http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3156904http://kotaku.com/gaming/psp/psp-finally-gets-castlevania-233344.php
Once upon a time there was a Super NES game called Dracula X. And lo did many Castlevania fans play this game and say unto themselves, "Meh, it's okay, but it sure seems like a step back from Castlevania IV." Many seasons later, unto PlayStation a masterpiece was born, building interest in the series among fans new and old. But also did it prompt Japan-loving users of the Internet to issue forth a decree.
"Hear ye, hear ye!" they bellowed. "Dracula X is but a sham! A pitiful shadow of a first-rate classic called Dracula X: Rondo of Blood, to which your new darling Symphony of the Night is the true sequel!" And there was much amazement in those days, and much sadness, for Rondo's excellence was matched only by its rarity and inaccessibility. Having been released as a CD-based game for the PC Engine Duo, Japan's version of the Turbo CD, it was both difficult to come by and nigh-impossible to download back in the days of 56K modems. Thus were both pirates and legitimate customers stymied.
But the virtuous are being rewarded for their patience, because at long last -- on the 10th anniversary of Symphony of the Night, in fact -- Rondo of Blood is finally making its way to America. And how it's coming over might come as a bit of a surprise: a 3D remake for PSP.
A Completist's Dream
But there's more to Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles than a mere graphically-enhanced version of a long-coveted classic (although that alone would certainly sell the game to most people). According to Konami, Chronicles will also include the original 2D version of the game. And, for good measure, a straight port of Symphony of the Night, featuring full-screen graphics and a touched-up localization. Sorry, kitch addicts -- no more scenery-chewing here.
What Symphony won't be receiving is a 3D facelift; that honor is reserved solely for Rondo. But Rondo's the focus here anyway. Fans have been clamoring for years for a port, a rerelease, a remake, anything, so long as the game makes its way into American hands -- and now it's on the way. Symphony's inclusion is simply a sweet, sweet bonus.
Oh. My. God.
Sweet. That's about all I have to say.
Edit: Be sure to take a gander at the video, too. THAT's how you make a 3D Castlevania.
Edit2: For good Castlevania-ish action for the wait/alternatively, NeoRasa recommends you google "Castlevania Haunted Castle 3" and "Dracula's Shadow"
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Well, remake, not port. But still.
This almost makes me want to buy a PSP.
This and MGS: PO are making me give in.
*sigh*
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Plus, Konami announced a new Wii game from the Elebits team, with more news on the way, apparently.
Take note from Capcom and Konami.
I mean, I'll probably end up buying this for the original versions of Rondo and SotN, but man, I'm starting to hate 3D grafix remakes of old 2D sidescrollers.
That said, what's with them using The Beginning instead of Cross a Fear for the first level? The "Wyvern" and the "Orphic Viper" at the end of the level look like ass. What the hell? Confused
There's a freeware fan game called Trevor's Quest that's much better than this. Especially because it has towns and non-linear gameplay like Simon's Quest. Purchasable weapons and the works. It uses art assets from mostly Symphony of the Night, Super Castlevania IV and Haunted Castle, making it one of the most graphically intense 2D fan games to be made in the west.
Most of that is the music and voice samples though, and while the SNES port is a travesty by comparison (though it has a cooler final boss fight) they DID successfully sequence the majority of the music. It wasn't cd quality but if they're going to translate it, with current synth prowess it's definitely possible.
It's closer to the originals. It's extremely good. I don't know if I like it quite as much as the original or Dracula's Curse but it's a fantastic game.
All the fan made games look better. :P
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Not to derail, but, can I get some linkage? A few basic googles didn't come up with much.
Still, like I said in the other thread, I'll remain strong. I'm not buying a PSP until I can get it for under $100, awesome Konami games be damned.
Is Portrait of Ruin like that at all? Because that's what the information on it reminded me of.
Castlevanias feel so lifeless nowadays. Kill some critters, meet some people, drama ensues.
Castlevania Haunted Castle 3 (Like Simon's Quest but uses lots of sprites and tiles from the large character games like Super Castlevania IV and Haunted Castle)
Dracula's Shadow (Basically Simon's Quest with everything moved around, totally awesome)
Don't expect polished graphics/sound/control, but the core feel and gameplay is surprisingly strong in both of these.
By the way, Rondo of Blood makes CV fans spooge for a reason. Even if you prefer the Metroid-vania style, you owe it to yourself to check this out, if only because this is where a lot of the ideas for SotN started brewing.
Also, it rocks.
That new graphical facelift though? Not so much.
Except I don't want to get a PSP. If only Konami would wise up and bring Dracula X to the Virtual Console somehow.
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I don't honestly think a price cut is going to save this thing with so many mediocre titles.
I honestly disagree. I think the PSP has a lot of good to great titles. I know the conception is that it's just port city, but even alot of it's ports are really good. Sony just needs to do a better job pushing this fact.
The PSP has a pretty strong library of titles right now. I honestly have more games on it to play than I have time to play them, and I still haven't picked up Killzone: Liberation, Metal Slug, MGS: Portable OPs or tried any of the PSone ports.
With FF tactics and Castlevania coming shortly, there's a lot of gaming to be done.