Castlevania Miscellanies

[Sumez]

They do share, of course, the plot, and a lot of gameplay, and the basic controls. And graphics and music. It's like an add-on with more stages for all those of us who already loved Rondo. Both games are beautiful. No wonder Rondo was the game they decided to reuse assets for all the way to pretty much Order of Ecclesia.

Regarding COTM - it is pretty much the only Metroidvania CV I ever replayed "seriously" with the alternate "characters" that you unlock, the new classes add so much to the game, instead of just breaking everything with a "richter mode". Thief is best!

[Volteccer_Jack]

They do share, of course, the plot, and a lot of gameplay, and the basic controls.

Sure, but you could say that of the whole series.

[Sumez]

Well yeah, but the plot is the same as in the exact same event, similar to CV1, X68k and CV4. And you're pretty much the exact same sprite with the exact same moveset. So you can't blame people for thinking Dracula XX is just the "SNES version".
Also no weird "deep angled" platforms or messy graphics that make it difficult to make out where you're standing or landing, no pointless mode7'ish effects, and no fancy whipping in multiple directions or swinging across gaps (you do get a badass backflip very somewhat limited utility, though). I find that the two original Dracula X/XX games are by far the closest to the pure and simple gameplay of the original 8bit titles.

^^^Play it with Eric again and carve those fuckers up

You forgot to do a spearjump on the stage ending freeze frame.

[Obscura]

I find that the two original Dracula X/XX games are by far the closest to the pure and simple gameplay of the original 8bit titles.

Someone needs to go play Akumajo Dracula X68K.

[Sumez]

It's next on my list actually.
Since you're all interested in my personal story - I played the X68k version originally back as soon as emulation became available, and at the time I think I had a stupid idea of what I wanted from a CV game (despite still loving CV3 a lot), and it didn't really speak to me. I still got the PS1 port later on when it was released, just because it was as cheap as it was.
I'm glad I did though, cause ever since I've only heard about how great it was, but for some reason I've just kept in on hold. Probably because I never really have a PS1 or PS2 hooked up. So I'll need to hook one up and play it some time soon. I heard it's a lot easier than the original version, but I prefer playing one that I have. Hopefully it's not too bad.

[Obscura]

Castlevania Chronicles for the PS1 has an "original" mode that's identical to the X68K original, so you're good there. It's only arrange mode that's far easier.

[Squire Grooktook]

The original mode on ps1 actually has slightly lower damage scaling than the x86 version (it reaches 4 hp damage slightly later). This was confirmed by SuperDeadite on original hardware here a while back.

http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=57509

[trap15]

Please stop saying x86k or x86 everybody, it's x68k. ;_;

[Sumez]

Apologies. It's not like I'm not aware of the difference, but being used to type x86, it's an easy typo to make :3

[Squire Grooktook]

I'm sorry Trap-san, I was tired and in a rush

[Blinge]

Okay Rondo Drac is easier than Kentucky Friend Vampire

[Perikles]

The PSP Rondo adds a third form to Dracula if you have unlocked/discovered everything else, and is by far the hardest incarnation of the fiend. He has several dangerous patterns and also a lot of health in that form, 's quite challenging.

[Sumez]

I'm pretty sure he was talking about the PC Engine version included in the PSP release, not the actual PSP remake, which has a TON of changes from the original game (though IMO none of them are really in poor taste, except from the graphics)

[Blinge]

Sounds cool Pekles! I'll have to come back to the PSP version sometime.

Nah bruh I'm on PCE

[Sumez]

Is Expert mode really worth delving into for Bloodlines?

I always felt Bloodlines is one of the better CV games. It plays like classic Castlevania, and has a lot of variation and plain fun.
I never got into the "second loops" of any Castlevania game before, and figured Bloodlines would be a good one to give a go, since I just dug it back up, and it's one of the easier classicvanias in general.
But after two attempts, even with lives stock jacked up to max I just feel burned out. The default way for the game to turn up the difficulty just seems to be adding pests that makes the game more annoying rather than serving as a fun challenge, often requiring to memorize where these pests appear. The easiest parts are still super easy, while the slightly more risky parts that force you to proceed with caution now feel like much more of a chore. Obvious examples being the ball-n-chain skeletons on the moving platforms, or the room with a pointlessly huge tower of bone pillars.

