Castletroids/Metroidvania Thread

[Lockeownzj00]

What, pray tell do these portmanteaus mean? If you think about it, it should be clear--those 2D (well, mostly--3D ones like Prime count) adventure/platformer/occasionally RPG persistent dungeon games. Aptly named by the famous Castlevania and Metroid series.

So the idea is: which are your favorites? Which pulled off the best formula? What were the most timeless moments or most satisfying victories? And of course, series debate: Which Metroid is the best in the series, which Castlevania, etc.

I'll start it off by saying that I just picked up Castlevania: Symphony of the Night a few days ago and have not been able to put it down. A long time ago I played Aria of Sorrow on an emulator, and it was--much to my chagrin--my first Castlevania game (when I was younger, I could never get past the 'simple' style of earlier Castlevanias, but now I'm rarin' to go). I absolutely loved it, although I realize now how I totally cheated my way through the game (re: save states).

Now, looking through old CDs in my brothers room, I find SotN. I play for a little while, and find it mildly entertaining. I die, and having forgotten to save, I get frustrated and turn it off.

I wake up the next day with an insatiable bloodlust for Castlevania.

Since then I've been playing morning to night, and I adore the series' brilliance now. I'm sure it's been said countless times before, but I just can't get enough of SotN's perfectly balanced action-RPG format. While games like Zelda are surely wondrous, a game like SotN gives me a reason and a desire to kill enemies. Whether to level up me, my familiar, or just test out a new ability, I never feel like I'm being barraged by mindless sprites.

I love combining equipment...in a platform/action game environment. I love pressing buttons and continually discovering hidden spells and moves. I love looking at the map and saying, "holy shit." Most of all, I like traversing the castle solely by pressing triangle.

Anyway. I haven't beaten it yet, but I'm several hours in.

So howzabout youu?

[Mike McC]

There are a couple of good freeware ones that you all should check out. Take a look at Cave Story (http://www.gameflaws.com/cavestory/) and Eternal Daughter (http://derekyu.com/games.html) (scroll to the bottom). Both are exellent, and lots of fun to play.

Word of warning, Eternal Daughter is HARD, but not in the imposible sense, in the sense that in every time you die, you fully deserve it.

[MuMu]

I also don't like the old castlevani style too, the RPG add was godly in my opinion...So, Best Castlevania go for SotN. Aria of sorrow and Curse of Darkness are good too, although I haven't played Dawn of Sorrow(Sequeal to AoS) and the one with the first Belmont(Forgot the name).

Metroid...Super Metroid. Hard, you had no idea what to do next unless you thinked well, good story, gameplay and bosses. Fusion loses because it's just too damn linear. Zero Mission is alright. Never played Prime and don't intend on buying a Cube just for it...

[Robert Paulson]

Without a doubt, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is the best PS1 game I've ever played. And the best Castlevania game ever too, (Though Castle III on the NES is pretty close.) I got my copy of SOTN about a year ago, around the time I got my PS2, (That's right, I've only had a PS2 for one year. Shocker!) and man, was it worth every cent. Even after you complete it, the game is endlessly replayable. Speaking of PS1 games, the only other PS1 games that are even close to SOTN's brilliance are the MegaMan Legends games and Crash Bandicoot 2 and 3, (Notice I didn't mention MGS1 and FF7. I'm controversial like that.) Yeah, SOTN is that good. Also, the game's got one of the best videogame soundtracks in history. I got a program on my PC that lets me rip music tracks from PS1 games. When I figured out how to rip the music from my copy of SOTN, I copied nearly two-thirds of the game's soundtrack. Most of the songs, especially from the first half of the game, are truly a thing of beauty.

But, word of warning. Don't, ever, ask my opinion of Metroid. I tried to play Super Metroid many years ago, didn't like it, at all. The game's puzzles made absolutely no sense, and I couldn't even figure out where I was supposed to go nor do. Not my idea of a fun time. I also played the first Metroid Prime at a videogame store a while back. Had the same problems as Super Metroid, only now it had a crappy control scheme. Haven't played a Metroid title since. The less said about me and the Metroid franchise, the better off I am.

[MuMu]

^Play Fusion. It tell exactly what you have to do.

