Topic: Castlevania (the Soul of)

[thernz]

...? I'm interested in this.

If you give Demon's Souls' OST a listen, it'll become clear that despite being "orchestral" it tries to maintain a sense of camp reminiscent of, say, 60's horror soundtracks.

[Dremn]

That combined with the weight and emphasis on truly understanding how you and your enemies move is at the heart of both Souls and classic Castlevania. The way they describe the non-linear progression also seems to link it more to Castlevania than, say, Elder Scrolls.

Beautifully said.

[DragonSlayr81]

In regards to gameplay, Souls' combat is more tied to Castlevania's combat, rather than its platforming. Both emphasize a sort of caution and puzzle-solving that LoS and other brawlers lack. That combined with the weight and emphasis on truly understanding how you and your enemies move is at the heart of both Souls and classic Castlevania.
The way they describe the non-linear progression also seems to link it more to Castlevania than, say, Elder Scrolls.
I think looks-wise, it's a lot closer to Castlevania. It's a rawer western fantasy akin to Super Castlevania IV, without the influences of DnD and etc. Admittedly, most other Castlevanias are more about a whole slew of mythologies or about a castle full of pulp horror movies. Of course, if you want to go into that pulp direction, Souls covers that with its music.

In any case, it's okay that Souls is striving to be more than just something Castlevania anyway. Worked for Devil May Cry!

From everything I've seen of Demon Souls, other than moving in a more tactical way(thinking how you take down an enemy rather than bumrushing it), that's the only real old school CV thing I'm taking from the game. Can you jump in this game? I ask this because every gameplay footage just shows the character clunking around slowly.

Other than that, I disagree, I think the art direction in this game looks EXACTLY like D&D. Darker D&D, but very D&D nonetheless. Maybe not so much modern D&D, but more the 70s-80s D&D look. I could imagine myself playing this game and listening to progressive rock and 70s-early 80s heavy metal, and it feeling pretty damn fine in doing so.

Castlevania isn't Hack'n'Slash Grindfest with Kindergarden Puzzles, the Quicker IGA and Cox will learn that, the quicker Castlevania can be castlevania.

Personally, I could care less if puzzles are even an option. The only real CVs that had puzzles were the 64 games. None of the original 2D classics featured puzzles. Personally, I wouldn't be thrilled over a puzzle that involved finding 3 pieces of a lever scattered in some out of the way places, and once you put them together to form the lever, there's a combination you have to pull the lever to open a door, and each number of times in the combination is featured in three riddles painted on three walls in three parts of the area. No thank you. You can keep those types of puzzles.

[shelverton.]

I am positively TERRIFIED of this game. I'm gonna buy it first day, and I'm going to die. We all are. Can't wait.

[crisis]

Personally, I wouldn't be thrilled over a puzzle that involved finding 3 pieces of a lever scattered in some out of the way places, and once you put them together to form the lever, there's a combination you have to pull the lever to open a door, and each number of times in the combination is featured in three riddles painted on three walls in three parts of the area. No thank you. You can keep those types of puzzles.

Crisis doesn't like those types of puzzles either. While they do require some brainpower [which is always a plus], it kills the flow of the game when they're so common. I like the feeling of satisfaction when you do solve some of the clever ones, but the ones that are downright confusing and/or frustrating (LoS had plenty of 'em) are just annoying to Crisis.

[DragonSlayr81]

For me, in CV games, I'm always stoked and revved up to kill monsters. Kill monsters, kill monsters, zombies, vampires, frankensteins and mummies! But if something suddenly stops you dead in place and you can't move forward until you solve a puzzle and open this gated door...yadda yadda yadda, it puts a cramp in the plan, IMO. If the puzzle's simple, or ever FUN, that's fine. If it's one of those types where, you have to find pieces of a keystone, or some moronic shit, and one of them can ONLY be seen if you stand under a specific archway and rotate the camera upward and right, that's not my idea of fun. When it comes to stuff like that, I'm jumping around, screaming, "Where the FUCK are this little things?! Why is this keeping me from having fun?!".

