Topic: when will the next Japanese castlevania be released??

[TheCruelAngel]

I think reviews are good to take with a grain of salt. Not all reviewers review the same, and some may not have the same tastes like you. A personal example is the first Assassin's Creed, it got mediocre reviews to some just blasting it, but Penny Arcade loved it so I played through it, and found I loved it too (enough to collect all those damn flags too, for no reason).

So I think, beyond just "Reviewers suck, play everything yourself and make your own opinion" (this costs money and can result in poor investments of your hard earned cash) and "Well reviewers said this/that and I'm going by that" (which is safe since games with high review scores are usually a safe bet and will result in a decent return in your monetary investment), what it ultimately boils down to is what specific reviewers reflect your own opinions on what's enjoyable and what isn't. For me, I find Game Trailers and Penny Arcade to be good sign posts since they usually reflect my opinion on what I think of a game after playing it. But that may not be right for you, maybe IGN or Eurogamer reflects your opinion better! Meta-scores are interesting to go by too.

Take LoI for instance, overall a 79%. Not too bad! http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/castlevania-lament-of-innocence

So, who in that list reflects your opinion on the title? I think the game is gorgeous with a great soundtrack, but I find combat a bit tedious (more so than LoS, but that's personal opinion, not an attack against anyone who felt differently, fyi) and was disappointed that the plot felt short in certain aspects. I think something along 75~80 range matches my feelings for the game. Oh look! Official Playstation Magazine (OPM, lol) matches some of my sentiment, they may be a good sign post for me to judge other games by.

See? Not too difficult to go through the spread and see how they rate other games you've played and see if your opinions match, etc. I think people are too quick to dismiss professional reviews as "no taste, horrible judgement, paid off by EA" and etc. There are people out these who legitimately review games so consumers can get a better idea of what they're purchasing before investing 60+ dollars (to some that's 12 hours of work!) into something they won't enjoy. Naturally as CV fans we tend to by every title regardless if we will enjoy them or not, because we're fans and we want Konami to know that fans for the series still exist and they need to keep making CV games!

So...I guess tl;dr stop being polar opposites, find middle ground and figure out what works for you and don't judge others negatively if what works for them doesn't work for you. Also cite sources, you look more credible that way. 

[Sumac]

Please elaborate.

I already said it - after LOS, developers could think that it will be easier to create their own take on the series, instead of puting themselves through the torture of understanding and caring about the old timline. It's just simplier to create a new game about Vampire Killer going to kill Dracula without ties to anything - quick money, more or less.

I'm sure the game was an experiment, but if it had been successful (which unfortunately wasn't the case) it wouldn't have been a one-time thing like you said in your pevious post. It's not like Cornell's appearance automatically means they will make another game in his "world", but I think it opens up possibilities. But whatever.

Well, I dislike to base my assumptions on the probability of something.
We simply can't assume how Judgement 2 could be. Maybe it could have become closer to the "traditional" outings and leave people from other timelines out of the game...Too much variables.

The only real hole is why the Morris family got the whip. I can't really comment on the rest.

There are a lot of minor holes. And not so minor too. General genealogy of the Belmonts. Who was descendant of the Leon Belmont? Is Juste child or grandchild of Simon? Where Village of Belmonts in OOE came from? What ultimately have happened to Richter and Maria? Galamoth origin and purpose in the story? Reaper's allegiance, real goals, origin and ties to the Time Travellers? Time Travellers - who they are and why Castlevania timeline needs them?
That's like the whole bunch of questions and answering them could have made overall timeline much much better.   

Each unexplained thing have its expriration date, after which its become redundant and annoying. You can tease people only for so long.

[Lelygax]

Is Juste child or grandchild of Simon?

IIRC HoD explains that he is Simon's grandchild, atleast I remember he talking about Simon as a grandfather.

[Sumac]

IIRC HoD explains that he is Simon's grandchild, atleast I remember he talking about Simon as a grandfather.

Looked into CV Wikia - it's state that Juste is indeed Simon's Grandson.

I remember some debates over this issue on another Castlevania forum. I don't recall Juste mentioning it in HOD, though my memories of this game is quite unclear.

[Phoenix7786]

I'm playing through HoD atm. I'll keep an eye out for any smoking guns about that and see if I can't snag a screen-shot for ya

So far, the opening intro strongly implies Juste would HAVE to be a grandson, judging on Simon's age and Juste's age between the 50 years. I'll keep this updated, especially if any dialogue adds to this.

EDIT: Found a smoking gun

[Pumpkin Glow]

too lazy to go into all the reasons  so am I just going to say I prefer the overall art direction and atmosphere of the Japanese games.

