Over the past couple of years I have been fascinated by the Castlevania series and played through almost all of the games from the official timeline (and a few other great titles that are either gaiden or non-canonical such as Super Castlevania IV, Chronicles, and Circle of the Moon).
With the franchise experiencing somewhat of a renaissance (at least in mindshare if not actual games due to the Netflix series) I thought it may be fun to talk about how it was playing through many of these for the first time recently.
Lament of Innocence (1094 A.D.)
Downloaded this one on PSN as the first 3D Castlevania I've ever played and it was off to a good start before my PS3 got a YLOD. Currently in the shop but should be back tomorrow. I like what I've played of this and I'm excited to finish it out hopefully by the end of this week! It is cheesy and unfortunately has a fixed camera which I think doesn't work in its favor. At the same time, I like Leon Belmont and it actually feels like a Castlevania game! Also some real gems in the OST ("House of Sacred Remains" anybody?).
Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse (1476 A.D.)
This is near the top of the pile in terms of quality. The soundtrack (particularly the Famicom version) is a masterpiece. I find this to be without a doubt the most challenging of all the Castlevania games, but ultimately it is rewarding and memorable. Branching paths and multiple different playable protagonists greatly increase the replay value of III. It's probably not the game I would tell people new to the series to start with (even if it is what the Netflix adaptation is based off of) unless they're already hardcore 2D action game fans.
Curse of Darkness (1479 A.D.)
Grabbed this one two weeks ago from the local used game store and I'm really excited to finally dive in right after I polish off Lament of Innocence. This will be the final game in the franchise I get to and I've heard...mixed things.
Castlevania: The Adventure (1576 A.D.)
This is without a doubt the worst game in this entire playthrough. It's mercifully quite short (I finished in well under an hour) but despite its short length it still feels like a slog. I remember enjoying it alright as a child, but revisiting it as an adult it leaves very little reason to play it. Pretty nice music for Game Boy, but the actual feel is sluggish to a painful degree.
Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge (1591 A.D.)
An incredible step-up in quality from the first game on Game Boy! The music and art assets are great and it's frankly right up there with the NES games. You can choose from one of four levels (kinda like a Mega Man game) before being funneled into the final couple of stages (also like a Mega Man game)! There's really nothing wrong with Belmont's Revenge at all and I think anyone who's a fan of the series would do well to check this one out! Too bad that The Adventure got a competent remake and this one didn't. Oh well. It's not too late for Belmont's Revenge R on Switch, Konami!
Castlevania (1691 A.D.)
Would you believe that the first game in the series still holds up beautifully today? Yes you probably would because you saw that Egoraptor video a few years ago. Well it's true! The graphics? Gorgeous! The music? Iconic! The gameplay? Incredibly tight! It's a hard game but one that feels, by and large, quite fair! Castlevania set the stage for the entire rest of the franchise and I would argue of all the major franchises launched on NES (to include Mario, Zelda, Mega Man, Final Fantasy, and Metroid) this has remained the best start.
Castlevania II: Simon's Quest (1698 A.D.)
Simon's Quest is unfairly maligned! I've played through it a few times now and while it is assuredly improved in the *REDACTED* version it is still eminently playable in its original incarnation. You all know "Bloody Tears" as THE song of the series and it had some really cool innovations that went on to be staples of the franchise. While day/night cycles never made it back to the series (as far as I know), the RPG elements and non-linear progression assuredly did. Simon's Quest has so many problems, but I think they're easy enough to overlook consider how fun it is.
Harmony of Dissonance (1748 A.D.)
Not a bad game by any stretch of the imagination, but without a doubt the weakest of the 7 IGAvanias (if we include Circle of the Moon) for several reasons. Firstly, the music sounds very poor especially in a series that is known for its tunes. Secondly, the art style is garish as hell with gigantic (albeit well meaning) outlines. Finally, the difficulty does not come from the combat at all but rather the confusing layout of the castle. I really struggled to navigate and that dampened my enjoyment.
Rondo of Blood (1792 A.D.)
Of the 'classic' style of Castlevania, I would argue that Rondo of Blood is the peak of what is possible. Richter's movement is so fast, fluid, and fun! And for those who find the game too difficult as Richter the game's difficulty can be cut in half by playing as the mighty Maria Renard. Branching pathways, beautiful art and music, and responsive and exciting gameplay are key to making Rondo the pinnacle of what Castlevania could be. The remake is nice, but I prefer the assets of the original. I love it!
Symphony of the Night (1797 A.D.)
Don't know what could be said about SOTN that hasn't been said better already. It is a true classic and I would say it's among the greatest games ever made. At the same time, I think that some of the CV games that came in its wake are actually superior despite how special SOTN itself is. Regardless, it is easily my personal top 5 Castlevania games and probably the best entry point for the series for literally anybody.
Order of Ecclesia (18XX A.D.)
