Every Igavania Game, Ranked - Investment Policy

Mentioning Koji Igarashi’s name immediately conjures up images of his extensive portfolio. Though he has made significant contributions beyond the popular series, for many gamers, he is synonymous with battling swarms of ghastly creatures in foreboding castles, particularly when it comes to wielding a whip against the undead.

Despite no longer being an official part of Konami’s renowned game series, Mr. Igarashi has been instrumental in creating numerous outstanding journeys throughout his career. We aim to delve into each adventure where he held a significant position, be it as a producer or scriptwriter.

Hey there, fellow Castlevania enthusiasts! Here’s my personal take on a ranking of every Igavania game that’s graced our screens. From the fantastic to the questionable, and everything in between, each one carries the distinct mark of Koji Igarashi. Let’s dive in and see where your favorites stack up!

In this collection, most of the games originate from the popular Castlevania series, but we’ve thrown in a few others that draw heavy inspiration from it as well. All the games you see here have been generously provided by Koji Igarashi.

15. Castlevania: Harmony of Despair

Fan Fiction

Platform	PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360
Publisher	Konami
Genre	Multiplayer, Action Adventure
Release Date	August 4th, 2010

In theory, “Castlevania: Harmony of Despair” appeared to be a logical choice for fans. It promised an opportunity for us to control some of our beloved characters together with our friends, either online or locally. This setup allowed Shanoa, Soma Cruz, Richter Belmont, and Alucard to join forces.

As a gamer, I found myself constantly battling against the monotony of grinding levels, the aggravation of solo missions that felt endless, and the frustration of being restricted by unreasonable time constraints that seemed random and unfair.

Instead of creating an immersive and awe-inspiring experience as seen in traditional games of the series, the procedural generation led to rather sparse settings and a general absence of the grand themes that are usually present.

14. Castlevania Judgment

Ready? FIGHT!

It seems that I might be among a few who feel this way, but I wasn’t particularly displeased with the game Castlevania Judgment. Granted, it’s far from being hailed as a masterpiece, and in terms of a fighting game, it may not meet all expectations.

Regardless of its imperfections, Judgment served as an attractive Castlevania adventure, bravely attempting something fresh – a feat that Harmony of Despair struggled to achieve.

In the spirit of many combat-based games, Judgment boasts a complex and somewhat humorous narrative. However, it offers an engaging aspect by enabling players to control well-known characters such as Simon, Grant, Death, Dracula, and fresh faces like Aeon. Each character possesses exclusive moves and a visually captivating signature style.

Among the exciting aspects of the game, including its captivating Story, Arcade, and Versus modes, what truly stood out for me was battling my way through the challenging levels of Castle Mode.

Eventually, the game faced delays due to balance problems, coupled with it being exclusive to the Wii console. However, if you are an ardent fan of this series, there is still plenty to appreciate in this release.

13. Castlevania Chronicles

Fresh Blood for Akumajō Dracula

Though Koji Igarashi is often linked with the “Metroidvania” genre, it’s important to note that his contributions extend beyond these adventures.

During his tenure, he managed to reimagine some iconic Castlevania journeys, such as Castlevania Chronicles. This revamped the original Akumajō Dracula game from home computers and transformed it for the PlayStation.

The chronicles offer an appealing blend to both traditional fans and contemporary gamers, featuring Original mode reminiscent of the classic games and Arrange mode for a more modern twist. Regardless, these chronicles maintain the challenging and merciless difficulty that is characteristic of the old-school Castlevania series.

As a gaming enthusiast, I must admit that the recent updates like enhanced graphics and fresh opening scenes in the Castlevania remake were enjoyable. However, when it comes to popularity or showcasing Koji Igarashi’s true potential, this particular remake didn’t quite hit the mark. It wasn’t his best work, if you catch my drift.

12. Castlevania: Curse of Darkness

Cursed Devil Forgemaster

3D Castlevania games often receive a significant amount of criticism, and much of it is valid. However, I must mention that if you’ve enjoyed the first Castlevania Netflix series, many main characters from it can be found in the game Curse of Darkness. In particular, Hector, the Devil Forgemaster, plays a notable role.

Hector and Dracula have fallen out, and Hector is attempting to lead a straightforward, human existence. Unfortunately, some foolish villagers choose to accuse his fiancée of witchcraft and burn her at the stake. It turns out that Hector’s rival, Isaac, who remains loyal to the vampire ruler, orchestrated this entire incident. As a result, Hector finds himself returning to the Abandoned Castle to seek revenge.

This game stands out thanks to Hector’s unique skill of crafting and employing Innocent Devils as companions. Additionally, he will acquire additional skills along the way, face tough adversaries, and embark on an exciting journey. While it’s not the pinnacle of adventures, it certainly offers a good time.

11. Castlevania: Lament of Innocence

Leon’s Journey

In some aspects, “Curse of Darkness” managed well when moving into 3D, but it’s worth noting that “Lament of Innocence” was particularly noteworthy before it started emulating the style of “God of War” in the “Lords of Shadow” series.