I only got -2 points for that! Perhaps I was being too subtle.  Lords of Shadows fans masturbate to artwork by Aliens creature designer H. R. Giger.  There, that should score me a few negative points

[Nagumo]

I already said it - after LOS, developers could think that it will be easier to create their own take on the series, instead of puting themselves through the torture of understanding and caring about the old timline. It's just simplier to create a new game about Vampire Killer going to kill Dracula without ties to anything - quick money, more or less.

I think you're just exaggerating. You can get a decent grasp on the timeline in a matter of minutes. What you're saying is also assuming the new developers wouldn't have basic knowledge about past storylines (which I doubt) and that they are not people who already worked on the series before.         

Well, I dislike to base my assumptions on the probability of something.
We simply can't assume how Judgement 2 could be. Maybe it could have become closer to the "traditional" outings and leave people from other timelines out of the game...Too much variables.

I think it wouldn't have mattered. The important part is that by including Cornell into Judgment, they are still acknowledging the continuity that he is from. I'm just trying to say the possibility to return to that continuity still exists (and arguably not as low as you might think), as opposed to the probability being zero.       

There are a lot of minor holes. And not so minor too.

Looking at the points you brought up, I would classify them as follows:

Not really relevant:

General genealogy of the Belmonts. / Who was descendant of the Leon Belmont?

Reaper's allegiance, real goals, origin and ties to the Time Travellers?

Death's allegiance is obviously Dracula. All you need to know about him is that he is a deity that consumes souls. Serving Dracula and collecting souls are pretty much his only goals, so that's a question that doesn't need answering. He doesn't have any real ties to time travels either, except that Saint Germain meddled with his plans once.         

Already Answered:

Is Juste child or grandchild of Simon?

As some people in this thread already clarified, Juste is Simon's grandson.

Galamoth origin and purpose in the story?

As mentioned in Symphony of the Night, Galamoth's purpose is to take control over Dracula's minions and take his place as the big bad. As for his origin, I wouldn't consider that to be too imporant.

Where Village of Belmonts in OOE came from?

This is actually answered in the game. Nikolai built the foundation of the village and the other villagers where drawn there by a mysterious force, most likely a divine one.   

Relevant:

What ultimately have happened to Richter and Maria?

Time Travellers - who they are and why Castlevania timeline needs them?

   

The first point has been an issue since 2006 (because of PoR) and the second since 2005. The series got rebooted with LoS in 2009. If it hadn't been rebooted, you would probably have an answer to the first issue by now since the canceled Alucard game would have answered it without a doubt.   

[Sumac]

So far, the opening intro strongly implies Juste would HAVE to be a grandson, judging on Simon's age and Juste's age between the 50 years. I'll keep this updated, especially if any dialogue adds to this.

Thanks, I'll be looking forward to it.
Though, so far, given general vagueness of the Belmont genealogy, I wouldn't keep intro statement as definitive prove of Juste realitions with Simon.

I think you're just exaggerating. You can get a decent grasp on the timeline in a matter of minutes. What you're saying is also assuming the new developers wouldn't have basic knowledge about past storylines (which I doubt) and that they are not people who already worked on the series before.

Basic, yes. But we assume, if developers decide to return to the old timeline, they create game that will be built in continuty on deeper level, that require beyond basic level of knowledge.

If they say "we create Castlevania in the old timeline", and this game will be about some random Joe Smith hunting generic Dracula-clone, it will be technically part of the old timeline, but of course, with such approach it could have been a standalone game as well.

If they want to create a game that really take place in the old timeline, then they need to have a far more knowledge, than just dates and names of the characters. I assume, as soon as they see the whole picture of the old timeline, they'll run away and try to create some Castlevania without ties to it. It's just will be too hard to create a new game in OT without messing up anything or angering fans.

General genealogy of the Belmonts. / Who was descendant of the Leon Belmont?

I am disagree with that.
How genealogy of the Belmonts is irrelevant to the series? I'd say on contrary, its one of the most important things. I dare say, its even more important than Time Travellers and Galamoth. I would really like to know, who is who in the Belmonts family and how it ties to the Belnades, Lecarde and Moris families. It's really something that should have been answered long time ago, I believe. At least partially. Those statements like" Richter lived sometime after Juste" is not something that I can call "clarification".

Death's allegiance is obviously Dracula. All you need to know about him is that he is a deity that consumes souls. Serving Dracula and collecting souls are pretty much his only goals, so that's a question that doesn't need answering. He doesn't have any real ties to time travels either, except that Saint Germain meddled with his plans once.

Judgement hinted that Reaper serving Dracula not out of simple loyalty. As for him being deity, well, its still needs clarification - is he THAT Reaper, or just physical incarnation of his or some "imitator"? And why such being would be bound to serve Dracula? There is quite a lot about Reaper that wasn't answered yet, you see...

