Topic: Do you really think SCV4 is as good as everyone says? (I do)

[Flame]

I just like Bloodlines better visually. It's very vibrant and the colors pop. I like the fact you go all over Europe, I like the music, (I love me some Genesis tunes- that and Michuru Yamane <3) I like some of the effects they did too. Reflective water was nifty, as was the rotating Tower of Pisa. I mean, I like the rotating room in SCIV, but it doesnt seem to have much rhyme or reason. (not like random floating platforms around the leaning tower of Pisa have any more reason though)

I also just love John Morris' design. Built Ford tough. I have no issue with the whip. I appreciate that it's also a bit gorier than most CV games, since the Genesis had no reservations about "family oriented" nonsense like Nintendo did.

In all, i just like the overall feel of Bloodlines more. It's also a brand new entry, and not just another CV1 remake. It feels more original in that regard

[Pfil]

Agreed. I like Bloodlines but I don't get how it's better than CV4 in any way and I've been running into a lot of people lately who think it is.

From my personal opinion, the music. More if you take into consideration that Michiru Yamane did it in 2 weeks.
But that does not mean SCV4 music isn't spectacular. I think it is one of a kind when it comes to CV soundracks (like HoD is, but in a different way and infinitely better).
Anyway, the fact that I like the Bloodlines more than SCV4 doesn't make it a better game, I recognize that.
And, also anyway, the fact that it's not in my favourite CV games doesn't make it a mediocre game, not even a good one. It's an excellent game with some unique atmosphere, gameplay and soundtrack, that has aged perfectly, and it's a symbol of the 16-bits era that used some amazing technical display, which must have been jaw-dropping back in the day.
If SCV4 isn't part of my top 10 CV titles is because I like the others better, but it still is, both objectively and in my personal opinion, a game worth of 9 points if I were to give it a score.
And I made the thread not because of me, but because I was surprised that so many fans didn't hold it so high as I thought. I believed it was the favourite of everyone who played it back in the day.

[Belmontoya]

It truly was jaw dropping and still is.

I would give my left nut for a Super Castlevania 5.

[beingthehero]

I do agree that SCIV is indeed as good as everyone says. Its atmosphere is quite unparalleled, and it hardly ever drags (which is a problem I found in most other CVs- there's always that level that you never care for...)

I'm not sure if it's my absolute number 1 favorite, but it's definitely up there with Chronicles and OoE for me.

[RichterB]

So much has already been said. Super Castlevania IV does hold up, and isn't overrated. It's not perfect, but it's definitely in the conversation for best Castlevania--only CVIII can really compete in the overall sense, though I do have a really soft spot for Dracula X SNES, which might be the most "fun" Castlevania with its arcade-like feel and unique watercolor/comic book palette.

One thing that boggles the mind. Castlevania IV's sprites are so big and animated with effects and such, and it's ONLY 16 bits...yet, later on, with more technology, the spites get smaller. Why is that? I mean, shouldn't one of the GBA or DS games have had stronger visuals than IV? (And also, why weren't more of its gameplay elements refined for later installments?).

[DragonSlayr81]

For me, my stands and opinion on SCV4 is similar to Fry/Rab-bot exchange about Robot Jesus in the "Future Stock" episode of Futurama:

"I believe it was a very well programmed game. But it's not my "Castlevania Messiah". 

[DoctaMario]

From my personal opinion, the music. More if you take into consideration that Michiru Yamane did it in 2 weeks.
But that does not mean SCV4 music isn't spectacular. I think it is one of a kind when it comes to CV soundracks (like HoD is, but in a different way and infinitely better).
Anyway, the fact that I like the Bloodlines more than SCV4 doesn't make it a better game, I recognize that.
And, also anyway, the fact that it's not in my favourite CV games doesn't make it a mediocre game, not even a good one. It's an excellent game with some unique atmosphere, gameplay and soundtrack, that has aged perfectly, and it's a symbol of the 16-bits era that used some amazing technical display, which must have been jaw-dropping back in the day.
If SCV4 isn't part of my top 10 CV titles is because I like the others better, but it still is, both objectively and in my personal opinion, a game worth of 9 points if I were to give it a score.
And I made the thread not because of me, but because I was surprised that so many fans didn't hold it so high as I thought. I believed it was the favourite of everyone who played it back in the day.

Oh I get what you're saying. Btw I didn't know Yamane was working on CV that far back!

I've jus played both games (Bloodlines not too many years after its release) and while I think Bloodlines is an excellent game that has a lot of great ideas that would be worth revisiting, thr total package that is CV4 is so much stronger IMO. I feel like the animation in BL is awkward and not very smooth for one and that's always bugged me about it.

[VampireKillerOverlord]

Dude, the game had an 8 direction WHIP!  That sounds so cool and made you feel more in control of killing enemies. I still need to get it for my super nintendo, if I can find it cheap that is.

Plus the Dance of the Holy Man theme for Simon was amazing and still sounds epic today

[Pfil]

Oh I get what you're saying. Btw I didn't know Yamane was working on CV that far back!

In fact, she was part of the Konami Kukeiha Club, responsible of Castlevania III soundtrack, amongst other great stuff, so some tracks from CV3 are from Michiru Yamane (though I don't know which ones).

[X]

In fact, she was part of the Konami Kukeiha Club, responsible of Castlevania III soundtrack, amongst other great stuff, so some tracks from CV3 are from Michiru Yamane (though I don't know which ones).

I had no idea that her work went this far back! No wonder she feel's burnt out   

Although it would make sense not to know about this since, once more, the credits didn't mention anything about the Director, programmers, music artists, etc.

[Lelygax]

In fact, she was part of the Konami Kukeiha Club, responsible of Castlevania III soundtrack, amongst other great stuff, so some tracks from CV3 are from Michiru Yamane (though I don't know which ones).

Source?

[Intersection]

No matter how you look at it, Super Castlevania IV is quite a remarkable game. It is one of these few, unique Castlevania titles that manage to completely embody the series' spirit while possessing a fierce identity of their own.
How much you appreciate it is of course a matter of personal taste; yet for me it stands as part of the best Castlevania has to offer.

Incidentally, I don't believe Yamane had worked on Castlevania as early as Dracula's Curse...

[Pfil]

Source?

I'll check and post if I find it. Maybe vgmdatabase. But I read for sure she was part of the KKC.

[Lelygax]

It would be cool to know since when. Thanks for searching it.

[Pfil]

Here it is mentioned that KKC is responsible for the soundtrack, if I understand it correctly > http://vgmdb.net/album/5771

The soundtrack isn't listed as part of Michiru Yamane's discography because at the time the soundtracks were signed simply as Konami Kukeiha Club.

And here you can see that Michiru Yamane was part of the KKC > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konami_Kukeiha_Club

Though years aren't specified, it is known she worked as part of the KKC before going solo for composition.
Some more input can be gathered in these links, but they are in japanese:
http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%B1%B1%E6%A0%B9%E3%83%9F%E3%83%81%E3%83%AB
http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%B3%E3%83%8A%E3%83%9F%E7%9F%A9%E5%BD%A2%E6%B3%A2%E5%80%B6%E6%A5%BD%E9%83%A8

Maybe Nagumo or Shiroi can bring some more light into this.