HeroOfTim
Extremely nostalgic.
While this game isn't worthless, I could write a full essay on why it sucks so much.
It has the worst enemy design out of all the metroidvanias in this series by a lot, awful screen crunch, shitty controls, and its general idea of game design makes it feel like it was made by people who don't play video games.
It can occasionally be fun, but its design philosophy is just inherently flawed in essence.
The soundtrack is very good, though I dearly wish there were more original songs because the few that there are are fantastic.
It has the worst enemy design out of all the metroidvanias in this series by a lot, awful screen crunch, shitty controls, and its general idea of game design makes it feel like it was made by people who don't play video games.
It can occasionally be fun, but its design philosophy is just inherently flawed in essence.
The soundtrack is very good, though I dearly wish there were more original songs because the few that there are are fantastic.
I do have a soft spot for it but I will not defend (most of) its design choices. Some of them suck. If you play with a guide it's fun, but the fact that a guide is 100% required to get anywhere or do anything (yes, it absolutely is required) is a core flaw in itself. Great music, but that goes without saying for Castlevania. I do like some things about it though.
Favorite Castlevania thus far besides the original. Absolutely addicting the whole way through and never stops being fun. Ain't perfect but I greatly enjoyed my time.
While more flawed than REmake, I'd say it's about on the same level as RE2 with 2 being just a bit more fun. Nemesis is absolutely amazing and one of my favorite inclusions to any game in the series so far, and the ammo crafting and live selections are a ton of fun. I think the game falters in the map design and navigation (nowhere near on the level of REmake or even the first half of RE2) but it definitely makes up for it with Nemesis alone and the RNG enemies and items.
1997
I'm not even sure where to begin here. Do I talk about the extremely bad level design, the garbage final boss, the actively awful story, or the mid soundtrack with only one particularly standout song? I don't know, but this game is terrible at everything it attempts. It's a lot easier than The Adventure, so it doesn't personally piss me off as much as that game, but I honest to god just might say it's even worse.
2011
Fucking baller final boss. That is really the only thing of note about this game honestly.
2002
This game has a lot of things I do like about it but it's just kinda mid overall. It's a fun game (and has easily the best bosses in the series pre-Mercury Steam) but I really have no desire to replay it at all for obvious reasons. I totally get why the gameplay style is a part of the story, it just doesn't make for that interesting or well designed of a game. Not to mention the actual design flaws like the little NES progression moments or the map design. I respect what the game is trying to do, I just don't really care about a Metroid game that isn't replayable.
2007
Rosalina, god-tier music, and Rosalina.
2015
Gameplay sucks both dick AND balls at all times and actively detracts from the experience imo (even on Safe Mode), but other than that, I can totally see why this game is as highly regarded as it is in its small but devoted fanbase. Very introspective story with some of the best moral choices I've ever come across and an absolutely chilling ending. Didn't personally vibe with it entirely but I will immediately acknowledge that it is definitely great.
Only major complaint is the final boss, who is extremely annoying/boring and I dread every time I play. But other than that, this game slaps hard. The best bosses in the series, better implementation of the soul system than Aria, the best map design in the series, and some amazingly fun sequence breaks for replays.
2017
While 100% completion takes a will stronger than the human mind is capable of, this game is wonderful. Phenomenal controls and moveset and rewards and details packed into every corner. An amazing celebration of gaming's biggest icon.
Don't ask why I've played specifically this one and none of the other NSMB games. Younger me was weird.
"So let me get this straight, you think Dracula X is a really solid addition to the series?"
I do, and I'm tired of pretending it's not.
The music takes a hit from Rondo of Blood, obviously, but visually, it clears in pretty much every area. Some really nice pixel art in this game.
The controls are basically the same except you move a lot slower now, which I don't think gets in the way too much as you're gonna be jumping a lot, which retains a faster speed.
There are a couple screens I can't defend, but for the most part, the level design and enemy placements are perfectly fine and even interesting in my opinion, and there are fun speedrun tricks and various bits of tech to employ throughout all of the routes. The bosses are just as good as they are in Rondo, too, and I definitely prefer this game's Dracula fight compared to Rondo's boring one. Not to mention this game has the best power/usefulness balance in the subweapons out of any game in the series.
Dracula X is a fun time in my opinion. Tricky to learn, but feels great to master.
I do, and I'm tired of pretending it's not.
The music takes a hit from Rondo of Blood, obviously, but visually, it clears in pretty much every area. Some really nice pixel art in this game.
The controls are basically the same except you move a lot slower now, which I don't think gets in the way too much as you're gonna be jumping a lot, which retains a faster speed.
There are a couple screens I can't defend, but for the most part, the level design and enemy placements are perfectly fine and even interesting in my opinion, and there are fun speedrun tricks and various bits of tech to employ throughout all of the routes. The bosses are just as good as they are in Rondo, too, and I definitely prefer this game's Dracula fight compared to Rondo's boring one. Not to mention this game has the best power/usefulness balance in the subweapons out of any game in the series.
Dracula X is a fun time in my opinion. Tricky to learn, but feels great to master.
Been warming up to it.