As some people in this thread already clarified, Juste is Simon's grandson.

So far the prove is rather shaky, I dare say.

As mentioned in Symphony of the Night, Galamoth's purpose is to take control over Dracula's minions and take his place as the big bad. As for his origin, I wouldn't consider that to be too imporant.

Given that he is basically most powerfull villain right next to Dracula and was elevated in Judgement to the main threat status, I'd say he is rather important and interesting character, that deserved far more attention. And he and Dracula, have a lot of potential for interesting rivalry.

This is actually answered in the game. Nikolai built the foundation of the village and the other villagers where drawn there by a mysterious force, most likely a divine one.

I am sorry, but that an excuse for an exlanation.

The first point has been an issue since 2006 (because of PoR) and the second since 2005. The series got rebooted with LoS in 2009. If it hadn't been rebooted, you would probably have an answer to the first issue by now since the canceled Alucard game would have answered it without a doubt.

They could answer the first thing twice - in OOE, that was set somewhere between "Dracula" and ROB and in Judgement. I am agree that most likely it would have been answered in the NGCV, and radiodrama was supposed to be a prologue to it. However, after they plans for NGCV failed, they could give at least a brief hint to what had happened. I higly doubt that "japanese 3D Alucard'vania" will ever materialise, so I don't think its neccessary to keep this plotpoint a secret.
As for Time Travellers - I am of opinion, if you introduce some new and highly random element into the story, then it should have some resolution as soon as possible.

[Lelygax]

Thanks, I'll be looking forward to it.
Though, so far, given general vagueness of the Belmont genealogy, I wouldn't keep intro statement as definitive prove of Juste realitions with Simon.

From HoD Script from Castlevania Crypt site:

8. Juste and Maxim in the Sky Walkway

Maxim: Juste! Have you found Lydie?

Juste: You...you're Maxim, aren't you?

Maxim: Hey! What do you mean by that!

Juste: Uh, nothing. Forget it. So tell me, how did you fare?

Maxim: I have found nothing yet. But my memory is slowly coming back to me.

Juste: Really? So Lydie is somewhere in this castle after all?

Maxim: Yes, I'm sure of that now. And I know that I have also been here before...and there is something I think you should know...

Juste: Go ahead, you can tell me anything.

Maxim: The day you inherited the title of Vampire Hunter...I felt as if a wall had been erected between us...and for that reason, I set out on my expedition. I wanted to be better than you and relieve you of your fate.

Juste: ...

Maxim: Long ago, you told me of Dracula's remains. Do you remember that?

Juste: Yes, I remember. The story of how my grandfather, Simon, gathered Dracula's remains and destroyed them to undo his curse.

.........

http://www.castlevaniacrypt.com/games/hod/script.htm

 Seriously, it only took a few seconds to find that, I understand that you disagree with some opinions and can even have doubts, but it seems that you are closing totally your mind like if we need to show proofs or something like that.
 Sorry if that sounds as a disrespect, dont take it bad please.

[Dengo vlad tepes]

everyone is hoping and waiting ... even her : http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/dengojin/yesplease.jpg

[JR]

You didn't, by any chance, read the IGN review of Double Dragon Neon?

Yeah, that one sounded like the guy had a bone to pick with beat-em-ups in general.

Although Neon wasn't Double Dragon at all to me, it was still pretty damn fun.

Back on topic, I'd like to see some Akumajo Dracula again someday, old timeline or not. In fact, if they started from scratch, but stayed close to the Classicvania look and feel, I wouldn't complain.

[Pumpkin Glow]

everyone is hoping and waiting ... even her : http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/dengojin/yesplease.jpg

Michiru Yamane still has interest for the series. Substantial post!

[Sumac]

Juste: Yes, I remember. The story of how my grandfather, Simon, gathered Dracula's remains and destroyed them to undo his curse.

Seriously, it only took a few seconds to find that, I understand that you disagree with some opinions and can even have doubts, but it seems that you are closing totally your mind like if we need to show proofs or something like that.

OK, than grandson he is.
I am not closing my mind, though. HOD never was one of my favorite games in the series, so I didn't remember it well. I thought, that Juste never mentioned his relation to Simon in that game. It's unusual, to say the least.

[Nagumo]

Basic, yes. But we assume, if developers decide to return to the old timeline, they create game that will be built in continuty on deeper level, that require beyond basic level of knowledge.

If they say "we create Castlevania in the old timeline", and this game will be about some random Joe Smith hunting generic Dracula-clone, it will be technically part of the old timeline, but of course, with such approach it could have been a standalone game as well.

If they want to create a game that really take place in the old timeline, then they need to have a far more knowledge, than just dates and names of the characters. I assume, as soon as they see the whole picture of the old timeline, they'll run away and try to create some Castlevania without ties to it. It's just will be too hard to create a new game in OT without messing up anything or angering fans.

