It's been too long since I've played Bloodlines, but I can say that the graphics are way better than Castlevania IV (although I think that CIV's graphics are bad) and the music is real Castlevania music, whereas CIV has ambient non-music.I have to disagree with your comment about SC4 music as being ambient non-music. It's anything but ambient non-music (okay, maybe the opening stage with the drawbridge may be ambient non-music). It's one of the few SNES games whose soundtrack I really enjoy.

If you want, I can provide you with a mp3 rip of the SC4 soundtrack (I own the actual original Japanese 2 CD soundtrack) to give you better listen. Yeah, SCIV has one of the most amazing soundtracks of that era.Bloodlines has great music as well. Almost all of the tracks are enjoyable, they fit the mood of the levels, and are original compositions, not recyling of previous NES/SNES Castlevania music. Of course, when familiar tracks like Vampire Killer, Bloody Tears and Simon's theme appear, they give you the chills, something few 16-bit soundtracks can achieve:D(as far as I know the soundtrack was released in Japan together with that of PCE's Dracula X: Rondo of Blood as a 2-CD album). Thing is, both are solid games, and considering Konami's (.and Capcom's) not very good 'relationship' with Sega (judging by their output for Genesis compared to that of the SNES - I'd love to read an informed opinion about why this seemed to be the case), Bloodlines is an amazing platform game:DI'm not saying this is the reason, but I always thought that since Nintnedo was more popular in Japan, Konami and Capcom wanted to make sure they sold more in their hime country. It always seems that Japanese compoanies don't care about any place but Japan. This was actually my first Castlevania game believe it or not.

Available to Play 42,403 Games 60 Systems Top Systems Gameboy Advance Super Nintendo Nintendo 64 Nintendo NES Game Boy Color Sega Genesis Arcade Commodore 64 Atari 2600 Sega Dreamcast Top Searches Mario +hacks Pokemon +hacks Sonic +hacks Zelda +hacks Castlevania +hacks Mega Man +hacks Metroid +hacks Star Wars Donkey Kong Final Fantasy Top. Available now Redeem game code. $4.99 Buy download. Eligible for up to points Step into the shadows of the deadliest dwelling on earth. Super NES™ and Game Boy™ Advance.

It was a good introduction to the series for Genesis gamers. I also think everything about this game was great (graphics, music, and gameplay). I couldn't help but think what if Konami had more time to make this game even better? We could've seen a bit more levels and maybe slightly better graphics. Don't get me wrong, I love the game for what it is. I liked the fact that you were able to use a different character that doesn't use a whip and how they were able to incorporate a famous twisted countess into the video game.

I remember back when I was a young, biased Atari/Sega-only gamer, I was looking forward to Bloodlines quite a bit. I didn't own an NES or an SNES, so this was the only Castlevania I had any chance of playing at the time. When I was finally able to get it, I was not disappointed. The graphics, the music, the differently playing characters. It was quite a treat.

And unlike TMNT: Hyperstone Heist, this one didn't feel like a half-hearted port of an SNES game. It was virtually all-new stuff from top to bottom, which gave me something to hold over the heads of my similarly biased NES/SNES-only friends.However, once I wised up and released all I was doing was cheating myself out of great games on other systems, I eventually got an NES and SNES, and the Castlevanias that went with them.

Having played Super Castlevania IV quite a bit, I think it falls a little short compared to Bloodlines. This is due mainly because I find SC:IV to be considerably easier, and while the music is nice, it just doesn't grab me as much as the music in Bloodlines does. I also liked the design style of Bloodlines more.Don't get me wrong, SC:IV is not a bad game in any way. I enjoy playing it, and it's a valued part of my SNES library. But, I feel Bloodlines pulls a bit ahead overall.

As seen in the post made by u/Daeforce, I felt compelled to make a pc key combo image to complement, and help those in the first steps of the charge blade with more moves for those in need of understanding the combos (like me).Everything that is in the image is taken from Arrekz, so if you want more details just look for the video. I hope that this is still relevant to pc players and good hunt! Monster Blade for PC is an exciting game of hunting beasts. The land of Elemental Plains is in great danger from the Godbeasts. They have been accompanied by the fearsome dragons of Monster blade. The land is in great peril and is summoning heroes to save it. Let’s start off easy. The Charge Blade, like the Switch Axe, has two states it can switch between ala Bloodborne. In this case it’s two states being a sword and shield and a great axe. You’ll notice in the top left corner when using the weapon, icons of a sword shield and 5 vials. Monster blade ios.

