Top Non-Metroidvania Castlevania Games You Must Play

Summary

Super Castlevania 4 is a quality remake of the original game that took the needed leap to the 16-bit generation.
Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness introduced a werewolf protagonist with engaging new characters and improved graphics.
Castlevania 3: Dracula’s Curse is considered the best NES entry, with four playable characters and a compelling story.

The Castlevania series is widely recognized for its Metroidvania style of gameplay, with Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night serving as a model for many games following its debut. This genre’s name derives from Metroid and Castlevania titles, which embody non-linear game progression that involves an open map for exploration, as well as areas that can be revisited and accessed by upgrades discovered by the player throughout their journey.

The franchise didn’t start with Metroidvania; instead, the original game followed a linear structure, and subsequent games in the extensive series have either preserved this traditional style or ventured into different playstyles. Some games are renowned classics within the series, while others, initially overlooked, have earned more appreciation from fans as time passed.

10. Castlevania: Legacy Of Darkness

Fighting The Forces Of Dracula As A Werewolf

The original version of the Castlevania reboot on Nintendo 64, titled Castlevania: Legacy Of Darkness, was generally seen as an advancement compared to its forerunner. Nevertheless, it received criticism for its rough gameplay and inconvenient camera controls that made challenging platforming and exploration quite frustrating.

In Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness, the somber ambiance and ominous imagery seemed particularly appropriate, enhancing the game’s gothic essence. One distinguishing aspect of this game is its main character, a werewolf named Cornell. As a human, he already possesses an impressive repertoire of attacks, but with a simple press of a button, he can morph into a man-wolf to tackle various challenges, even facing off against Dracula himself.

9. Castlevania 2: Simon’s Quest

Ambitious Changes Led To A Divisive Sequel

Release Date: August 28, 1987
Developer: Konami
System: Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch, PC,

Over time, the game “Castlevania 2: Simon’s Quest” has garnered increased admiration from fans due to its attempt at offering something unique. It featured a day and night cycle which altered the surroundings and heightened difficulty, and marked the beginning of exploration in gaming. Nevertheless, this doesn’t imply that it was flawlessly executed.

The game “Castlevania 2: Simon’s Quest” remains a contentious choice among gamers due to aspects such as the day-night cycle, which some find disruptive and detrimental to the game’s flow. Additionally, obscure solutions for certain challenges added to the confusion, and the bosses were perceived as too straightforward compared to their challenging counterparts in the initial installment.

8. Castlevania

Konami Started It All With A Bonafide Classic

The inaugural Castlevania, which set the stage for what was to come, led players on an adventure through Dracula’s castle, assuming the role of Simon Belmont. Although it doesn’t fit the definition of a Metroidvania game, the early roots of Castlevania presented challenging side-scrolling action, where players engaged in fierce battles against hordes of the undead.

In addition to mythical beings from Green lore, the game Castlevania captivated numerous horror enthusiasts by incorporating Universal Monsters, like Frankenstein’s creature and the werewolf. The game is rich in references and inspiration drawn from classic monster films, evident in its settings as well as humorous credits that appear at the end of the game.

7. Castlevania 3: Dracula’s Curse

Four Characters Made For The Best NES Entry

In its third installment, titled “Castlevania 3: Dracula’s Curse,” the series reverted to a familiar playing style from the original game, introducing two significant differences: first, players could choose among four distinct characters; second, the game offered a greater challenge compared to its previous versions.

Many enthusiasts frequently regard the third installment as the standout title in the initial trilogy. This is not just due to its technological strides, but also because it presents a compelling narrative that served as the primary influence for the Netflix animation series.

Instead of being a follow-up, “Dracula’s Curse” is actually a cherished prequel to the initial game. This storyline depicts Trevor Belmont overcoming Dracula who has brought about an apocalypse on the land as a result of his wife’s demise. Trevor is accompanied by a magic user named Sypha, Dracula’s son Alucard, and the hunchback Grant in this exciting journey. The gameplay continues to be refined throughout this adventure.

