HeroOfTim
2007
Rosalina, god-tier music, and Rosalina.
Extremely nostalgic.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
1999
By far my hottest take of the series. I'm slightly biased towards the N64 but this game is legitimately perfectly fine. It's definitely a bit janky and the combat is terrible, but I genuinely don't see why this game gets all the hate over other games of the era with the exact same issues. And let's not ignore the things that this game does well. The atmosphere is the best in the series, full stop. Like, it's amazing, and it's only enhanced further by the soundtrack (which is beautiful at times). That's the game's main appeal and I'm personally a huge sucker for good atmosphere, so I enjoyed my time here and expect Legacy of Darkness to fix the other issues.
As most people have already said, this game is just CV64 but better. Henry's mode feels a bit tacked on but Cornell is pretty good and the two from the previous game are the same with some updates to make them a bit better. This game gives you all that delicious atmosphere and music from 64 in a context that actually controls well and has a decent camera.
Used to be a hater of this game for misunderstanding the original's atmosphere but actually giving it a full playthrough... yeah the original has higher peaks for atmosphere but outside of those moments this version is straight up better with it. They made SR388 look very pretty and alive.
And gameplay wise I mean the comparison is a joke. This game is fun as hell and definitely on par with Zero Mission for me. Music is the only aspect it lacks in.
And gameplay wise I mean the comparison is a joke. This game is fun as hell and definitely on par with Zero Mission for me. Music is the only aspect it lacks in.
Absolutely baller soundtrack, really cool presentation and atmosphere in some sections as well. Has some problems but it's a fun time.