Castlevainia/Dracula Adventure Rebirth

[scrilla4rella]

I downloaded this when it came out last week. I haven't been able to clear it yet but so far it's pretty nice. The graphics are probably the best out of the Rebirth games so far, although still low-budget. It has a definite "Castlevania" sort of feel but graphical similarities to the other rebirth games can be found. It looks like a cross between Castlevania Chronicles and Bloodlines. Like the original GB game you can get the flame whip but unlike the GB game you can't climb ropes. It seems like the connections to the original CVAdventure are few. The levels feel like a standard two-directional-whip-linear Castlevania game. Actually this time you can control you jumps mid-air which makes it extremely forgiving. I got to the fourth level this way until I found the option to change it back to old-school style jumps and now I'm starting over.

[ZOM]

It appeared to me in some of the gameplay videos that after losing a life you'll instantly respawn where you died instead of the classic checkpoints... is this true or is it somehow difficulty dependent?

Also, are there more options to revert to the "oldskool feel", like the non-controllable jumps?

I'm quite interested in it but I always end up asking myself why they took the worst entry of the classic series as a base for this rebirth title...(I'll end up getting it anyways)

[linko9]

I'm quite interested in it but I always end up asking myself why they took the worst entry of the classic series as a base for this rebirth title...(I'll end up getting it anyways)

I'd guess because it's the least well known and least played of the classic games, so it will be a completely new experience for the greatest number of players. Also, no need to try to improve on greatness by remaking 1 or 3 (obviously 2's out of the question, as it's not exactly "classic Castlevania"), so Adventure's the obvious choice as far as the 8-bit games go. At least that's how I see it. Perhaps the MSX2 Vampire Killer would have been better (I've never played it myself).

[Bloodreign]

It appeared to me in some of the gameplay videos that after losing a life you'll instantly respawn where you died instead of the classic checkpoints... is this true or is it somehow difficulty dependent?

Also, are there more options to revert to the "oldskool feel", like the non-controllable jumps?

I'm quite interested in it but I always end up asking myself why they took the worst entry of the classic series as a base for this rebirth title...(I'll end up getting it anyways)

I've watched videos of it, and dabbled a tad in it myself:

1) You die, you go back to a checkpoint, you don't respawn, at least on normal mode and higher.
2) I played 3 stages and after not continuing an option opened on the option menu to have non controllable jumps, just like the old days, haven't heard of any other unlockable yet though.

[scrilla4rella]

Yea, it's all checkpoints just like before. The option screen is pretty barren. I think the controllable jump option is the only gameplay tweak you can make.
I have to say the game is enjoyable because it's a bit unpredictable. You can get a lot of keys in the game and it's handled like Dracula X. Usually the locked doors lead to some bonus points but there are a few alternate paths but nowhere near as much as Dracula X or CVIII.

Now if I could just find a copy of the arcade Vampire Killer port for the PS2. I recently saw a guy 1CC it at HEY! I guess if one harcore nerd is willing to dedicate months/years? to playing this game then it can't be as bad as some people say, oh wait...

[gs68]

Some fans are bawwwwing about this game because "the soundtrack is not the one from CV Adventure."

When this game isn't really a "remake" of CVA and more like a reimagining, sort of like how Super Castlevania is to Castlevania.

[UnscathedFlyingObject]

Am I the only one that thinks this game is not that hot? It feels cheapy and rehashy like all the other Rebirth games.

[BrianC]

I'm quite interested in it but I always end up asking myself why they took the worst entry of the classic series as a base for this rebirth title...(I'll end up getting it anyways)

I'm guessing it was named after first two CV GB games, telling from the JP title, Dracula Densetsu Rebirth . It was probably named Castlevania Adventure Rebirth here because "Castlevania Adventure and Belmont's Revenge Rebirth" is a lame title. I found the prequel thing with those games to be interesting, and the second one is good stuff, so I think it's good that they chose the GB games as the basis for this remix thing.

[evil_ash_xero]

I think this game is pretty good actually. I didn't like Gradius Rebirth, because it was like a Gaiden light, and Contra Rebirth had some WEAK graphics for the stages. Although seeing a helicopter on the moon probably made my year.
This game actually has pretty good graphics(SNES level, with a few 32 bit effects), and has good platforming action.

It's not the best Castlevania in the world, but I think it's pretty solid. I haven't gotten to stage 6 yet though. I wish this game had a save feature.

[Mortificator]

That's basically my opinion of the game as well.

I'm guessing it was named after first two CV GB games, telling from the JP title, Dracula Densetsu Rebirth. It was probably named Castlevania Adventure Rebirth here because "Castlevania Adventure and Belmont's Revenge Rebirth" is a lame title.

Wouldn't exactly roll off the tongue. Really though, this game is only a re-imagining of the first Game Boy title. The only things it takes from Belmont's Revenge are one music track and one regular enemy.

I'm quite interested in it but I always end up asking myself why they took the worst entry of the classic series as a base for this rebirth title...(I'll end up getting it anyways)

I'd guess because it's the least well known and least played of the classic games, so it will be a completely new experience for the greatest number of players. Also, no need to try to improve on greatness by remaking 1 or 3 (obviously 2's out of the question, as it's not exactly "classic Castlevania"), so Adventure's the obvious choice as far as the 8-bit games go.