I don't understand what the problem is. Why would anybody "run away" after seeing "the whole picture" of the timeline? The storyline can effectively be summarized in a few brief paragraphs. Case in point: http://www.vgmuseum.com/mrp/cv-por/game-castlevaniapor.htm           

I am disagree with that.
How genealogy of the Belmonts is irrelevant to the series? I'd say on contrary, its one of the most important things. I dare say, its even more important than Time Travellers and Galamoth. I would really like to know, who is who in the Belmonts family and how it ties to the Belnades, Lecarde and Moris families. It's really something that should have been answered long time ago, I believe. At least partially. Those statements like" Richter lived sometime after Juste" is not something that I can call "clarification".

I would argue the only thing you need to know that each Belmont is a descendant of the other. But if you simply must have a clear answer, there is a family tree in a LoI guide that answers some of your questions. The Belnades family branch and the Morris family branch came into existence sometime after Trevor and Sypha married but before Christopher was born. So Trevor and Sypha had at least two children, one who could continue the Belmont family and one that continued the Belnades family. It's possible they had a third child, who could continue the Morris family, but it's also possible the Morris branch came into existence at a later point.

I also know that Christopher is Simon's great-grandfather (source is the Adventure Rebirth website). I don't know how the Lecarde and Renard families, and the Wygol villagers relate to the Belmont bloodline.               

Judgement hinted that Reaper serving Dracula not out of simple loyalty. As for him being deity, well, its still needs clarification - is he THAT Reaper, or just physical incarnation of his or some "imitator"? And why such being would be bound to serve Dracula? There is quite a lot about Reaper that wasn't answered yet, you see...

Yes, Judgment hints at there being something going on behind the scenes. It was first brough up in that game, though. They are probably intending to reveal what that is for a future game. Possible the 1999 game or something set after Aria of Sorrow.

As for what Death actually is, in Judgment he says he is a god. The game also seems to hint there are more beings like him because he is obviously not the same being as the Time Reaper. I know that sometimes in Japanese stories, there can be more than one Death. The name "Death" seems to suggest there is only one since it's a name, but in Japanese they use the word "Shinigami", which is more like a label. It means "God of Death".               

Given that he is basically most powerfull villain right next to Dracula and was elevated in Judgement to the main threat status, I'd say he is rather important and interesting character, that deserved far more attention. And he and Dracula, have a lot of potential for interesting rivalry.

The story of Judgment reintroduced him as an actual character to the series instead of just being a random boss. They could have had him make an appearance in the game and elaborate on him more, but it wasn't neccessary. They just revealed just enough about him to make one what to know more about him, and opening up the possibility of fleshing out his story in a future game.     

I am sorry, but that an excuse for an exlanation.

Well, judging by the way you phrased your question, I gave a perfectly legimate answer. But I guess you also want to know why all the Belmonts came to live in one village and forget about their heritage? Without a doubt, it has something to do with why the Belmonts lost the whip.     

They could answer the first thing twice - in OOE, that was set somewhere between "Dracula" and ROB and in Judgement. I am agree that most likely it would have been answered in the NGCV, and radiodrama was supposed to be a prologue to it. However, after they plans for NGCV failed, they could give at least a brief hint to what had happened. I higly doubt that "japanese 3D Alucard'vania" will ever materialise, so I don't think its neccessary to keep this plotpoint a secret.

They could have explained a lot in OoE, but they didn't. They only explained what happend to the Belmonts in general. I think they didn't explain what happend to Richter because they already got the reveal planned for the canceled Alucard game. And Judgment was not really meant to answer any questions about the storyline.

And yes, they could have told us what happend after the Alucard game got canceled. But maybe the reason they didn't it because they want to return to the old storyline after LoS.

As for Time Travellers - I am of opinion, if you introduce some new and highly random element into the story, then it should have some resolution as soon as possible.

Sometimes keeping secrets is a good way to keep the audience interested in the story. It's a commonly used trope. Of course you shouldn't introduce secrets for the sake of having secrets and never answers them (which also happens from time to time) but I doubt that is the case here.     

[Lelygax]

 Hey, I have a idea! Maybe this thing about the Belmonts dont using the whip after Richter brainwashed experience (even if in the Radio Drama he uses the whip) doesnt have anything to do with Richter, Im thinking that the problem is that the Belmonts started to getting obssesed with the task of killing Dracula.
 After all, Shaft brainwashed him, but that must be possible because of Richter's inner regrets, so these people in Wygol doesnt remember anything simple because no one never told them about the past, its like a rest time for Belmont's descendants so the same thing doesnt happens again.

 Thats only one thing that I thought about right now.