And here we have secretly the best Castlevania game that was ever and probably will ever be made: Order of Ecclesia. I finished my first playthrough of this game a few weeks ago and I am still reeling from it. The story is in some ways more intimate as there are fewer major players around but you eventually discover the bigger piece that Shanoa and the Order of Ecclesia play in the overall arc of the Castlevania story. Shanoa herself is an incredible protagonist and has the most fun gameplay of any character in the series. The music is beautiful and the art is absolutely breathtaking. It relies on no gimmicks from the touchscreen, but the map and inventory stuff is useful. OOE marries the best of both worlds as it has portions that are linear and portions that are what one would expect from a Metroidvania including
. I could go on and on about why I love OOE so much from the sidequests to the villagers to the different powers you acquire to the fun exploration of areas and abilities. It's perfect. Please give it a shot if you haven't!
Bloodlines (1917 A.D.)
Bloodlines really caught me off guard and I wish it was more accessible because it deserves to receive more attention and accolades than it did. This was the first time that Castlevania was a global adventure as you found yourself as either Eric LeCarde or John Morris traveling throughout the world to fight Dracula yet again. Bloodlines has the strange aesthetic that one could only really ever get on a Genesis console and for that it truly stands out as unique. It is a surprisingly dark and violent game and one of the most unsettling of the franchise. Why has it not been ported to everything?!
Portrait of Ruin (1944 A.D.)
Portrait is the first game I played of the DS trilogy and I would say the lowlight. Nothing particularly remarkable or memorable about it. What am I missing here?
Aria of Sorrow (2035 A.D.)
The final two games of the Castlevania timeline are the only ones set in the future and as such they have a coolly futuristic feel to them and a more anime aesthetic that rubbed some people (not me) the wrong way. Aria is another favorite of mine and while it's kind of an easy game I love Soma as a protagonist and the cast in general (looking at you "Genya Arikado"). The boss fights are exciting and memorable and while there is some nonsense to make sure you get the true ending, it is a game more or less without blemish and the best handheld Castlevania prior to Order of Ecclesia.
Dawn of Sorrow (2036 A.D.)
Not quite the revelation that Aria of Sorrow was due to a) stylus boss sealing and b) feeling like a retread of Aria more than a sequel, but still easily a top 5 Castlevania game. I adore Dawn of Sorrow and it is a beautiful way to finish the end of the timeline much like how MGS4 gave a conclusion to the Metal Gear timeline. Dawn of Sorrow has gorgeous sprites and soundtrack and was only hampered really by not diversifying itself enough as a direct follow up to AOS and of course by shoehorning in the touchscreen. Beyond that, it's nearly perfect.
With the franchise experiencing somewhat of a renaissance (at least in mindshare if not actual games due to the Netflix series) I thought it may be fun to talk about how it was playing through many of these for the first time recently.
Lament of Innocence (1094 A.D.)
Downloaded this one on PSN as the first 3D Castlevania I've ever played and it was off to a good start before my PS3 got a YLOD. Currently in the shop but should be back tomorrow. I like what I've played of this and I'm excited to finish it out hopefully by the end of this week! It is cheesy and unfortunately has a fixed camera which I think doesn't work in its favor. At the same time, I like Leon Belmont and it actually feels like a Castlevania game! Also some real gems in the OST ("House of Sacred Remains" anybody?).
Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse (1476 A.D.)
This is near the top of the pile in terms of quality. The soundtrack (particularly the Famicom version) is a masterpiece. I find this to be without a doubt the most challenging of all the Castlevania games, but ultimately it is rewarding and memorable. Branching paths and multiple different playable protagonists greatly increase the replay value of III. It's probably not the game I would tell people new to the series to start with (even if it is what the Netflix adaptation is based off of) unless they're already hardcore 2D action game fans.
Curse of Darkness (1479 A.D.)
Grabbed this one two weeks ago from the local used game store and I'm really excited to finally dive in right after I polish off Lament of Innocence. This will be the final game in the franchise I get to and I've heard...mixed things.
Castlevania: The Adventure (1576 A.D.)
This is without a doubt the worst game in this entire playthrough. It's mercifully quite short (I finished in well under an hour) but despite its short length it still feels like a slog. I remember enjoying it alright as a child, but revisiting it as an adult it leaves very little reason to play it. Pretty nice music for Game Boy, but the actual feel is sluggish to a painful degree.
Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge (1591 A.D.)
An incredible step-up in quality from the first game on Game Boy! The music and art assets are great and it's frankly right up there with the NES games. You can choose from one of four levels (kinda like a Mega Man game) before being funneled into the final couple of stages (also like a Mega Man game)! There's really nothing wrong with Belmont's Revenge at all and I think anyone who's a fan of the series would do well to check this one out! Too bad that The Adventure got a competent remake and this one didn't. Oh well. It's not too late for Belmont's Revenge R on Switch, Konami!
