What are your favorite Classic-style Castlevania games?

[Karnik]

Nobody knows this, I'm afraid: Order of Shadows, for series 40 keypad phones.
Only for refined palates.

 

[Stookymalarkey]

Would you consider Infernax to be Classic-style Castlevania? I believe it was inspired by Castlevania 2.

 

[Yousef]

Would you consider Infernax to be Classic-style Castlevania? I believe it was inspired by Castlevania 2.

Yeah it was. It’s pretty good.

 

[ouyrtuy]

Would you consider Infernax to be Classic-style Castlevania? I believe it was inspired by Castlevania 2.

I wouldn't simply because it's not Castlevania. Still, it's good to know that there are modern games inspired by Castlevania.

 

[Waffles]

I loved Bloodlines as a rental! It's just too bad that I sucked at it and returned it soon thereafter.

 

[ouyrtuy]

Castlevania II: Simon's Quest is a metroidvania. Probably the first actual metroidvania after Metroid. It even has RPG elements.

I don't know the story behind its creation, but I wouldn't consider it the 1st Metroidvania. It's way too simple and it's more closer to what Nintendo did with Zelda II.

 

[SkunkyBeaumont]

I don't know the story behind its creation, but I wouldn't consider it the 1st Metroidvania. It's way too simple and it's more closer to what Nintendo did with Zelda II.

Which is also technically a metroidvania..

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Non-linear side scrolling action game with RPG elements that requires backtracking after acquisition of items or skills to proceed?

 

[ouyrtuy]

Which is also technically a metroidvania..

It does tick some metroidvania boxes, but isn't the game too simple and linear to be considered that?

 

[SkunkyBeaumont]

It does tick some metroidvania boxes, but isn't the game too simple and linear to be considered that?

Absolutely not. It's ground breaking for the 80s.

 

[ouyrtuy]

Absolutely not. It's ground breaking for the 80s.

It's not as complex as what Metroidvanias are like. Maybe it could be considered a Proto-Metroidvania, but I honestly wouldn't go there simply because I don't know what the original developers wanted to do with that game. To me, it felt more like they wanted a less linear experience with some backtracking, but not as complex. The first true Metroidvania is way more complex.

 

[SkunkyBeaumont]

It's not as complex as what Metroidvanias are like. Maybe it could be considered a Proto-Metroidvania, but I honestly wouldn't go there simply because I don't know what the original developers wanted to do with that game. To me, it felt more like they wanted a less linear experience with some backtracking, but not as complex. The first true Metroidvania is way more complex.

Dude, you are going to have to provide some examples here, cause just cause the graphics aren't as good don't mean the game loop is any different from your average metroidvania.

 

[ouyrtuy]

Dude, you are going to have to provide some examples here, cause just cause the graphics aren't as good don't mean the game loop is any different from your average metroidvania.

Graphics have nothing to do with that. I strongly believe that IGA is the father of the Metroidvania Castlevania games. As I said, it's related to the game's structure. CII is simply not as complex. It has non-linear elements, but it's not as close to what Metroidvania is. From what I recall, the items don't alter the gameplay; they're more like keys to proceed. The exploration is more like moving from point A to B; the non-linear elements are there, but there's no depth.
I'm sure some out there consider it a Metroidvania, but to me, it doesn't tick enough boxes to be considered that. Even before Metroid, there were games with similar exploratory elements, but they weren't Metroidvania. I'm curious to see what other people think. It would be good to see other points of view. Please keep in mind I'm not here to prove anything, but to share an opinion.

 

[SkunkyBeaumont]

Graphics have nothing to do with that. I strongly believe that IGA is the father of the Metroidvania Castlevania games. As I said, it's related to the game's structure. CII is simply not as complex. It has non-linear elements, but it's not as close to what Metroidvania is. From what I recall, the items don't alter the gameplay; they're more like keys to proceed. The exploration is more like moving from point A to B; the non-linear elements are there, but there's no depth.
I'm sure some out there consider it a Metroidvania, but to me, it doesn't tick enough boxes to be considered that. Even before Metroid, there were games with similar exploratory elements, but they weren't Metroidvania. I'm curious to see what other people think. It would be good to see other points of view. Please keep in mind I'm not here to prove anything, but to share an opinion.

You are completely wrong about the items, and the linear nature of the game. For example, collecting Dracula's rib gives you a shield. You buy 2 whip upgrades along the way, at least 1 knife upgrade, and you can traverse Translvania in any number of different ways. There are also level ups, and you have to talk to NPCs, which makes it more advanced then a lot of later Metroidvanias.

