ViviMayoi
2019
Chrono Ark's a new favorite of mine for sure.
I first got my eyes on this game a year or two ago — it was in very early access, and I was watching my friend play through it and just thought it looked real cool.
Fast forward to a few weeks ago, and I start playing the game for myself. It's changed a lot, obviously, but for the better. The story's not for everyone, and the final ending isn't out yet, but what's already there is quite good. The game's presentation rocks, and every character is as memorable and distinct as the next. The game blends deckbuilding and more traditional RPG mechanics seamlessly, too. Progressing throughout a run, trying to make the best of both your team's strengths and the luck of the draw, is extremely satisfying. This game's soundtrack is great, and the atmospheric overworld music transitions dynamically into battle themes (and vice versa), something I always like to hear.
With a ton of varied playstyles, build options, alternate game modes and difficulty settings, I really believe this game has potential to be great for any RPG, roguelite, or deckbuilder fan, whatever they may be looking for :)
Madness is akin to gravity.
I first got my eyes on this game a year or two ago — it was in very early access, and I was watching my friend play through it and just thought it looked real cool.
Fast forward to a few weeks ago, and I start playing the game for myself. It's changed a lot, obviously, but for the better. The story's not for everyone, and the final ending isn't out yet, but what's already there is quite good. The game's presentation rocks, and every character is as memorable and distinct as the next. The game blends deckbuilding and more traditional RPG mechanics seamlessly, too. Progressing throughout a run, trying to make the best of both your team's strengths and the luck of the draw, is extremely satisfying. This game's soundtrack is great, and the atmospheric overworld music transitions dynamically into battle themes (and vice versa), something I always like to hear.
With a ton of varied playstyles, build options, alternate game modes and difficulty settings, I really believe this game has potential to be great for any RPG, roguelite, or deckbuilder fan, whatever they may be looking for :)
Lament of Innocence is the franchise's first attempt at a 3D metroidvania game. Was it a successful one? Eh, kinda.
Let's get the bad out of the way — this game is much worse at being a metroidvania than any of its 2D siblings. To me, one of the biggest strengths of the genre is the ability to explore and reach new areas whenever a new ability or movement option is obtained. It's a core element of the gameplay loop, and getting to move around and become familiar with said abilities is what makes it a favorite of mine. Unfortunately, this game does not have much in the way of that. Most of the time, progressing will be done by unlocking doors, usually by hitting a few switches scattered around whatever area the door is found in. Secrets are sometimes found by acquiring a key in another area, and there's less than a handful of secrets that can be accessed thanks to elemental whips.
In the same vein, exploring the castle often feels tedious. Leon is lacking in movement options, and there's so many long, often empty corridors. Some have enemies, but most are devoid of anything to do except break candles to replenish Leon's hearts. It's possible to use a Relic to sprint through these rooms, or use a variation of the Axe subweapon to dash through them, but they're hardly interesting to traverse in any capacity.
The game's other aspects are actually pretty good— the combat is satisfying, boss design is fun and rewarding. The pace at which new combos are unlocked is just right, and there's just enough time to get acquainted with new options without getting bored of them. The atmosphere, of course, remains a highlight: immersive environments, cool enemy designs, and a quality soundtrack, as is par for the course for Castlevania.
As a 3D action-adventure game, or as a hack and slash, Castlevania: Lament of Innocence is competent and even quite good, but its metroidvania elements hold it back a lot of the time. It's still good fun, but not for the reasons I usually like a metroidvania.
Let's get the bad out of the way — this game is much worse at being a metroidvania than any of its 2D siblings. To me, one of the biggest strengths of the genre is the ability to explore and reach new areas whenever a new ability or movement option is obtained. It's a core element of the gameplay loop, and getting to move around and become familiar with said abilities is what makes it a favorite of mine. Unfortunately, this game does not have much in the way of that. Most of the time, progressing will be done by unlocking doors, usually by hitting a few switches scattered around whatever area the door is found in. Secrets are sometimes found by acquiring a key in another area, and there's less than a handful of secrets that can be accessed thanks to elemental whips.
In the same vein, exploring the castle often feels tedious. Leon is lacking in movement options, and there's so many long, often empty corridors. Some have enemies, but most are devoid of anything to do except break candles to replenish Leon's hearts. It's possible to use a Relic to sprint through these rooms, or use a variation of the Axe subweapon to dash through them, but they're hardly interesting to traverse in any capacity.