Tied in with this thread:still don't understand why people compare Bloodlines to SCV:4, there's 3 years in the difference between the two, and the Genesis uses a 68000 proc, which architecture is by no means 'unfamiliar' with the primates on Konami's payroll circa 1994.A better comparison would be to the butchered port to SNES of Dracula X, which wins on sharper animations and a 'different/SNES' sound, but fails on gameplay, design, fun, and overall 'technical perfection' for the hardware it was on. Bloodlines took the series awesome music and turned it into something wonderful on the Genesis, which was and still is stereotyped for it's 'under-polished' sound.The SCV4 music enthusiast's who claim it's better than Bloodlines are smoking some marvelous substances for sure, considering it's 90% ambient noise with subtle bass effects.Again though, I wouldn't compare the two, the x68000 remake was released in 1993, that would even be a better comparison, one that 'would' make sense. I like this version, but it's still not as fun as Bloodlines. I'm scratching my head here, thinking 'what is SCV:4'???I know the internet is destroying the English language, but a good general rule of thumb with acronyms is to not use them unless the referenced word or phrase has already been established.Another good idea is to not just pull them out of your ass.Castlvania is one word. It is not Castle Vania.Super Castlevania 4. Not that hard to figure out really, given the thread and all;):lol:But in all seriousness, Castlevania has been abbreviated as CV for a while. I'm not that up on internet lingo, but it's something I've been seeing for years, so it's familiar to me.

Some things on the web, and in real life, get abbreviated via syllables instead of words. Why it happens is up the air really, but I'd wager that in the case of Castlevania, that it's because the word has two main strong syllables, and it's what stands out most when saying the word. As a result, the 'CV' abbreviation was born. Excellent nitpicking.IIRC there's not a single track that could be properly described as 'ambient noise' in the game, and at least half of the tracks follow the usual pop song structure. There are some odd time signatures in a few of them though.Well, I'm referring to the effective nature of the music itself, how it focuses more on ambiance than the other traditional CV games, especially Bloodlines. The tracks more more muted/subtle for the earlier stages of the game which don't fall in line with the other titles. You could say it's more diverse, whereas other game's music is usually 'straight to the point.'

I certainly don't prefer it.I just hate the codification of language through the use of acronyms, is all.And then they way they are used and misused in videogame forums just takes things to another level.Super Castlevania IV is not SCV:4IIJW!' Video game' is two words, 'OH SNAP!' Seriously, cry yourself a river, find the shallowest part, and dive in already.:roll. Dh, srsly.Perhaps you would have understood it better had I typed vg.Video game and videogame have been interchangeable since the debut of SI.Take your BS acronyms and STUYA, or STFU.;)lol,srsly?

U R Scrub with acronyms. L2P with L337speak, Noob; kthxbi.No, seriously. Grammar policing or bitching about acronyms while out of context. I understand. It doesn't make you less of a dickhead if it's justified.However, having provided you a link to another thread, one would assume you would at least look at it since it bears value in the context of my original message; and one would also assume that a title such as 'Castlvania Bloodlines Super Castlevania 4?' Would indeed explain what the fuck 'SCV:4' actually meant in a post about 'Comparing the two games'.Don't attempt to troll an issue that undermines your own intelligence.Don't be an idiot because it's easy.

Castlevania BloodlinesSuper Castlevania IVIV just looks ugly and for a Castlevania game it's way too easy. I mean in stage 9 or something you fight a bat made out of gold tokens that puts up the fight of a stage 1 boss.

The last 3 or so stages start to get interesting but by then it's too late. Castlevania Bloodlines isn't incredibly difficult but it does provide a challenge throughout the entire game. I mean I've played it a bunch but I can still slip up and die on just about any stage. As for the 16-bit Vanias I would probably rank them like this:1. Rondo of Blood2.

Castlevania Bloodlines3. Castlevania Chronicles(X68000) (Been a While since I've played it, could possibly beat out Bloodlines, they're pretty close in my book anyway)4. Super Castlevania IV5. Castlevania: Dracula X (Good music and graphics but they butchered the level design). Well, I'm referring to the effective nature of the music itself, how it focuses more on ambiance than the other traditional CV games, especially Bloodlines.

The tracks more more muted/subtle for the earlier stages of the game which don't fall in line with the other titles. You could say it's more diverse, whereas other game's music is usually 'straight to the point.' I certainly don't prefer it.You could also say it is background music, not a rock album.

