Topic: Castlevania Identity Crisis:what should the next Castlevania game be like?

[ROCKMAN X]

For good or for bad IGA left konami so obviously we're not going get another "symphony of the night 2.0" and mercurysteam is also done with its rebooted failure.

So now the main question is.. what do the fans really want in the next game? a 3d hack'n'slash/adventure game or a 2d sprite based action platformer like the original classics?

IMHO If konami can make a great 2d contra game in current gen then it should also be able to make a good 2d castlevania game.

[Chernabogue]

Welcome to the Castlevania Dungeon. Enjoy your stay.

[crisis]

well yuo guys are in luck cuz they hav announced "symphony of the night 2.0" which is due out next year

[Mike Belmont]

For good or for bad IGA left konami so obviously we're not going get another "symphony of the night 2.0" and mercurysteam is also done with its rebooted failure.

So now the main question is.. what do the fans really want in the next game? a 3d hack'n'slash/adventure game or a 2d sprite based action platformer like the original classics?

IMHO If konami can make a great 2d contra game in current gen then it should also be able to make a good 2d castlevania game.

As for the fisrt question: as a fan, I really wish a return to the Castlevania essence, principally in terms of story (please, no more Dracula protagonism). If Konami is planing to make another reboot, I vote for a Belmont (maybe a Simon Belmont) to fight Dracula. Yes, is simple, but that was Castlevania in the beginning. I hate reboots in videogames, but with the actual canon, is difficult to bring a new story (without counting the 1999 War).

In the gameplay, I love the hack n slash genre, but if the games takes again that way, please be original and don`t take too much elements from other ones (I think is unnecessary to name that elements).

In simple words, bring back the classic ambience and the awesome music that Castlevania has years ago.

PS I remember the "C" teaser from an E3 a few years ago. What would happened to that game???

[Charlotte-nyo:3]

For good or for bad IGA left konami so obviously we're not going get another "symphony of the night 2.0"

IGA isn't the only one who makes Metroidvanias. Take Strider 2014 for example. But given IGA left I would say it's rather unlikely they have any plans for going that route, otherwise he probably would've attempted to seize on it rather than leaving, although perhaps it was too soon after the LoS series for decision makers within Konami to even be thinking about a new game at the time he left.

[DragonSlayr81]

I still want something I know we'll NEVER get, a good 3D CV that focuses on platforming and vertical areas. Even on 3D platformers, vertical areas seem to be shafted because horizontal(as in one plane platforming) seems to take priority over anything else. I think studios feel it's too hard to do right, so what's the use, but I feel it's still a valid area that should be addressed without resorting to the cheapo wall climbing and ledge shimmying in most games. Because, dammit, I want a REAL 3D clocktower game where the majority of it isn't hanging from gears or ledges, hopping up and down with each rung. I wanna leap from spinning gear to spinning gear, onto pendulums and such, within a vertical tower! 

Hell, just more traditional platforming in general. I didn't like the CV64 games, but I at least commend the teams for TRYING to include CV-esque platforming, as IGA's 3Dvanias and LoS1 & 2(not counting MoF) didn't even try with the execption of a few sparce areas. I want suspended columns and bridges that are broken apart with pit-like gaps, in 3D!!!  Again, I want, basically, traditional CV to make a "perfect" transition into 3D. It probably will never happen, but that doesn't mean I don't want it any less.

[Claimh Solais]

I still want something I know we'll NEVER get, a good 3D CV that focuses on platforming and vertical areas. Even on 3D platformers, vertical areas seem to be shafted because horizontal(as in one plane platforming) seems to take priority over anything else. I think studios feel it's too hard to do right, so what's the use, but I feel it's still a valid area that should be addressed without resorting to the cheapo wall climbing and ledge shimmying in most games. Because, dammit, I want a REAL 3D clocktower game where the majority of it isn't hanging from gears or ledges, hopping up and down with each rung. I wanna leap from spinning gear to spinning gear, onto pendulums and such, within a vertical tower! 

Hell, just more traditional platforming in general. I didn't like the CV64 games, but I at least commend the teams for TRYING to include CV-esque platforming, as IGA's 3Dvanias and LoS1 & 2(not counting MoF) didn't even try with the execption of a few sparce areas. I want suspended columns and bridges that are broken apart with pit-like gaps, in 3D!!!  Again, I want, basically, traditional CV to make a "perfect" transition into 3D. It probably will never happen, but that doesn't mean I don't want it any less.

I think the hard part about doing a vertical platforming segment is that most 3D platformers, while platformers, are still trying to maintain this sense of realism in the game. And, from what I've seen in several games, realistic vertical platforming segments are really hard to do. Just look at CV64, for example. Granted, the villa was the only really "realistic" portion of that game, save for a couple other areas.

I would like to see a new 3D-vania apply these segments, though. If we got another "spooky" CV (a la CV1 or CV3) rather than a "horror" CV, than there would be no need to focus on realistic looking environments.