The game's other aspects are actually pretty good— the combat is satisfying, boss design is fun and rewarding. The pace at which new combos are unlocked is just right, and there's just enough time to get acquainted with new options without getting bored of them. The atmosphere, of course, remains a highlight: immersive environments, cool enemy designs, and a quality soundtrack, as is par for the course for Castlevania.
As a 3D action-adventure game, or as a hack and slash, Castlevania: Lament of Innocence is competent and even quite good, but its metroidvania elements hold it back a lot of the time. It's still good fun, but not for the reasons I usually like a metroidvania.
Easily the most fun Castlevania experience on the GBA: distinct and memorable areas, great OST, and super varied combat abilities thanks to the multitudes of souls found throughout the game.
Movement is a bit lackluster at the very start of the game; the dash Soma is equipped with feels pretty poor after playing the franchise's previous attempts at a metroidvania. On the other hand, the movement really shines when you near the end of the game.
Truly completing this game requires a fair amount of grinding if you want all the souls, as it's completely RNG-reliant whether you find what you want in a timely fashion. Still, that's the game's biggest problem in my eyes — a good sign that the game is truly solid in almost every department.
Movement is a bit lackluster at the very start of the game; the dash Soma is equipped with feels pretty poor after playing the franchise's previous attempts at a metroidvania. On the other hand, the movement really shines when you near the end of the game.
Truly completing this game requires a fair amount of grinding if you want all the souls, as it's completely RNG-reliant whether you find what you want in a timely fashion. Still, that's the game's biggest problem in my eyes — a good sign that the game is truly solid in almost every department.
2018
A really cute, relaxing game based on a great concept of absorbing an entire town with a portable hole. Donut County's gameplay loop is very satisfying, and the dialogue is hilarious to boot. 🦆
Very fun DLC for Vampire Survivors. The way the progression towards its final boss works is really cool, and the first map is my favorite to date. Just good fun, as always :)
Compared to the previous GBA entry (Circle of the Moon), Harmony of Dissonance trades difficulty and boss design for better movement, gamefeel, and more memorable areas.
However, the OST is a bit dull, and this game makes you backtrack SO much. It's often hard to tell where you're meant to go next with this game's map layout. For a large part of the game, progression is gated by arbitrary locked doors, a lot of them requiring distinct, but unmarked, progression items to actually unlock.
As good as Harmony of Dissonance feels to move in, it has one of the more confusing map layouts I've gotten to explore in a metroidvania game. Careful recommendation :)
However, the OST is a bit dull, and this game makes you backtrack SO much. It's often hard to tell where you're meant to go next with this game's map layout. For a large part of the game, progression is gated by arbitrary locked doors, a lot of them requiring distinct, but unmarked, progression items to actually unlock.
As good as Harmony of Dissonance feels to move in, it has one of the more confusing map layouts I've gotten to explore in a metroidvania game. Careful recommendation :)
Not a bad game per se, but subpar for a Castlevania game.
On one side of things, the game has really good boss fights, with a sensible difficulty curve, actually requiring you to properly learn the boss's patterns to find success. The DSS (Dual Set-Up System) is really cool, allowing you to combine Action and Attribute cards you find to activate unique powers. Playing around with the many possible combinations was a highlight of the game for sure. Of course, as always, the soundtrack bangs the whole way through.
On the flipside... movement and exploration feel stiff or even tedious in this title. The various areas lack a lot of clear ways to tell where you are without looking at the map over and over. The various movement options you unlock throughout the game also feel limited; it's easy to feel forced into a linear path, as none of the abilities are particularly flexible. Moreover, actually making use of the previously mentioned dual set-up system requires tedious grinding if you want anything cool.
If you're a completionist, I would say this is far from the most fun I've had going for full map completion in a metroidvania. The game had its good moments, but I doubt I'll be going for extra playthroughs anytime soon.
On one side of things, the game has really good boss fights, with a sensible difficulty curve, actually requiring you to properly learn the boss's patterns to find success. The DSS (Dual Set-Up System) is really cool, allowing you to combine Action and Attribute cards you find to activate unique powers. Playing around with the many possible combinations was a highlight of the game for sure. Of course, as always, the soundtrack bangs the whole way through.
