1991 would see the release of Akumajo Dorakyura/Super Castlevania IV for the newly released Super Famicom/SNES. A reworking of the original NES/Famicom game, you once again took up your whip as Simon Belmondo/Belmont in an effort to rid the land of the evil Dracula.The game is widely regarded as the strongest entry in the pre-"Metroidvania"(this will be discussed shortly) titles.
Besides the fantastic visuals and symphonic soundtrack, the game introduced some great game-play elements. Specifically, Simon could move his whip in eight different directions for the first time. This allowed for great flexibility and control over your weapon in comparison to past entries in the series. This innovation would largely be abandoned in later entries in the series, much to the disappointment of fans of the game.
While CIV/AD is a challenging game, it is not even close to being as difficult as the 8-bit games. I found the game to be quite a pleasure to play, as it does not test the upper limits of the players' patience and sanity. While I would not agree that this game is the strongest entry in the series, I would argue that it is the most accessible and mainstream for many. Perhaps this explains the games enduring legacy.
1993 would see the release of "Akumajou Dracula X: Chi no Rondo", better known as "Rondo of Blood". Released for the PC Engine CD in Japan only, the game is also regarded by many to best the best classic entry in the series. Featuring CD music, anime-style cut-scenes, and solid game-play, it remains my personal favorite. See my review for more on the game itself. Sadly, Rondo would not see official English released outside of Japan until the Wii Virtual Console.
Along with Contra, Konami sought to give Sega some love in 1994. Released on the Megadrive/Genesis, "Vampire Killer"/Castlevania: Bloodlines is widely regarded as one of the best Sega Megadrive/Genesis games of all time. Taking control of either Eric Lecarde or John Morris. Taking a vacation away from the Belmonts/Belmondo's, the game was somewhat experimental. Eric Lecarde uses a staff rather than a whip. Joh Morris plays more like a traditional Belmont character. Famous for its difficulty, I did find the game to be quite a challenge compared to the SNES/SFC SCIV/AD.
The game is quite visually impressive for the aging Sega hardware. Fans of the series will find a lot to like here, although I would argue that the game is certainly weaker than both Rondo and SCIV. Today, the game will cost you quite a lot of money. Like Contra: Hard Corps, it was a late Megadrive/Genesis release and is therefore harder to find and in demand.
After a few years of relative inactivity, 1997 would see the release of one of the most monumental video games of all time. Dracula X: Nocturne in the Moonlight (Symphony of the Night in the West) was a sleeper hit that has kept growing and growing in fame and regard over the last 19 years. A 2D game in a era of 3D transitions, it was certainly a bold move. Widely regarded as the best entry in the series, few can say anything negative about this absolute masterpiece.
"Metroidvania" refers to the dramatic shift that SOTN brought to the series. No longer were games linear. Hunting for items and unlocking door and passages to complete the game became standard with SOTN. For many, this was a needed change. However, it split the series into two distinct periods and styles. With the GBA and DS, most games would be "Metroidvania" games.
Despite low expectations from Konami for sales, the game soon became a major hit for the PS1.A revised Sega Saturn version would be released the following year (in Japan only) in 1998. SOTN proved that 2D was not dead. Most agree that SOTN was the pinnacle of Dracula/Castlevania and that its heights have not been reached ever since. To love video games is to love SOTN, a must-play for anyone who remotely enjoys the series.
Despite the massive success of the 2D SOTN, Konami would finally take the series into 3D with Akamajou Dracula Mokusjiroku(Apocalypse). Better known as Castlevania (64), the game has largely been received in a negative light since its release in 1999. Commonly criticized for its poor camera and chunky visuals, the game is rarely discussed when referring to the glories of the series. In the game, you take control of either Carrie or Reinhardt on their mission to take down Dracula once again. Game-play primarily consists of smashing endless arrays of skeletons with a mix of platforming and puzzle solving. Many sections of the game feature only background noise and lack the epic background music of so many other entries in the beloved series.
Despite its obvious shortcomings, the game is not quite as awful as many have said. It is a fairly generic early 3D game with frustrating controls and a fair amount of difficulty in later levels. The game is definitely an acquired taste, and longtime fans of the series could be easily put off by the radical changes to the series at this point.
Released later in 1999, Akamajou Dracula Mokusjiroku: Gaiden-Legend of Cornell(Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness in the West) was an expanded version of the first N64 game. The game adds the story of Cornell in addition to the original stories of Carrie and Reinhardt. In addition, it features a knight named Henry in a short campaign. Graphics were improved, new monsters were added, and some alternative levels were also added. Seeing as it contains all of the content from the first N64 game, many felt ripped off for having to buy the game twice.Today, the game is one of the more expensive N64 games and can cost over $60 just as a loose cart. The game did little to cement the validity of Dracula/Castlevania going 3D and was fairly poorly received.
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