Castlevania (1691 A.D.)
Would you believe that the first game in the series still holds up beautifully today? Yes you probably would because you saw that Egoraptor video a few years ago. Well it's true! The graphics? Gorgeous! The music? Iconic! The gameplay? Incredibly tight! It's a hard game but one that feels, by and large, quite fair! Castlevania set the stage for the entire rest of the franchise and I would argue of all the major franchises launched on NES (to include Mario, Zelda, Mega Man, Final Fantasy, and Metroid) this has remained the best start.
Castlevania II: Simon's Quest (1698 A.D.)
Simon's Quest is unfairly maligned! I've played through it a few times now and while it is assuredly improved in the *REDACTED* version it is still eminently playable in its original incarnation. You all know "Bloody Tears" as THE song of the series and it had some really cool innovations that went on to be staples of the franchise. While day/night cycles never made it back to the series (as far as I know), the RPG elements and non-linear progression assuredly did. Simon's Quest has so many problems, but I think they're easy enough to overlook consider how fun it is.
Harmony of Dissonance (1748 A.D.)
Not a bad game by any stretch of the imagination, but without a doubt the weakest of the 7 IGAvanias (if we include Circle of the Moon) for several reasons. Firstly, the music sounds very poor especially in a series that is known for its tunes. Secondly, the art style is garish as hell with gigantic (albeit well meaning) outlines. Finally, the difficulty does not come from the combat at all but rather the confusing layout of the castle. I really struggled to navigate and that dampened my enjoyment.
Rondo of Blood (1792 A.D.)
Of the 'classic' style of Castlevania, I would argue that Rondo of Blood is the peak of what is possible. Richter's movement is so fast, fluid, and fun! And for those who find the game too difficult as Richter the game's difficulty can be cut in half by playing as the mighty Maria Renard. Branching pathways, beautiful art and music, and responsive and exciting gameplay are key to making Rondo the pinnacle of what Castlevania could be. The remake is nice, but I prefer the assets of the original. I love it!
Symphony of the Night (1797 A.D.)
Don't know what could be said about SOTN that hasn't been said better already. It is a true classic and I would say it's among the greatest games ever made. At the same time, I think that some of the CV games that came in its wake are actually superior despite how special SOTN itself is. Regardless, it is easily my personal top 5 Castlevania games and probably the best entry point for the series for literally anybody.
Order of Ecclesia (18XX A.D.)
And here we have secretly the best Castlevania game that was ever and probably will ever be made: Order of Ecclesia. I finished my first playthrough of this game a few weeks ago and I am still reeling from it. The story is in some ways more intimate as there are fewer major players around but you eventually discover the bigger piece that Shanoa and the Order of Ecclesia play in the overall arc of the Castlevania story. Shanoa herself is an incredible protagonist and has the most fun gameplay of any character in the series. The music is beautiful and the art is absolutely breathtaking. It relies on no gimmicks from the touchscreen, but the map and inventory stuff is useful. OOE marries the best of both worlds as it has portions that are linear and portions that are what one would expect from a Metroidvania including
the most impressive Dracula's Castle of the franchise
Bloodlines (1917 A.D.)
Bloodlines really caught me off guard and I wish it was more accessible because it deserves to receive more attention and accolades than it did. This was the first time that Castlevania was a global adventure as you found yourself as either Eric LeCarde or John Morris traveling throughout the world to fight Dracula yet again. Bloodlines has the strange aesthetic that one could only really ever get on a Genesis console and for that it truly stands out as unique. It is a surprisingly dark and violent game and one of the most unsettling of the franchise. Why has it not been ported to everything?!
Portrait of Ruin (1944 A.D.)
Portrait is the first game I played of the DS trilogy and I would say the lowlight. Nothing particularly remarkable or memorable about it. What am I missing here?
Aria of Sorrow (2035 A.D.)
The final two games of the Castlevania timeline are the only ones set in the future and as such they have a coolly futuristic feel to them and a more anime aesthetic that rubbed some people (not me) the wrong way. Aria is another favorite of mine and while it's kind of an easy game I love Soma as a protagonist and the cast in general (looking at you "Genya Arikado"). The boss fights are exciting and memorable and while there is some nonsense to make sure you get the true ending, it is a game more or less without blemish and the best handheld Castlevania prior to Order of Ecclesia.
Dawn of Sorrow (2036 A.D.)
Not quite the revelation that Aria of Sorrow was due to a) stylus boss sealing and b) feeling like a retread of Aria more than a sequel, but still easily a top 5 Castlevania game. I adore Dawn of Sorrow and it is a beautiful way to finish the end of the timeline much like how MGS4 gave a conclusion to the Metal Gear timeline. Dawn of Sorrow has gorgeous sprites and soundtrack and was only hampered really by not diversifying itself enough as a direct follow up to AOS and of course by shoehorning in the touchscreen. Beyond that, it's nearly perfect.
