[01/14/08] Castlevania: Dracula Chronicles X

[L.S.D]

Game: Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles

System: PSP

 

To be honest, I have never completed a Castlevania game before. The PS2 was a shamble, I was only one

or two levels through before deciding not to play that 3D crap anymore. And I find that I can't get used

to those on GBA and DS too. So, when konami releasing news about this game, with emphasis on the old

school system before those Metroidvania versions, my interest was piqued.

 

For the uninformed, this game is a remake of an old PC-Engine Castlevania game, Rondo of Blood. It is said

that Rondo Of Blood (ROB) is the defining game in the series where a lot of the animations are used in

future upcoming Castlevania series. It is also from this storyline where the much raved about Symphony

of The Night (SOTN) continue the story from. In this PSP UMD, we have the remake version with enhanced

graphics,the original ROB which has not been released outside of US and in other format AND the acclaimed

PSX's Symphony of the Night. 3 in 1, not bad eh? This review will mostly concentrate on the remake version

with mentions to original ROB and SOTN.

 

Graphics:

Look at the level of details on the screen!

 

Wow! Right off the bat, the enhanced graphics is really, really great on the eyes. All the graphics are in

3D, and yet the gameplay still retain the 2D feel to it. You can call it 2.5D if you want but the 3D

graphics on this game is simply amazing. A lot of hardwork and details are put into each levels. You

could call it a work of love and art. I recalled reading an interview with Iga on the making of this game.

he has stated that he has taken great stride not to smear the good name of ROB and he would not give out

a half-assed effort. You can easily seen it in this game. All the characters' models are finely detailed.

Even Dracula look really, really great and opening CG is beautiful and at PS2 standard. PSP has seen

an amazing numbers of remakes with enhanced graphics (Megaman X, Megaman Powered up etc) but this game

give out the best graphics seen. The short cutscenes before boss battles and some areas are also looking

great.

 

The original ROB's graphics are slightly dated but that doesn't mean they are not beautiful. It is

a major accomplishment 14 yrs ago. Heck, even compared to SOTN, original ROB still managed to win SOTN in

some levels. It is that good.

 

 

Graphics: 10/10

 

 

Controls:

You'll see this kind of cutscenes from time to time

 

You have your standard jump, whip, special attack buttons. Tapping the jump button another time will

cause a backflip (or double jump in one of the extra characters). D-pad is used for controls or you

can opt for analog stick, which is highly NOT recommended. The controls are so old school like with

the need of pressing up when trying to jump up to a stair. if you forget that, you might find that

you are not steeping unto the stairs and down to your doom in some cases. Slightly annoying but

not game breaking. Will take some time to get used to.

 

Controls: 8/10

 

Sound:

 

The music in this game is a beauty. The bgm has been remixed from the original ROB with astounding result.

Even the original version has its own beauty and SOTN's bgm has always been a favourite among the fans.

THe sound effects of the game are also beautifully rendered and appropriate in most cases. However, the

voice acting leave a lot to be desired. SOme of the voice acting is really good (like the Dracula's

voice acting; majestic and yet sinister at the same time) but some are just downright atricious. Richter's

voice sound like a 19 yrs old boy. One minute he sound all manly and tough and the next second he sounds

like a whiny snotty nosed brat. Same goes for Maria with the high pitched voice. Really get on the nerves.

 

Sound: 7/10 (would have get higher if not for the bad voice acting)

 

Gameplay:

That's what you get for trying to pull my nose ring!