It's supposed to suit the scenes in the game. Not saying either approach is wrong for Castlevania (esp. The traditonal games), but your first claim was a bit ridiculous. It didn't work.:(Do it when the menu options are showing. Move the selection Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B,A. You'll here the confirm noise.Go into options and pick Extreme.

(If you want)Also of note: If you then set the BGM Soundtest to 05, play it and SFX to 073, play it. Then exit the menu you will have the classic CV music start in the game when your weapon is fully powered up.Do that one first, and then enter the extreme mode code, and you'll unlock the option for 9 lives.This shit was burned into my childhood brain much like ABACABB:lol. Do it when the menu options are showing. Move the selection Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B,A. You'll here the confirm noise.Go into options and pick Extreme. (If you want)Also of note: If you then set the BGM Soundtest to 05, play it and SFX to 073, play it.

Then exit the menu you will have the classic CV music start in the game when your weapon is fully powered up.Do that one first, and then enter the extreme mode code, and you'll unlock the option for 9 lives.This shit was burned into my childhood brain much like ABACABB:lol:Thanx, KD, I'll try that when I get off of work.1 more question.Is there any differences between the Castlevania: Bloodlines that was manufacturered in Mexico and the one manufactured in the US?? As you know from the 'New Nomad' thread that I have the Mexican manufactured version. Just wondering if there is any differences between the two.Shit. My bad TheEdge. I forgot to specifically mention which 'title' screen. Thanks for helping him KD:)Np:cool. I just decided to hook up a Genesis & play this again.

I played around with the codes & stuff. I figured I would repeat what I said before step by step in a clearer & needless detail:DGo to options first, Play BGM 05, then SFX 073.

Start to exit.Wait for the intro-demo to run again with the logo, music & blinking 'Press Start' at the bottom. Press start to get back to the menu with the 'Candle stick' & different options. Now press Up Up Down Down left right left right B A.

Man, I never knew you could use the Konami Code in this game before earlier this evening! I set my lives to 9 (9 lives per continue so 27 altogether) and ended up besting Death, but losing to Elizabeth Bathory's (sp?) Second Form.

Damn this game is tough, I must have lost 7 lives to the damned upside-down room.This game really is great, though. Between this, Rocket Knight Adventures & Contra: Hard Corps, Konami made some very sweet Genesis games.e: Doh! Hadn't noticed that KD posted the Code on this very page. The first time I played this I remembered thinking, 'Was this just ported directly from the NES?' I got this game in the mail today.

I didn't play any Castlevania games growing up and it wasn't until about two years ago that I started on the NES ones. They've been fun. I picked up Castlevania 4 for the SNES last year and played it a bit throughout the year. It's colorful and sounds really cool. But that's about it. It feels like an upgrade of the NES games.

I don't like all the slow down and I feel the pace of the game moves too slowly. I also dislike the mode 7 level.I tried Bloodlines today. So I really have no nostalgic vision for any of these games. First impressions of Bloodlines: Damn the characters are small!

The sound is pretty good though. I've always thought the Genesis sounded better than the SNES and this one for me is better than the SNES version.

An example, when you finish a level the organ sound is pretty cool on the Genesis. The SNES is always to synth sounding for mePlayability?

The players move quicker in Bloodlines which makes them not feel so clunky. So the quicker paced playability is better in Bloodlines. But as someone who grew up with a Genesis I may be biased in this. That crazy whip movement from Castlevania 4 is gone, but this now has the choice to use two different characters which I like better. Also there's blood in it! I think that really was something that was lacking in al the other NES and SNES Castlevanias.

I'm only up to level 4 but so far I think the levels have more action than those in Castlevania 4. I'm giving Bloodlines the edge here. I got this game in the mail today. I didn't play any Castlevania games growing up and it wasn't until about two years ago that I started on the NES ones.

They've been fun. I picked up Castlevania 4 for the SNES last year and played it a bit throughout the year. It's colorful and sounds really cool. But that's about it. It feels like an upgrade of the NES games.

I don't like all the slow down and I feel the pace of the game moves too slowly. I also dislike the mode 7 level.I tried Bloodlines today.

So I really have no nostalgic vision for any of these games. First impressions of Bloodlines: Damn the characters are small! The sound is pretty good though.

I've always thought the Genesis sounded better than the SNES and this one for me is better than the SNES version. An example, when you finish a level the organ sound is pretty cool on the Genesis. The SNES is always to synth sounding for mePlayability? The players move quicker in Bloodlines which makes them not feel so clunky.