[Ratty]

Hard to say in some ways. Castlevania has always been a series that reflects popular ideas about monsters/vampirism. In the 1980s and early 1990s it was a throwback tribute to cheesy old monster movies, especially Universal and Hammer films. The IGA era was more influenced by "Bram Stokers Dracula" as well as uniquely Buddhist and anime-like elements. (And maybe Buffy?) LoS examined the modern obsession with Vampires as "brooding anti-heroes" ala Twilight and so many others.

Personally I would really like to see some more cheesy monster movie throwbacks, but I'm not sure those could be done properly today. Universal and Hammer films are no longer part of the common culture like they were from the 1950s through the 1980s. When they gained generations of new fans decades after their theatrical releases from constant reruns on late night television in an era before (widespread) home video and infomercials.

I have a feeling without Kojima or IGA another "gothic" Castlevania might just feel off, though I'd be up for it and would certainly give it a try. Aside from the Sorrow games, which put an intriguing Buddhist-flavored twist on it, I'm not really interested in Dracula as a hero. Or in Vampire Belmonts.

If I had to guess though, I'd say the next game will probably be a continuation of LoS in some fashion. Knowing Konami it could be a Japan only mobile social game. Just have to wait and see.

[Munchy]

I'd say take influence from Metroid Prime (non-linear exploration and platforming), Dark/Demon's Souls (difficulty and importance on how you move vs how the enemy moves and the environment), and maaaybe that game Zeno Clash (melee combat). I think these elements could make for an extremely interesting 3D game.

But this is Konami, and that would never happen unless Hideo Kojima specifically demands it.

[GuyStarwind]

Honestly I don't care if it's 3D or 2D as long as I'm playing as a whip crackin Belmont in a giant castle fighting monsters.

[Somacula]

I don't think I would mind another 3D hack n' slash if the future developers can make something like the Alucard DLC for LoS2. Areas like the forbidden wing were absolutely fantastic with the creep factor amped up to a level that the main game could not reach even at its best. Abilities all had their use both in combat and out, and the puzzles were interspersed evenly enough to change the pace without being annoying. Add in some more Gothic flair ala Dark/Demons' Souls and you have a generally great direction to point the series towards. I really wish LoS2:Revelations had been expanded more and made into a full game. It was too much of a teaser for something that may never come.

[Kingshango]

Well with Konami these days, the next Castlevania will be whatever Hideo Kojima feels like it should be.

[Nagumo]

I want Konami to try out many different things, although that probably isn't very realistic. I care more about the aesthetics being good.

[theANdROId]

In addition to some of the must-haves (great music, gothic atmosphere, whip-toting adventurer ready to slay Dracula, etc.):

- I'd like to see just a little bit of story...perhaps just a intro screen with some story text (i.e. CV3, SotN, CV64/LoD), and maybe even a line (or few) of *short* dialogue within the game (i.e. CV3 with the extra characters)  Not that anyone needs a reason to play a game, but it's always nice to answer that question, "What the heck is going on here? Why?"

- I'd like to see just a few weapon/armor type upgrades/customizations (i.e. LoI with 3-5ish options).

- I'd like to see just a few unique playable characters, whether CV3 style, or in the same manner as many of the Metroidvania games.  Honestly, I like this idea best when presented as a reward for beating the game...it gives a reason to play again and also makes it a new and different game for that playthrough.


I realize I start all of these with, "I'd like to see...", but my thought is to keep it fairly minimal, but not too much.  While I do love the original CV, I wouldn't think such a game would do well nowadays.  Games today seem to have so many options and extras, I can't imagine a bare-bones game doing well anymore. :-/  I think I could handle it, and probably some of us here (since we grew up in a time when games were simple, we know it can work well), but I think we'd want the current generation of gamers to get into it as well so the series stays alive.

[ROCKMAN X]

Personally I would really like to see some more cheesy monster movie throwbacks, but I'm not sure those could be done properly today. Universal and Hammer films are no longer part of the common culture like they were from the 1950s through the 1980s. When they gained generations of new fans decades after their theatrical releases from constant reruns on late night television in an era before (widespread) home video and infomercials.

That's not really true.. i haven't even watched one hammer horror movie and i can identify almost all the pop culture monsters.

Castlevania is like a fun cheesy amalgamation of all these popular monster myths and it would easily work nowadays if they just make the game enjoyable enough not this bullshit girmdark generic vampire game or the overly anime like plot introduced in dawn of sorrow.

Everyone loves the cheesy pop culture monsters no matter what decade.. all that is required is a great game to go with that,we already have enough generic overly pretentious and 2edgy4me games.

Again, I want, basically, traditional CV to make a "perfect" transition into 3D. It probably will never happen, but that doesn't mean I don't want it any less.

Its all up to koniami if it really values castlevania it should try to innovate and make the bold move to evolve the series into 3d but i just don't have any hope in 3d castlevania after playing the Gods of shadow of the colossus.