CastleVania season 3 review

Where do we go after the conclusion of season 2? Dracula is vanquished, Issac was thrown thru the distance mirror by Dracula sparing his life, Hector is Carmilla’s slave, Alucard now resides alone in his fathers Castle and is given the Belmont Estate to oversee as Trevor and Sypha travel the European countryside monster hunting.
I thought the third season might actually be a prequel, exploring an earlier time in the Belmont lineage.
That may very well still happen but not this season!
 This season begins roughly a month after the conclusion of season 2, Sypha and Trevor are traveling the country side and arrive at the strange town of  Lindenfeld, here we meet a mysterious man by the name Saint Germaine who's intentions are never clear, a creepy head of the towns priory, Prior Sala who exudes a sense of unease, and the Judge of Lindenfeld who seems to have the towns wellbeing at heart.
 Alucard is living a simple life away from all the horrors of man and beast when he is met by Sumi and Taka brother and sister from Japan seeking knowledge to fight the Vampire Cho.
Issac arrives at a Port town somewhere in the Middle East, he meets a mysterious merchant  who supposedly has a large Carpathian transmission mirror, the merchant advises him that it was sold years ago to a couple, but offers him a distance mirror instead which shows him the way to Styria where his former ally and fellow forgemaster Hector has been taken. Issac meets the Captain of a ship which he commissions to go to Genoa and discovers thru a philosophical conversation with the Captain not every human is evil and deserves to be wiped from existence.
And then there’s Hector the other Forgemaster captured and dragged hundreds of miles to Carmillas Castle in Styria. We are introduced to the ruling counsel of Styria, the quartet of Vampire sisters who rule this land, Carmilla, Striga, Morana, and Lenore.
So the 4 main protagonist are spread out across Europe and this season each will face their own nightmarish horrors.
I was absolutely astonished how engaging the third season of CastleVania was, I binged the entire season (10 episodes) in one sitting this morning! One of the first scenes in season three is a shot of the woods and there is a unique angle of a squirrel climbing a tree, this scene makes for a perfect analogy of the different angle the characters all experience in season 3. I particularly liked the development of Issac throughout this season as he seems to begin to question his own beliefs of humanity and his focus via his interactions with the Captain and the Merchant.
I also really appreciated the juxtaposition of Hector's life from a Forgemaster with a pet to a pet Forgemaster.


The whole season is a lesson for all these characters on betrayal, and none of them emerge from this better than they did at the onset of the season, the final scene with Alucard is rather ominous....
The level of subtlety and nuance is remarkable as is the style and quality of the animation! There are plenty of Easter eggs sprinkled throughout like the mask the merchant is polishing when Issac enters his shop might be the mask from Castlevania Lords of Shadow.
If you still aren't watching Castlevania on Netflix you're missing out on a masterfully planned story with superbly developed characters with phenomenal voice acting talents and a beautifully illustrated world these characters exist in!
I cannot wait to see where the story goes from here! There is so much to hypothesize about!
A+

Castlevania Season 3 trailer

I've been anxiously waiting for this trailer!
20 days till season 3!

BloodStained Release Date Trailer

A release "window" has appeared! I was starting to wonder i this was going to become vaporware...
I'm the first to say I'd rather wait for a great game then get mediocrity sooner, I pray this game doesn't end up like Mighty #9.....I had such high hopes for that but alas it just wasn't Megaman's successor.....
That little clip at the end gives me hope that Bloodstained will deliver the goods!

