Tonight was one of those nights. Tonight, I spent hours trying to find the perfect game to review.
I played Home Alone, Tuff E Nuff, and even Revolution X.
Yeah, that mind-numbingly ridiculous arcade port on the SNES, starring everyone's favorite mouth with legs Steven Tyler, and his Band Of Merry Men, also known as Aerosmith.
I scoured my collection for the right game, 'til the perfect one finally flew right off the shelf at me.
That game, was Castlevania: Dracula X.
Released in the US in September of 1995, Castlevania: Dracula X was widely
considered by many gamers to be a somewhat failed port/remake of the Japanese release
“Castlevania: Rondo Of Blood”, and as such, never achieved the same level of
acknowledgment and recognition as most other games in the series.
This is due in large part to the down-scaling of the exploration elements that were so prevalent in Rondo of Blood, and lowered graphical quality on certain stages, not to mention the
absence of Maria as a playable character (though you do rescue her at the end of Stage 4).
But it's still a Castlevania game, and a pretty darn good one, at that.
The storyline is more of what you've come to love and expect from a Castlevania game.
A particularly righteous Vampire Killer, by the name of Richter Belmont, must venture into the realm of that most powerful and evil of undead, Count Dracula, in order to rescue his girlfriend Annette and her little sister Maria, now captives of the Vampire Lord.
Gameplay is reminiscent of Simon's Quest, especially where the whip is concerned, as you no longer have the ability to control the direction of your attack, as you could in Super Castlevania IV.
This is certainly not a bad thing, as the game's sub-weapons more than make up for any deficiencies in the whip department, in particular the inclusion of sub-weapon “Super” attacks (think: filling the whole screen with a torrential rain of Holy Water and truly showing that Armor Knight what is up!). Jumping still has a hint of the old stiffness, but it would only be apparent to veterans of the series, and dedicated fans of side-scrollers. Players young and old can just pick it up and start playing, and before they know it they'll be dying and falling off ledges just like a veteran.
Speaking of dying, it should also be noted that Dracula X is definitely one of the more challenging entries in the series, and the possibility of players experiencing bouts of uncontrollable rage due to repeated “death-by-Medusa-heads” is extremely high. Also, it should be mentioned that Dracula is one of the most aggravating bosses in any Castlevania game, ever. Seriously.
Despite many complaints from critics and fans alike that the graphics in Dracula X don't stand up to those found in Rondo of Blood, they are by no means bad. Animated backgrounds (like the flames seen on the first stage), combined with the rich colors and sharp details, make for a visually engaging experience that really delivers the full Castlevania effect. Enemy animation is superb, and boss battles are positively spectacular. The only noticeable flaws in the graphics department come in the form of bland and repetitive backgrounds, mostly in certain underground areas of the game.
The music of Dracula X is among the best in the series. Period.
With 16-bit remakes of classic Castlevania tunes to be heard all throughout the game, don't be surprised to find yourself humming to the soundtrack while you valiantly fight your way through the legions of the damned.
All in all, despite a flood of criticism, Castlevania: Dracula X, in my opinion, delivers a solid gaming experience, with great levels, awesome sub-weapons, kick-ass music and a pedigree that cannot be denied.
If you haven't played this fine addition to the series, then put on your big kid pants and get ready for an incredibly huge helping of radical levels, challenging gameplay, and musical
awesomeness all rolled up into one huge, tasty Castlevania burrito.