One of the darkest and most macabre game series from the 8-bit days is Castlevania. Combining a gothic sensibility with platforming mechanics, the Castlevania series has always straddled the line between action game and horror title. Atmosphere plays a huge part of it as does the cast of characters often features in a Castlevania title.
The original title is noted for its overwhelming difficulty and this is no exaggeration. Gamers today will be hard pressed to figure out how people beat this game way back when. Meanwhile, Castlevania fans will marvel at just how far the game has come since then.
Two games that had a huge impact on the future of Castlevania include 1989’s Castlevania III and the later SNES title Castlevania IV. No two games in the series did more to set up the later masterpiece that would be called Symphony of the Night. From the multiple characters you had on tap in Castlevania III to the richly detailed world and gameplay of IV, Castlevania had found its stride by Castlevania III and kept it going all the way until Symphony of the Night.
But, like many NES games, Castlevania III is what you would call NES hard. Don’t let the choice of multiple characters and pathways fool you – this is still Castlevania at its heart.
What’s at stake is no less than a generation conflict between the Belmonts and Dracula with the world in the balance. Aided by Grant Denasty, Sypha Belnades, and Alucard, Trevor Belmont has to take down Dracula who has unleashed his horde upon the world.
Viewers of the recent Netflix Castlevania series might find this premise familiar as it is the story underpinning the television show.
Basically, Konami gives you the illusion of choice but still presents you with pathways that are tough as nails to follow. You
