conchobhar
What's Shenmue?
Cleared Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night twice, first as Bloodless and then as Zangetsu, so that's another two Dracula Points.
-
Welcome to Talking Time's third iteration! If you would like to register for an account, or have already registered but have not yet been confirmed, please read the following:
- The CAPTCHA key's answer is "Percy"
- Once you've completed the registration process please email us from the email you used for registration at percyreghelper@gmail.com and include the username you used for registration
Once you have completed these steps, Moderation Staff will be able to get your account approved.
And so the shiver of the night has arrived - Castleween 2021!
- Thread starter Lokii
- Start date
I never thought we needed to have an explicit rule about not eating other members of the forums and yet here we are...
Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon has been cleared, once for the normal ending, on nightmare mode for the best ending, and a third time killing all allies for the worst ending.
Phalanx has been murdered a third time, despite busting out a centipede form that is leagues tougher than his prior forms.
Also, the Dracula with the most interesting background music, Super Castlevania 4's, is beaten. His theme in that game is just so haunting and dread-inducing, and I love how it starts up the moment he becomes the last foe standing, and continues uninterrupted into the actual fight. Simon's theme cheering you on to victory is such a kickass ending, and Dracula makes you earn it. That final lightning attack is so simple, but it seems like a phase designed to cause you to choke away victory. But it's totally fair, and a refreshing change of pace from Hoppy McGargoyle.
I played Super on Hard mode, and Simon's flexibility and versatility really shine here. You get enemies coming in fast at odd angles, justifying the super whip. And foes are generally more durable, so while flailing is still a viable tactic sometimes, many enemies can muscle through it, incentivizing clean strikes. And while Simon's jump isn't big, its flexibility is extremely welcome on hard mode.
The game still has some of the moments it is commonly criticized for: areas where you can just whip enemies in complete safety with no consequence, and some meat sponge enemies who add little else of interest. But overall, hard feels much more satisfyingly tailored to this version of Simon.
And there's still nothing in the series quite like this game's soundtrack and mood. Tge Dracula battle is just one example. The waterfall track may be my favorite in the series...it just feels so hostile and ominous.
This is one of those games where I read/discuss it and agree with many of the flaws it's accused of, but then I go back and play it and it's like: yep, this could be my fave.
Also, the Dracula with the most interesting background music, Super Castlevania 4's, is beaten. His theme in that game is just so haunting and dread-inducing, and I love how it starts up the moment he becomes the last foe standing, and continues uninterrupted into the actual fight. Simon's theme cheering you on to victory is such a kickass ending, and Dracula makes you earn it. That final lightning attack is so simple, but it seems like a phase designed to cause you to choke away victory. But it's totally fair, and a refreshing change of pace from Hoppy McGargoyle.
I played Super on Hard mode, and Simon's flexibility and versatility really shine here. You get enemies coming in fast at odd angles, justifying the super whip. And foes are generally more durable, so while flailing is still a viable tactic sometimes, many enemies can muscle through it, incentivizing clean strikes. And while Simon's jump isn't big, its flexibility is extremely welcome on hard mode.
The game still has some of the moments it is commonly criticized for: areas where you can just whip enemies in complete safety with no consequence, and some meat sponge enemies who add little else of interest. But overall, hard feels much more satisfyingly tailored to this version of Simon.
And there's still nothing in the series quite like this game's soundtrack and mood. Tge Dracula battle is just one example. The waterfall track may be my favorite in the series...it just feels so hostile and ominous.
This is one of those games where I read/discuss it and agree with many of the flaws it's accused of, but then I go back and play it and it's like: yep, this could be my fave.
I just finished Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow, but, uh...is there any consensus on just how many Draculas that game is worth? There are two dark lord candidates that you defeat, which I think probably fall in the Bonus Dracula category. But Soma also stops himself from turning into the dark lord, so is that worth a full Drac? Another half? Nothing at all? I'll let the jury decide this one.
I have done this again but in Julius Mode this time
Make that 49! Just finished Portrait of Ruin in Richter mode. The final boss was the only real difficulty spike playing the game that way.
Went back and beat the original NES Castlevania for good measure
Took out Dracula in the OG Castlevania. Not my favorite of the series, but it never gets old.
Also scored a half-Dracula by kicking Alucard's pointy teeth in with Trevor. The old man will hopefully follow shortly.
Also scored a half-Dracula by kicking Alucard's pointy teeth in with Trevor. The old man will hopefully follow shortly.