 

Now we come to the meat of the game. Remember the platform games where we used to play back in the NES

or SNES days where you will battle through the level and rewarded with a boss fight at the end of the

level? This game is exactly that. Instead of leveling up and giving you the chance to explore the premises

ala Metroid Prime (HENCE the term metroidvania/castleroid) in the recent Castlevania series, this game

hack back to those old action platform style but with branching levels. You get to battle a boss at the

end of each levels and if you managed to found some secret access, you get to battle a different boss

in the same level and taking a different route from the normal. The game however retains its difficulty

it is famous of. The jump can be very risky at some areas and you will find that you are likely to fall

into death instead of to the below level in safety like recent Castlevanias. This is the main grip of most

Castlevania fans. This game is about skills. heck even trying to hit those moving bats take skills as

their flight patterns are unorthodox. This game forces you to use the limited arsenals that you have at

your disposal; your whip, your special items (which is limited) and your backflip. A mastery on the skills

available will ensure an easier walkthrough the remaked version. however, players will find that the

original ROB is much more HARDER compared to the remaked version with higher speed and the tight timing.

I am still stuck with beating Dracula just because I can't avoid his jump in the 2nd form. The timing is

much much tighter and leave no room for errors.

 

The game also contain an extra hidden character which you must find during the game. Using Maria to play

is easier as she HAS the double jump! No more falling into your doom at most places! Also, Maria is faster

and her special attack is much stronger. Exploring the levels will help you find hidden discs contain

musics for the games and also the original ROB and SOTN. Yes, these two games are not available from the

start much to the chagrin of some people. my advice to them is to play the remaked version to truly

appreciate the work of art and love that the developers have put in.

In addition to the extra two games, there is also a boss rush mode where you rush to beat all the bosses

under a certain time to unlock some bonus musics and also a certain mini-game that is in original ROB.

Yes, this game will last you for quite some time indeed.

 

 

Gameplay: 8/10 (old school gameplay not for everyone)

 

Conclusion:

 

Graphics: 10/10

Controls: 8/10

Sound : 7/10

Gameplay: 8/10

 

Overall: 8.25/10

 

With 3 games in 1 UMD, this is a really good bargain to begin with. The remaked version is already a game

in itself. Coupled with the original version which can be also considered a full game in itself with

harder difficulty and the complete SOTN without any glitches at all, this is a must to all Castlevanias

fans and platfomers alike. Buy it.

 

pictures courtesy of ign.com with no permission granted from them

[Agozer]

Hm, another one of those must-have PSP titles. Symphony of the Night just makes this package even better.

[BlackKnight]

Great review LSD- just one point in which I completely disagree with you. I think the 3D visuals are pretty bad. It runs smoothly but some of those textures are just ugly and that's when you've got the zoomed out 2D view. Whenever things go to a cutscene it looks even worse- everything apart from Richter looks like it was modelled out of mud. Just look at that Catoblepas from the first stage you have in that screenshot. Not at all a fan of that.

 

I love the gameplay and kinda wished it had been redrawn or something with sprites.. DXC's 3D was nothing to write home about.

[Devia Eleven]

One question, how exactly do you cut off one side of the text like that? I've been wondering and I want to use that in my reviews.

[Alpha]

One question, how exactly do you cut off one side of the text like that? I've been wondering and I want to use that in my reviews.

Keep pressing enter when you think it should be the end of the sentence.

[Super Flash]

my weiner bro has this game. i didnt play the remake but i tried playing the old ones just to see what they looked like. they look ok but they were running in a window which i didnt like. they should had them run in a full screen konami sux.

[L.S.D]

Great review LSD- just one point in which I completely disagree with you. I think the 3D visuals are pretty bad. It runs smoothly but some of those textures are just ugly and that's when you've got the zoomed out 2D view. Whenever things go to a cutscene it looks even worse- everything apart from Richter looks like it was modelled out of mud. Just look at that Catoblepas from the first stage you have in that screenshot. Not at all a fan of that.

 

I love the gameplay and kinda wished it had been redrawn or something with sprites.. DXC's 3D was nothing to write home about.

Lol, didn't expect you, of all people to disagree with me. Maybe I'm not observant enough to detect any ugly textures or something

[Wizard]

I agree with the graphics, it feels like PSX 3D with tons of filtering.