So the quicker paced playability is better in Bloodlines. But as someone who grew up with a Genesis I may be biased in this. That crazy whip movement from Castlevania 4 is gone, but this now has the choice to use two different characters which I like better. Also there's blood in it!

I think that really was something that was lacking in al the other NES and SNES Castlevanias. I'm only up to level 4 but so far I think the levels have more action than those in Castlevania 4.

I'm giving Bloodlines the edge here.Play Symphony of the Night last, playing it first will make the other ones seem crappy.Bloodlines is probably the best 16 generation cart Castlevania, I like it better the Super Castlevania. Don't even try to compare playing as Morris to previous CV games. Far as I can remember, those enemies all had concrete patterns that worked with limited whipping range.

Now, aside from a paltry diagonal whip, you have the same controls against a number of enemies who move more randomly. It doesn't work well, and it's clear that John Morris was added to the game as an afterthought.Konami should've left it at Eric Lacarde, cut John Morris, and called it good.

CV: Bloodlines would've been a better game for it. Don't even try to compare playing as Morris to previous CV games. Far as I can remember, those enemies all had concrete patterns that worked with limited whipping range. Now, aside from a paltry diagonal whip, you have the same controls against a number of enemies who move more randomly. It doesn't work well, and it's clear that John Morris was added to the game as an afterthought.Oh ho, I'm comparing them all right. So PUT 'EM UP!:lol:Anyway, my memories of those games include how some enemies in CV 1-3 respawned repeatedly and popped up at the worst times (the Medusa heads and bats that come out at whatever height you were at say 'hi'), and enemies that suddenly knocked you into pits/water off of platforms (like those damn fishmen). Some also randomly jumped around (like those fleamen and hunchbacks), and the games provided many a frustrating section as you got farther into them (remember that damned last corridor before you reached Death in CV1.

Or Death from that game?). From my experiences, the enemies in CV 1-3 shared more similarities with Bloodlines than differences in terms of how random or concrete their attacks and patterns were. Sure, the harpies in Bloodlines are a pain in the ass, but I think the first three Castlevanias have enemies and sections of their own to match them reasonably evenly.As I said, I had no issues playing the game, and beating it on Expert, with John Morris. And I'm no game pro by any stretch of the imagination. Perhaps it didn't mesh with you, but if I could do it without continuing, anyone can. I couldn't play as John Morris past level 2 myself either.

I only managed to ever get to the Final Stage with Eric Lecarde, then after that I just couldnt hang. The only castlevania to date that I've beaten was Castlevania Lament Of Innocence for PS2. I just couldnt get anywhere with any of the other castlevania games. Castlevania IV was a great one, and while its as fun as Bloodlines (at least in my mind), I couldnt get far in that one either. After the level where you fight the knight in the glass case, I just got obliterated real quick.

One day I'll get on your guys/gals level.:) -Ben. CV4 has its own BS issues too. The rotating platforms around stage 5 like to move faster than you can react, which I have no doubt is something intended only to piss off the player. In addition, the color palette leaves something to be desired.I find it funny that to play as John Morris in Bloodlines is to essentially handicap yourself. You think Konami could have been arsed to give him multi-directional whipping for Christ's sakes. I mean, CV4'd already been out for three years. What's the excuse?

Having two playable characters for Bloodlines is a brilliant feature which I enjoy and I feel that Konami was sincere about implementing in the game to have it experienced through two perspectives: John Morris reminiscent of the 'traditional' vampire-slayer and Eric LeCarde incorporated as the more contemporary character per the dynamic controls seen in Super Castlevania IV.Further, it adds to the longevity of the game and supports the branching levels as unique to that respective player. I am absolutely an Eric player, but having the option to play as one or another is certainly a strength not a limitation. It's only brilliant if both characters don't suck. If we really want to delude ourselves into believing that Konami was sincere about John Morris' inclusion by bringing on the excuse of the 8-bit CV experience, I guess nothing's going to stop a die-hard Sega fan.Like I said, there's absolutely no excuse for John Morris not to control exactly like Belmont did in CV4. It's just sheer laziness on Konami's part.The game can be played in two different ways; traditionally (JM), and a new way (EL).

Enjoying both isn't deluding oneself in the least, nor is it being a 'die-hard Sega fan.' It's finding the game to be fun and playable, regardless of which character is chosen, because they both control fine. If you can't beat the game with one, that's not the fault of the game in this instance, because it's not broken. Just as an example of something similar, how many people are good at Street Fighter II with Dhalsim?

