This was a very fun Castlevania game, in the spirit of those on the NES, Sega Genesis and SNES, but with a bit more game play depth to it. Basically it looks like the Castlevania games on the SNES with the graphics on the characters improved a bit and the background more so. The music is also improved in this one as there are some really stand out pieces in sections of the game. It is a challenge too, but not overly so. Basically, there are no parts of the game where you are watching in stunned belief at all the enemies and such thinking the game is impossible, like in the older games. Even if the odds look insurmountable, you can find a way around it. The game is not perfect though as there are some things that could have been done to make the game even more enjoyable.
The story starts out with Richter Belmont about to face off against Dracula. This is basically a recap battle showing the final battle from the game Castlevania X or something to that effect for the SNES or the other game that it was based off of for a computer gaming system only sold in Japan. Suffice to say, I want to play that game, but it is rare and expensive. After the battle is won, you see Alucard (Dracula's son) storming the castle. He seems unbeatable, until the Grim Reaper takes away all his powerful equipment. Now Alucard must navigate his way through the castle fighting monsters of all kinds so that he can gain abilities and equipment that will help him win the day. From time to time you cross paths with a woman named Maria who is looking for Richter...who has disappeared. Alucard sees him at one point, but it seems he is the lord of the castle now! The fighting is different than previous Castlevania games in that you use a sword and can also use a shield. Though no matter how powerful a shield I got, it never seemed to deflect anything. You could also use potions, buy armor and things that one is more accustomed to seeing in a role playing game. You also have the ability later to change into different things such as a wolf, a bat and mist. You can change into mist and basically bypass any really difficult areas later in the game. So there are many different aspects to the game, but it still feels like you are playing Castlevania. I can see where the Metroid references come from, but how many Metroid games actually followed this format? I believe only Super Metroid followed it to a tee.
I enjoyed this game, but there are some improvements that could of been made. First, is the fact there is spoken dialog in this game. I am not going to complain about how bad it is (though it is not top notched), I am simply going to say it needed more. Basically, they did not really keep the story advancing and at times it was simply Alucard moving from room to room and then coming across a boss out of the blue. There needed more interaction between Alucard and other characters to keep the player up to date on the story. The game also has a cheap ending that one can easily get by accident if one is not entirely sure what to do. Basically, the game can end without a final showdown with Dracula. And as good as the music is, the song they play during the credits sounds like it came from a romantic drama.
Overall, this game was a fun game to play. It had more to it than your standard Castlevania, while not overstaying its welcome like so many games of today do. The music is good (I especially enjoy the piece right at the beginning as Alucard dominates early on) and the game play is simple to pick up. This one is as good as my other favorite Super Castlevania IV, and could of been even better had it made a few tweaks.
