I've been interested in the Castlevania series for a long time now, but due to the series' ridiculous backcatalogue of games, I haven't really known where the best place to start is.
I recently found Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles for ridiculously cheap so I decided I might as well start there. I know this game has the original Rondo of Blood and (an apparently updated w/ new voice acting?) Symphony of the Night.
What I want to know is, should I start with the PSP update of Rondo of Blood, or should I start with Symphony of the Night? I know the latter is arguably the most popular game in the series so I thought it may be a good place to start.
The only other problem I have is, does anyone know what the specific differences are between Symphony of the Night on XBLA, PSN, and PSP? As far as I know the XBLA version has altered sound effects, the PSN version is the original PS1 version, and the PSP version in DXC has a new voice cast.
Many thanks to any and all replies that can clear some of this up for me.
Castlevania
The Castlevania franchises chronicles the ongoing fight against Count Dracula by the Belmont family and their allies. To this day, Dracula continues to pose a threat to the world.
Castlevania - where to start?
I've been interested in the Castlevania series for a long time now, but due to the series' ridiculous backcatalogue of games, I haven't really known where the best place to start is.
I recently found Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles for ridiculously cheap so I decided I might as well start there. I know this game has the original Rondo of Blood and (an apparently updated w/ new voice acting?) Symphony of the Night.
What I want to know is, should I start with the PSP update of Rondo of Blood, or should I start with Symphony of the Night? I know the latter is arguably the most popular game in the series so I thought it may be a good place to start.
The only other problem I have is, does anyone know what the specific differences are between Symphony of the Night on XBLA, PSN, and PSP? As far as I know the XBLA version has altered sound effects, the PSN version is the original PS1 version, and the PSP version in DXC has a new voice cast.
Many thanks to any and all replies that can clear some of this up for me.
You got the main differences in the SotN versions. You'll be fine just playing the one on DXC. I personally prefer the original PS1 version that's also on PSN, but that's because I love hilariously bad voices.
Starting with Symphony is fine. You'll have to unlock it in DXC, though by playing the Rondo remake. My other personal favorite Castlevania game is Castlevania IV for the SNES. It's pretty easy by Castlevania standards and a whole lot of fun.
It doesn't matter, they're both good places to start. Rondo is just a straight-up platformer with tinges of SOTN elements; SOTN is an action-RPG-Metroid thing sequel to Rondo. They're both really good games.
You are already half-set with SotN on your PSP. If you have a DS w/backwards compatibility, you are set for the other half.
" @KnightsofRound:They are all good games, but there's not a lot of variety to see there. Starting with Drac X Chronicles is without a doubt the best bet, as it has one of the best traditional Castlevania games and one the best Metroidvania style games.If you want to experience Castlevania, your best bet is going to be getting a DS. between it and the GBA (whose library the DS can play) there are 6 of the best Castlevania games ever made, including my personal favorites in Order of Ecclesia, Circle of the Moon and Dawn of Sorrow."
" @KnightsofRound:I already have a DS w/ GBA backwards compatibility. The reason why I haven't bothered with any of the DS Castlevania games thus far is that I wanted to make sure I started in the right spot. The main reason I bought DXC was because I knew it had Symphony of the Night included, but I'm also willing to part with a bit of change to play the original version of that game.If you want to experience Castlevania, your best bet is going to be getting a DS. between it and the GBA (whose library the DS can play) there are 6 of the best Castlevania games ever made, including my personal favorites in Order of Ecclesia, Circle of the Moon and Dawn of Sorrow."
Thanks to everyone so far for the responses.
" @KnightsofRound: I see. since you already own that package, I'd play it through in chronologic order first. after that, maybe 4, circle of the moon or aria of sorrow, and then each of the DS games (dawn of sorrow and order of ecclesia first) "Funnily enough, I actually tried to buy Order of Ecclesia a few months ago but my EB Games only had a used copy of it, and I do not like buying used games.
I have moved since then however, so I will give another look for it before resorting to online. I was going to start there since it was the newest game.
I am tempted however to try and play the games in chronological order as best to my ability, starting with the GBA games before going to the DS ones. I will most likely play Rondo/SotN first though, just to get acquainted with the series.
" @KnightsofRound: I see. since you already own that package, I'd play it through in chronologic order first. after that, maybe 4, circle of the moon or aria of sorrow, and then each of the DS games (dawn of sorrow and order of ecclesia first) "^
This is pretty much what you should do.
Circle of the Moon and Aria of Sorrow are really excellent in the series.
And Portrait of Ruin is the weakest of the DS versions so it's totally skip-able.
As for SOTN, the GBA ones spoiled me and I found it rather lacking in boss battles.
I should pick up that PSP one at some point as well.
" Just don't ignore the older games. Alternate playing one in-between the portable games. "You are referring to the originals, yes? NES/SNES? I am interested in playing these games, but is there any way I can play them outside of ROMs/Emulators? I do not have a NES or SNES.
I've seen Castlevania Chronicles on the PSN, but I am not exactly sure what this is.
Castlevania Chronicles is a remake of Castlevania 1, and it's pretty awesome. You can also set it to a pretty lenient difficulty to have fun with it, and it's pretty cheap to boot. Like 6 bucks on PSN?
Skip Castlevania 1 for NES if you get Castlevania Chronicles, Castlevania II is arcane and probably best dabbled in emulator, Castlevania III is bitch-ass hard but well-designed, and as I've said above Castlevania IV is easier but tons of fun.
I'd start with Dracula X Chronicles and play SOTN after you unlock it. If you have a DS I also highly recommend the 3 Castlevanias, Dawn Of Sorrow is one of my favorite games.
Considering Symphony of the Night is simply the best game ever made, it could be a good entry into the series.
Castlevania (no extra name) for GBA was the only one I actually finished.
That said, SoTN on XBLA is amazingly good, and the DS ones are fantastic as well.
You should also play Super Castlevania IV and the original NES Castlevania.
I also hear lots of good things about Rondo of Blood and Dracula X although I never played them (they might even be the same thing i'm not sure, dunnothey aren't available here to my knowledge, or if they are probably orrendously expensive.
Definitely play Dracula X. I wanted that game for the longest time when it was released for the Turbo Duo, so I was extremely happy when Konami released the game on the PSP. SotN is a great game, but the gameplay is broken (read: easy by Castlevania standards).
Any other 2D Castlevania game is good; make sure you play Dracula's Curse. I would stay away from Castlevania 2 and Harmony of Dissonance. The latter is even more broken than SotN, if you can believe it.
Play SotN first. Not only because it's the easiest game to get into for a newbie of a series but also because it's got arguably the most immersive atmosphere along with music in the entire series.
Or if you want a more traditional approach ,start with Dracula X. Whatever you do,you shouldn't miss the GBA Castlevania games like Circle to the Moon or Aria of Sorrow because they rank amongst some of the best in the series as well.
The DS games are a lot like SOTN, and if you can get your hands on an SNES, get Super Castlevania 4.
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