I can't play using that character for shit, but I've watched others absolutely trounce the game with him, because they learned how to use him, learned his strengths and weaknesses, and the controls worked great for them to do so. But since I could never get the hang of Dhalsim, does that mean he sucks, and the game sucks playing as him?

It just means my skill with that character needs work, and the same goes for you with John Morris.As for the whip, I can understand not liking the step back Bloodlines took with the controlling of it. But that's a personal taste thing.

Konami went back to simpler controls, just like they did with Rondo of Blood, and its offshoot, Castlevania: Dracula X. Some hated the step back in those games as well, but others (like myself) had no problems with it. Does this mean I'm saying that Konami wasn't lazy? No, as that is a possibility (rushed deadline? Lack of programming skill to implement it?). But seeing as the teams behind Bloodlines, Rondo, and Dracula X all did the same basic thing, it could also just as easily have been a design choice from the get go, and not laziness. Rondo of Blood?

Everyone with any sense recognizes they're vastly inferior to SCIV. Especially in terms of controls, if nothing else.Anyway, I agree with A Black Falcon 100%. In fact, the way he states it, it makes me realize how asinine Bloodlines' control really is. I honestly think the only reason people put on the rose-colored glasses and defend it here is because it's the only CV on the Genesis.Perhaps a hack putting at least sc4 snes character and directions of weapon/control can be made for bloodlines (maybe sc4 extra stage)? Call it bloodlines remix and put it on everdrive. Rondo of Blood?

Everyone with any sense recognizes they're vastly inferior to SCIV. Especially in terms of controls, if nothing else.Anyway, I agree with A Black Falcon 100%. In fact, the way he states it, it makes me realize how asinine Bloodlines' control really is. I honestly think the only reason people put on the rose-colored glasses and defend it here is because it's the only CV on the Genesis.Would you care to push your opinion a little more? I don't think the pedestal you've put it can be seen by everyone just yet. Of course I'll push it. I enjoyed this game for what it was, namely the level design, music, bosses, and overall challenge, but I still have harsh criticism for what it was also, i.e.

Giving us a good character and a subpar character when we could've had one really great character. 9/10, my aching ass. The only way this would've merited a 9/10 is if Konami had removed Lacarde and given him multi-directional thrusting in mid-jump like he should've had in the first place.

He could thrust down in mid-jump, so what happened?Imagine that for a moment: A refined Lacarde, and I think this game would've been a contender against Castlevania IV.What probably happened is that the design team was making the game around Eric Lacarde, for the sake of a refreshing change that a spear-wielding vampire hunter would offer, and as they were 3/4 of the way through developing him, someone in upper management checked the game out and bitched that there was no Vampire Killer Whip. Thus, John Morris was born. I'll touch on a few different things I've read from you, Spunkwater.You don't like John Morris, and don't like the whip control. That's fine, and you're not alone to be sure. But there's nothing wrong with the controls themselves. You hit jump, they jump right away. Hit attack, and they attack immediately.

No sluggish controls, no horrid hit detection. The controls are just fine. So how the they're 'asinine,' and Morris is 'nigh-unplayable,' is still a mystery to me. But, since we're throwing caution to the wind and letting the conjecture fly, here are some speculation bits that stand just as much of a chance at being correct as what you've been fervently backing.- Rondo of Blood had two characters to play as (Richter and Maria) before Bloodlines did. Castlevania III had a small family of them to use before Rondo. Bloodlines follows suit.

More characters, more replayablility (in theory), and more ways to handle the levels and enemies in question. So having a pair of different characters to use already had a history with the franchise before Bloodlines came about, and it doesn't feel like it was forced just to include a 'normal' Castlevania hero. On that note.- John Morris can be used from start to finish.

All enemies can be readily beaten, and all bosses can be just as easily defeated with him when compared to Lecarde. The levels can be traversed without any more overall difficulty over Lecarde, with each character having some areas that they can get through more easily than the other character. That doesn't strike me as Morris being tacked on at the last minute. Seems to me, the game makers had both characters there from the beginning, and planned the levels accordingly.- Two different weapons, and two different characters, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Why make them have different attributes?

Because making them identical wouldn't have made sense. Half of the point of having more than one character to choose from is to make playing through the game feel a bit different with each character.

