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Castlevania (universe): Difference between revisions
weird that we don't have redirects for these acronyms but alright
BaconMastre (talk | contribs) (that should be all for now, now to do character details and such) |
BaconMastre (talk | contribs) (weird that we don't have redirects for these acronyms but alright) |
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Now often considered to be a classic series of traditional platformers based on traditional western horror elements, the ''Castlevania'' series made its debut on the {{iw|wikipedia|Famicom Disc System}}, before being released internationally on the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] as ''{{iw|wikipedia|Castlevania|1986 video game}}''. However, the franchise would debut through the game's sister release for the {{iw|wikipedia|MSX2}} in Europe instead, ''{{iw|wikipedia|Vampire Killer}}''. The game follows vampire hunter [[Simon Belmont]] of the Belmont clan, a bloodline devoted to defeating Dracula whenever he is resurrected using their Vampire Killer, a legendary whip, on his journey through [[Dracula]]'s [[Dracula's Castle|Castle]] to defeat Dracula himself. This first installment would notably introduce the concepts of the Belmont clan's continued bloodline, the series' mascot being Simon Belmont, and a single warrior (though in later installments, occasionally several) venturing to Dracula's Castle in order to slay him. Simon would later appear in the game's direct sequel, ''{{iw|wikipedia|Simon's Quest}}'', originally released in 1987, followed Simon's journey to undo a curse placed on him following Dracula's death. Since these two titles, Simon has most prominently appeared in retellings of the original title, notably ''{{iw|wikipedia|Super Castlevania IV}}'' and ''{{iw|wikipedia|Castlevania Chronicles}}''. | Now often considered to be a classic series of traditional platformers based on traditional western horror elements, the ''Castlevania'' series made its debut on the {{iw|wikipedia|Famicom Disc System}}, before being released internationally on the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] as ''{{iw|wikipedia|Castlevania|1986 video game}}''. However, the franchise would debut through the game's sister release for the {{iw|wikipedia|MSX2}} in Europe instead, ''{{iw|wikipedia|Vampire Killer}}''. The game follows vampire hunter [[Simon Belmont]] of the Belmont clan, a bloodline devoted to defeating Dracula whenever he is resurrected using their Vampire Killer, a legendary whip, on his journey through [[Dracula]]'s [[Dracula's Castle|Castle]] to defeat Dracula himself. This first installment would notably introduce the concepts of the Belmont clan's continued bloodline, the series' mascot being Simon Belmont, and a single warrior (though in later installments, occasionally several) venturing to Dracula's Castle in order to slay him. Simon would later appear in the game's direct sequel, ''{{iw|wikipedia|Simon's Quest}}'', originally released in 1987, followed Simon's journey to undo a curse placed on him following Dracula's death. Since these two titles, Simon has most prominently appeared in retellings of the original title, notably ''{{iw|wikipedia|Super Castlevania IV}}'' and ''{{iw|wikipedia|Castlevania Chronicles}}''. | ||
Following this, the series would see other installments that followed predecessors of Simon, notably Trevor Belmont in ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dracula's Curse}}'', and Christopher Belmont of {{iw|wikipedia|Castlevania: The Adventure}} and its sequel, ''{{iw|wikipedia|Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge}}''. These installments follow the basic premise of the original game, following a Belmont on his journey to slay Dracula. ''Dracula's Curse'' is notable in being one of the first titles in the series chronology, introducing such concepts as alternate routes to Dracula and additional playable characters (including [[Alucard]], the son of Dracula). After these titles, the franchise would begin to see fewer releases on [[Nintendo]] hardware for some time, with other hardware boasting features not present in that produced by the company. Games released earlier in this period are ''{{iw|wikipedia|Castlevania: Bloodlines}}'' and ''{{iw|wikipedia|Rondo of Blood}}'', which both instead followed descendants of Simon. Of these, ''Bloodlines'' would see a normal release internationally, while the entry more significant to the series' development, ''Rondo of Blood'', would see a Japan-exclusive release on the {{iw|wikipedia|Super CD-ROM² System}}, an add-on to the internationally-released {{iw|wikipedia|Turbografx-16}}. This installment boasted many features that would be incorporated into later titles, such as wholly separate playable characters (as opposed to the switching system of ''Dracula's Curse'') and