This offering comes remarkably close to replicating the State of the Nation address feel in a 3D setting. It offers plenty of exploration, battles against impressive and memorable adversaries, and even a touch of heroic whip-cracking.

Enhancing the game’s replayability were two unique characters, Pumpkin and Joachim, that offer distinct playstyles compared to Leon. It was a captivating introduction to the renowned series’ origins.

10. Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance

Juste Beautiful

Following the enchantment that Symphony of the Night sparked in countless gamers, we endured a lengthy period of lackluster sequels. Despite not being the most entertaining Metroidvania game to play, Harmony of Dissonance was strikingly beautiful upon its release.

This vibrant journey pushed the graphics of the Game Boy Advance to their utmost capacity. The adversaries were expansive and intricate, employing clever shadow effects, and there were even playful tributes to well-known bosses presented in innovative shapes.

Furthermore, the narrative of the game was engaging, offering intriguing perspectives on the complex dynamics of Juste and Maxim’s camaraderie, presented in an enjoyable manner.

In essence, what seems to be lacking in this game is a balance between its visual appeal and gameplay depth. While the visuals are impressive, the gameplay experience, particularly for dedicated fans, can feel rather monotonous.

9. Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin

Double the Heroes, Double the Fun

If I were to rank this list based on feelings alone, “Portrait of Ruin” would appear near the top. It was enjoyable, full of ambition, and truly celebrated the series’ 20th anniversary. However, when compared to other games in a more analytical perspective, it needs to be placed a bit lower.

The novel “Portrait of Ruin” not only introduced a sinister vampire antagonist capable of creating entire realms on canvas, but it also required you to switch between two main characters, Jonathan and Charlotte.

Apart from enabling the potent Dual Crush squad to launch assaults, they also acquired novel skills and offensive moves. Moreover, an abundance of distinct gameplay modes await exploration, with each offering a unique gaming experience.

In this game, what really grabbed me was its incredible creativity, evident in both the intricate level designs and challenging boss fights. The climactic battle against the ultimate final boss was simply outstanding – I won’t give away any spoilers, but let’s just say it ranks high among my favorite showdowns in the series, offering a truly epic tag team experience that I won’t forget anytime soon.

8. Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night

Inexact Alchemy

Enthusiastic about both Castlevania and crowdfunding, let me tell you, my excitement knew no bounds when I pledged support for Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night. This enthusiasm primarily stemmed from Konami’s prolonged absence in releasing new entries, but it was also a show of faith in Igarashi’s creative vision.

Unfortunately, the visuals in this game were a tad blurry, especially on my Nintendo Switch.

As a die-hard fan, I must admit that Bloodstained captivated me visually and delivered elements we’ve grown accustomed to from Igarashi. However, its unbalanced gameplay and inconsistent frame rate sometimes made it challenging to fully embrace the game.

Indeed, I can’t help but feel elated that not only was the game brought to life, but it resonated so profoundly with fellow enthusiasts like myself. It serves as a testament that there remains an appetite for such Gothic adventures in the gaming world. Here’s hoping that the next one surpasses our collective expectations and reaches the pinnacle of quality we all desire.

7. Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon

The Perfect Retro Bite

It might appear strange that Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon has a higher rating than Ritual of the Night, but there is a solid explanation for this. While Ritual of the Night aimed high yet had some flaws, I would contend that Curse of the Moon was absolutely spot-on in its execution.

As a gamer, let me tell you, I recently dove into a retro-style adventure that was none other than Castlevania III, but with a twist – it featured some familiar faces from Bloodstained! Now, I know the NES visuals might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but for me, they were nothing short of mesmerizing.

Offer exceptional platforming, impressive boss fights, and a well-balanced challenge that isn’t too easy or too hard, and you may understand why it’s considered superior.

This journey won’t simplify your life; instead, it will require you to master each enemy’s attack patterns and perfect your timing for a seamless performance.

6. Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow

Japan is the Future

Initially, when I first played Aria of Sorrow, I really enjoyed its concept. However, it wasn’t until much later, after multiple replays, that I truly fell in love with the game.

Despite the shocking truths unveiled towards the end of the game, Soma Cruz’s enigmatic journey remains a highly commendable choice.

finding and harnessing enemy spirits for combat was quite intriguing. However, the procedure to do so was excessively repetitive and laborious. Despite this, the game boasted some captivating boss battles and compelling side characters.

It’s fortunate for us all that Aria of Sorrow performed well enough to birth a much more exceptional sequel and an intriguing spin-off, in a sense.

5. Bloodstained Curse of the Moon 2

Wonderful Lunacy

I’m absolutely fond of “Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon” and “Curse of the Moon 2”, but without a doubt, the latter surpasses its predecessor in all imaginable aspects.