So, Lecarde can high jump using his spear and stab diagonally on the ground, but can't stab diagonally in the air. Meanwhile, Morris can whip diagonally in the air and swing from his whip, but can't whip diagonally on the ground, or high jump. However, both can stab down when airborne to get at enemies below them, which is the one special feature they both share as far as using their normal weapons (a feature many people liked if I recall, so giving it to both characters makes sense).

Factor in the two different powered up sub-weapon attacks, and now you've got two characters, different pros and cons, and the player can choose which one they like more. It adds variety and weaknesses to overcome, without being game breaking, as opposed to having one all-powerful character that can do everything both characters can do.- Having the only two selectable Bloodlines characters be identical attack-wise, would be like having Ryu and Ken be exactly the same if they were the only selectable characters in Street Fighter II. What would the point be, outside of wasting memory? There'd be no different challenges, no different ways to deal with enemies. It would just be a pallet swap at heart, and that's just a lazy way to do things (as Capcom showed us in Street Fighter).

So, we got our differences between Morris and Lecarde (nothing too drastic, but differences. As bit like Ryu and Ken in SF II), yet both can be used to beat the game just as readily. It's simply a matter of whose pros and cons mesh with your play style the best.As I said, I can understand your dislike of Morris and how his whip controls.

But I just don't agree with some of what you've been asserting. To me, nothing controls badly, nothing feels like an afterthought, and the differences between the characters makes sense, as they add replay value and different gameplay experiences. IMHO of course.Oh, and as an aside, I agree that SCV IV is a great entry. It's a fun game with nice graphics, good music (though it's probably close to the middle of my personal 'favorite Castlevania OSTs' list), and solid gameplay. The dangling/twirling whip idea was quite cool, but it isn't really a 'required to win' tactic anywhere, so it feels more like an extra feature rather than a needed one that's vital to the gameplay.

Also, I agree that the multi directional whip mechanic was a great addition. But I guess where we differ is that I don't feel it had to be in every Castlevania game since SCV IV. It was a feature for the SNES game, and the likes of Rondo and Bloodlines not having it didn't bother me.My main complaint with SCV IV is that's it's considerably easier than the games that came before and after it. I know there's a code to boost the difficulty, but even that doesn't quite make it on par with the solid challenges other entries offered.

As Polonius would say, albeit ironically: 'Brevity is the soul of wit.' Let me clear this up, because I don't think I've expressed it properly: I don't think the game controls poorly. It controls well. The buttons work. They're supposed to work, but responsive controls don't mean much when Morris gets bent over the pommel horse because he's fighting enemies that were clearly programmed for Eric Lacarde's more sophisticated control setup.

The problem is that John Morris is programmed to perform for an 8-bit CV game, and an 8-bit CV game this is not.Also, I'm not seeing why we have to limit the controls of one character or another. Why couldn't the difference lie in the way their weapons function, rather than in the basic attacks they can perform? It makes no damn sense to remove basic attacks like attacking diagonally or straight up and down, whether it be jumping or standing. It does make sense to give them certain special maneuvers/abilities and it would've differentiated them enough that Sega fans wouldn't be deluding themselves with apologetic arguments why Bloodlines is one of the best CV games.On a personal note, what I find really amusing is that all my friends hate Bloodlines.

Absolutely hate it. We did a playthrough with Morris last weekend and they all thought the game was rubbish, and meanwhile I insisted the game was more fun with Lacarde. They wouldn't have any of it. They thought I was nuts.So here I am, cutting the game to shreds on Sega-16 and defending it to my Gamer buddies.

Sometimes it's funny how things work. Then there's the argument that the multi-directional whip of Super Castlevania IV breaks the game, not to mention the pacing of that one is a lot more drawn out than Bloodlines.There's nothing wrong with John Morris and the way he controls.

It means you actually have to think how to kill an awkwardly placed enemy, as opposed to just flicking your whip upwards. There's been some good discussion on Shmups.com about this with several decent players passing their opinions on the matter. The only time I said 'WTF where is my directional whip'?