CastleVania S2 My thoughts and opinion

More!
The first season was only 4 episodes, this season we got 8 spectacular episodes! I actually feel that this season + last season = Season 1 but regardless the entire production truly screams "FOR THE FANS BY FANS!"
I love the old school anime style, very reminiscent of the stuff I grew up on like Ninja Scroll, Doomed Megalopolis with the blood and violence of Ninja Resurrection. Aside from the art style the character development is fantastic. Last season introduced Trevor Belmont, Sypha, and Alucard, this season we are introduced to Hector and Issac Two Human Devil Forge masters that serve Dracula, the vampire generals in Dracula’s war to extinguish all humanity including Godbrand a Nordic Vampire thot that has a penchant for making boats from his victims and Carmilla who is a masterful manipulator and secretly schemes to kill Vlad Dracul Tepes.
What I love about the show is it's not just mindless violence, Dracula isn't just the villain that the heroes need to destroy, there's layers, why is Dracula waging this war against humanity, how can he despise humanity so much yet have two non Vampires commanding his generals. What atrocities did Hector and Issac experience at the hands of other humans that would make them turn their back on them. Who's worse Humans or Vampire's (sounds very similar to TWD).  Then there's Carmilla! She was turned centuries ago and was essentially a slave to a vampire Hugh Hefner.....she killed her master and now despises men in power.......she's kinda like a vampire Starscream lol!  She's obviously trying to usurp Dracula's rule but what's her long game?
The episodes where Trevor, Sypha and Alucard are in the Belmont estate is the closest to filler but they absolutely serve the story on many levels, I truly think season three is going to visit a different generation in the Belmont clan, Leon Belmont in particular! They didn't have Trevor mention him for shits and giggles, and based on the conclusion of season 2 they really have jump the timeline.
I really enjoyed how Trevor, Sypha and Alucards relationship evolved thru season 2, it felt genuine and believable. I did laugh out loud a few times with the jabs Trevor and Alucard threw at each other.
Now for the the battle between our 3 heroes and Dracula I'm not gonna spoil it at all but I will say I haven't seen such an incredible Father-Son fight since 1983!
The final episode did a great job bringing a satisfying and emotional closure to Trevor, Sypha and Alucard's story.
Even if you never played any of the CastleVania games you can still watch this and really enjoy it, but if you have played the games there are some fan service easter eggs sprinkled throughout the second season. And as a PSA to parents my age don't watch this with the young ones around due to bloody violence and F bombs.
A+

 

CastleVania Season 2 Trailer

I'm so excited for the second season of Netflix CAstleVania series the first season was only 4 episodes but it was absolutely amazing! This trailer has a bunch of tasty treats for those eagle eyed fans of the franchise. Trevors upgraded whip, Alucards Sword glowing blue, possibly Hector, Dracula's Generals, Slogra and Gabon!
I cannot wait! And it releases Oct 26th....perfect timing!

Netflix CastleVania S1 Review

CastleVania on Netflix is Perfection!
I was excited when I heard this was happening but I never imagined it would be this good!
You know that feeling when you reach the last episode of a season and are like, "no no no don't stop now" well that is exactly what happened to me when the 4th episode of CastleVania ended.
Although this is an animated series based of the AAA video game franchise this is definitely not for children under 12!
I mistakenly let my 7 year old son sit and watch this with me, I let the burning at the stake scene pass but then the bar fight with the nut shot, the dislodged eyeball scene was when I decided I was gonna have to wait till the kids were asleep before I could watch this.
The series wisely begins with the CastleVania III Dracula's Curse Story line and accurately retells the story from the game from the year 1476 to the location in Europe Wallachia.
The series art style, animation, writing and voice acting are all so well done it left me craving more!

I've played almost every CastleVania game since the original minus the portable ones so seeing this series turn out as amazingly as it has is equivalent to how great The Street Fighter animated movie turned out back in 1994!

Trevor Belmont circa AD1990

Trevor Belmont circa AD 2017

Netflix Castlevania Anime Series Teaser Trailer

When I first heard about this I was hopeful....still am.
I've been playing this franchise since the original you see in this clever teaser. Can't wait to check this out!

TGS10 CastleVania: Lords of Shadow Trailer

I reserved CastleVania: Lords of Shadow back when it was first announced. And after seeing the trailer below I am all in, this very well may be the CastleVania I've been waiting for Since Symphony of the Night! Finally a badass Vamp Hunter that LOOKS like a Belmont! I'm sorry but Leon Belmont was too much of a pretty boy, Mathias would've choked him with his own whip! Any way enough talk check out Konami's sick ass trailer below from TGS10!
Check out Konami's official site @ http://www.konami.jp/castlevania/jp/?ref=tgs

Retro Review: Super Castlevania IV

Not to be 1 up'd by his great great grand papy Trevor, Simon Belmont return's for Konami's first CastleVania in the 16 bit era.