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In fact, SOTN straight up ripped of a lot of it's mechanics from this game.
3 endings.
Direct sequel to previous game where you collect dracula's body parts to kick his ass again.
Rpg elements.

 

[Cu-Neo]

Mine is between "Bloodlines" and "Rondo of blood" I remember in 2023 getting the Castlevania Anniversary Collection on steam and playing Castlevania 1 and I got so angry in some levels . And about my two favorites the music in Bloodlines is really good (like always in this franchise) and I really liked the art direction of that game the same applies for Rondo of Blood because they never used that anime art style is still pretty unique because technically we never saw it again. Also I have a great interest in always talking about Dracula X on the snes because is such a weird game, is another whole beast

Speedo Dracula.

 

[ouyrtuy]

You are completely wrong about the items, and the linear nature of the game. For example, collecting Dracula's rib gives you a shield. You buy 2 whip upgrades along the way, at least 1 knife upgrade, and you can traverse Translvania in any number of different ways. There are also level ups, and you have to talk to NPCs, which makes it more advanced then a lot of later Metroidvanias.

The complexity, interconnectivity, and the transformative nature of abilities in exploration seem lacking to me.

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You are completely wrong about the items, and the linear nature of the game. For example, collecting Dracula's rib gives you a shield. You buy 2 whip upgrades along the way, at least 1 knife upgrade, and you can traverse Translvania in any number of different ways. There are also level ups, and you have to talk to NPCs, which makes it more advanced then a lot of later Metroidvanias.

Post automatically merged: Jan 2, 2025

In fact, SOTN straight up ripped of a lot of it's mechanics from this game.
3 endings.
Direct sequel to previous game where you collect dracula's body parts to kick his ass again.
Rpg elements.

Again, I'd love to see what other people think, since this is what makes these threads fun. Let's go, Castlevania fans!

 

[SkunkyBeaumont]

Man, you really need to play the game before you make an assumption, cause you seem to not really be familiar with it.

 

[Dyne]

I've never really thought of Simon's Quest as a metroidvania, but I can totally see where SkunkyBeaumont is coming from.
If a non-rpg can have "rpg elements" then I'd say Simon's Quest is a 2d platformer with "metroidvania elements" lol. But thats just my perspective

 

[ouyrtuy]

Man, you really need to play the game before you make an assumption, cause you seem to not really be familiar with it.

I don't know whether I need to play it once again, but I just can't consider it a Metroidvania enough. If you bribe me enough, I might consider it a Proto-Metroidvania. That's the closest you'll get if I'm in a good mood.

 

[Dyne]

I think Super Castlevania IV is my personal favorite classicvania, but the vast majority of them are great!

 

[SkunkyBeaumont]

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[ouyrtuy]

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This is what a Metroidvania map looks like.

 

[SkunkyBeaumont]

Those are just 2 of the towns, not the whole game world dude, multiple castles, on a cartridge, which makes it more impressive. I'm sorry the retro game is too retro for you, but Symphony of the Night is a scaled down version of Simon's quest with less ways to interact with the world.

 

[ouyrtuy]

Those are just 2 of the towns, not the whole game world dude, multiple castles, on a cartridge, which makes it more impressive. I'm sorry the retro game is too retro for you, but Symphony of the Night is a scaled down version of Simon's quest with less ways to interact with the world.

I do remember the game being more linear. Is this map accurate?
I also can't consider Zelda 2 to be a Metroidvania either. I don't remember anybody calling Castlevania 2 and Zelda 2 Metroidvania games. Was Blaster Master a Metroidvania too? I simply don't think so. My conclusion is that they do tick some boxes, but they're not Metroidvanias.
We need more fans to share their opinions regarding that.

 

[SkunkyBeaumont]

Google Metroidvania lists. Do it, I'll wait.

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Castlevania II - Simon's Quest : Full Transylvania

 

[ouyrtuy]

Google Metroidvania lists. Do it. I'll wait.

I didn't find anything relevant to make me change my opinion. Also, didn't it all start with Super Metroid, and then IGA tried to copy the formula with his own vision? Obviously, Metroidvania wasn't even a genre back then. From what I read, a Western journalist coined the term, and then it became popular in the West. In Japan, from what I know, they use something like "Exploration Action" (?). Either way, to be a Metroidvania, it has to be more complex than Zelda 2 and Castlevania 2. And I'm too lazy to focus on researching. Again, call it what you please. I'm here to share my opinion, and that doesn't mean it's something universal.