Was back in '94 when the game first dropped, after I had played through SCIV. But then it only took a couple of creds to realise what was up (I'd never played any of the NES versions).Considering the game is too easy anyway (on defaults), I don't see what the problem is. I've made it to Dracula without taking a single hit, and I'm pretty sure if I wasn't such a lazy fuck I could no-miss that bitch too.Some of the tricks you can do when swinging on the whip (killing an enemy, hitting two candles and collecting the items when they are on a level above you, all without touching the ground by using multiple swings) is testament to how well Morris controls. Let's not forget the role of the missile weapons in covering your front arc when pressing up at the same time either, you don't think this was taken into account when designing the levels?At the end of the day it boils down to personal preference, but despite the graphics and music instrumentation being superior on the SNES game, I think Bloodlines absolutely wipes the floor with it in terms of playability. The pacing is more like an arcade title as well, which makes sense being on MD/Genesis and is still one of the best playing games in the genre on the console, IMO. As Polonius would say, albeit ironically: 'Brevity is the soul of wit.' It's also the key to misunderstandings on the Internet;).

Which leads me too.Let me clear this up, because I don't think I've expressed it properly: I don't think the game controls poorly. It controls well. The buttons work.

They're supposed to work, but responsive controls don't mean much when Morris gets bent over the pommel horse because he's fighting enemies that were clearly programmed for Eric Lacarde's more sophisticated control setup. The problem is that John Morris is programmed to perform for an 8-bit CV game, and an 8-bit CV game this is not.CV:B is a step up in level and enemy complexity, sure, but Morris isn't exactly strictly 8-bit either. Between his diagonal whipping and super weapon, he can handle everything the game throws at him. With Bloodlines though, and this is just from my own personal experience, waiting a moment or two instead jumping right in helps.

Everything presents an opening to be attacked, even if it's not right away. At least, that's what I found when I stopped trying to rush through it to reach a valuable checkpoint.Of course, others speedrun the hell out of it and blaze through without issue. But I've always sucked at attempting speedruns, so. Slower worked for me.Also, I'm not seeing why we have to limit the controls of one character or another. Why couldn't the difference lie in the way their weapons function, rather than in the basic attacks they can perform?

It makes no damn sense to remove basic attacks like attacking diagonally or straight up and down, whether it be jumping or standing. It does make sense to give them certain special maneuvers/abilities and it would've differentiated them enough that Sega fans wouldn't be deluding themselves with apologetic arguments why Bloodlines is one of the best CV games.Some say it's one of the best? Not sure about that myself. It's a good, solid game with nice graphics and some great tunes, no doubt.

But it's under the likes of Rondo, Symphony, CV III, and maybe one or two others for me.On a personal note, what I find really amusing is that all my friends hate Bloodlines. Absolutely hate it. We did a playthrough with Morris last weekend and they all thought the game was rubbish, and meanwhile I insisted the game was more fun with Lacarde. They wouldn't have any of it.

They thought I was nuts.So here I am, cutting the game to shreds on Sega-16 and defending it to my Gamer buddies. Sometimes it's funny how things work.Hm, isn't it? Writing reviews for horrid games leaves me in a somewhat similar boat.

You end up shifting gears from talking about how bad it is, to talking about the few things that work so they don't get lost. I wear your indictment like a badge of honor, sir! Haha.Damn right! What's with the pretentious, condescending overtones coming from Cornelius? Seems like he's on the wrong forum to be flaming on SEGA.It's funny that he thinks Super Castlevania IV is the best Castlevania game. I used to hear that from kids that only owned and wanted Nintendo consoles. There are a number of Castlevania games that the more informed and skilled would rather play, which have already been mentioned.

At least Bloodlines doesn't easily bend over for you.That's the nicest way I could put it. Wasn't SCV IV a retelling of the first NES CV? That means he went back in time because he wanted to watch himself beat Dracula again, then decided 'fuck it' and did it before his old self could.Not to mention that Chronicles (which has a port and a remake of the X68000 Akumajou Dracula) and Vampire Hunter MSX (just Akumajou Dracula in Japan) are also retellings of the NES CV. Haunted Castle (another game just titled Akumjou Dracula in Japan) has a slightly different story where Dracula kidnaps Simon's girlfriend, but isn't a sequel, and probably isn't canon (though music from it was used in Portrait of Ruin for DS). I also heard that Haunted Castle was designed around the same time as the NES Castlevania. You don't think the drums sound weak?80's Yamaha YM2612 8 Bit 22 khz FM Synth/PCM vs 90's Sony S-SMP 8 to 12 Bit 32 khz SPC SamplesOh you just meant the drums, okay thought you meant overall. Are CV MD drums weaker compared to say a snes 12 bit sampled kick and snare, yes.

Weak overall, no. On avg I think the snes had drums that sounded hard hitting 90's style (full kicks), while the MD was softer and more 80s sounding (hard toms). That MD CV theme was very good yes?