[Lockeownzj00]

Metroid-wise, I'm a big fan of Super and Fusion, although I've got to say, although it may be sacreligious, in terms of breath-taking moments, I've gotta go with Metroid Prime. Crouching with bated breath, scanning the landscape in the Phenandra Drifts (or however you spell it) was just awesome. And that was one of the tranquil moments. It was just seeing Metroid alive like that.

Also: can't believe I didn't mention Cave Story; I even had it in mind when I started the thread. Yeah, CS is a fine example of how well independent games can be made.

I think my next Vania will be Dawn of Sorrow.

PS: Wow, I was...further than I thought. It appears that I've beaten SotN. But...I've read about an Inverted Castle somewhere. How are you supposed to get to that? Do I have to beat the game through another route?

[lazy man]

Before I start, I'll just say I've never really gotten a chance to play Castlevania. I'm interested, sure, but I think I might just wanna play SotN and leave it at that.

Anyway, I can definitely call myself a Metroid fan. I've played every game in the series, and beaten every one but the original. Guess I just don't have the will for it.

As for my favorite in the series, I'll have to leave it at a tie. Metroid Prime and Super Metroid.

Metroid Prime was my second Metroid game (Fusion being my first), and it was difintely worth getting a 'Cube for. One of the best games I've ever played. At least in my opinion, anyway. I think I love it so much because it took what I love about the series, and made a pretty much perfect transition to 3D. Not many games get that treatment, so I'm glad Metroid did.

As for Super, I think it's one of the other best games I've played. It had the same atmosphere as Prime (so lonely...), plus it has one of the coolest endings ever. Too bad I never actually owned it, considering I was stupid as a kid.

Also, Prime 2 gets an honorable mention from me. I just liked it a lot for some reason. Maybe it was Dark Samus, or something...

[Mike McC]

Yes, Cave Story is an excellent example of how good free-ware games can be made.

In the great Metroid/Castlevania series, I'd have to say the SOTN is my favorite game, but the Metroid Series is my favorite series. The other semi-linear Castlevania titles haven't really been all that strong, SOTN was definately the high-point of the series. But, who knows? They may hit that high-point again.

And, I sent a hint on how to get to the inverted castle to you Locke, but not so big as to ruin the fun. Hopefully it's enough.

[B_real_shadows]

I probably enjoyed Super Metroid over Metroid, Metroid Zero-Mission, and Metroid Fusion. Fusion, sure it had a nice story, but it told you everywhere to go and it pissed me off not letting me figure stuff out on my own. Zero-mission just seemed WAY too much like Super metroid for me and I haven't exactly developed any need to go back to it like I do with Super Metroid every year. And Original Metroid...I just couldnt figure anything out cause of the lack of a map. :gonk:

Haven't play any of the Castlevania series. I might try it some time.

[Loyal]

Coincidentally, I just beat Dawn of Sorrows today (Borrowed it from a friend--first Castlevania game). I must say, I want more!

However, Metroid games hold a special place in my heart. The puzzles, the fighting, the action, the challenge of finding ways to break sequence (One reason why Fusion was not all that great--It was made almost completely impossible to sequence break), and all the other goodies. MP:Echoes just plain owned. The boss fights were incredible in their difficulty (Perfect balance--Good enough to be very challenging, but not making you pull your hair out by the roots), and there was all that explorin' to do!

^_^

[Eltargrim]

I'm afraid I haven't played any of the Castlevania games, much to my chagrin, but I have played a few Metroid games. I would have to say Metroid Prime ranks first, in my eyes. I would say Echoes, but there's one little problem.

The fucking thing won't let me beat the Spider Ball boss.

The second I beat it, it glitches. It breaks up into what look like pixels, vectors, I don't even know, but it's all weird colours and sometimes just freezes. And I just lost my drive to beat it. I know it's my Gamecube that's causing the problem, so I'll just beat it once I get a Wii.

[greed]

^Goddamn does that suck, I feel for you mate.

The Metroid Prime series was the greatest transition from 2d to 3d ever accomplished hands down. Metroid's close to my favourite series with Prime ranking first and Super and Prime2 close behind. Never got far on Metroid 1 because I was little when I played it but did beat Metroid2 RoS(which everyone else seems to have forgotten about) when I was a bit older. Never owned Super because I never found it in a shop other than a rental shop and the owner wouldn't sell it because he liked it:( Did hire it all the time though).
I also didn't like Fusion much, too linear.