6. Castlevania: Bloodlines

Due to only being available on the Sega Genesis, Castlevania: Bloodlines is sometimes overlooked, yet it offers a satisfying gaming experience. The game follows two new characters, John Morris and Eric Lecarde, as they journey through Europe during World War I, aiming to prevent evil forces from bringing Dracula back to life again.

1994’s game appears to be a fitting successor to “Super Castlevania 4”, offering comparable graphics and controls, but with fresh environments and adversaries other than Dracula. Notably, “Castlevania: Bloodlines” was the last title in the series to employ the traditional “Castlevania” gameplay style before “Castlevania: Symphony of the Night” introduced the Metroidvania genre as the new norm for the franchise.

5. Castlevania: Lament Of Innocence

Back in the day when the PS2 ruled the gaming world, I found myself utterly captivated by “Castlevania: Lament of Innocence.” This game was a unique journey, taking me back to the very beginning of the original Castlevania timeline. As Leon Belmont, I embarked on an adventure that traced the roots of the Belmont family, delved into the origins of Dracula, and even showed us how their age-old conflict unfolded. It was a tale brimming with sorrow, filled with tragic events, and marked by the creation of the legendary Vampire Killer whip.

As a passionate gamer, I can’t help but reminisce about the trailblazing title, “Lament of Innocence.” This game dared to explore 3D gameplay, following the pioneering steps of Nintendo 64 games. The bold move paid off, resulting in an action-packed hack-and-slash adventure akin to the epic saga of God of War or the stylish mayhem of Devil May Cry. This game laid the groundwork for what would become Castlevania: Lords of Shadow years down the line, setting new standards and leaving an indelible mark on the gaming landscape.

4. Castlevania: Rondo Of Blood

Dracula X” on SNES. However, fans have been fortunate enough to relive the authentic gaming experience due to re-issues, and this has resulted in a quintessential Castlevania gameplay.

Rondo of Blood struck a chord with gamers by offering quick and responsive controls, introducing Richter Belmont (familiar to some as the main character from Netflix’s Castlevania: Nocturne or Rondo Of Blood) and challenging players with difficulty similar to Castlevania 3, but with an even faster pace, resulting in what felt like the best aspects of every Castlevania game combined.

3. Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow

In Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow, fans witnessed the franchise’s revival as the latest Gabriel Belmont embarked on a battle against darkness. This game incorporated God of War-style gameplay and took it to new heights with one of the most potent protagonists in the series. Yet, it never strayed from the challenging spirit that the series is renowned for.

In Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, one of the standout plot surprises is that the main antagonist isn’t Dracula, contrary to what fans might anticipate. Instead, it is revealed that Gabriel Belmont undergoes a transformation over the course of the game, eventually metamorphosing into Dracula in this particular timeline. Starting as a valiant hero, Gabriel’s character evolves into a complex anti-hero with darker tendencies.

2. Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow 2

Instead of simply repeating what was previously done, Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow 2 uniquely positions the player as Dracula in contemporary times. Moreover, this dark gameplay incorporates vampiric elements while allowing players to roam an open-world London, a city that seems to require a monster like you to combat other monstrous threats.

In a twist on the old adage “less is more,” Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow 2 demonstrates that sometimes, more can indeed be more. The sequel escalates everything, showcasing an abundance of vampiric abilities that underscore Dracula’s immense power. It also presents extravagant boss battles that verge on the absurd at times, and introduces a beloved character from fans: Alucard.

1. Super Castlevania 4

Although the title might lead you to believe it’s a follow-up to “Dracula’s Curse”, “Super Castlevania 4” is actually a remake of the initial “Castlevania” game for the Super Nintendo, boasting the same narrative but with improved 16-bit graphics, audio, and gameplay. The character Simon Belmont shines particularly well in this version, as it was the only game that offered full, three-hundred-sixty-degree movement for the Vampire Killer whip.

Konami might have simply improved the graphics and moved on, but instead, Super Castlevania 4 stands out as an enhanced version of the initial game. It preserves the gothic horror and action found in the original while striking a perfect balance between excitement and challenge. Consequently, it became a cornerstone of the SNES library and is essential for any Castlevania enthusiast to experience.

2025-02-26 08:15