| |
 Castlevania:
The Dracula X Chronicles (PSP)
The legendary PC Engine Duo title Rondo of Blood has finally arrived
stateside with the release of Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles for
the PSP. Not content to merely produce a port, the developers have instead
released a full blown remake with 2.5D graphics and a better soundtrack.
In addition, the game includes unlockable versions of the legendary
Symphony of the Night, complete with additional playable characters and
enhanced visuals as well as a port of the original game. Rondo of Blood
itself is much harder than players are probably used to, but the back to
basics, 2D gameplay is refreshing and challenging, making this a solid
release of the PSP. |
Those familiar with the history and lineage
of Castlevania were thrilled about a year ago when Konami announced that,
at long last, the legendary PC Engine DUO title Dracula X: Rondo of Blood
would finally be released after more than a decade. This was one of the
rarest and most expensive Japanese releases ever made, and it's legendary
status seemed only to grow with the passing of time. What makes this
release even more exciting was the fact that in addition to the original
game, the newly remastered version would be the centerpiece of the new
game. Featuring improved graphics, a completely new orchestral score and
several incredible unlockable games, this is probably the most-anticipated
PSP release for hardcore gamers this fall. The Rondo of Blood game itself
fits into the classic Castlevania mold in most aspects, which should
please old-school gamers. However, this game was a bridge, where Konami
added several new twists that led the way for the eventual enhancements
that later made Symphony of the Night so impressive. These features serve
as the important missing link between the classic 8 and 16-bit versions
and SOTN, making this a critical stage in the evolution of the series to
its present approach. While the enhanced version of the game is impressive
from a visual standpoint, it's the gameplay that really made this release
so legendary, and thankfully the essence of the Duo classic remains
despite the modern frills. Rondo of Blood nearly flawless gameplay has
definitely held up well over the years, and the magic from that edition is
definitely quite evident in both the enhanced and emulated versions of the
game.
 Instead
of the strictly linear approach seen in the earlier Castlevania games,
Rondo of Blood implemented several RPG-style features such as inventory
management, longer boss battles and multiple playable characters in order
to deepen the experience. While these seemed like minor changes, they
played a huge role in developing the cult of the franchise, and ensured
that Castlevania would evolve into something new. Rondo of Blood was also
famous for its high level of difficulty, with incredibly difficult level
design, aggressive enemies and intense boss battles that required a level
of skill and challenge that most modern games lack. It's probably going to
frustrate gamers who aren't used to this approach, but it is Castlevania,
after all. There aren't many shortcuts in this game, and you'll definitely
need persistence and challenge in order to progress through the game.
Rondo of Blood's high level of difficulty is evident as early as the
second level, which is where things go from hard to difficult. You
basically need to be almost flawless in your approach to the game, since
even the smallest mistakes and damage taken makes things that much harder
later on. However, the game is extremely rewarding, since the sense of
accomplishment you have from beating it is worth the effort. While
comparatively simple against the more elaborate Symphony of the Night,
Rondo of Blood's level designs remain impressive even by today's
standards. The beautiful design makes for a consistent feel and their
labyrinthine paths make for an engaging experience that will challenge
even the best gamers with their branching paths and hidden areas. Players
will encounter many of their favorite Castlevania villains and enemies,
with the usual array of zombies, flying eyes and skeletons along with some
truly awesome boss characters. None of the enemies are push-overs and
while Richter's whip is an effective weapon, you'll need to collect hearts
to power up your specials, with the famous crosses and flaming jars very
useful accompaniments. Progression through the game is fairly consistent,
though you'll have to strategize and memorize patterns as you go in order
to succeed. This makes for a consistently challenging title that doesn't
let up, and a challenge that will last for quite some time. However, the
remake of Rondo of Blood isn't the only game you'll find on this
compilation.
The PSP version also includes, as a
fully unlockable bonus, the original Playstation classic Symphony of the
Night. It's not as difficult to unlock as you might think, but this
translation shows off the game very much the way it was, though with a few
minor upgrades, such as the addition of Maria as a playable character in
addition to Alucard. What made SOTN so revolutionary in the series was its
large, massive levels with multiple branches, and its extensive system of
familiars, which were spells and weapons that could be combined and used
at various points. This gave what was formerly an excellent action series
more resemble an RPG and this added depth made for a much more enjoyable
game. The brilliant production values, complete with an evocative score
and extensive voice-overs added a dimension to the gameplay that made it
the ultimate Castlevania experience. The game set a new benchmark in terms
of gameplay with an array of more challenging enemies and situations where
you needed certain objects to pass certain areas, such as the double-jump
ability. We're happy to report that the game plays most as you remember it
on the PSP though unlike the other editions of the game, this one features
slightly enhanced graphics, though the classic score and gameplay remain.
This is the game where Castlevania really took off and featured vastly
enhanced RPG elements, a huge playable area and other elements that really
took the series to the next level. SOTN on the PSP remains one of the best
2D games ever made and its inclusion on this package makes this an
outstanding value.
As
you can tell from the screenshots, Rondo of Blood on the PSP looks
spectacular. It's beautifully rendered sprite based animation looks
stunning on the console's screen, with fluid movement, richly detailed
backdrops and fantastic character design. The game's soundtrack is
likewise outstanding, with the classic orchestral soundtrack accenting the
action perfectly. The remake's mix of 2D and 3D elements works flawlessly,
creating a lusciously gothic experience that fits in nicely with the
previous Castlevania titles. The emulated versions of the original PC
Engine Duo version and Symphony of the Night are likewise fantastic, with
Symphony enjoying some excellent upgrades that make the experience even
better. Taken as a whole, this is an excellent package that offers many
hours of challenging and exciting gameplay, fantastic visuals and sounds
plus the ability to play one of the most-highly sought after games ever
made in a convenient and accessible package. Castlevania: The Dracula X
Chronicles is one of the best old-school compilations on the system,
making it one of the essential purchases for PSP owners.
-
Michael Palisano
Grade:
B+
|
| |
|