I played the original Castlevanias but never got into them, then last year bought Dawn of Sorrow for my DS which singlehandedly justified the purchase of the machine, and am now scouring the bargain bins and pawn shops looking for a PAL SoTN.
So new to Castlevania, great series but Metroid's up there as one of the greatest series ever.

BTW anyone else seen the video of Metroid Prime3 Corruption for Wii? That pirate fight looked fucking awesome, and it's a bloody launch game! That sold me on that system right then.

[Mirai Gen]

PS: Wow, I was...further than I thought. It appears that I've beaten SotN. But...I've read about an Inverted Castle somewhere. How are you supposed to get to that? Do I have to beat the game through another route?
Oh.

You thought you were done?

Oh, no.

You ain't seen nothin' yet.

Go to GameFaqs, because I'm not 100% sure about this.

Look for the Silver and Gold rings (If I'm not mistaken). they should say "Wear...clock..." and "...In...Tower." Wear both of them and go to the Clock Tower - You'll go to a special sequence with Maria, where she gives you the special goggles. Now when you fight Richter, attack the orb instead.

Shaft (he's a baaaaaaaad mutha) shows up, and you can go to the inverted castle.

Enjoy, you're about to cream your jeans the rest of the way.

Oh, right.

I'm a longtime Castlevania fan. I try collectively to completely fucking ignore the N64 games. Castlevania has always been it's best on 2D, especially for SotN. I'm with Locke; It's not just like Zelda, where you kill because it's fun and because you need to continue on, you kill because you want to try out that badass sword's new ability or your new familiar.

Although I have to say Lament of Innocence and Curse of Darkness were terrific for 3D. I beat both, and I have to say they don't have the replayability of SotN (but little does).

As for Metroid? I beat Zero Mission, and I should probably pick up a discount copy of Fusion. I have yet to play Prime because...well... Shit. I don't know.

Protip: In Castlevania, SotN, certain swords have magic abilities if you do down-to-forward attack with them. Also, Sheild Rod + one hand weapon at the same time = fun times.

[Althane]

List of the Metroidvania games that I've played:
Metroid / Metroid: ZM
Super Metroid (never beat it though)
Metroid Fusion
All the GBA Castlevania games

What? All I've got is my PC and GBA. :(

I really loved Zero Mission and Fusion, along with Aria of Sorrow. As I haven't ever played a console version of Castlevania, no comment on that.

Aria of Sorrow just plain ruled though. The soul system was awesome, if a bit annoying to collect all the souls.

I never enjoyed breaking the Metroid games, felt wrong to me. Ah well.

[Chipper173]

My favorite game will always be a Metroid game of some sort. Right now it's Prime. I'm hoping someday another Metroid will topple that.

Prime's my favorite because, even though it's in 3D and first-person, it still feels like an old-school Metroid. And Retro was brave enough to not feel like they had to make a dedicated first-person shooter. Making it exploration-based with stuff like the scan visor was the best idea ever.

I hate Echoes because it feels like they were trying to make another Metroid Prime, rather than another Metroid. Ammo for beams?! I hope whoever had that idea is fired.

And I hope that we'll get to see what happened after Fusion someday instead of all the timeline filler. I wanna see Samus in her funky new suit.

As for Castlevania, you know, it's pretty sweet. My experience was limited to the GBA entries, but I saw a new copy of SotN at the bargain bin at Blockbuster one day and didn't hesitate for a second to snatch it up. It's my favorite, but I wish the controls were a little tighter and I'm kind of stuck.

[Toastburner B]

The only Metroid game I've play is Fuison...and I couldn't really get into it.

However, I must admit, I love the GBA/DS Castlevania games.

To this day, I'm still sure that Circle of the Moon is the hardest game I've ever beaten.

I didn't really get into Castlevania before the GBA games. I have vague memories of playing one of the older ones when I was but a wee lad in my cousin's basement...but I can't even remember which one.

However, the GBA games are some of my favorites. The Sorrow series is top-notch.

