Topic: Which N64 vania game should be played first for first timers?

[Sinful]

So yeah, I'm starting my journey into the 3D realm with the only 3D vania games of great interest to me at the moment (though being the vania fan that I am, I'll probably emulate the PS2 games eventually soon too?). And I'm really curious as to what vania fans think is the best game of the two to be played first, then second, for one who hasn't played either yet?

Yes, most say the second (LoD) is the best and all that stuff, but; a) you don't start with a whip guy for entire first playthrough (I assume it's entire if not most playthrough?) and thus it wouldn't feel quite like the complete vania experience for first timers + you'd figure you'd want the first playthrough to be as much vania like as possible; b) if you start with the best, then playing the not so best makes the not so best seem even worse (though vice versa can be said too to diminish the best possible first time experience), and even to the point where you might not even be able to stand to play it anymore? And; c) well, hmm? c?... how about that the first one game first and the second one came second and the developers kinda developed it as a somewhat sequel to the first one. And I'm sure expected some to most players would return for the second one. Also that some players may be too OCD about things like playing things in order and what not...; d) whatever other reasons you can come up with.

So yeah, I wanna to see how vania fans that played both of these games would recommend this for new players of these games to start with? And theirs reasons as to why they think it's best this way?  And plus, as a bonus, you should state which one you played first and how that worked out for you?

[Jorge D. Fuentes]

Just play both.
But I always play LoD unless I wanna play as Simon Belmont Reinhardt Schneider or Maria Renard Carrie Fernandez (cameo alternate costumes for Reinhardt and Carrie are only available in CV64, not in LoD).

[Sinful]

Just play both.

Well yeah, that's the idea, but which one should be played first for best overall experience for a first timer to both of these games? So for those that are first starting with both these, they may have a clear idea of what action to take for best results by reading this topic.



I also forgot to mention one. While playing both back to just just for the beginning (up to the Castle, and just a bit inside... and I do have a rough idea of which I may want to stick with for first play so far...). I noticed the first one seemed for sure harder. And not just because it's harder play as the whip guy over the wolf guy either. The way the game was set up and the amount of more enemies the first game throws at you in more then the second game so far... So I have to ask; Is the whip guy's quest in the second game equally as hard, less or more? And do you think starting with the easier game for first playthrough might be a better or worse idea?

[Thomas Belmont]

So yeah, I'm starting my journey into the 3D realm with the only 3D vania games of great interest to me at the moment (though being the vania fan that I am, I'll probably emulate the PS2 games eventually soon too?).

Geez, dude. Do you ever BUY any games?

[Abnormal Freak]

I'd say play the first one first. It has content not in the second (different first level, exclusive costumes, voiceover narration that got excluded from Legacy of Darkness probably due to cart space), and if you play through that first and then move on to LOD, you'll have the whole Cornell and Henry quests to go through before hitting up Reinhardt and Carrie again. That and you'll get to make note of all the curious little bits that were changed.

Also, in the first game, you can see Carrie's cotton white panties when in her Maria Renard dress.

[Ratty]

Just play both.
But I always play LoD unless I wanna play as Simon Belmont Reinhardt Schneider or Maria Renard Carrie Fernandez (cameo alternate costumes for Reinhardt and Carrie are only available in CV64, not in LoD).

Well, technically they're already wearing alternate costumes to the standard ones in CV64 until you unlock their original costumes. It's a shame they couldn't also include the alternates from CV64.

Also - I'd say play LoD. It's a much more solid experience as the devs had time to actually hammer out the problems with CV64, and introduce a great new character to boot. AND you can unlock and play as both of the characters from CV64 and play through their stories. With lots of other exclusive goodies. You can also play LoD in higher res mode by utilizing the N64 expansion pak though I've heard this is buggy. Couldn't say myself as I keep meaning to get an expansion pak but haven't yet. Really though each version of the game (LoD is iirc officially as well as actually an "enhanced edition" of CV64) has exclusive content and they're both loads of fun imo, so whichever order you do play them in just make sure to play them both.

[Abnormal Freak]

LOD like every other N64 I've played that uses the expansion pak for higher resolution isn't worth playing that way. It's not exactly buggy, the game just runs noticeably slower in a way that can hinder gameplay.

Even the cutscenes are all janked and run choppy. This is the same for Turok 2, South Park, Hybrid Heaven.........

Actually, I think Quake II runs at higher res and runs smoothly. That's like the only exception from my experience.

[Sinful]

[Jorge D. Fuentes]

Hey, Sinful.  Read the rules and don't call people offensive names.
Also, nice job insulting the entire Dungeon populace in one fell swoop.

You're getting a Warning.  Do not call people offensive names again.

[Thomas Belmont]

WTF?! Who the hell are you? Do I know you? Do you know me?

Yes, I do. And I'm watching you right now, so take that out of your butt.

[Neobelmont]

I'd say play the first one first. It has content not in the second (different first level, exclusive costumes, voiceover narration that got excluded from Legacy of Darkness probably due to cart space), and if you play through that first and then move on to LOD, you'll have the whole Cornell and Henry quests to go through before hitting up Reinhardt and Carrie again. That and you'll get to make note of all the curious little bits that were changed.

Also, in the first game, you can see Carrie's cotton white panties when in her Maria Renard dress.

  Abnormal... Faints from immense nosebleed.....

WTF?! Who the hell are you? Do I know you? Do you know me? No, no don't. Why? Because if you did, you'd know me and my brother just bought over 80 freaken DS and PSP games within the last 2-3 months! So you know what this proves? Your a douchebag. But oh, don't let that shame you, you fit here just right at the dungeon. So I'm told with all the sticky topics in regards to not feed troll that screams tp me "this here place has some serious issues with jackasses." And from what I seen and been told here too, there is no doubt in my mind aboutr this now. But that's cool, I still see some descent folks arounds here that still like to just chat about good ol' Castlevania.

I think he was just asking a question, anyways

Go with legacy of darkness you get two games in one(prequel/sequel) with better controls and extras in the end it is a better game.

CV64<LoD

[Sinful]

[VladCT]

Aaaand you just went and flamed the fucking admin just for warning you. You sure you didn't leave behind your brain? I'd be surprised if Jorgey and pals aren't at least giving you a temporary ban for this.
And hey, I can get away with calling you a dick because you are acting like a supermassive one right now.

[Abnormal Freak]

There was a post here
It's gone now

(Figured I'd stay outta this one, lol)

[VladCT]

There was a post here
It's gone now

Oh come now, there's nothing wrong with calling out someone's wrongs, isn't there?