On the flipside... movement and exploration feel stiff or even tedious in this title. The various areas lack a lot of clear ways to tell where you are without looking at the map over and over. The various movement options you unlock throughout the game also feel limited; it's easy to feel forced into a linear path, as none of the abilities are particularly flexible. Moreover, actually making use of the previously mentioned dual set-up system requires tedious grinding if you want anything cool.
If you're a completionist, I would say this is far from the most fun I've had going for full map completion in a metroidvania. The game had its good moments, but I doubt I'll be going for extra playthroughs anytime soon.
Solid upgrade to Castlevania 64. The remade levels are so much more fun, the controls are more intuitive, the bosses are way more interesting and challenging. Not a masterpiece or anything, but worth playing.
2019
One of my favorite games of the past few years. While admittedly short, this game shows some cool gameplay ideas in its encounters, but difficulty definitely isn't why you play it.
In just a few hours, Zelle does an amazing job of building up a heavy atmosphere and keeping up the mysteries of its world, giving you just enough information to want to keep going. It showcases unusual combinations of graphical and gameplay styles, moving nearly seamlessly from a point & click style game to a more RPG Maker-style game somewhere near the halfway point. It's a great experience, solidified by the sheer charm the game has at every point, with how unsettling it all seems thanks to the point of view of the young protagonist and the game's unique presentation.
Maybe not for everyone, but it really was for me! If you like horror(-ish) games with a heavy emphasis on atmosphere, you'll hopefully enjoy it like I did.
In just a few hours, Zelle does an amazing job of building up a heavy atmosphere and keeping up the mysteries of its world, giving you just enough information to want to keep going. It showcases unusual combinations of graphical and gameplay styles, moving nearly seamlessly from a point & click style game to a more RPG Maker-style game somewhere near the halfway point. It's a great experience, solidified by the sheer charm the game has at every point, with how unsettling it all seems thanks to the point of view of the young protagonist and the game's unique presentation.
Maybe not for everyone, but it really was for me! If you like horror(-ish) games with a heavy emphasis on atmosphere, you'll hopefully enjoy it like I did.
1999
I've only played this game as Carrie, so this is a review of her side of the game. This is quite the rough passage to 3D for the franchise.
Castlevania 64 has its fair share of problems. Unintuitive controls, prime early-3D camera problems, confusing level design coupled with very similar-looking areas in a lot of said levels, and very basic bosses that can be beaten with the same strategy with very little thought for what's going on (charging Carrie's homing attack and running in circles around the boss). The game has a wonky camera and weird controls, yet expects you to perform tight platforming all the same, sometimes with enemies around; oftentimes, it will feel more frustrating than hard.
The soundtrack, while good, couldn't really carry the game for me. Still, it has checkpoints in good places most of the time and while it can be frustrating, the player is usually given a chance to retry not too long afterwards. It still has the heart of a Castlevania game, but it lacks polish and love.
Castlevania 64 has its fair share of problems. Unintuitive controls, prime early-3D camera problems, confusing level design coupled with very similar-looking areas in a lot of said levels, and very basic bosses that can be beaten with the same strategy with very little thought for what's going on (charging Carrie's homing attack and running in circles around the boss). The game has a wonky camera and weird controls, yet expects you to perform tight platforming all the same, sometimes with enemies around; oftentimes, it will feel more frustrating than hard.
The soundtrack, while good, couldn't really carry the game for me. Still, it has checkpoints in good places most of the time and while it can be frustrating, the player is usually given a chance to retry not too long afterwards. It still has the heart of a Castlevania game, but it lacks polish and love.
An alright beat 'em up game, with some interesting ideas, nicely differing movesets, and branching paths. Two of the characters have access to reusable spells, making each half of the playable cast rather different. Playing it in 2023 doesn't do it any favors, as it definitely plays like most beat 'em up titles from its era. Still a fun game, just rather unmemorable.
1993
As far as run & gun games go, Gunstar Heroes is my favorite in the genre. Fun weapon system? Check. Varied environments to run through? Check. Really cool boss design? Check.
The game is such a joy to play in co-op, and the non-weapon attacks you have (throwing enemies / the other player, air attacks, sliding) feel like an integral part of your arsenal, too. It's just a great game all around.