[Althane]

Fusion is probably the weakest of the Metroid games, and also one of the most linear. The two are very connected.

Circle of the Moon was actually pretty easyfor me, Aria of Sorrow was hard, probably 'cause I had to get used to the different types of attacks, rather than just the whip.

[Toastburner B]

Circle of the Moon was actually pretty easyfor me, Aria of Sorrow was hard, probably 'cause I had to get used to the different types of attacks, rather than just the whip.

Really? Must be our playing styles, 'cause I thought Aria was a little on the easy side, save for a few bosses. But when I was playing CotM, I got my butt kicked early and often...it look me something like a 1/2 hour to get past the first Earth Demon I came across (I thought it was a boss at first!). Finally smacking down Dracula in his final form was a good day for me...despite the fact I spammed Thunderbird to do it. :sweatdrop

[Buddha Fett]

For the Metroid series, I gotta go with Zero Mission for my favorite. Why?

Metroid 1+better graphics, a map, and an added level=goodness.

For Castlevania, I'd say any of the GBA ones, they were all a blast to play through. I thought the hardest was CotM too, but only by a little bit.

[Mac]

I am sorry to say that I have never played Castlevania games. I have tried the various Ps2 demo's but ythat was it.

Metroid on the other hand. Well, i have played every incarnation. It is so much fun. The story, the enemies and all the goodies. And playing Metroid Prime and seeing the game in 3D FPA (First person Adventure) makes you feel like your the character and not just controlling her.

[Althane]

Really? Must be our playing styles, 'cause I thought Aria was a little on the easy side, save for a few bosses. But when I was playing CotM, I got my butt kicked early and often...it look me something like a 1/2 hour to get past the first Earth Demon I came across (I thought it was a boss at first!). Finally smacking down Dracula in his final form was a good day for me...despite the fact I spammed Thunderbird to do it. :sweatdrop
...

Our playing styles must be polar opposites. Arm me with a Whip Castlevania, and I will kick ten kinds of ass in a few seconds. Aria of Sorrow, as immensly fun as it was, took more getting used to, due to the new swords and stuff that I wasn't used to. And the souls too. As fun as those were, sometimes setting the right soul combo took a little out of me. Heh.

I really need to play some of hte PS2 Castlevanias...

[ApathyMan]

I've always loved Castlevania, yet I've never actually played Symphony of the Night... however, I do agree with Toastburner that the series has gotten a bit too... easy... I suppose. They're still much fun, though.

I also love Metroid, but I have a huge gripe with what they've been doing to it recently. They committed a great transgression in Zero Mission and Fusion - the game told you exactly where to go...

... that's... just... GAH!

I mean... if you didn't know where to go next it was deemed your own fault, and you deserved to spend the next two hours just running around aimlessly figuring out where to go. It was a game that showed you the riches of exploration and punished you for having a poor memory - that was the point, nay, the crux of the game, and getting rid of that element was an attack on "fun" itself.

They were good games, nonetheless... but still!

I'm just glad they let you turn that option off in Metroid Prime.

Also, on the subject of similar-style games, there is one very strange entry: Adventure Island IV on the NES. You remember Adventure Island - the "run forward whilst throwing bones at enemies" game... Well somehow the fourth one got a Castletroid makeover. It's just too bad they never stuck with that style (or the series for that matter).

Honourable mention goes to Kid Icarus, for being an awesome game.

[DarkCORN!]

The Original Metroid and a tie between Symphony of the Night and Dawn of Sorrow.

[dojindog]

Hehe I don't remember the name of it but my favorite Castlevania game overall is one that was on the N64... (wait was there more than one?) I liked being able to go through the different story lines even though the puzzles got kind of repetitive, plus it was the first Castlevania game I ever played.

My favorite overall Metroid has gotta be Super Metroid once again being the first in a series that I played it gets knocked up a notch on my fave list. I really enjoyed the running around like an idiot if I couldn't figure out where to go next it was something I hadn't been able to do in a game before (excluding Zelda).

[MasterOfMagic]

I hate Fusion. Just so we get that out of the way.