R.R. Bigman
Coolest Guy
Save scummed my way through Dracula X. I almost never use save states or rewind in these game collections, but I simply don’t respect Dracula X enough as a video game to give it more than an hour or so of my time. I played it only to finish the Advance Collection trophy list. It was a bad idea to shove this awful mess in with the mostly great GBA titles. It lessens the total value of the package with it’s inclusion.
I will say two nice things about it. The SNES renditions of some of the songs are neat, and the character artwork in the game box and manual is quite striking.
I will say two nice things about it. The SNES renditions of some of the songs are neat, and the character artwork in the game box and manual is quite striking.
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
I know, right? I wasn't sure if I just wasn't that great at games because jeez. Right now I'm playing Super Castlevania IV which so far is much easier except time the jumps on the flip floors.
If you have the means (like the Castlevania Anniversary Collection), I advise anyone to play the Famicom version of CV3. I just concluded my run with Alucard, then wanted to enjoy the upper route, so Sypha took point. Then, even though Netflix thinks DaNasty erasure is acceptable, I will not stand for that, so had another go-round through the upper route as Grant. After so many years of playing the game on the NES, playing it on Famicom feels like Michael Bluth and Steve Holt doing the kiddie triathlon after training under the impression he was prepping for a real one. Another top-tier game in the series, once the anti-rental fake difficulty is removed.
I also took on and beat Belmont's Revenge for the first time ever. I've heard people speak highly of it before, but I thought that was mostly relative to the Castlevania Adventure. But I apologize to those Belmont's Revenge stans out there, because this is a most excellent Classic Vania! It knows the limitations of the system and its protagonist, and masterfully designs a concise adventure that's bursting with creativity every moment. Most of the classic games' bosses (outside of Rondo) don't impress me, but these are creative in both gameplay and concept, testing your limited moveset while feeling completely fair, and showing as much style as you can reasonably ask from the OG Game Boy.
The level design is satisfying as well. Ropes are used here to far greater effect than stairs are anywhere else in the series. Oh, and the music is awesome!
Even the streamlined subweapon setup works well within the context of the game. It's nice not having to worry about picking up a dagger. I played the Japanese version, which has holy water and cross, and was interested to read that the western version replaces the cross with the ax. It's definitely worth some replays to see how that impacts the dynamics.
This one will definitely be part of my spooky gaming rotation from now on!
Anyway, that should be 4 more full-fledged Draculas.
I also took on and beat Belmont's Revenge for the first time ever. I've heard people speak highly of it before, but I thought that was mostly relative to the Castlevania Adventure. But I apologize to those Belmont's Revenge stans out there, because this is a most excellent Classic Vania! It knows the limitations of the system and its protagonist, and masterfully designs a concise adventure that's bursting with creativity every moment. Most of the classic games' bosses (outside of Rondo) don't impress me, but these are creative in both gameplay and concept, testing your limited moveset while feeling completely fair, and showing as much style as you can reasonably ask from the OG Game Boy.
The level design is satisfying as well. Ropes are used here to far greater effect than stairs are anywhere else in the series. Oh, and the music is awesome!
Even the streamlined subweapon setup works well within the context of the game. It's nice not having to worry about picking up a dagger. I played the Japanese version, which has holy water and cross, and was interested to read that the western version replaces the cross with the ax. It's definitely worth some replays to see how that impacts the dynamics.
This one will definitely be part of my spooky gaming rotation from now on!
Anyway, that should be 4 more full-fledged Draculas.
The Dark Demon has been defeated in Demon's Crest for a half-Dracula point! The New Game Plus is really appealing in Demon's Crest. I know the intent is to steamroll everything with the Ultimate Gargoyle, but I actually get more enjoyment out of taking some of the earlier powers into scenarios they can't go to in the main game, particularly since the bosses resurrect each time you replay a stage in this mode. There are some fun weaknesses and resistances present that can't even come into play unless you do this (or enter another password, such as one that eliminates all enemies EXCEPT bosses from stages), like using the Tidal Gargoyle to absolutely ruin the Flame Lord's day, which is just what I did. And since the Tidal Gargoyle didn't get much time in the spotlight in this run, and I needed to raise funds for healing potions for the Dark Demon battle, I did a few passes through that stage's underwater section, which is full of pots that offer 20G each.
That Dark Demon fight is such a mess, honestly, and Phalanx's ultimate form is a much more satisfying final boss. I thought this first attempt was done, but I managed to pull it out after burning through all of my potions and being reduced to one unit of health (it was a full, green unit, and I had the defensive talisman equipped, but even then I don't think there was any attack I could have survived). Other than that fight, though, game's a blast, and each of its endings bring some great flavor to the table.
