome. I prefer the forest areas over the caverns, though. Something wonderful about forests.

[Mortificator]

Don't be a shut-in! Going outside is good for you, and gives life more variety. John and Eric hiked across Europe, and things went great for them!

Now that I think about it, was the original Castlevania (and its variants) the only old-school game set entirely inside the castle?

[DoctaMario]

I love the outside areas. Honestly, one of the things that bores me about the Castleroid games is that they all take place in the castle, and every castle seems to have to have a chapel, a cave, a center, etc. It's dull. There are no outdoor levels, no different areas that may not fall within the walls of the castle.

I thought Castlevania IV was very cinematic in the sense that you had to fight your way TO the castle before you could really get things done. Stage 5 is one of the most well done stages in ANY CV game. The vibe of the stage, the music, that long climb to the castle door...and no boss!? It makes you appreciate it a lot more than if you just get dropped off at the castle front door and go to work.

[Donvermicelli]

I really liked Castlevania IV where you reached the castle doors and thought: " this is it!" and then you enter and a new map is displayed and you think: "wtf?, things just started?" I really enjoyed that moment.

[olroxshade]

Outdoor Stages....I'm in love with Lost Village only...and the old good Mad Forest..

[CVfan13]

Yeah, I really like outdoor CV levels, which is why I feel CoD has the ideal areas that a CV game needs.

[Baigan]

Expanding on what I said earlier, outdoor areas give you a sense of Dracula's reach. If Europe is at war with Dracula, you need a tour of the countryside to get a sense of that.

[CVfan13]

Perhaps its because I live in the middle of woods, streams and swamps myself.

Lucky! I wish I lived some place like that! Sure, I have some woods, but no streams and swamos or any real wilderness.

[Profbeanburrito]

I think it'd be really cool that in the next 3-D game it would have huge out door environments to explore. Forests, mountains, towns and such.

I also think it be cool if while you were headed towards the castle through the woods or something you'd come across a group of towns people hunting monsters with torches and pitch forks and what not, Frankenstein style.

I think what the series really needs in order to jump into good 3-D gaming (although I did enjoy the 3-D games) is expansive environments, not just crappy linear paths