As a dedicated fan of the dark and brooding world of Castlevania, I must say that these games have been a rollercoaster ride through the annals of video game history. Each entry has brought new twists and turns to the tale of the Belmont family, and it’s fascinating to see how the story evolved over time.
In the world of Castlevania, the ongoing battle between good and evil has lasted for centuries. From the lineage of hunters like the Belmonts to characters such as Alucard, many have faced off against Dracula, the Prince of Darkness. This constant confrontation has led to numerous Castlevania games, including sequels and prequels. The timeline associated with this series can sometimes be complex and puzzling.
In essence, the primary Castlevania storyline is vast, and games like Super Castlevania 4, those on Nintendo 64, and the Lords of Shadow series do not fall under this main narrative. The original Castlevania for NES marked the beginning of a chronology that spans across fifteen games.
15 Castlevania: Lament Of Innocence – 1094
Leon’s Story Follows The Origins Of The Belmonts And Dracula
The first tale in the sequence, known as “Castlevania: Lament Of Innocence,“, revolves around the initial Belmont clan member, Leon. Walter Bernhard, a vampire, has taken Leon’s beloved captive. With assistance from Renaldo, Leon is equipped with the Alchemy Whip. Unfortunately, he arrives too late and his love is transformed into a vampire herself. In her selfless act of sacrifice, her soul is infused into the whip, giving birth to the legendary Vampire Killer whip that appears frequently in the series.
In the narrative of Lament of Innocence, Leon Belmont seeks vengeance on Bernhard, but tragically finds his soul manipulated posthumously by his comrade Mathias Cronqvist. It’s Mathias who masterminds the entire game’s storyline, eventually abandoning his human identity to transform into Dracula. Critics applauded this game for its blend of Metroidvania-style gameplay in a 3D setting and hack-and-slash combat reminiscent of God of War.
14 Castlevania 3: Dracula’s Curse – 1476
Trevor Belmont’s Adventure Inspired The Netflix Series
In Castlevania 3: Dracula’s Curse, after accumulating power over several centuries, Dracula’s human spouse is slain by a band of terrified humans, inciting Dracula to wage war on Earth. The last surviving relative, Trevor Belmont, seizes the family whip and embarks on his mission to vanquish Dracula. To accomplish this task, he enlists the aid of Dracula’s offspring, who adopts the name Alucard, a witch named Sypha, and a thief known as Grant.
Among fans of the series, many consider “Dracula’s Curse” as the top pick from the original NES trilogy due to its diverse characters, skills, and seamless gameplay. Over time, it has earned a spot among gaming classics. Yet, it should be noted that this game is renowned for being the most challenging in the original trilogy, offering an adventure that might test even seasoned players to their utmost capabilities.
13 Castlevania: Curse Of Darkness – 1497
Allowed Fans to Play As An Ex-Servant Of Dracula
In the game titled “Castlevania: Curse Of Darkness”, a character named Hector – one of Dracula’s servants – experiences a significant betrayal at the hands of his companion, Isaac. Upon discovering his wife murdered, Isaac turns against Hector. Seeking vengeance, Hector initially plans to descend into darkness. However, he decides against it, thwarting Death’s ambition to utilize Hector as a means for Dracula’s rebirth. Consequently, rather than resurrecting through Hector, Dracula rises instead from Isaac’s body, adding layers of complexity to the storyline.
After the success of Lament of Innocence, Konami chose to continue with a similar approach for Curse of Darkness. Unlike the previous title, where Hector used a whip, in this game he wields a sword instead, creating a distinct play style. Both games, Curse Of Darkness and Lament Of Innocence, paved the way for the hack-and-slash style of the reboot series of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow.
12 Castlevania: The Adventure – 1576
The Game Boy Tells The Story Of Christopher Belmont
A century following Alucard’s vanquishing of his father, the prediction that Dracula would rise again when humanity’s faith in God waned became reality, as depicted in the game Castlevania: The Adventure, initially launched on the original Nintendo Game Boy. In this instance, it is Christopher Belmont who takes up the challenge of defeating the Dark Prince.
Due to the constraints imposed by the initial Game Boy, there was essentially no method to discern Christopher Belmont from his preceding Belmont ancestors. Similarly, like numerous games designed for the Game Boy, Castlevania: The Adventure was a streamlined adaptation of the original NES game. This simplified version was enjoyed by some fans, while others believed it was suitable only for long journeys.
11 Castlevania 2: Belmont’s Revenge – 1591
Christopher Belmont Returns Twenty Years Later
Distinguish between Castlevania 2: Simon’s Quest, which follows chronologically and was released prior to this title, and the game at hand, Castlevania 2: Belmont’s Revenge. Instead of Simon Belmont, it features Soleil Belmont, the son who had taken over the family business. However, Dracula transformed Soleil into a demon, causing Christopher Belmont to come out of retirement and confront Dracula once more.