According to the games instruction manual; Once every one-hundred years, there comes a time when the power of good is weakened, and men with evil in their hearts pray for the resurrection of the Prince of Darkness. And with each resurrection, his evil power grows stronger.

So are we to believe a hundred years have passed since Simon Belmont defeated Dracula in the original Castlevania? That is what the US instruction manual would have you believe;

It is time once again for Simon Belmont to call forth the powers of good to aid him in his battle. Armed with his mystical whip, his courage and the centuries-old knowledge of Belmont family training, he sets forth on his mission .

But Super Castlevania IV isn't actually part of the chronology it's a remake of the original in glorious 16 bit graphics, So it should've really been titled Super Castlevania. The game isn't a straight up remake either, it retains the basic platforming game play but it's really more of a reboot, as the game doesn't recreate the original stage for stage with a 16 bit coat of paint.

OK nitpicking aside, graphically Super Castlevania IV was an enormous improvement over it's predecessors and the audio soundtrack truly complimented the atmosphere of the game with it's remixed tracks and new additions.
The frame rate was also so smooth compared to it's 8 bit versions, Simon's animations for walking jumping and whipping were significantly more detailed and fluid. Simon also learned some new techniques with the whip, now you could control the whip in 8 different directions which would come in handy with another new game play addition, using the whip to swing across sections of the stage! That was a fun and well utilized throughout the game, it wasn't just a gimmick used a few times. Simon could also hold out his arm and let the whip dangle and/or "jiggle it".
The stages of Super CastleVania IV is where this game really shines, it expands on the basic stages of the original with altering the feel so much that it no longer played like it's 8 bit predecessors. My favorite stage was the 9th the Treasury, every aspect from the stages soundtrack to the ambient effects to the boss stood out, the stage was beautiful and the effects while battling the Gem Bat boss were a nice little touch.
Super CastleVania IV was one of the systems best titles.
9/10

Retro Review: Castlevania III Dracula's Curse

Velcome back to my home...
With Konami's third installment of the franchise Castlevania returns to it's roots in more ways than one. Dracula's curse introduces us to Trevor Belmont in the year 1476...over two hundred years prior to Simon Belmonts exploits.
At this point in Castlevania lore the Belmonts have been exiled due fears of their mythical powers and Count Dracula is amassing an army to exact revenge on humanity over the death of his wife Lisa, mother of Adrian Farenheights Tepes (Alucard).
So the Church pleads for the assistance of the legendary Vampire slaying clan and Trevor answers the call.
Castlevania III returned to the action/adventure platforming style of the original, everything from player and enemy health bars to the sub weapon window, the timer, the score are faithfully recreated just like the original.
All the game play aspects from the original are intact, whip power ups, sub weapons, double and triple shot, turkey meals, hidden sacks of gold etc.
Konami did a fantastic job expanding the scope of the original Castlevania, in Dracula's Curse Trevor must travel the countryside to reach the gates of Dracula's Castle but here's where Castlevania III truly shines, you don't need to follow the path that leads to the front gate, there are multiple paths to take through the countryside to reach Castlevania! Essentially the short road to Castlevania is the long trip thru the castle and vice versa.

Another fantastic addition in Castlevania III are the three alternate playable characters, Sypha Belnades, a mysterious warrior that battles Dracula's minions with elemental magic, Grant D'Nasty a pirate who's family were victims of Dracula's army, he is cursed by Dracula until Trevor free's him, and lastly Alucard (Adrian Farenheights Tepes) son of Dracula and a human mother, Lisa Farenheights.
Depending on the path you choose you may not encounter all or any of the three alternate characters but there are benefits to finding them as each has unique abilities that can get to hidden area's within the castle and thru areas


that are especially difficult for Trevor.
The additions of multiple paths and three additional sub characters to play with took an already incredible sequel and added enough variety to warrant multiple play thru's. Along with all the new features the game's soundtrack was also notably amazing for it's generation.
Castlevania III: Dracula's curse builds from the original and does a superb job of improving every aspect as well as incorporating worthwhile additions such as branching paths and multiple characters. Castlevania ended on a high note in the 8 bit era but Dracula would return in a few years on the SNES...