As a devoted fan, I’m thrilled to say this game is bursting with diverse situations, introduces fresh playable characters such as a dog in a mech suit alongside the initial team, and boasts a rich art style that’s become synonymous with Inti Creates. Plus, it delivers epic boss fights that are a hallmark of their creations!

It’s great that Iga is behind the story, as it makes it intriguing, entertaining, and full of surprises. In essence, Curse of the Moon 2 has more characteristics of a Metroidvania than its predecessor, effectively improving the experience by enhancing exploration.

One great feature is that you can team up with a friend for local cooperative play in “Curse of the Moon 2”. It’s perfect for introducing novice gamers to the challenging and retro-style gameplay this title offers.

4. Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles

Best Reason to Still Own a PSP

Among the classic Castlevania games, not everyone has had the chance to play one particular standout title – the original Rondo of Blood. Fortunately, The Dracula X Chronicles offers an opportunity for fans to relive the experience.

In a nutshell, this PlayStation Portable compilation boasts enhanced visuals, impressive cinematic scenes, and an abundance of hidden content. The assortment includes various soundtracks, the classic Rondo of Blood, and even a portable edition of Symphony of the Night!

This PSP collection showcases revamped graphics that are nothing short of amazing, cinematics that will leave you awestruck, and a wealth of unlockable content. You’ll find everything from catchy tunes to the original Rondo of Blood and even a portable version of Symphony of the Night!

Incorporate additional features like a Boss Battle mode and a pulsating soundtrack, making it an outstanding portable compilation that continues to highlight the enduring appeal of the franchise.

3. Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow

Don’t Cry, Soma…

While it took some time for me to become a fan of “Aria of Sorrow”, the sequel, “Dawn of Sorrow”, was much more polished and captivating in its design.

In this follow-up, we find ourselves drawn into the latest twisted sect attempting to revive Count Dracula, featuring fresh faces like Dario and Dmitrii.

Or:
This sequel captivated us with a new group of fanatics aiming to bring back Dracula, introducing characters such as Dario and Dmitrii along the way.

Or:
The sequel kept us hooked as we delved into another dark cult’s attempts to resurrect Dracula, featuring new members including Dario and Dmitrii.

In this update, we’ve significantly streamlined and enhanced the Tactical Soul system, reducing the need for excessive grinding. One of the most unusual additions in this release is the ability to draw sigils using your DS stylus to ‘seal’ bosses. If a boss manages to break free, it will continue attacking indefinitely unless you use these sigils to keep them contained.

Though Soma’s tale of adventure, along with the intriguing mystery of what transpired in 1999, remained unpublished, the “Sorrow” series showcased Igarashi’s determination to delve into unusual narratives and refine existing concepts.

2. Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

The Third Sorrow Game

The DS era was an exceptional period for fans of Castlevania. Despite the fact that it concluded with Order of Ecclesia, it’s always more satisfying to make a grand exit. Even though this game wasn’t directly tied to Soma’s narrative, in numerous aspects, it seemed like a spiritual sequel.

Similar to Soma, Shanoa’s narrative is intricate and comprehensively unfolds at its best conclusion. Just as the Sorrow series, Shanoa incorporates enemy abilities within her own mechanics through the Glyph system.

Shanoa’s tale mirrors that of Soma in its complexity, revealing itself fully with an optimal ending. Like the Sorrow games, Shanoa employs the use of enemy powers via the Glyph system, similar to her own abilities.

She significantly varies in her skill by swiftly wielding two Glyphs simultaneously on both arms and her back.

In addition, this event unfolded across multiple castles, not just one isolated one. Shanoa travels extensively, battling monsters throughout the land, and although her journey leads her to various locations, she ultimately finds herself in a place that holds a chilling familiarity as she confronts fearsome creatures once more.

What truly made the game stand out was the epic boss fights found in “Order of Ecclesia“. In numerous aspects, it could be considered a precursor to Soulslike games, as it showcased intensely challenging, exaggerated boss encounters that demanded both quick reflexes and strategic thinking to overcome.

1. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

A Miserable Little Pile of Secrets

For me, Symphony of the Night was a pivotal game. It served as a significant milestone, marking the moment when my interest in Castlevania and Metroidvania games in particular took off. The impact it had on my life is like a stamp on a letter, unmistakable and memorable.

The game’s captivating nature is evident in every aspect, with stunning visual landscapes, impressive enemy designs, but what truly stands out is the music. It lived up to its name and delivered a wondrous symphony of sounds, with no dull or unnecessary tracks. Each song skillfully sets the mood and does so magnificently.

Instead of criticizing the ease of Symphony of the Night, I personally enjoy its simplicity when I replay it, particularly on my PSP within the Dracula X Chronicles. This makes it a delightful experience each time.

This Castlevania game isn’t just fantastic; it ranks among the absolute best. It’s a title I strongly suggest every gaming enthusiast experiences at least once. Here’s to the day Konami recognizes the treasure trove they’re guarding, and decides to offer us more exciting journeys to embark on.

2025-02-08 18:11