[thernz]

Well I did say it doesn't incorporate the jump in Castlevania. It does other things to maintain the environment's importance than platforming. A different take on a classic Castlevania principle. Like I said it isn't wholly Castlevania. Like how it seems inspired by "retro titles", it strives to take a spin on things or elaborates on them with other ideas. When referring to its art-style and story, I'd say it's more inspired by the manga Berserk as well older tales like Beowulf, King Arthur and the Nibelungen rather than modern fantasy.

I would say the tactical aspect of its combat and the Eastern interpretation of Western medieval elements are the most prevalent things Castlevania and Souls share. Beyond that, sure, they're different, but I think those two elements are what makes it more "Castlevania" than the more recent titles. Its style of fantasy is still different, but I prefer it over LoS's. The music is executed a lot differently from any CV title. Rhythm. Differences, etc.

[Ahasverus]

For me, Castlevania is like the castle itself, ever changing, never the same. If Konami launches a Racer game called CV with interesting story, that's CV for me. Sorry guys

[Maedhros]

For me, Castlevania is like the castle itself, ever changing, never the same. If Konami launches a Racer game called CV with interesting story, that's CV for me. Sorry guys

That explain a lot...

[DragonSlayr81]

For me, Castlevania is like the castle itself, ever changing, never the same. If Konami launches a Racer game called CV with interesting story, that's CV for me. Sorry guys

Like I said elsewhere, for me, that dog won't hunt, Monsignor! Just because it has CV in the name, it wouldn't cut it for me. I know others could easily be content with such products. That ain't my style.

[Dark Nemesis]

Like I said elsewhere, for me, that dog won't hunt, Monsignor! Just because it has CV in the name, it wouldn't cut it for me. I know others could easily be content with such products. That ain't my style.

I totally agree with you sir 100%!!! 

[shelverton.]

Then again, if Konami starts making CV racing games for the next 15 years, I'd argue that Castlevania IS a racing franchise. The original "soul" of a series only goes so far. Saying that something "isn't castlevania" when it clearly says so on the cover is kinda problematic. Who owns the franchise? We or Konami? If they make "Castlevania: Cooking Mama Succubus" then that's what Castlevania is for the time being. I'd naturally walk away and stop caring for the series, but I would still think that it's a Castlevania game - cause Konami says so.

[Wallachia]

Enough talk, have at this video review   Incredible:

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/119/1197278p1.html

[DragonSlayr81]

Then again, if Konami starts making CV racing games for the next 15 years, I'd argue that Castlevania IS a racing franchise. The original "soul" of a series only goes so far. Saying that something "isn't castlevania" when it clearly says so on the cover is kinda problematic. Who owns the franchise? We or Konami? If they make "Castlevania: Cooking Mama Succubus" then that's what Castlevania is for the time being. I'd naturally walk away and stop caring for the series, but I would still think that it's a Castlevania game - cause Konami says so.

If they started making dudebro CVs that are FPSs, post-apocalyptic setting, ultra sci-fi, I could care less what Konami says. To me, it will cease being "Castlevania". If Konami wants me to respect their choices, they should, first, show me something deserving of that respect. There was a time when they DID. In the end, if you allow the name of something to be worn thin like piece of taffy being stretched a mile long, you don't derserve that respect. Any person who could callously do such a thing with no qualms whatsoever("Dur-dur-dur, let's take this series and turn it on it's head! Dur-dur-dur-dur..."), is shit. Living golems of shit.

[KaZudra]

If they started making dudebro CVs that are FPSs, post-apocalyptic setting, ultra sci-fi, I could care less what Konami says. To me, it will cease being "Castlevania". If Konami wants me to respect their choices, they should, first, show me something deserving of that respect. There was a time when they DID. In the end, if you allow the name of something to be worn thin like piece of taffy being stretched a mile long, you don't derserve that respect. Any person who could callously do such a thing with no qualms whatsoever("Dur-dur-dur, let's take this series and turn it on it's head! Dur-dur-dur-dur..."), is shit. Living golems of shit.

falloutVANIA?