Topic: Konami's Approval Rating

[Claimh Solais]

Again, I said I wouldn't go as far as to call someone a bitcher or a whiner. I understand how inconsiderate it is.

[DarkPrinceAlucard]

Again, I said I wouldn't go as far as to call someone a bitcher or a whiner. I understand how inconsiderate it is.

You posted that part while I was posting.

[Claimh Solais]

Oh. Whoops.

[JR]

Thinking about posting my sig on Konami's Facebook page.... 

Heh, that's where I go...well, their Castlevania page anyway, and I always comment on their posts. Something along the lines of, "so where's the 25th anniversary stuff?" I'm sure my posts won't change anything, but if it irritates them, then it's better than nothing, I guess. 

[Claimh Solais]

Ha! That'll piss someone off, I'm sure. I'd love to see the ALL CAPS RAGE!!! that whoever it is gets into if we were to keep pestering them about that stuff. XD

[Sindra]

Deservedly so. Many of the opinions on this forums are ridiculous (IMO). You've basically got a bunch of people who just flat out refuse to enjoy anything Cv unless is a carbon copy of every Cv that came before it. And when yet another carbon copy is delivered, those same people do little but bitch and complain about how nothing new is every done with the series.

If I were Konami, I'd think the lot of you were nuts, and had no actual clue as to what you really want.

You know where the door is. If you don't like how people feel, you're more than welcomed to leave. If you want to stay, I'd mind your tone and have a little bit more tact when approaching topics you know are controversial. (or at least a little more respect...which I'd say by your current words are nil)

If you can't be respectful or at least keep your comments from inciting backlash, then I'd say stay out of this topic.

[cecil-kain]

Deservedly so. Many of the opinions on this forums are ridiculous (IMO). You've basically got a bunch of people who just flat out refuse to enjoy anything Cv unless is a carbon copy of every Cv that came before it. And when yet another carbon copy is delivered, those same people do little but bitch and complain about how nothing new is every done with the series.

If I were Konami, I'd think the lot of you were nuts, and had no actual clue as to what you really want.

No, if we want Cv to never evolve past Iga, and his atrocious story elements, then by all means, give it back to him. And if that does happen (God forbid), he'll make another carbon copy metroidvania game, just like we've seen for the past 15 years. No thank you. Not saying I wouldn't play it, but I MUCH prefer the new direction. I've been playing Cv from day 1, Iga needed to go. He had done all he could with the series.

A couple things.

First off, many of us have been playing Castlevania games since the NES.  We enjoyed Simon's Quest, Symphony of the Night, Castlevania 64, Lament of Innocence --Do you really mean to say each of these landmark games carbon copied their predecessors?

Second, you're mistaken to think this is about "Metroidvania" or IGA --it's about Konami disrespecting the fanbase.  Most of us really don't care who's making Castlevania as long they're respecting the heart and soul of what came before it.  Lords of Shadow has its rabid fans, much like the N64 Castlevanias and the PS2 Castlevanias --more power to `em.  But the 3D games have also had their detractors --and for good reason.  Personally I don't think Castlevania will ever be done right in 3D, but that's another topic...  Aside from gameplay complaints, LoS has earned more criticism than the others.  Not merely because it's new, but because it reinvents rather than reboots.  For example, most of us have rejected Dracula as a Belmont because it disrespects the Belmont Vs Dracula paradigm at the core of the Castlevania mythology for 25 years.

Now you might say the "Metroidvanias" of the GBA and DS were a rut, and I'm inclined to agree with you --but not for the reason you're probably thinking.  IMO Konami made the mistake of putting quantity ahead of quality.  #1 condemning 2D Castlevania to portables and #2  condemning Castlevania to limited budgets on all fronts --and forcing the cheap, recycled elements people always complained about.  Wouldn't games like Aria of Sorrow *beautifully remastered* in 2.5D for PS3 be a wonderful thing?  If it were Hideo Kojima's Baby, that would've been done way back on the PS2 --and everyone here knows it.

[VampirehunterB]

Second, you're mistaken to think this is about "Metroidvania" or IGA --it's about Konami disrespecting the fanbase.  Most of us really don't care who's making Castlevania as long they're respecting the heart and soul of what came before it.

totally agree, I'm really worried about the future of our beloved series..hope they will resurrect the genuinity of the series such as they did to super CV IV and SOTN

[Renonsgoods]

 Aside from gameplay complaints, LoS has earned more criticism than the others. 

For a very vocal sect of the fanbase, sure.  But back in the day there was an equal amount of complaint and dissatisfaction over the N64 Vanias and the PS2 titles for various reasons both technical and artistic.  IMO nothing's really changed with LoS other than the fact that we are all raging over the plot details now more than the gameplay itself (ironic, considering how often it is stated what little role story plays in the fun factor of most CV games of the past). Everytime a new 3D Vania comes down the pipeline, a whole new generation of haters is born.  I think those of us that don't like LoS want it to seem like it's the worst 3D Vania to date, but that's just a forced projection of opinion.  You can't discount a section of the fanbase that found it felt very much like a CV game (and there are quite a few of us that did) just because another section of the fanbase did not.