On this occasion, Christopher ensures he thoroughly defeats his foe and safeguards his son’s existence. While Belmont’s Revenge is often praised as an improved sequel, it nonetheless retained several shortcomings similar to the initial Game Boy game.
10 Castlevania – 1691
Simon Belmont Was The First Protagonist In The Franchise
A new century rolls around, and once more, Dracula rises to life amidst ominous times. In the debut of Castlevania, Simon Belmont swings his legendary whip, battling hordes of darkness. The storyline isn’t complex, but this time, Dracula has anticipated Simon’s moves. Before Simon could deliver the finishing blow, Dracula casts a spell on him, ensuring his return in the subsequent game.
It’s no secret why Castlevania has earned a place among the most cherished gaming series. Its initial release remains a timeless gem, skillfully blending action with challenging side-scrolling gameplay, all while paying homage to the classic monster movies of Universal and Hammer Studios from the past. Although some games in the series may surpass it, there’s still joy in firing up the original for a fun gaming experience.
9 Castlevania 2: Simon’s Quest – 1698
Simon’s Second Adventure Divided Fans
In Castlevania 2: Simon’s Quest, remnants of Dracula’s creatures continue to haunt various parts of the land. Simon, the protagonist, journeys through these cursed territories, each manor housing a fragment of the vampire antagonist. Once all fragments are destroyed, Simon engages in combat with Dracula’s spectral form.
The game titled “Simon’s Quest” is frequently referred to as the “rogue member” of the series, having both supporters and detractors in equal measure. While some applauded it for its groundbreaking innovations such as a day/night cycle, which was quite extraordinary during its release, others criticized it for frequent disruptions, less distinct designs, and gameplay that doesn’t match up to the original’s quality.
8 Castlevania: Harmony Of Dissonance – 1748
Juste Belmont’s Story Had Very Little Impact On The Timeline
In a departure from a traditional sequel, Castlevania: Harmony Of Dissonance centers around Juste Belmont and his comrade Maxim, both vying for the privilege to use the Vampire Killer. However, Maxim collects Dracula’s relics with the intention of reviving him to demonstrate his worthiness, but instead becomes tainted. True to the Belmont legacy, Juste steps up and vanquishes the vampire ruler.
In the game “Harmony Of Dissonance”, while players generally appreciate its solid gameplay and striking graphics for the Game Boy Advance, the narrative is frequently criticized as being too sparse. It portrays Dracula more as an everyday hurdle instead of a harbinger of the apocalypse.
7 Castlevania: Rondo Of Blood – 1792
The Rare But Famous First Appearance Of Richter Belmont
151 years following the initial game’s events, “Castlevania: Rondo Of Blood” presents the wicked cleric Shaft bringing Dracula back to life through a dark ritual involving demons. To make matters worse, Shaft abducts numerous women as potential brides for the resurrected vampire. Among those captives is the beloved one of Richter Belmont, the era’s representative of the Belmont family. Richter forms an alliance with Maria, a woman endowed with powers, rescues all the abducted women, vanquishes Shaft, and continues the family tradition by vanquishing Dracula once more.
Over the years, finding a copy of “Rondo Of Blood” among the “Castlevania” games was quite challenging. Initially, it was only available in Japan, and when it did come to the SNES, it was a watered-down version. A faithful port of “Rondo Of Blood” was released for the PlayStation Portable in 2007. Today, players can find this classic game included in the “Castlevania Requiem” collection for contemporary gaming systems.
6 Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night – 1797
Alucard Changed The Direction Of The Franchise Forever
In the esteemed Castlevania series, the legendary game titled “Castlevania:Symphony Of The Night” features the reappearance of Richter. This time, Shaft manipulates him to revive Dracula anew. With no other Belmont available, Alucard is brought back to life for another confrontation with his father. Assisted by Maria from the prior installment, Alucard defeats Shaft, rescues Richter, and slays his father once more before retreating back to his resting place.
In its release, “Castlevania: Symphony of the Night” pioneered the Metroidvania gameplay style, a design that became commonplace in subsequent games within the series. Its unique blend of non-linear gameplay, an endearing main character (Rico, the protagonist), RPG elements, and a wide range of abilities often earn it the title as the franchise’s top game, despite issues with lengthy loading times and subpar voice acting.
5 Castlevania: Order Of Ecclesia – 1800s
Shanoa And The Order Expands Upon The Castlevania Universe
In a world where Dracula keeps coming back as frequently as soap opera characters, the game Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia introduces a new group that tackles vampires, aiming to be independent from the Belmont family. Shanoa, an operative belonging to the Order of Ecclesia, steps up when the Belmonts are absent, finding herself engaged in combat against Dracula’s forces, monsters, and even other agents, to accomplish her assigned task.
