I really want to get into Castlevania, but I just can't

[xghostsniperx]

I just can't stand the non-linear gameplay. I feel like I'm lost 100% of the time, and when I do actually figure out where to be it feels like I simply stumbled upon it. The map seems really clumsy to me--that, or I just don't get it. I guess I could go on Gamefaqs and get a print-out or something, but that feels like cheating to me.

I love the story, the combat, and the graphics are awesome. I just wish I could find my way around without feeling like I got lucky. This kind of throws the game off for me--I feel that when I'm 50% through the game, it's mindless traveling and lucky finds.

Anyone have any advice? All the CV games are rated high and lots of people like them, yet I just can't get into them. I'm playing Harmony of Dissonance, by the way. I'm not sure if there is a better one for me, but if there is, by all means reccomend it.

[howlinmad]

It sounds like you are starting off the series with the GBA offerings. While many people love these, I think they add to the series, but do not compliment it well. I can't put my finger on it, but they just do not feel like Castlevania.

The last perfect Castlevania game in my eyes, was SoTN on the PS1. They just got everything right.
Since you have a GBA, pick up the original and try it out. While the graphics have not aged well, to me the gameplay will always be the same. Then again, I love old school side scrollers.

If you can find a NES and SNES, pick up 1 - 4 for them. If you just can't stand the older graphics, try and find the *remake* of CV1 for the PS.

Many will disagree with me I'm sure, but I have purchased every CV game up until CotM and I have HoD also, then I gave up. I just don't feel they represent the series well. I even trudged through the mess that was Castlevania 64, but couldn't bring myself to make it through CoTM. Then again, all I had was the original GBA, and saying it was difficult to see on that thing was being nice.

[dmaul1114]

SOTN and the GBA/DS castlevanias are the only ones in the series I like. Probably because I'm a huge 2D metroid fan (Super Metroid still my all time favorite game) and they are just rip offs of that.


However, that said, if you don't like it don't waste time trying to get into it.

I did that too much this past generation...playing hyped games that just weren't my cup of tea and trying to get into them. It's just not worth it. I have so little time for games, no point in playing something that I just can't get into when I could be playing something in a genre that I enjoy.

So I'd just sell it and move on to something you can have fun with.

[depascal22]

SOTN and the GBA/DS castlevanias are the only ones in the series I like. Probably because I'm a huge 2D metroid fan (Super Metroid still my all time favorite game) and they are just rip offs of that.


However, that said, if you don't like it don't waste time trying to get into it.

I did that too much this past generation...playing hyped games that just weren't my cup of tea and trying to get into them. It's just not worth it. I have so little time for games, no point in playing something that I just can't get into when I could be playing something in a genre that I enjoy.

So I'd just sell it and move on to something you can have fun with.

That's great advice. And with Castlevania, the value is still pretty high so you won't be out alot of money to give the game a chance. I wish more gamers were like you. I also try to play all the highly rated games to see if I like them. Some I like and some I don't. The good thing is that most keep their value or I just wait for the price drops and buy them really cheap in the first place.

[Xevious]

I've played Castlevania Circle of the moon for the GBA and now I am playing the DS Castlevania Dawn of Sorrow. Those are the only 2 Castlevania games I have ever played.

Circle had a better presentation but Dawn has better graphics and animation.

I find both pretty addicting myself.

[Ace Harding: Private Eye]

If you don't like Harmony of Dissonance, you most likely won't like any of them from Symphony of the Night onward.
I suggest you try out Castlevania IV or Bloodlines. If you don't like either of them, you may consider seeking psychiatric help.

[secretvampire]

I agree with everything Ace just said.

[Scobie]

Castlevania is one of those series you either love or hate. Me, I got largely burned out on it after the second one on the NES all those years ago.

I picked up the GBA doublepack for $20 a while back because it was so cheap and I was curious to see how the games have evolved, but I haven't popped in the cart yet.

From what I can gather it seems like one of those classic franchises that has stayed largely stuck in time, like Mega Man, etc.

Gaming in 2006 is hugely different from gaming in the mid 80s through the mid 90s for me. I don't have the time to be patient with games that demand a lot of carefully developed skill and replaying levels again and again to finally beat a boss or make a jump or whatever. I don't mind a reasonable challenge, but being lead through the game even just a little is greatly appreciated.