I'm not saying this to counter any dissent posted against LoS, but to give a bit of perspective regarding this whole notion that LoS is a sure sign of the coming death of Castlevania.  I think that that's a bit of an alarmist statement to make.  I had alot more concerns for the direction of this franchise following LoI than I did with LoS, but that's probably also because of the level of expectations I had placed on that game before its release...along with the inevitable disappointment of it ending up nothing like I had hoped or expected it to be.  I'd imagine this is the same sentiment as of alot of people who mistakenly put too much stake in LoS before its release, but from experience I can tell you....life, and Castlevania, will go on.

Truth be told, I have more concerns about how Konami is handling its 2D games as of late than its 3D series.  THAT'S where I feel the disrespect for the fans of this franchise is really being generated. They are leaving TONS of potential on the table IMO, and it's baffling as to why that is.  The budget for a decent HD 2D game can't be more than for that of a full fledged 3D title these days.  Apparently someone at the top of the totem pole is convinced that 2D titles can't do well on a home console anymore.  That....is worrisome.

[C Belmont]

It's a little hard not see LOS as the end of Castlevania when the fan base has been told to forget everything they know about Castlevania & been given the most unfaithful reboot conceivable (story wise atleast). I don't think there is any denying that turning Gabriel into Dracula is roughly the equivalent to giving Ganon a green hood & telling us that he is the new hero of time for a Zelda reboot.

[DarkPrinceAlucard]

We'll put.^^^

And I agree.

[Maedhros]

I like changes. But changes for better, not changes for the worst.

LoS is a good action game, but not a good Castlevania game.

Just quoting myself about this matter.

[cecil-kain]

For a very vocal sect of the fanbase, sure.  But back in the day there was an equal amount of complaint and dissatisfaction over the N64 Vanias and the PS2 titles for various reasons both technical and artistic.  IMO nothing's really changed with LoS other than the fact that we are all raging over the plot details now more than the gameplay itself (ironic, considering how often it is stated what little role story plays in the fun factor of most CV games of the past). Everytime a new 3D Vania comes down the pipeline, a whole new generation of haters is born.  I think those of us that don't like LoS want it to seem like it's the worst 3D Vania to date, but that's just a forced projection of opinion.  You can't discount a section of the fanbase that found it felt very much like a CV game (and there are quite a few of us that did) just because another section of the fanbase did not.

In the interest of full disclosure, I have polled the forum on Lords of Shadow moreso than the other 3D CVs, so I'll need to concede your point about comparing the N64 Cvs and PS2 CVs to LoS for lack of evidence.  As for what I have polled, let's take a look.  And please bear in mind this data comes from a variety of polls conducted on this forum over the last several months and the surveyed samples are not necessarily consistent. 70% have rejected Cox's call to "forget what we know about Castlevania" - 57% agree Dracula is NOT a Belmont - 52% were not excited about the LoS DLC (prior to its arrival) - 44% believe Konami guilty of dishonest marketing - 40% would like IGA to finish his timeline with Demon Castle War - 39% will not commit to buy the LoS sequel - 39% believe storylines are essential to Castlevania - 34% consider themselves Coxlevania fans.

Although 73% agree LoS is a decent Castlevania game, 53% of those holding that view also believe it had flaws that needed to be fixed.

I'm not saying this to counter any dissent posted against LoS, but to give a bit of perspective regarding this whole notion that LoS is a sure sign of the coming death of Castlevania.  I think that that's a bit of an alarmist statement to make.  I had alot more concerns for the direction of this franchise following LoI than I did with LoS, but that's probably also because of the level of expectations I had placed on that game before its release...along with the inevitable disappointment of it ending up nothing like I had hoped or expected it to be.  I'd imagine this is the same sentiment as of alot of people who mistakenly put too much stake in LoS before its release, but from experience I can tell you....life, and Castlevania, will go on.

When Cox told us to forget what we know about Castlevania, he was obviously serious.  The best damage control Konami can do right now is to announce development on a new 2D game --and not some hack job like Wii's Rebirth game...

Truth be told, I have more concerns about how Konami is handling its 2D games as of late than its 3D series.  THAT'S where I feel the disrespect for the fans of this franchise is really being generated. They are leaving TONS of potential on the table IMO, and it's baffling as to why that is.  The budget for a decent HD 2D game can't be more than for that of a full fledged 3D title these days.  Apparently someone at the top of the totem pole is convinced that 2D titles can't do well on a home console anymore.  That....is worrisome.

That gets back to the quality control problem I mentioned earlier.  Konami's made a quick dime over and over pumping out portable Castleroids that recycle and cannibalize code as much as possible --and it shows...  I say 2.5 D on a console, because it would force a proper budget when the game's code needs to be written from scratch.

[cecil-kain]

It's a little hard not see LOS as the end of Castlevania when the fan base has been told to forget everything they know about Castlevania & been given the most unfaithful reboot conceivable (story wise atleast). I don't think there is any denying that turning Gabriel into Dracula is roughly the equivalent to giving Ganon a green hood & telling us that he is the new hero of time for a Zelda reboot.

this

[Claimh Solais]

Although 73% agree LoS is a decent Castlevania game, 53% of those holding that view also believe it had flaws that needed to be fixed.

Something's wrong with the above sentence.

it had flaws that needed to be fixed

You mean like every CV game?
Or rather, every game in existence?

Nah, I kid you, Cecil-kain (lovin' that name by the way). I understand what you mean by it. ^.^ No need for an explanation, though if someone wants to waste their time doing it, by all means. I'll certainly read it. ^.^

Shit, I'm sounding like a sarcastic douche.