additional techniques for the playable characters beyond basic jumping and attacking skills. This game would later see an international release when ported to the | Following this, the series would see other installments that followed predecessors of Simon, notably Trevor Belmont in ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dracula's Curse}}'', and Christopher Belmont of {{iw|wikipedia|Castlevania: The Adventure}} and its sequel, ''{{iw|wikipedia|Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge}}''. These installments follow the basic premise of the original game, following a Belmont on his journey to slay Dracula. ''Dracula's Curse'' is notable in being one of the first titles in the series chronology, introducing such concepts as alternate routes to Dracula and additional playable characters (including [[Alucard]], the son of Dracula). After these titles, the franchise would begin to see fewer releases on [[Nintendo]] hardware for some time, with other hardware boasting features not present in that produced by the company. Games released earlier in this period are ''{{iw|wikipedia|Castlevania: Bloodlines}}'' and ''{{iw|wikipedia|Rondo of Blood}}'', which both instead followed descendants of Simon. Of these, ''Bloodlines'' would see a normal release internationally, while the entry more significant to the series' development, ''Rondo of Blood'', would see a Japan-exclusive release on the {{iw|wikipedia|Super CD-ROM² System}}, an add-on to the internationally-released {{iw|wikipedia|Turbografx-16}}. This installment boasted many features that would be incorporated into later titles, such as wholly separate playable characters (as opposed to the switching system of ''Dracula's Curse'') and additional techniques for the playable characters beyond basic jumping and attacking skills. This game would later see an international release when ported to the SNES as ''{{iw|wikipedia|Castlevania: Dracula X}}'', a later release/remaster through ''{{iw|wikipedia|The Dracula X Chronicles}}'', as well as a release on the [[Wii]]'s [[Virtual Console]] service in 2010. | ||
Following ''Rondo of Blood'', the franchise would begin to deviate from its side-scrolling platformer roots and expand into a subseries now referred to as the {{iw|wikipedia|Metroidvania}} games, notable for sharing aspects with traditional ''{{b|Metroid|universe}}'' installments such as a more expansive, segmented map, secret areas and upgrades, and greater control over the player character and their abilities. The first of these installments was the sleeper hit ''{{iw|wikipedia|Symphony of the Night}}'', which followed [[Alucard]], the son of Dracula himself, on an adventure through two versions of Dracula's Castle to defeat his father and avenge his mother's death. This entry is also notable for introducing the concept of having a protagonist character betray the character and become a villain, this game's being Richter after he was possessed by the dark priest Shaft. The series would also see less-successful ventures through 3D installments released for the [[Nintendo 64]] around this time, these installments being ''{{iw|wikipedia|Castlevania|1999 video game}}'' and ''{{iw|wikipedia|Legacy of Darkness}}''. Due to the greater critical success of ''Symphony of the Night'', the Metroidvania format would be used for the majority of subsequent installments, including the trilogy of games released on the [[Game Boy Advance]], and the trilogy released on the [[Nintendo DS]]. | Following ''Rondo of Blood'', the franchise would begin to deviate from its side-scrolling platformer roots and expand into a subseries now referred to as the {{iw|wikipedia|Metroidvania}} games, notable for sharing aspects with traditional ''{{b|Metroid|universe}}'' installments such as a more expansive, segmented map, secret areas and upgrades, and greater control over the player character and their abilities. The first of these installments was the sleeper hit ''{{iw|wikipedia|Symphony of the Night}}'', which followed [[Alucard]], the son of Dracula himself, on an adventure through two versions of Dracula's Castle to defeat his father and avenge his mother's death. This entry is also notable for introducing the concept of having a protagonist character betray the character and become a villain, this game's being Richter after he was possessed by the dark priest Shaft. The series would also see less-successful ventures through 3D installments released for the [[Nintendo 64]] around this time, these installments being ''{{iw|wikipedia|Castlevania|1999 video game}}'' and ''{{iw|wikipedia|Legacy of Darkness}}''. Due to the greater critical success of ''Symphony of the Night'', the Metroidvania format would be used for the majority of subsequent installments, including the trilogy of games released on the [[Game Boy Advance]], and the trilogy released on the [[Nintendo DS]]. | ||