[Kawnhr]

I have the same opinion on Harmony, actually. It IS a bit hard to figure out where to go, at least near the start. I eventually got used to it and was able to get through it no problem, though.

But I'm going to have to agree with what howlinmad said. If you aren't getting into it, just sell it. And like Ace said, maybe check out the older, non-Metroidvania ones.

[willardhaven]

Start with Symphony of the Night, it's the best I've played.

If you don't like free exploration, I guess the newer games aren't for you, so pick up one of the first 4 games or bloodlines.

[62t]

just use the map and a faqs to help you figure out what to do. There is no shame in getting help.

[SMMM]

Castlevania is one of those series you either love or hate. Me, I got largely burned out on it after the second one on the NES all those years ago.

I picked up the GBA doublepack for $20 a while back because it was so cheap and I was curious to see how the games have evolved, but I haven't popped in the cart yet.

From what I can gather it seems like one of those classic franchises that has stayed largely stuck in time, like Mega Man, etc.

Gaming in 2006 is hugely different from gaming in the mid 80s through the mid 90s for me. I don't have the time to be patient with games that demand a lot of carefully developed skill and replaying levels again and again to finally beat a boss or make a jump or whatever. I don't mind a reasonable challenge, but being lead through the game even just a little is greatly appreciated.

Wow, you obviously have no idea what the fuck you are talking about.

And as for the OP, if you can't read a map, then I'm surprised you can even turn the system on. The whole idea is just exploring areas you haven't been to yet. I don't think there are too many times where you know exactly where you have to be, unless you get a key/ability.

[MightySlacker]

Castlevania II: Simon's Quest FTW. It all goes downhill from there

Dave

[MarkMan]

Portrait of Ruin is pretty linear IMO. I felt all the other CV titles are at least. There's not much you can do unless you do things in a certain order. The only exception is Simon's Quest. That one is kinda wild lol. But I love it all the same.

But bottom line, everyone get PoR in Dec. it's a great game and well worth the money.

[Wolfpup]

Yeah, the later (non horrible-3D) Castlevania games take the Metroid style of gameplay and run with it.

You don’t really have to know where you are-you’re just exploring, finding new stuff. And the auto-map is great. You can see pretty easily places you’ve already been, connecting rooms you might not have seen yet, etc. I don’t think you’d need a printout of a map, or an FAQ for anything for that matter.

[Puffa469]

Its very easy to read the map in Castlevania and figure out where you havent been yet, imo.

The hard part is remembering WHY you havent been to that area yet.

The game uses a few different methods of keeping you out of new areas until you beat a boss and gain the required powerup for entry. I always have a tough time remembering exactly which unexplored areas I can now access with my newest powerup. Was there water blocking this passage off? Or was it a door? I wish the map would incorporate some kinda icons to let you know what kind of obstacle is inhibiting your progress to an area.

[Wolfpup]

That would be kind of cool, although there's usually tons of new stuff to explore, and I just go back and fill in the cracks after I've gotten a bunch of new powers.

I poped Symphony of the Night in last week, and was amazed by how awesome the graphics and music are-didn't look any worse for wear. I'd LOVE a sequel (or even a remake) on the Playstation 3-just poor ALL of that power into 2D art. 720 or 1080p, 2D Art. Yummy!

[mookiemeister]

I've played and finished Aria of Sorrow, Harmony of Dissonance, and Circle of Moon, in that order. I think Aria of Sorrow is the easiest of the three games. So it might be the best game to play first.

[dragonjud]

While Harmony of Dissonance was not that bad, it was pretty confusing on how to get around. I tried Dawn of Souls, and while it didn't have as much variety (soul farming got boring eventually), it still was easier to digest because of the graphics upgrade. There also some items that make the make too easy in HOD (e.g. the gravity boots). Some of these are rare, but once you reach a certain level, and get some of these rare items, it does become just a 'find your way to the next boss' game.

[Weedy649]

It gets confusing but just put the game down for a little bit. Sometimes you just need a fresh breathe and obvious things will come to you.

I do the same exact thing when im stuck in an rpg, normally works. Im stuck at a point in castlevania cotm, so im giving it a minor break.

Ive beat DoS AoS and castlevania IV, 60% done with CotM.

