By the time I was born, the first Castlevania game was almost 10 years old. Yet the series has managed to endure through all these years and remain a classic. Yes, I never got the chance to play the classic games, so when playing Castlevania Requiem, I had no idea what to expect. However, I have plenty of experiences playing the multiple of games that paid homage to the series. But playing one of the games that gave birth to the genre provides a new perspective. Castlevania isn’t good because it’s difficult. It’s difficult yet simple gameplay made it good.
Once More Into the Night
Castlevania Requiem includes two games: Castlevania Rondo Of Blood and Castlevania Symphony Of The Night. Both games are presented identically to their original state with some minor updates to make the game feel more immersive. Rondo Of Blood uses the traditional linear storytelling to provide a straight forward game. You play as Richter Belmont as he storms Dracula’s castle to rescue his beloved. The remarkable part is how well the story is told through its levels and their designs, whether you’re traversing a city in ruins with buildings on fire and small enemy sprites in the background to highlights the strength of Dracula. Enemies that first appear in the background far away suddenly come closer, moving into the foreground and showing that the in-game world is much larger. Even the gameplay is simple yet effective in terms of learning how to use your skills intelligently.
The same can be said for Symphony Of The Night. By switching from a linear level progression to an explorable castle, the game becomes more interactive. The story also switches to have the players fighting in the shoes of Alucard, son of Dracula. The change in the type of protagonist adds more gameplay options as well as changing the action economy of the series.
Requiem For The Damned
Castlevania Requiem is a blast to play. While you will die repeatedly like some overzealous Dark Souls newbie, the lesson is the same, and it’s patience. Patience shows you exactly how to play the game. Learning how each move works and plays into the strategy of the game is key. Placing attacks well, exploiting openings and going in for the kill is exhilarating, and each victory feels like a victory.
This doesn’t mean you’ll always be successful. Failure is an important part of learning how things work. From attack distances and angles to damage values and item management. Each of these things plays a valuable part of what makes the game stand out.
Final Reaction
Castlevania Requiem carries the legacy of an iconic series to a modern console for more people to experience. The uniqueness of the series gave birth to a whole genre that is loved and cherished. This game opens a door for those who may have never gotten a chance to experience the Castlevania series
Score: 4/5 Atoms
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