I love the rest of the 2D Metriod games though. I play through them again and again and again and...etc. I'd stay at my aunt's house as a little kid, and she had Super Metriod for the SNES. Its basically all my brother, some other kid that was there all the time, and I played. I didn't really understand what was going on, but it just seemed so...cool. And mysterious. I thought the ghost ship in particular was awesome.

Guess it's stuck with me 'till today :P

Best victory was making it all the way to the top of the wall jump shaft in Super the first time. I accidently walked off the ledge and fell all the way back down again afterwards...but still.

As for the 3D ones: The first one was great. I still haven't finished the second one because of a strange apathy...I dunno. Guess the 3d doesn't do it for me.

I've only played one Castlevania game. It was for the GBA...Aria of sorrow? It was pretty good. I'd play more if I knew of any for the GBA/GC.

[Fanboy]

Ne'mind

[musicalmechanic]

Our collection of games is kinda wicked, so I can answer this one. There was two Castlevania games for the 64. Of course there was Castlevania 64 and then there was Castlevania 64: Legacy of Darkness. I own both and have beaten both (although I remember very little of Legacy).

Basically they were the same game, cept for in Legacy you were this wicked werewolf. There were several levels that were different (the clocktower, the intro levels, and I believe the castle wall level). Legacy was much harder, all in all.

I've got every Metroid game, and the only one I haven't beaten (haven't really tried) is Metroid 2 for Gameboy. I can't stand the play style, no map, and you just have to go around looking for Metroids. It's like a fugged up game of tag.

My favorite Metroid is definately Super. It refined so much about the series, and if you've played any of the others beyond the original, it all rips off of Super.

And God I miss that X-Ray scope...

We also own every Castlevania, cept for one of the ones released for the Super (I think it's a compilation of the origina 3 if I remember correct). Symphony owns all. There isn't much that compares to the Inverted castle, and some of the weapons alone were worth the price of the game. I mean, the Chakras rocked. Alucard's original sword kicked all ass (I love the double-slice move), and the shield rod owned all.

Damn, I wanna say spoilers...

Like Richter....that fugging up-jump.....

If your first experience of the Castlevania series is the PS2 or N64 games, your missing out on a ton. The difference between those and the ones for the handhelds and symphony is amazing.

In the handhelds, it's all about explorability. Level ups, weapon upgrades/souls, platforming, secrets galore, etc. In the console games it is totally about fighting. For example, the combo systems are crazy in both Curse of Darkness and Lament of Innocence (moreso in Curse).

It goes beyond the difference between the Metroid handhelds and the Prime series. At least in the Prime series there was still a serious emphesis on puzzles and such. Castevania doesn't even try.


Damn, I wanna play Symphony again...I love our collection.

[Mirai Gen]

I mean... if you didn't know where to go next it was deemed your own fault, and you deserved to spend the next two hours just running around aimlessly figuring out where to go. It was a game that showed you the riches of exploration and punished you for having a poor memory - that was the point, nay, the crux of the game, and getting rid of that element was an attack on "fun" itself.
I disagree entirely.

Look at this map, (http://db.gamefaqs.com/console/saturn/file/castlevania_full_map.gif) and I want you to look in the original castle on the right side, and look at the save point that's not in the Tower, but down and to the left of the Warp Gate.

See that save point?

Beyond that point is the place where you get Bat form. You enter from the right, and head into the left section. On my TV, all of the white was blurred slightly, and it was just enough to obscure the fact that the save point had two doors.

I was stuck for two months because I had missed that.

So, no. Not fun. I want to be told a good idea where to head next, or at least a good enough hint if I want to ask for it. Spelunking around until you get frustrated and look on Gamefaqs.com is not good programming tactics. It's annoying.

[DarkCORN!]

I think it might have been your TV.

[Lockeownzj00]

I agree, Mirai, but only partially. Real-life exploration is a combination of your eyes and a map. And while the same thing did happen to me under different circumstances, my physically exploring and entering the room, and seeing the hole in the other side of the wall was how I got through.

And I'm pretty sure you can turn off map and hints in Fusion.

[Mirai Gen]

And I'm pretty sure you can turn off map and hints in Fusion.
Almost entirely my point. They should enable the function to help you if you get so lost you don't know what the fuck you missed, and if you want it.