[xghostsniperx]

Its very easy to read the map in Castlevania and figure out where you havent been yet, imo.

The hard part is remembering WHY you havent been to that area yet.

The game uses a few different methods of keeping you out of new areas until you beat a boss and gain the required powerup for entry. I always have a tough time remembering exactly which unexplored areas I can now access with my newest powerup. Was there water blocking this passage off? Or was it a door? I wish the map would incorporate some kinda icons to let you know what kind of obstacle is inhibiting your progress to an area.

I think that's why I'm not really into the games. I HATE backtracking. I can't stand it. And I hate backtracking that could possibly lead me to absolutely nowhere or to somewhere I've already been (and don't need to be).

Thanks for the positive responses and the advice.

Some of you are idiots though. Seek psychiatric help if I don't like a game? What an idiotic statement, it's called taste--an opinion, dumbass.

[Scobie]

Wow, you obviously have no idea what the fuck you are talking about.

Oh, snap! I just re-read the thread sober... I thought we were talking about *Hassel*vania, the series that explores David Hasselhoff's possible vampiric links. Those games sucked. But Castlevania's cool.

http://www.dadsbigplan.com/cookieface/hasselhoff.gif

[daroga]

If it's any help, I can't do Metroid at all, but I really dug Aria of Sorrow, and then Dawn of Sorrow after it.

As someone said, check out GameFAQs. I don't like to use them as a "What do I do now?" every step of a game guide, but to save you 20 minutes of "WHERE THE HECK DO I GO!?!?!" that I'll use it for in nothing flat (the FAQ was necessary for me for MM:ZX's stupid map. :P )

Also, don't force it. If it's not your thing, so be it. I just can't get into most Zelda games (Link's Awakening and Wind Waker and hopefully Twilight Pricess not withstanding), and I stopped trying to force it. Other people like them and that's great. They're not for me and I move on.

I would try Aria before you give up though. Aria is very easy and overall wa fairly easy to navigate for a n00b to the style like I was. In fact, maybe I'll play it again here soon. :)

[SpazX]

Well I've only played Dawn of Sorrow and I can see where you're coming from. They usually have some way to keep you out of the area until you beat a boss, but there is a lot of backtracking if you don't use a faq (it sure as hell gets you a lot of xp and helps with harder bosses though...).

Another thing is that if you don't know how to get the "best" ending, you probably won't. I used a faq after a while, personally, I use faqs a lot when I want to "complete" a game and I feel kind of bad if I sell a game off before completing it 100%, but it takes the fun out of things if you just use faqs all the time.

I suggest you just have fun with it killing random enemies, but if you get frustrated from backtracking then the games just aren't for you. I like more linear games myself, but castlevania is pretty fun to just run around killing shit :-P.

[Y2J850]

I had never played a castlevania game until I got my hand on a circle of the moon rom when the GBA launched, I immeditaly ran out and bought a GBA and castlevania circle of the moon, and have been hooked ever since. I have since bought Harmony of dissonance, aria of sorrow all on release day, and I bought the DS for the sole purpose of gettin Dawn of sorrow, And I cant wait for portirat of ruin in Decemeber. I really want to get symphony of the Night for the ps1 ... But i can't seem to find it anywhere, I hear its also similar to the GBA games. (and am I the only one who noticed how Circle of the moon was one of the fucking hardest games to beat yet every castlevania GBA/ds game since than has been a cakewalk)
I also hear the metroid 2d games are very similar structured to the castlevania games ... I actually own fusion and zero mission ... but still havent bothered playng them...are they worth playing or even as good as the castlevania games?

[Blind the Thief]

Oh, snap! I just re-read the thread sober... I thought we were talking about *Hassel*vania, the series that explores David Hasselhoff's possible vampiric links. Those games sucked. But Castlevania's cool.

http://www.dadsbigplan.com/cookieface/hasselhoff.gif

Good save, my man...good save.

Still, I would suggest you try that double pack you have out (I recommend Aria of Sorrow). The difficulty is MUCH more balanced than the original NES titles, and instead of dying and starting over on levels, it's save points and one continuous map (again, like Metroid). Give it a shot, see if it's your cup of tea.

[Blind the Thief]

Dude, Daroga...your signature / avatar is evolving, but let me warn you right now that you'd better not phase out the Electroplankton. Otherwise, we're not friends anymore.

