Topic: Does anyone know the story behind Simon's design?

[Lumi Kløvstad]

I don't dislike the Barbarian look in the first Castlevania (in fact, the resulting 1986/7 sprite is still pretty ace in my eyes), but I do find it curious.
Does anyone know the story behind his design? Why was a guy in the mid-late 1600's running around dressed like he stepped off the set of a 1980's Schwarzenegger action flick?

[zangetsu468]

I always assumed he was inspired by Conan (Arny).

There's also this

[Lumi Kløvstad]

I always assumed he was inspired by Conan (Arny).

There's also this

That's a Boris Vallejo, isn't it? That does make sense, actually. Dude was MAJORLY influential in fantasy art during the 1970's and 80's. It would be easy to surmise that someone at Konami was inspired by Vallejo's work during the design stages.

[DragonSlayr81]

That's a Boris Vallejo, isn't it? That does make sense, actually. Dude was MAJORLY influential in fantasy art during the 1970's and 80's. It would be easy to surmise that someone at Konami was inspired by Vallejo's work during the design stages.

Pretty sure it's Frank Frazetta.

[KaZudra]

Cover-wise; Old School Conan with a whip
Sprite-wise; He looks rather ordinary actually, Trevor looks more like Simon in the Cover, Cv1/2 simon has rather short hair and a basic robe.

[zangetsu468]

Cv1/2 simon has rather short hair and a basic robe.

CV2 Simon's outfit/hair reminds me a bit of Prince Adam aka He-Man. The colours would just need tweaking.

[X]

CV2 Simon's outfit/hair reminds me a bit of Prince Adam aka He-Man. The colours would just need tweaking.

Ironically enough He-Man evolved out of Conan the Barbarian. There's a story behind that somewhere...

[LuxKiller65]

Yes the inspiration for CV1 and 2 cover artworks is pretty obvious (CV2 being the Ravenloft artwork).

What about CV3??

And regarding Belmont's Revenge, maybe I'm pushing it but there's another possible reference to Frazetta's art.

[zangetsu468]

I don't think it's a push if you look at the context.

Though BR's cover has the hero looking more Fabioso

[Crying Freeman]

Pretty sure it's Frank Frazetta.

Yup, it's good ol Frank. Last time I went to comic con there was a booth selling his art book for like $40. I looked through and it was incredible, but u wasn't spending $40 cus I just bought a Saturn and 2 games at that same con XD

[Crying Freeman]

I've been so intrigued by Castlevania's creation. I know the Japanese love to get creative and crazy, but it's a mix of Universal horror flicks, medieval dark fantasy, Conan, Beowulf, Indiana Jones, Vampire Hunter D, and it's all such a tight and perfect package that feels so natural. What confuses me and intrigues me the most about CV1 is what it meant to the team making it. Like I mentioned, all the mixes above, but it also has a sort of parody feel going on with some stereotypical Halloween feels and the infamous celebrity pun names at the end.

But then the artwork... Seriously epic(along with the games tunes of course).

[X]

I've been so intrigued by Castlevania's creation. I know the Japanese love to get creative and crazy, but it's a mix of Universal horror flicks, medieval dark fantasy, Conan, Beowulf, Indiana Jones, Vampire Hunter D, and it's all such a tight and perfect package that feels so natural. What confuses me and intrigues me the most about CV1 is what it meant to the team making it. Like I mentioned, all the mixes above, but it also has a sort of parody feel going on with some stereotypical Halloween feels and the infamous celebrity pun names at the end.

But then the artwork... Seriously epic(along with the games tunes of course).

Before IGA took the reins this is pretty much what Castlevania meant to me. This is what it was about. And personally this is how it should have stayed.

[zangetsu468]

Before IGA took the reins this is pretty much what Castlevania meant to me. This is what it was about. And personally this is how it should have stayed.

You can't stop a series' evolution though. Nothing can stay the same forever. Even 2.5D mario has evolved significantly since the days of SMB.

If you're referring specifically to the artwork then it's a different story. It probably would have worked for games which featured Belmonts as a main character, aside from Juste.

Personally I can't fault how the art evolved and I do believe that both LOI, AOS, COD and OOE have some of the best video game art I've seen.

The barbarian art was cool for its time but not every Belmont needs a bowl haircut like Heman and Conan's physique. Also I don't know about anyone else but CVII's cover art seems much more feminine to me than CVI or III. 

[LuxKiller65]

I'm willing to close an eye on the 'erotico-violento-decadent' style when Kojima took the series' art in her hands, but I just can't get over the terrible proportions of body parts, impossible postures, and endless copy-paste of her works.

The somewhat childish and simplistic artworks of the old episodes have something that no Kojima artwork can ever achieve. It's not really because of nostalgia and the 80s feeling they emanate, it's more because they are really close to what you actually see and feel while playing, like an extension that makes sense before you turn on your console, and after you switch it off. Kojima's works don't have that in my opinion. They could be standalone works completely unrelated and distant from the games themselves. Dunno. Yeah, basically I just don't like her works. CV1's boxart is still a reference after so many years. I don't think we can say the same of CoD or AoS.

[zangetsu468]

I'm willing to close an eye on the 'erotico-violento-decadent' style when Kojima took the series' art in her hands, but I just can't get over the terrible proportions of body parts, impossible postures, and endless copy-paste of her works.

The somewhat childish and simplistic artworks of the old episodes have something that no Kojima artwork can ever achieve. It's not really because of nostalgia and the 80s feeling they emanate, it's more because they are really close to what you actually see and feel while playing, like an extension that makes sense before you turn on your console, and after you switch it off. Kojima's works don't have that in my opinion. They could be standalone works completely unrelated and distant from the games themselves. Dunno. Yeah, basically I just don't like her works. CV1's boxart is still a reference after so many years. I don't think we can say the same of CoD or AoS.

The only Kojima work I've ever had an issue with that was overly noticeable was Yoko from AoS. She's pretty and everything but her bust is too big and her neck/ face is too small making her look disproportionate.

I disagree with your second statement. SotN's entire being to me really did sport more of an elegance than the series had ever seen. From the graphics, the flowing of Alucard's cape and how he seemed to glide over the floor seamlessly to the rich and often ornate looking levels, to the ost which is arguably one of the most intricate (and one of the most revered). The game felt more feminine than its predecessors and the game and game art themselves both evoked this feeling imo. This is not the only example but I'm going to leave it here.