Topic: Are the old CV games even worth finishing?

[paulstanley]

Castlevania Chronicles *or Castlevania X68000* (A reimagining of the original CV game. Not really worth the time. While there are some interesting visuals and ideas, this one is pretty mundane, even for a fan of classic CV like myself).

Speak for yourself, buddy. Chronicles is a top notch game. It doesn't surpass the original by any means, but Jesus Christ, did you even play that game? Mundane? It's an almost entirely new experience. Its levels are cleverly designed and engaging all the way through. It also has one of the best soundtracks (both original and arrange) in the series, and the visuals are a feast for the eyes.

Like, holy shit, I can't even believe you recommended Dracula X, of all things, over this game. I mean, sure, I wouldn't recommend this to someone who's new to the older games either, but if I had to, between this and Dracula X, it would certainly be this.

[Inccubus]

I have to agree. CVC is a great game. It's actually a remake of SCV4 with a lot of throwback to the earlier games.
Based solely on gameplay I'd say if you want to play Dracula X, do so after the original trilogy since it has more in common with them than Rondo. Hell, they could have made Dracula X into a prequel of Rondo if they had wanted to and it would have been a perfect bridge between the classics and Rondo. (That's a good idea for a hack actually.)

Definitely don't pass on Chronicles it is a kick ass game that retains some of the more import play features of SCV4. Plus some of the traps are awesome. For the full effect play CV1 and SCV4 before Chronicles you'll understand why if you do.

[RichterB]

Don't for a minute consider playing Dracula X over Rondo...If there's one game that'll turn you off stage-based Castlevanias forever, it's Dracula X...Generally speaking, Super Castlevania IV and Rondo are fine initiations into the original playstyle. Out of the NES games, Dracula's Curse has probably the most wow factor, but the original is still better designed. It's never going to be made irrelevant by later installments.

Relax, the author of the thread HAS ALREADY played through Rondo, remember? And I stated that it was my opinion, and some others (as seen in a board thread on that very topic not so long ago). The reason I mentioned it at all is that as tough as Dracula X can be, it's more modern than CV1 or III in terms of visuals and controls, and therefore, as I said, might be appealing AFTER playing the other 16-bit entries. Particularly if one liked aspects of Rondo; for, as Inccubus stated here, Dracula X, in structure, could have very well been a bridge game to Rondo. So, there is a method to my madness.

Now, Castlevania 1 on NES is an extremely tight game, but I thought the variety, "wow," and gameplay options of later classic titles might be more appealing for newcomers. Plus, CV1 isn't exactly a breeze if you don't know all the tricks; even then, it can be unforgiving.

Also, certain events happen only at night. There is a special dagger weapon that can only be procured at night in a graveyard by making a certain exchange

You could only get this during night time sequences? Funny how I can get this during the daytime too. RichterB's overview is a good read and I'd also recommend you play said games too.

Huh, I didn't know that.   But then it's been at least 5 years since I've played all the way through Simon's Quest. Yeah, I just checked, and you're right. Sorry if I was misinformed on that. Ha, I think I've always done it at night! (sure does look cooler that way). Well, Simon's Quest is about misinformation anyway!   (Oh, it looks like the clue actually perhaps comes from a mansion, too, not a town). Regardless, the secret graveyard meetings is this game are awesome. (I edited my mistakes in the earlier post).

Speak for yourself, buddy. Chronicles is a top notch game. It doesn't surpass the original by any means, but did you even play that game? Mundane? It's an almost entirely new experience. Its levels are cleverly designed and engaging all the way through. It also has one of the best soundtracks (both original and arrange) in the series, and the visuals are a feast for the eyes...I can't even believe you recommended Dracula X, of all things, over this game. I mean, sure, I wouldn't recommend this to someone who's new to the older games either, but if I had to, between this and Dracula X, it would certainly be this.

I bought it on PSN after years of ignoring it, and played it all the way through on Arrange--though I couldn't get past the clocktower boss on the Original Mode--and am glad I didn't pay any more than I did. Anyway, I gave Chronicles credit, didn't I? I said it had good visuals and ideas, but I just didn't think the game as a whole was that compelling (hence the "mundane"). It felt more rigid/stayed than Super CV IV and something about the visual presentation didn't strike me as modern as Dracula X. It felt more computer game-ish (which is what it was, IIRC). And just taking the regular mode's clock tower and its boss into consideration, it's more difficult than Dracula X, I think. Dracula X has item crashes to help new players, too.

Now, I guess it's worth trying out for some of the unique thematic/visual touches (which I liked), but it's a game I don't find all that enjoyable to play, especially in re-playability. Yes, the music, particularly the Arranged stuff, is awesome, but I feel like I'm playing a bare bones game--the occasional set pieces are more interesting than the level design as a whole generally. The screen shot stills are largely more fun to look at than the game design itself in motion for me. I played it for the first time after The Adventure Rebirth (on its hardest setting), and found the latter more engaging and fair. By and large, CV:C feels like it doesn't do a whole lot that Super CV IV didn't already do in modernizing and expanding CV1. I, personally, just wouldn't make it a high priority; but again, that's my opinion (and I'm one of those strange birds who didn't think Rondo was all that, despite respecting its sense of scope). Anyway, I went back and added a caveat to this game's comments to give it a fairer shake.

EDIT: For the sake of completeness, here is my post from last year on CV:C--
"I finally bought this on PSN about a month ago. I don't think it matches up with its 16-bit brethren and I actually enjoyed Rebirth a lot more. Still, it does have some standout moments, particularly stages 2 and 3. It's at its best when it tries to innovate (moving mirrors, flaming rooms, frozen area, etc). The CG ending, despite its age, is quite cool. Also, the remixed music is amazing, especially level 2's (I wonder if the remix composer did work on Contra: Shattered Soldier or Neo Contra?--Yes). I can't beat the boss of the Clock Tower on Original Mode as of yet, but I beat Arranged Mode with the new and neat Simon sprite."

[Inccubus]

I do have to agree about CVC being more plain than SCV4; actually, for a long time I thought SCV4 was a remake of CVC. I guess it's because they were going for a more CV1 feel that it ended up seeming more mundane as you put it.

[Reinhart77]

its too bad there isn't a single platform where you can get an achievement for beating every Castlevania game ever made.  would it be worth it then?

[Inccubus]

That would be an interesting feature for an anniversary game.

[MRSKELETON]

EDIT: For the sake of completeness, here is my post from last year on CV:C--
"I finally bought this on PSN about a month ago. I don't think it matches up with its 16-bit brethren and I actually enjoyed Rebirth a lot more. Still, it does have some standout moments, particularly stages 2 and 3. It's at its best when it tries to innovate (moving mirrors, flaming rooms, frozen area, etc). The CG ending, despite its age, is quite cool. Also, the remixed music is amazing, especially level 2's (I wonder if the remix composer did work on Contra: Shattered Soldier or Neo Contra?--Yes). I can't beat the boss of the Clock Tower on Original Mode as of yet, but I beat Arranged Mode with the new and neat Simon sprite."
[/quote]


huh

do you mean dracula x like SNES dracula X
why would you want to reccomend a new player the game with the most awful platforming and play control of the whole series
and not a better game like dracula's curse or belmonts revenge