Topic: Bloodlines was meant to start its own spin-off series.

[Nagumo]

Did anyone ever knew this? There is a scan of the Japanese magazine MegaDriveFAN which reveals some very interesting information. The game was advertised as a completely original vampire-themed action series by Konami at the time of its release, known as "Vampire Killer". And as I mentioned before, the Rondo of Blood strategy guide refered to this game as a "Castlevania gaiden".   

It explains why the game is different from the average Castlevania game and why the story was always so out there when you put it in context with the rest of the series.

I really want a Vampire Killer 2 now.     

[beingthehero]

That's pretty cool, though I'm not sure how they would've made a seperate series out of it unless Dracula just wouldn't stay dead in the 20th century. I think this was around the time that IGA said Castlevania games were piling up in bargain bins in Japan, so it probably wasn't horribly successful there financially. It was a bit under the radar in the US, too, I never saw it at Toys R Us or any rental stores. I didn't even hear about it until the late 90s, and I wasn't a hardcore fan of the series then.

Maybe they realized the gameplay didn't differ much at all with the CV series, so that's why they made it just another Castlevania game in the US and Europe.

One of the cooler things that you posted in another thread is that they crowdsourced some of the enemies and bosses, which is how we got the swinging scythe enemies in Versailles and the cool dual-headed shadow boss. I wish they'd do more of that these days, but you only ever see it in Kickstarters if you contribute $1,000.

[Chernabogue]

Holy crap, that's interesting!

I now want this to happen:
- Bloodlines
- Bloodlines 2: Jonh's Quest (or Jonathan's since both John and Eric are dead)
- Bloodlines 3: Dracula's Curse (original novel game)

(EDIT: Sudden realization: it could have been part of the LoS saga, since it's located in Europe LOL)

[X]

The only problem I see about this being a Gaiden of the main series is that John Morris is using the Vampirekiller, which is the main-stay weapon of the main series. Never the less it's an interesting find.

[Nagumo]

That's pretty cool, though I'm not sure how they would've made a seperate series out of it unless Dracula just wouldn't stay dead in the 20th century.

I'm not sure but, seeing as this was intented to be a completely seperate series, it might have been originally a completely seperate canon as well, before IGA unified everything in one single timeline, for better or worse. So, any future games wouldn't necessarily have been limited to the 20th century setting. I'm guessing they would have all shared the theme of more varied areas that take place outside of the castle, and more protagonists that didn't wield whips like Eric.     

I think this was around the time that IGA said Castlevania games were piling up in bargain bins in Japan, so it probably wasn't horribly successful there financially. It was a bit under the radar in the US, too, I never saw it at Toys R Us or any rental stores. I didn't even hear about it until the late 90s, and I wasn't a hardcore fan of the series then.

Yeah, that seems like an adequate explanation. Too bad they never attempted a revival, but I guess that was no longer neccessary after SotN became popular.   

Maybe they realized the gameplay didn't differ much at all with the CV series, so that's why they made it just another Castlevania game in the US and Europe.

That would seem like something they would do since the English title of SotN never reflected its spin-off status like the Japanese title did, with the "X" indicating it was seperate from the regular series.

[Shinobi]

It should have stayed as sidestory like Castlevania 64 games and Circle of the Moon, doesn't make sense how Elizabeth is happened to be Dracula's niece.

[GuyStarwind]

Huh, it would be interesting to see how it would've panned out had it continued as a side story.

[crisis]

i feel that nagumomo is witholding vital infomation from the community

exhibit A: excerpt from the portrait of Ruin timeline pre-order bonus



what is this supposed "secret," Nagumomo? please investigate, we await your results

[Sindra]

It just means they had another game idea that focused on Bartley.....and now it will probably never be made. (unless picked up by whatever studio replaces Mercurysteam)

As for Bartley being Dracula's niece.......the historical Vlad Tepes had at least one brother who lived to adulthood, I do believe. Not too far of a stretch to use that to tie her into the "family tree".

[darkmanx_429]

It just means they had another game idea that focused on Bartley.....and now it will probably never be made. (unless picked up by whatever studio replaces Mercurysteam)

As for Bartley being Dracula's niece.......the historical Vlad Tepes had at least one brother who lived to adulthood, I do believe. Not too far of a stretch to use that to tie her into the "family tree".

I like all this.

i feel that nagumomo is witholding vital infomation from the community

exhibit A: excerpt from the portrait of Ruin timeline pre-order bonus



what is this supposed "secret," Nagumomo? please investigate, we await your results

And this!

[DragonSlayr81]

i feel that nagumomo is witholding vital infomation from the community

exhibit A: excerpt from the portrait of Ruin timeline pre-order bonus



what is this supposed "secret," Nagumomo? please investigate, we await your results

Yeah, I kinda wondered about this, myself. Seems like IGA might've been planning additional "ideas" for future CV games until he was kicked out of the series.

It should have stayed as sidestory like Castlevania 64 games and Circle of the Moon, doesn't make sense how Elizabeth is happened to be Dracula's niece.

It COULD make sense if they ever explained why. Some say they could've been related(given Bathory's lineage stems from Transylvania). And regarding Bloodlines PERSONALLY(before IGA made the whole Mathias = Dracula a "thing"), CV Dracula was just "Dracula"(many even considered him Vlad III, making the whole Elizabeth Bartley/Bathory thing make sense).

[X]

Believe it or not both Vlad III (Dracula) and Elizabeth Bathory (Bartly) are related to each other in real life so having that in Bloodlines is not that big of a stretch.

[Mike Belmont]

I actually like the Elizabeth Bathory role in the game. In fact, I would like if he have a new role in a CV game.

As for Bloodlines being a gaiden or spinoff series, I like the idea. Having John Morris the Vampire Killer, and the the first stage a homage to the Dracula´s Castle from CV I, SCVIV and RoB its a nice touch (even the throne room at the end of the stage).

[DragonSlayr81]

Believe it or not both Vlad III (Dracula) and Elizabeth Bathory (Bartly) are related to each other in real life so having that in Bloodlines is not that big of a stretch.

Yeah, I heard Vlad III is Bathory's "Great Uncle", meaning she is sorta his Great Niece.

And as I've been saying, it's nice to have that family theme, not just with the Belmonts, but with Dracula.

[Morning star]

They are not blood relation though. It's only by marriage. Still a very interesting fact that they are related at all. I have always liked the the story of Bathory, more than that of Vlad.