I agree, it's pointless to remake a great game. Something like Bionic Commando Rearmed is good because the original was good, but doesn't accomplish much aside from replacing the graphics with ones more palatable to people who grew up with 3D titles. There normally wouldn't be any reason to remake a shitty game like Castlevania Adventure either, but the Castlevania series has kind of chained itself to its timeline. Since they're limiting the number of Dracula resurrections they have to work with, it makes sense to replace a game no one cared about in the first place.

[BrianC]

Wouldn't exactly roll off the tongue. Really though, this game is only a re-imagining of the first Game Boy title. The only things it takes from Belmont's Revenge are one music track and one regular enemy.

I noticed those water creatures in stage 2 and the rope climbing skeletons in stage 3. There are also obstacles from Belmont's Revenge in stage 3 (the spikes that look different, but act similar to the ones in Belmont's Revenge). The birds seem to act similar to the ones in Belmont's Revenge as well. The stage 2 boss looks like it could be a homage to the armored monster boss in Belmont's Revenge. To be fair, both games shared a few enemies and this game takes a lot from the main Castlevanias, as well.

[TLB]

Am I the only one that thinks this game is not that hot? It feels cheapy and rehashy like all the other Rebirth games.

Eh I get the feeling myself, but they're fun, so I play GR every so often. If there's nothing to play.

I'd rather the old series get the love and attention than not, I guess.

[Gozer]

Where the hell is the US release of this?



In other Wii/Castlevania news...Castlevania: Rondo of Blood Getting Long Overdue Western Release.

[Specineff]

Doesn't the PSP remake (which included the original along as SOTN) count?

[Gozer]

Doesn't the PSP remake (which included the original along as SOTN) count?

The article title seems to be referring to the fact that Rondo of Blood has been out on the Japanese virtual console since April of last year and it's about time it made it over to the other regions.

I should also mention that it's not necessarily confirmed for the US yet. It seems being confirmed for the Australian virtual console indicates that it has a good chance for a US release.

[Bloodreign]

If Rondo does make it here, I'd like Taito to bring us Parasol Stars as well, that game has remained on the Japanese VC at least a year and a half now, maybe a little longer. I'd love to own this game in some form short of getting a PCE and a copy of the hucard (Japanese version seems cheaper than the US version).

[Gozer]

Castlevania rebirth was released for the US today.

I'm gonna download it in a bit.

[Cthulhu]

Castlevania rebirth was released for the US today.

I'm gonna download it in a bit.

Cool, that seems to have been faster than the other Rebirth games. Well worth the money, a quality game.

[animefanjr]

Castlevania rebirth was released for the US today.

I'm gonna download it in a bit.

Cool, that seems to have been faster than the other Rebirth games. Well worth the money, a quality game.

Ya I got it yesterday. Beat it, took about 1 1/2 hours. Game rocks, feels a lot like Drac X to me.

[Gozer]

Yeah, it definitely has a Drac X feel to it.

I've played through this game three times now and I haven't come across the axe, knife or stopwatch sub weapons. I've seen vids and screen shots with these weapons. I've only seen the cross and holy water. Anyone else experiencing this?

The game itself is pretty fun. It's pretty easy at first but the difficulty starts ramping up around stage 3. Playing on hard is really fun but can be quite frustrating at some points. It's a bit disappointing that stage 6 is not a full level though. I've never played the original castlevania adventure but I am familiar with it's soundtrack. It's a shame they didn't even use any of the music from it.

[BrianC]

HG101 has a discussion on this and I don't get it at all.

[Radiant Cinnabun]

I like it, but all of the levels feel sort of same-y. I still have a good time, i'd just like more variety. I really do love the Dracula encounter, though. I'm not sure if his primary sprite is new (I don't recognize it) but it does some neat things, especially with his little arm flourishes. And I like the novelty of his third form, which is similar to Pazuzu from 3.

[Skykid]

Just so you know, there's a level select feature which allows you to re-visit any stages you've reached already. Saves on the tedium of repeating from the start.
Just hold right on the d-pad on the 'start game' section of the title screen for a few seconds. An icon should pop up asking if you want to save (not sure why) - hit no and it should scroll to the stage select.

I'm tearing my hair out trying to get through stage 5 on defaults, it's suddenly become extremely tough! No problem handling the mid-boss, but I need a life up icon - anyone know where it/they are?

[handsome_rakshas]

Just so you know, there's a level select feature which allows you to re-visit any stages you've reached already. Saves on the tedium of repeating from the start.
Just hold right on the d-pad on the 'start game' section of the title screen for a few seconds. An icon should pop up asking if you want to save (not sure why) - hit no and it should scroll to the stage select.

I'm tearing my hair out trying to get through stage 5 on defaults, it's suddenly become extremely tough! No problem handling the mid-boss, but I need a life up icon - anyone know where it/they are?

I would also like to know, stage five is kicking my ass.

[Alec]

can't climb ropes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Skykid]

Just so you know, there's a level select feature which allows you to re-visit any stages you've reached already. Saves on the tedium of repeating from the start.
Just hold right on the d-pad on the 'start game' section of the title screen for a few seconds. An icon should pop up asking if you want to save (not sure why) - hit no and it should scroll to the stage select.

I'm tearing my hair out trying to get through stage 5 on defaults, it's suddenly become extremely tough! No problem handling the mid-boss, but I need a life up icon - anyone know where it/they are?

I would also like to know, stage five is kicking my ass.

Help us?