That Dark Demon fight is such a mess, honestly, and Phalanx's ultimate form is a much more satisfying final boss. I thought this first attempt was done, but I managed to pull it out after burning through all of my potions and being reduced to one unit of health (it was a full, green unit, and I had the defensive talisman equipped, but even then I don't think there was any attack I could have survived). Other than that fight, though, game's a blast, and each of its endings bring some great flavor to the table.
Super Castlevania IV is complete for one more dracula, though I went with save states towards the end.
muteKi
Geno Cidecity
I have beaten Dracula in Rondo of Blood twice (once as Richter, once as Maria). This was nearly a full Richter-only run, except that I beat the clock tower only as Maria because I kept getting hit by the dang minotaur zombie (for some reason I seem to have thought that you could jump over it normally but every video I've seen suggests that you HAVE to backflip over it, gah).
Bonus point for Carmilla though I only have 96% completion due to not beating stage 5' yet
Speaking of the shaft ghost fight, did you know the wyvern zombie can one-hit kill you by dropping you below the fight's boundaries? There is surely a video out there of one of the various youtube game gremlins getting hit by such a thing, but I am not about to go looking for it. I discovered this on my last life on one of my attempts (while my continue count is at 0, that is solely the result of choosing to reset the console every time I hit the game over screen).
Bonus point for Carmilla though I only have 96% completion due to not beating stage 5' yet
Speaking of the shaft ghost fight, did you know the wyvern zombie can one-hit kill you by dropping you below the fight's boundaries? There is surely a video out there of one of the various youtube game gremlins getting hit by such a thing, but I am not about to go looking for it. I discovered this on my last life on one of my attempts (while my continue count is at 0, that is solely the result of choosing to reset the console every time I hit the game over screen).
jpfriction
(He, Him)
Spent a half an hour grinding trick candles to try and complete my card set before realizing that life is too short for this shit so the Dracula from Circle of the Moon has been save stated to death. Did I actually beat this game legitimately once upon a time?
3 more Draculae to add!
I ran through Belmont's Revenge again, this time in the western/ax edition. As it's only my second time ever playing the game, it's hard to tell whether this or the Japanese/cross version is easier, though it feels like you're prepared for more situations with the ax. Gamr's great either way.
I then gave the Castlevania Adventure a try for the first time and...yeah, it's pretty miserable. While the sequel feels tailored to your abilities, here even the most basic of foes can overwhelm your slow whip strikes. This is a game that hates the idea of you fighting back: no subweapons, your whip gets depowered every time you take damage, you can't attack on ropes...
It's not without its clever moments: it invented the "destroying the rolling eyeballs will blow up the platforms they're on" mechanic that I appreciated in the sequel. Its stage full of moving spike walls and ceilings felt satisfyingly intense. And the Dracula fight was interesting and seemed to actually test your maneuverability and positioning effectively (and his "beast mode" is an actual bat...very rare for a Castlevania Dracula fight)! But yeah, this was the only one I save scummed through, and I'm glad it's only 4 stages.
I also ran through Rondo of Blood with Richter, doing all of the "normal" stages (hoping to fit in a run of the alternate stages with Maria before the month is done). The game's definitely still in contention for my favorite in the series, and my top 10 games of all time. You all know why it's great.
I ran through Belmont's Revenge again, this time in the western/ax edition. As it's only my second time ever playing the game, it's hard to tell whether this or the Japanese/cross version is easier, though it feels like you're prepared for more situations with the ax. Gamr's great either way.
I then gave the Castlevania Adventure a try for the first time and...yeah, it's pretty miserable. While the sequel feels tailored to your abilities, here even the most basic of foes can overwhelm your slow whip strikes. This is a game that hates the idea of you fighting back: no subweapons, your whip gets depowered every time you take damage, you can't attack on ropes...
It's not without its clever moments: it invented the "destroying the rolling eyeballs will blow up the platforms they're on" mechanic that I appreciated in the sequel. Its stage full of moving spike walls and ceilings felt satisfyingly intense. And the Dracula fight was interesting and seemed to actually test your maneuverability and positioning effectively (and his "beast mode" is an actual bat...very rare for a Castlevania Dracula fight)! But yeah, this was the only one I save scummed through, and I'm glad it's only 4 stages.
I also ran through Rondo of Blood with Richter, doing all of the "normal" stages (hoping to fit in a run of the alternate stages with Maria before the month is done). The game's definitely still in contention for my favorite in the series, and my top 10 games of all time. You all know why it's great.
