![]() ![]() These games are about climbing stairs, tossing sub-weapons, fighting huge bosses and being knocked backwards into bottomless pits by floating Medusa heads. These are the Belmont stories, the ones that are about a man (or woman, in one troubled case) who carries the family name with each crack of a blessed whip, the Vampire Killer. Rondo of Blood evolved from the Famicom originals, the chunky, meticulously designed, arcade-like experiences that so many know due to their extreme challenge and righteous soundtracks. What these games are, both of them, are equally of dire importance to video game history, therefore their preservation is on a pedestal above the rest of the series, both to the fanbase and Konami as well. Symphony of the Night is a direct sequel to, despite being a stark departure from, Rondo of Blood. These are not separate universes, alternate takes on a similar idea, or spiritual successors. ![]() These games are two sides of the same coin, intertwined together in the long and complicated Castlevania timeline. These are the branching 2D paths, one pillar being the classic sidescrolling action best represented by Rondo of Blood, and the crown prince of “Metroidvania” itself leads the other, Symphony of the Night. But the other two pillars still stand tall, even with Konami’s last-gen waffling that ultimately led to a budding new IP in Bloodstained. That pillar, as unkempt and crumbling as it is, is made of the 3D action-adventures, from the oddball Castlevania 64 and Lament of Innocence to the more recent and disastrous Lords of Shadow series. One of them hardly exists, if you ask most fans, but it’s there regardless. These two games are the key to that door.Ĭastlevania, arguably, has three pillars. Between the Halloween hype for the show and this release, perhaps both could lead to something new. Why is that important? Well, Castlevania is in a prime position to make a comeback, as the Netflix show has brought the brand to the greater public eye. However, it’s a new way to play two of the most important games of Konami’s legendary library, and that’s important. It’s a budget priced bundle deal, with minimal features beyond the two games. Sure, it’s not the best collection it could be. 2018 got a lot better for me, once I was able to play Castlevania Requiem: Rondo of Blood and Symphony of the Night. ![]()
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