I don't think I'm gonna spend more time on this, it feels like I'll end up liking the game less if I play this any more.

[BIL]

The US version's default difficulty is pretty substantial, IIRC. The Expert pest spawns are my favourite thing ever, for the slight complication that dodging/swatting them creates in the game's high-speed action... especially the ghosts in st1's basement, st2's ascent and st4's counterweight-hopping chasm. Kind of consolidates this as Akumajou Ryukenden, haha.

Also turbobats :3

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It's hardly required playing if you're happy with the already rather fast and hard default difficulty though.

[FinalBaton]

The second loop in Bloodlines does nothing for me. I think it's lame to bump the difficulty by adding tons of bats （－_－'）
This is not fun

[soprano1]

The US version's default difficulty is pretty substantial, IIRC. The Expert pest spawns are my favourite thing ever, for the slight complication that dodging/swatting them creates in the game's high-speed action... especially the ghosts in st1's basement, st2's ascent and st4's counterweight-hopping chasm. Kind of consolidates this as Akumajou Ryukenden, haha.

Also turbobats :3

Animated GIF

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It's hardly required playing if you're happy with the already rather fast and hard default difficulty though.

I had to watch that GIF 3 times until i saw the damn bat.

[BIL]

Yeah he's an awful toe-nipping bugger!

Also, when you see it, you'll shit bats. ;3

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[Sumez]

A maoi head, in a Konami game? WAT

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[BIL]

WOW THANKS ASSHOLE >:[

MY MOM SAW THAT AND THOUGHT IT WAS A HENTAI AND BANNED ME FROM THE FAMILY PC >:[

(btw please visit our emporium of dicks, it needs new material!)

[Blinge]

can u beat it tho?

So, Rondo of Bludz. Is it possible to save all maidens on a one cred run without resetting to stage select?

Guess another way to phrase this question is, can you access alternate route after saving Maria.

[Squire Grooktook]

No!

And that makes me angry!

[Sumez]

Maidens are only really relevant for the save file "meta game" of 100%'ing the game. The classic console game setup, as opposed to an arcade challenge. I think it adds a lot to the game that give people something to go for without the need to focus on 1cc and no-miss runs, shmups11.org style.
I guess it sucks that you can't make an "all maidens category" to run, but then again, saving the maidens isn't really much of a gameplay challenge (except maybe keeping the keys), but rather a question of finding hidden paths in the stages. If you're playing the game arcade-style, it'll break your flow anyway

[BIL]

It's only in XX I've got a real problem with the rescues, since even with passwords you literally cannot play the "orthodox" stages without getting an expressly bad end. And st5 is rad.

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Feels bad man! They should've just kept the route select limited to pillar hop + key keeping, and incorporated Maria and Annette into both paths. And made Death an unavoidable nemesis ala Rondo, especially as again, he is spectacular here and getting a tiny scrap of the Shaft rush is no substitute!

[Sumez]

God damn, that is such a good looking game. Give me more gifs!

[BIL]

Let's see what I've got...

LICHTAH vs AXEMAN REDDO (or how 2 i-frame)

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Post-decapitation Photo Op with DESU

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A Key Is Fine Too

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Even On Bosses!

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I love the Dullahan fight's background - reminds me of Olrox's shadowy, sumptuous quarters in SOTN. Doesn't compensate for the arena messing up Dullahan himself, but oh well. ;3

[Sumez]

Love using the key item crash. As far as I recall, it even uses 0 hearts. Or at least it did in Rondo.

[Blinge]

how u get dem iframes against axemun?

[BIL]

@ Sumez: Yup! Key is FO FREE

Honestly, I'd be tempted to keep it for a lot more than one stage if the game let you.

@ BURINJU: Basically when Axemen and certain other enemies are in hitflash, they're harmless to touch. Generally it's too brief to be very usable, but of course when one's rushing full-speed at you, that's no problem. Actually easier than leaping over them imo, especially that one with his bat support spawns. Batman (FC) and Actraiser 2 (SFC) make integral, splendid use of this mechanic.

Couple more Dracula XX GIFs which demonstrate the Indestructible Red Skeleton glitch, as well as a use of the hitflash principle to escape it.

I killed a Red Skeelten with potion aura, and now he's invincible! Oh FUUU-

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Its a good job I know how 2 hitflash ;3

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