Started experiencing substance-abuse psychosis after eating too much wall chicken at Dracula's rave.
For those who do not know, Casltevania Chronicles is a repackaging of the Sharp X68000 remake of the original Castlevania, along with a new arranged mode that features a remixed soundtrack by Sōta Fujimori, and reworked sprites for Simon Belmont based on Ayami Kojima's artwork. Don't worry, he's still a total himbo. That's what these games have always been about: Dracula is a man of culture who wants to uphold the old age of intellectualism, whereas the Belmonts are a roving gang of himbos who represent the encroaching post-intellectual world, which poses both a literal and existential threat to Dracula. Don't question my media literacy, I know what I'm talking about!
Castlevania's hunky anti-intellectualism aside, this is a pretty solid remake of the first game, and I'd almost go so far as to say it's preferable to the original if I weren't so nostalgic for it. "Original Mode," which is a mostly unadulterated port of the X68000 version, is a lot of fun on its own, though a bit unforgiving in its difficulty. "Arranged Mode" is more balanced by comparison, and it's soundtrack helps make it my preferred mode between the two. Both offer up some fun subversions on Castlevania's level design, featuring new secrets and some alterations to levels that will keep you on your toes. If you want to get a sense of what I'm talking about, there's a very early case in level one. Just go for the first wall chicken after the starting hallway and you'll see what I mean.
Otherwise, much of my praise of the NES Castlevania remains relevant here. Platforming is rigid but great, and learning the rhythm of each level and improving upon past playthroughs is incredibly rewarding. It's also just fun, generally speaking, strutting on up to that nerd Dracula and kicking his ass. Dunk him in a toilet, give him a wedgie, then watch his fuckin' house collapse on him with the smug satisfaction of knowing your children, and your children's children, will continue to bully him until the end of time. That's what is really at the heart of these games. I took a film criticism course in college, we had to review The Bourne Legacy and, like, Inception. I think I know a thing or two about analyzing media.
For those who do not know, Casltevania Chronicles is a repackaging of the Sharp X68000 remake of the original Castlevania, along with a new arranged mode that features a remixed soundtrack by Sōta Fujimori, and reworked sprites for Simon Belmont based on Ayami Kojima's artwork. Don't worry, he's still a total himbo. That's what these games have always been about: Dracula is a man of culture who wants to uphold the old age of intellectualism, whereas the Belmonts are a roving gang of himbos who represent the encroaching post-intellectual world, which poses both a literal and existential threat to Dracula. Don't question my media literacy, I know what I'm talking about!
Castlevania's hunky anti-intellectualism aside, this is a pretty solid remake of the first game, and I'd almost go so far as to say it's preferable to the original if I weren't so nostalgic for it. "Original Mode," which is a mostly unadulterated port of the X68000 version, is a lot of fun on its own, though a bit unforgiving in its difficulty. "Arranged Mode" is more balanced by comparison, and it's soundtrack helps make it my preferred mode between the two. Both offer up some fun subversions on Castlevania's level design, featuring new secrets and some alterations to levels that will keep you on your toes. If you want to get a sense of what I'm talking about, there's a very early case in level one. Just go for the first wall chicken after the starting hallway and you'll see what I mean.
Otherwise, much of my praise of the NES Castlevania remains relevant here. Platforming is rigid but great, and learning the rhythm of each level and improving upon past playthroughs is incredibly rewarding. It's also just fun, generally speaking, strutting on up to that nerd Dracula and kicking his ass. Dunk him in a toilet, give him a wedgie, then watch his fuckin' house collapse on him with the smug satisfaction of knowing your children, and your children's children, will continue to bully him until the end of time. That's what is really at the heart of these games. I took a film criticism course in college, we had to review The Bourne Legacy and, like, Inception. I think I know a thing or two about analyzing media.
3 Comments
I will one day play this game all the way through finally simply because of how good the OST is holy shit
A game with music this good can't let me down there's no way.
A game with music this good can't let me down there's no way.
I like to imagine this game starting with Dracula reading a book, listening to something classical, just calm and in his element. Then he hears techno from the courtyard, sticks his head out the window and sees yet another Belmont striding up to his Castle. "God damnit. God damnit no, not again!"
BlazingWaters
1 year ago