[daroga]

Dude, Daroga...your signature / avatar is evolving, but let me warn you right now that you'd better not phase out the Electroplankton. Otherwise, we're not friends anymore.
Fear not, it was of the utmost importance that I keep the EP as a (the) focus. OTM did a great job doign that and blending in all sorts of other neat stuff though :)

[Scobie]

I also hear the metroid 2d games are very similar structured to the castlevania games ... I actually own fusion and zero mission ... but still havent bothered playng them...are they worth playing or even as good as the castlevania games?

Never picked up Zero Mission... it's a re-vamp of the original Metroid which I played to death back in the NES days to where I can still hear the music vividly nearly 20 years later and have Ridley and Kraid etched into my mind, not to mention the final battle with the Mother Brain. Justin Bailey FTW!

Fusion, OTOH, is fantastic. If you played/liked Super Metroid on the SNES, you'll probably love Fusion. I found it to be a much richer and more fun experience overall than Metroid Prime on the 'Cube.

Good save, my man...good save.

Still, I would suggest you try that double pack you have out (I recommend Aria of Sorrow). The difficulty is MUCH more balanced than the original NES titles, and instead of dying and starting over on levels, it's save points and one continuous map (again, like Metroid). Give it a shot, see if it's your cup of tea.

Glad somebody enjoyed the witty retort. =) Comedy is the most deadly weapon in the WLA's arsenal!!

Anyway, I'll give the doublepack a spin this winter I'm sure. All this talk of Castlevania has made me sort of curious again, I guess.

OTM did a great job doign that and blending in all sorts of other neat stuff though :)

OTM is the absolute king of sig banners. The work he did on the WLA signature file is phenomenal. He's an incredible asset to the CAG community!

[ViolentLee]

If you don't like Harmony of Dissonance, you most likely won't like any of them from Symphony of the Night onward.
I suggest you try out Castlevania IV or Bloodlines. If you don't like either of them, you may consider seeking psychiatric help.

Of the Castlevanias from GBA on, I found Harmony to be the most confusing, as far as where to go and such (and I played/beat them all). Aria of Sorrow is still my favorite, followed by Dawn of Sorrow and Circle of the Moon.

Castlevania is one of those series you either love or hate. Me, I got largely burned out on it after the second one on the NES all those years ago.
I wholeheartedly disagree. Symphony of the Night brought about such non-linearity in level design, and a large selection of weapons/outfits/etc. with a satisfying blend of RPG elements. Mega Man, on the other hand, is still "run right, shoot guys."

Personally, the Super Metroid/Castlevania: Symphony of the Night style of gaming is tops in my book -- right next to the Deus Ex/Elder Scrolls:Oblivion first-person open-ended RPG/action hybrid style.

[Hollow Man]

I finished Aria of Sorrow last night. Good game. I learned a few things:

1. If an area is too hard, look to see if there's another area available that you haven't explored yet. Sometimes finishing that area will lead to a better weapon or soul power.

2. Take the time to go back to the store to stock up on healing potions before fighting a tough boss.

3. Don't be afraid to use the soul power which slowly regenerates health. Near the end of the game I was constantly walking away from the game for a few minutes as I healed up for free.

Now that I'm on a roll, it's back to Dawn of Sorrow.

-HM

[Zen Davis]

Once you get a sense of the game, usually you can lead yourself around pretty well. But that's only if you're able to get a sense of it. That and use the map... a lot.

[anarchyburger]

does anyone else find CotM difficult? im at level 25 so far and fighting that twin dragon boss which i cant beat... any tips?

[RollingSkull]

CotM doesn't pull punches, that's for sure.

[mookiemeister]

does anyone else find CotM difficult? im at level 25 so far and fighting that twin dragon boss which i cant beat... any tips?

I had a lot of problem beating Twin Dragon too. I think I was around level 30-35 before I was able to beat it. Try to concentrate on beating one dragon first. Also, you can jump back up to the ledge next to the entrance if you need to rest and heal up a bit. I don't think their fireballs can reach you up there. Some FAQ suggest you go to the ledge between the two dragons to attack them. But I didn't have good luck staying on the ledge between the two dragons. Instead I attack first dragon from the bottom right corner.