Similar to Harmony of Dissonance, Order of Ecclesia seems more like an endeavor to produce a spin-off rather than a typical Castlevania game. However, it remains a robust title for the Nintendo DS. It was lauded for preserving the Metroidvania formula while aiming to broaden the Castlevania universe beyond its customary characters.
4 Castlevania: Bloodlines – 1914
World War Setting Featuring Connections To The Bram Stoker Story
Richter Belmont relinquished the infamous Vampire Killer whip to Quincy Morris, a character from Bram Stoker’s Dracula. In 1914, Dracula’s niece, Elizabeth, along with a dark sorceress, initiated World War 1 in the game Castlevania: Bloodlines, aiming to spread destruction and chaos for Dracula to grow stronger. John Morris, Quincy’s son, stepped up to save the world from evil. He vanquished Elizabeth, the sorceress, and subsequently faced Dracula himself. Yet, since John Morris is not a Belmont, every time he used the Vampire Killer, it sapped his life. Over time, this drain on his vitality eventually led to his demise, and he passed away a few years later.
Castlevania: Bloodlines” is frequently overlooked within the series, largely due to its exclusive release on the Sega Genesis. Yet, it’s commonly lauded for its unique setting and structure. Unlike previous games set solely in Walachia, this title takes players through a World War 1 era backdrop, with levels spanning across Europe. This change provided a fresh take on the gameplay template that was solidified with “Super Castlevania 4“.
3 Castlevania: Portrait Of Ruin – 1944
Jonathan Morris And Charlotte Aulin Redeem The Belmont Legacy
In the game titled “Castlevania: Portrait Of Ruin“, World War 2 breaks out, providing an opportunity for a vampire named Brauner to cause further destruction and death. However, unlike previous games, Brauner doesn’t aim to resurrect Dracula. Instead, he constructs Dracula’s castle and seizes control of it, assuming the role of the new Prince Of Darkness. Entering the scene are our new playable characters, Jonathan Morris and Charlotte Aulin. They join forces to unveil the true potential of the Vampire Killer weapon, neutralizing its harmful effects on the user, and employing it to battle against Brauner, Dracula, and Death.
Instead of just mimicking “Symphony of the Night,” “Portrait of Ruin” offers a unique twist by allowing players to control two characters simultaneously. This dual control mechanic introduced fresh gameplay dynamics and intriguing puzzle aspects. It was one of the standout games during the handheld era and marked a powerful comeback for the series. The game paid tribute to the Belmont and Morris lineages, providing fans with a fitting conclusion before the “Lords of Shadow” series rebooted “Castlevania.
2 Castlevania: Aria Of Sorrow – 2035
The Future Introduces Soma Cruz To The Franchise
In the game titled “Castlevania: Aria Of Sorrow,” the story unfolds in Japan where the protagonist, Soma Cruz, is unexpectedly conscripted into a fresh battle against evil forces. He joins forces with Julius Belmont, who has resumed the family’s crusade, as well as Yoko Belnades and Alucard, now going by the alias Genya Arikado. The surprising revelation in this narrative is that Graham Jones, who had claimed to be Dracula’s reincarnation, was merely a fanatic. Instead, Dracula has been reborn in Soma Cruz. However, Soma manages to eliminate the evil within himself, thereby thwarting the actual return of Dracula.
Fans appreciated the gameplay of Aria Of Sorrow for sticking with the Metroidvania format, demonstrating the phrase “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.” However, some players were starting to feel a bit tired of this style at that point. Furthermore, the story deviated significantly from the rest of the series in its themes and ideas, which caused some fans to feel disconnected.
1 Castlevania: Dawn Of Sorrows – 2036
Soma’s Final Adventure Remains The Final Entry In Castlevania
In the realm of Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrows, I, a seasoned gamer, find myself once more entangled in an epic tale. The enigmatic Celia Fortner, a devout cultist, aspires to summon the legendary Dracula using Soma. This audacious act sets off another heart-pounding escapade for Soma, Yoko, Julius, and Arikado. As we journey through hauntingly beautiful Japan, we encounter an unrelenting horde of monstrous creatures. The climactic confrontation unfolds against the cult leaders who have risen to power.
The game titled “Castlevania: Dawn Of Sorrows” signifies the conclusion of the initial timeline in the Castlevania series, and up until now, the franchise hasn’t revisited this particular timeline again. Furthermore, if a return to this timeline were to occur, it would also signal the end of the “Metroidvania” era within the Castlevania universe, as this title was among those that made fans feel like the series had drifted too far from the dark, gothic atmosphere that originally endeared it to them.
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2024-09-16 10:55