Topic: On the LoS series

[Neobelmont]

But I'm defending that aspect of Mario games. That they never changed it. That's why I respect Nintendo, because they never betrayed their saga.

I personally find Mario too childish for my tastes, but I recognize they are excellent games, and play them anyway because the gameplay is fun.
I was not attacking Mario, but rather putting it as a good example of how a company must take its saga, doing what they always did and never changing the core of it.

You can play the latest 2D Mario, or the oldest one; and at its core, they are the same.
And that's a good thing.

That's why I used the Mario example.

ehh.. I'm more of a zelda fan mario is not bad I do have most of the main games, but I'll pick zelda over mario anyday.

[Mike Belmont]

But I'm defending that aspect of Mario games. That they never changed it. That's why I respect Nintendo, because they never betrayed their saga.

I agree with you, lady, in some manner. Playing LoS for the first chapters, I don´t like too much how the ambience is. But, after Wygol Village, its become more interesting... but...

I still don´t like the "reboot" idea. I can´t erase from my mind the infamous phrase "forget all you know about Castlevania", to then see names and places from former CV games (specially, IGA ones). And the Dracula´s origin (being Gabriel, the protagonist), and the Trevor/Alucard relationship, I feel not necessary (although, becoming from Mercury Steam, its understandable this last one). Taking the Mario example, imagine a Mario reboot, with Mario becoming Bowser. I know that its a ludicrous example, but the point that I want to express, is that if fans were tired of IGAvanias elements (gameplay, art style, story), then let intact Castlevania most iconics ones: MUSIC, enemies, bosses, ambience... DRACULA.

And I insist, I like LoS as a game, not a CV one, but as a good game. If the plans were always to be a trilogy (LoS-MoF-LoS2), I don´t know why to put the Castlevania name in the game. I would prefer a new IP, with resembles and maybe have Easter Eggs from Castlevania. Maybe like Maximo was for Ghost n´Goblins. But, this is just my opinion...

[Pfil]

I agree with you Mike, except I usually don't like modern games, so I can't see anything attractive in LoS.
But yes, don't change the core of the saga. Especially MUSIC.
They can make a CV1 clone every year with new stages and music and everyone would be happy, I think.

Neobelmont, I agree with you also.
Zelda over Mario anytime!

[uzo]

Mario always has new great level designs, if not mechanics plus great level designs.

Castlevania in the IGA age has always had pretty good combat, but outside of SotN, the platforming has been less than engaging on it's own with endless flat hallways and corridors plaguing the overall map. The combat is fine, hasn't changed much from it's basic core, and has been pretty consistent. The problem is that the combat is the majority of the gameplay, due to the downsizing on emphasis for level design. What they need to do in order to really progress things is being back some older elements like Whip Swinging, and something new perhaps, to enhance the level design and possibilities.

Order of Ecclesia started to do this, with the magnus glyph and a few others. You can even see this trend continue in Harmony of Despair, despite being a horrible game, there was a noticeable increased focus on platforming and puzzles in the level design with complementing character abilities (such as Julius and the 8-way whipping). This was definitely a step in the right direction. Mirror of Fate seems to attempt this, but the whip segments are very automated and have a distinct lack of control to them. This kind of scripted gameplay detracts from player control, and over all, detracts from the gameplay itself being the reward for the player. Less control leads to less fulfillment, and sense of accomplishment.

This also goes for the 'glowing edges' and scripted edge traversing segments. Right along with this, the context sensitive triggering of fall damage greatly impedes on player experimentation and freedom. There are plenty of ways to get around this through good level design, but they didn't follow that model. Though Mirror of Fate's approach is technically a step in the right direction, it needs to give the player more of a role in the actions like Super Castlevania IV and Order of Ecclesia did.

I believe, in terms of this, that Order of Ecclesia as a game offers more in a whole than Mirror of Fate has in series progression, especially where platforming is concerned.

This is the primary reason I really wanted to see how IGA would take this one step further to continue the growth of the series and bring it back more to the platforming roots than previous installments of the IGA era had been.

[Pfil]

I too wanted to see how IGA would continue the evolution of the series, but still I'm waiting.
OoE did A LOT of things right.

[Flame]

Unfortunately, It was too late. :\

[Lelygax]

No, its not. IGA isnt dead.

[Heuss]

He's Peter Parker, Spiderman, made in Marvel



LOS is Castlevania, made in Konami

[Pfil]

As long as Iga is still around, it's never too late.
Who would have tell that there would be 2 new 8-bit Megaman titles.
But here they are.

[Heuss]

Fortunately IGA does not return, there will be others, but not him.

[Neobelmont]

I too wanted to see how IGA would continue the evolution of the series, but still I'm waiting.
OoE did A LOT of things right.

Difficulty being one of them amen.

[Lelygax]

Fortunately IGA does not return, there will be others, but not him.

Cool to know, they already have floating skates and live in Mars there in the future? Dr. Brown is fine?

[Flame]

No, its not. IGA isnt dead.

I seriously doubt him coming back any time soon. And in fact I'd prefer him not too.

[darkwzrd4]

I seriously doubt him coming back any time soon. And in fact I'd prefer him not too.

Same here. His method was so backward. He develops the game first then shoe-horns it into the timeline. Not the way to do it. The way it should be done is: 1)come up with a concept, 2)look at the established timeline, 3)pick a spot, 4)alter your concept to fit the spot you picked on the timeline, 5)make the game.

[Pfil]

Cool to know, they already have floating skates and live in Mars there in the future? Dr. Brown is fine?

Hahaha!
Funny and great!