10/10

Retro review CastleVania II: Simons Quest

One year after the original Castlevania was released, Konami followed it up with the first sequel, Simon's Quest. Like many NES sequels (SMB2), Simon's Quest didn't follow the original game's mechanics, Konami altered the platforming/action game play of Castlevania by adding RPG elements. Originally collecting hearts was simply for the amount you could use your sub weapon, in Simon's Quest collecting hearts also contributed to building your health bar and was used as the games monetary system. The game also adds NPC's to purchase items and weapons and get clues to next objectives.

One of the most prominent changes in Simon's Quest was the exploration aspect which had the player traveling the Transylvania countryside to find five mansions to reclaim five body parts of Count Dracula; his rib cage, heart, eye, nail and ring (not a body part). Each of these items had special attributes to help Simon on his....erm quest, the rib (cage) could be used as a shield, the heart was used to make the ferryman take you to an otherwise inaccessible area, the eyeball showed hidden items, the nail enables Simon's whip to break thru some walls that were otherwise inaccessible, and Dracula's Ring grant's the bearer access to Castlevania.

Other noteworthy new aspects of Castlevania II was the game had a quasi 24 hour clock that shifted from day to night and kept track of the players progress. The game also had three different endings based on the completion time which was pretty rare for console games at that time.

I remember being very excited on my way home from Software Etc. back in the day when I got Castlevania II and being a bit turned off at the radical change from the original, I also remember struggling with some of the games "puzzles" such as finding Rover Mansion under Yuba Lake and passing over Deborah Cliff to reach Bodley Mansion. I remember getting very frustrated because the info the NPC's gave me either was misleading or altogether useless...I think that can be attributed to poor English localization. Konami took a risk by departing so dramatically from the original; Simons's Quest may not have been perfect but it paved the way for one of the most popular titles in the series...Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.

Castlevania II had enough fresh idea's added to the core action to keep fans of the original cracking that whip, and the next Castlevania would see a return to the series roots and introduce one of the series most popular protagonists...that wasn't a Belmont!

8/10

Retro Review: CastleVania

I remember the first time I played CastleVania, it was at a classmates house and a bunch of us played alternating when one of us died. We finally reached the Count at midnight after hours of epic fails. The sense of accomplishment was incredible at the time the castle seemed huge and the boss fights were exciting and challenging enough without being cheap.

CastleVania was just one of the many Konami titles that solidified them as a leading game company. The games graphics were fantastic, the game utilized the 8 bit color pallet to the best of it's ability. Each stage was well designed with fantastic atmosphere thanks to the visuals and soundtrack, each stage had a definate distintiveness that enhanced the scope of the game, giving it the sense that the castle was labrynthian in size. Each of the six bosses felt right at home in their stage, starting with the large Vampire Bat to the Mummy, Frankenstien and the Grim Reaper. These bosses would become permanent residents of CastleVania in subsequent sequels, and the stage design would be enhanced and expanded upon in later sequels also.

Simon Belmont paved the way to become the first in a long bloodline of Vampire slayers, but he wouldn't be the first chronologically, long before George Lucas began the prequel craze in Hollywood, Konami introduced fans of the series to Trevor Belmont in CastleVania III...

Aside from the esthetics CastleVania had fantastic gameplay, Simon's primary weapon could be "powered up" for further reach and power and the effect was noticeable, CastleVania also had sub weapons scattered thruout the game, Battle Ax, Holy Water, Dagger, and Boomerang, these weapons could also be upgraded by double shot and triple shot giving Simon a virtual endless supply of weaponry.

On top of all this the boxart was amazing also!