Anyway, I just ordered a copy of the Castlevania GBA double-pack. Hooray! Never got a chance to play Harmony of Dissonance, and this is a good chance. And Aria of Sorrow comes on it!

[Grandmaster_Skweeb]

In aria of sorrow I just obtained the Chaos Ring. Now I can use souls as often as I want without using a single mana point. WHEE! now I just need to find that last .3% of the map so I can truly have 100% of map, souls, and items.

Yes, I have every item droppable, buyable, findable in Aria of Sorrow. I'd buy the DS just for the sequal I love AoS so much. Whips? pshaw, boring. Give me Laevatain, Rahab's sword, Hrunting, Milican's Sword, Gungner, Mystletain, Claimh Solais, and Kaladbolg anyday. Oh and the positron rifle too. That thar is a fun gun.

[Althane]

Positron Rifle. Fuck. Yeah.

Took me forever to get it, but it is one hell of a long range weapon. What's your favorite bullet soul to use?
I generally use Winged Skeleton the entire way though, up to ... the "final" boss, then I use the proper souls to finish the game well.

Claimh Solais for the win, btw. Awesome graphic. :D

In Metroid: Fusion, how do you turn of hints? I never noticed that.

[Grandmaster_Skweeb]

Bullet soul? hmm. Well I'm a sucker for electricity so I use this build:

Souls:
Lightning Doll
Black Panther
Headhunter

Equipment:
Gungner (lightning spear)
Dracula's Tunic
Chaos Ring.

I beat Boss Rush in 04:09:00 at level 30 something. My highest record was deleted and it was somewhere under three minutes. GOing to ramp Soma up to 99 and get a quicker time. Oh, and only 0.2% left of the map to find. Peeping Eye for the win!

[Kenryoku_Maxis]

ALthough the recent Castlevania games have been fun, I really wish they would come out with a SotN quality game again. Every game seems to try to be like SotN, but lacking in every area almost. A bunch of weapons...but not as many as SotN. Great sprites...but not as much diversity as SotN. Etc. Don't get me wrong and I loved every 2D Castlevania game from Circle of the Moon on up. But especially with the DS, aside from the music, it really is able to make a game that's the power and size of SotN. And I hope they can do it soon. Perhaps the new DS one will be that, but magazines were using the phrase 'the next SotN' for both Aria and Dawn of Sarrow. So now when they say the same thing for this new DS one, I'm skeptical it will be like that, or more like Dawn of Sarrow. Which Dawn of Sarrow ruled and I love it...just I had to face the facts that it didn't reach the status of 'one of my 5 favorite games' like SotN did and was like a smaller, more linear version of SotN.

But at least all the GBA and DS Castlevanias are harder than SotN. Probably the one thing that makes them 'better' to some people.

And I really liked Fusion. I hope that the next GBA Metroid might just have a little more freedom of movement with Samus (a la Metroid II/Super type Sprites) and incorperate less dependance on the map. Other than that, I am 110% with Intellegent Systems approach to Metroid! And even some of how they improved Samus' movement. Although using Samus seems a tad sluggish in Fusion after playing II and Super so much, some ofthe ways she jumps and aims was greatly improved. Hopefully they will make a 2D DS Metroid and incorperate the best of all 3.

[Mirai Gen]

What's funny, is Maxis more or less says it all for me.

I just don't know why, but there's something about SotN that just brings me back, time after time. I've played every single castlevania since then, all of them, Harmony of Dissonance, Aria of Sorrow (don't have a DS), Curse of Darkness, Lament of Innocence, etc etc. Each of them just doesn't have the same feel as SotN did.

I think it has to do with length. Symphony of the Night took me hours and hours every time I beat it, and when I go to Aria, it seems shorter in comparison. Harder, yes, I spend alot of time beating the same boss, but shorter.

[Kenryoku_Maxis]

For me its just how they put so much detail, style and variety in it. And I'd say most importantly the fuild movement of Alucard. Halfdue to the amazing Sprites and half to the games engine.

Every Castlevania since has seemed to have one or the other of thosetwo things. A strong game engine, but not enough powerful sprites to utilize it (Circle/Aria) or damn good sprites, but a less detailed game engine (Harmony/Dawn). SotN, like Super Metroid, was a near perfect blend of both.