The game is such a joy to play in co-op, and the non-weapon attacks you have (throwing enemies / the other player, air attacks, sliding) feel like an integral part of your arsenal, too. It's just a great game all around.
I've been playing the Castlevania franchise for the first time as part of a marathon of some kind, and I awaited the moment where I got to this game with impatience. I heard a lot of good about Symphony of the Night, and I can say that it still surprised me. It's an amazing first entry in the metroidvania genre for the franchise which lended part of its name to said genre... and for good reason.
Despite being more than 20 years old as of the time of writing, very little about the game feels like it, if not for the crusty, poorly translated English dialogue of the original PlayStation version. It is incredibly polished, executing the now-proven metroidvania formula better than so many other games it inspires. Combat is fun, with a good learning curve as you obtain new weapons, learn new spells and constantly find new tools to try out against more and more varied enemies.
A crucial part of metroidvania games is how fun the main gameplay loop is — that of exploring the play area, and obtaining new tools to traverse it and progress. Well, good news: exploring and traversing the castle is a joy all throughout. Controlling Alucard is intrinsically fun, thanks to how tight movement feels from the start. With all the options he gradually gets access to as you guide him towards his objective, movement becomes even more satisfying as you progress.
The aesthetics of the game are strong, with a great soundtrack (in classic Castlevania fashion), accompanied by sound effects that amplify every impact, every action Alucard and his foes take. The spritework and background art are sublime through and through, with the game having visuals that are still referenced and emulated decades later.
If this game falls short of perfect, it's only because of minute issues. There are the aforementioned dialogue issues, yes, but that is hard to hold against the game when they were changed in future ports. My main gripes are with some few, yet really obtuse secrets that the game hints you towards in no capacity. It can get frustrating when trying to reach full completion like many metroidvania fans(read: me...) are wont to do, You may find yourself relying on a guide if you're looking to achieve that.
That said, those issues are tiny details in a pool of greatness. Don't let that detract you from playing Symphony of the Night! It's a superb game that provides hours of fun and is, for sure, a highlight of the series so far. I'm sure I'll find myself replaying it soon enough!
Despite being more than 20 years old as of the time of writing, very little about the game feels like it, if not for the crusty, poorly translated English dialogue of the original PlayStation version. It is incredibly polished, executing the now-proven metroidvania formula better than so many other games it inspires. Combat is fun, with a good learning curve as you obtain new weapons, learn new spells and constantly find new tools to try out against more and more varied enemies.
A crucial part of metroidvania games is how fun the main gameplay loop is — that of exploring the play area, and obtaining new tools to traverse it and progress. Well, good news: exploring and traversing the castle is a joy all throughout. Controlling Alucard is intrinsically fun, thanks to how tight movement feels from the start. With all the options he gradually gets access to as you guide him towards his objective, movement becomes even more satisfying as you progress.
The aesthetics of the game are strong, with a great soundtrack (in classic Castlevania fashion), accompanied by sound effects that amplify every impact, every action Alucard and his foes take. The spritework and background art are sublime through and through, with the game having visuals that are still referenced and emulated decades later.
If this game falls short of perfect, it's only because of minute issues. There are the aforementioned dialogue issues, yes, but that is hard to hold against the game when they were changed in future ports. My main gripes are with some few, yet really obtuse secrets that the game hints you towards in no capacity. It can get frustrating when trying to reach full completion like many metroidvania fans
That said, those issues are tiny details in a pool of greatness. Don't let that detract you from playing Symphony of the Night! It's a superb game that provides hours of fun and is, for sure, a highlight of the series so far. I'm sure I'll find myself replaying it soon enough!
A pretty good entry in the series, if a bit unremarkable. Some annoying boss design and short length compared to what came before it make it less memorable than other classic titles. Eric and John are also not that different, which doesnt make replaying it an enticing offer. Still a fun game, with the trademark aesthetic polish of Castlevania. Worth playing for classic CV fans!
For sure the best entry in the series pre-PlayStation era. If not for the difficulty being a bit low, I'd have nothing bad to say about this game. The level design is great, the music slaps the whole way through, the stages are beautiful and varied... Gameplay-wise, Richter and Maria both offer fun and meaningfully different playstyles, which really helps cement this game as my favorite classic Castlevania title.