CastleVania trully earned the Nintendo seal of quality, awesome graphics, soundtrack, gameplay, playability, boxart.

10/10

E3 CastleVania Lords of Shadow

Better late than never! I've been saying since LOI that the CastleVania series needed to use the GOW engine, and from the looks of the trailer (which kicks all sorts of ass) the folks at Konoami realized it also. I don't care that they're blatantly copying Kratos' style as long as the games keeps faithful to the series, and from the glimpse we get in the trailer it apparently does. Another thing I'm glad to see go is the fey male lead, Gabriel Belmont is no saint and that's a good thing...everyone loves an antihero!
I have been waiting for a sucessor to the awesome throne that IMO SotN stil holds and LoS may be the one to take the throne. With Kojima lending a hand and Capt. Picard lending his vocals I have high hopes for CastleVania Lords of Shadow.

Video Games Castlevania: Lords of Shadow E3 09: Trailer

XBox 360 Playstation 3 Nintendo Wii

Game Review: CastleVania: Lament of Innocence

Welcome back to the 12th century, time to go to work cracka Belmont! Konami brings us the next instalment....the supposed origin of the Belmont legacy. Leon Belmont surrenders his title as knight and disobeys the church mandate in order to rescue is kidnapped love Sara (coughsupermariobroscoughcough). News of her kidnapping is given by long time friend Mathias Conqest (sp?) who has gone bedridden after the loss of his love Elizabetha. Our hero to be sets off to a castle said to be cursed by a Vampire (lets lay it all out in the first 5 minutes and leave no surprises for later) to slay the Vampire.....Ok I have around 50% of the castle explored and I have only fought 1 boss! Either Ikuaragii has a SOTN surprise up his sleeve (50%=25% ) or this game is seriously lacking in the boss fight department! I guess since this IS the true begining of the CastleVania Legacy Drac hasn't recruited to many beasties yet I remember back when the original CastleVania came out I was in 8th grade and some kid had a graduation party at his house, later in the evening we slid the cartridge into the 'ol NES and played till the sun came up! We played till we died then passed the controller to the next guy, we finally got to Dracula at like 3am! Back then the 2 sprite Simon Belmont was amazing! The castle seemed enormous and the bosses were tough! Next to SOTN the original castle was like a Burger King play pen for the kiddies! Each new CastleVania has outdone the prior in size and depth. So how do you outdo SOTN?! You go where no Belmont has gone before..........the 3rd dimension! This isn't the first time CastleVania has entered the 3rd dimension, Konami ventured there years ago on the N64.....but lets try and forget those dark days Lament of Innocence is a tremendous first step into the 3D realm for the series which feels so right in 2D. The environments are alive (so to speak) with all the aspects that make this series so great, the ambient sounds, the haunting soundtrack, the attention to detail for each of the hundreds of minions, and the authentic look and feel of the castle. The game plays smoothly and control is tight and responsive, but there are a few problems with the control setup in my opinion. First off using the right analog stick to bring up an items menu doesn't work well, I don't know how many times while in the middle of a fight against hordes of badies I accidently opened a real time menu. Being that it's a RT menu I'm still being attacked while I fumble to close the menu and not use an item by mistake. Then we come to the relics and orbs.....hard to find? yes! Confusing interface? Yep. Fun to toggle while playing in RT? Nope. To set your relic (I've only found 2) you use the R2 button in RT to bring up the window then the right analog stick to rotate to the relic of choice, and for magic orbs the R1 button.... There is no doubt in my mind this castle is enourmous, and that even though it says I've explored 50% of it, I expect to find plenty of secret areas once I've collected the remaining relics and orbs. Now this may have me returning back to previously explored areas, and slaying hordes of lizardmen and skeletons, which in the past wasn't an issue. But now that the castle is broken up into "levels" thru a central hub you lose the feel of exploring one enourmous castle but that's really a minor issue. Lament of Innocence is a great game that may be dismissed prematurely by hardcore Vania fans looking for the next Symphony of the Night, beautiful environments, spectacular soundtrack, classic gameplay in a new 3D realm done well.


7/10