I wouldn't say it's inferior though, I like both the CV themes on MD and SNES. I like the music of Earthworm Jim on both too, but prefer it on MD but wouldn't say it's inferior on snes.

So I can see why you prefer the CV theme on snes.The MD chip could have been taken advantage more by composers, sometimes it was.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zG1H88Vmh0. What's with the pretentious, condescending overtones coming from Cornelius? Seems like he's on the wrong forum to be flaming on SEGA.It's funny that he thinks Super Castlevania IV is the best Castlevania game. I used to hear that from kids that only owned and wanted Nintendo consoles. There are a number of Castlevania games that the more informed and skilled would rather play, which have already been mentioned.

At least Bloodlines doesn't easily bend over for you.That's the nicest way I could put it.Out of all the traditional CVs, CV IV controls the best. There's nothing pretentious, flaming, condescending, or uninformed about it. It is a fact. In addition, I never stated that CV IV is technically the best, only that it has the best control setup, which it does. Bloodlines has more interesting levels and its final battle with Dracula is far better than CV IV's. That said, I love Sega but I'm not about to give Bloodlines a free pass just because it happens to be the only CV on the Genesis.

John Morris sucks, and I stand by it. Love the game with Eric Lacarde, hate it with John Morris. If Eric Lacarde had controlled similarly to Simon Belmont, Bloodlines would've been the best game in the series. Before SOTN, of course.On a separate note, I think Konami did a fine job on Contra: Hard Corps. It's better than Contra 3, I think.

The slide maneuver and the inventory setup are terrific. Put me down for the 8 way whipping ruins things category. Castlevania was meant to challenge, not be a breeze. It ruins the strategy of the series when you take away the functionality of the sub-weapons. I think Konami themselves realized this, and that's why they never went back to it.If you gotta stick up for an SNES Castlevania, it should be Dracula X.

It's like Hyperstone Heist, a port of the better game, even if it doesn't have as much going for it, is still a good game.Personally I would consider this side of the series, before Igarashi kicks in, like this: RondoIII(which I would consider my personal favorite)Bloodlinesthe rest. I do love me some Super Castlevania 4, as it has luwely mysterious atmosphere, which I am always sucker for, along with smooth soundtrack and gameplay.But Bloodlines shouldn't be dropped down either, even though it has more aggressive visual (and sound) style which I am not fond of. At very least because it feels more of direct successor to NES Castlevania, than SC4.Shame on the wonky stair walking animations though. Once you notice that, it just simply can't be unseen.And hm, making SC4 more focused on 8-direction whipping. You guys want medusa heads coming from the top too, aren't you?:D.

I couldn't help but share these videos by Strafefox, they are so masterfully done and deserves more audience. I've found myself totally engrossed by the Castlevania series (well, only until about 1997.) and part of that might be because as a kid I never liked scary games. My earliest memory of Castlevania was sitting next to my cousin on Thanksgiving in her computer room as she played the first game on an old PC and it freaked me the hell out. Anyways, I'm been enjoying reading about the history and makings of these games and genuinely feel that Konami made an effort to design each a unique and an epic experience of it's own (and even as far as sabotaging Dracula X on SNES on behalf of NEC's pleas).

What a cop-out for me to say, right? The real problem here is that every time I go up or down stairs in my house, I start humming Iron-Blue Intention and walk like I'm on a 16-bit mission to slay evil.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPPFpBA9aNQhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBzZ5ZjHYyEhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaT2xBnF4BY. Why is this still a thing?

It's a matter of opinion. OK, you guys all know the first & third NES Castlevania games are the Gold standard for this series. Well at least classic series, as when it went all Metroidvania on us, it also went all pure crap outside of graphics & sounds (well, maybe except CitM? As at least that one attempts to be actually balanced and even provides a challenge instead of the broken mess all the other ones are.

I never got the complaint that you can't 'whip' in 8 direction in Bloodlines. The game gives you two characters, Moris with the standard whip, and Eric with the spear (which can be used in multiple directions).The game gives you both, what is there to complain? It even lacks the wiggly stupidity you can do in SCV IV.The only things I don't like are the weird colour choices and the really obvious staircase positioning issue (these two imply the game was somewhat rushed). Konami put less effort into it than it did on SCV IV and that sucks, because RKA and Contra HC show what Konami could do on the genesis when it gave a damn.Don't get what you mean about Rondo being broken though, you mean too easy? Dracula X is a much better looking game than Rondo, so I dunno what you mean by all the effort going into graphics.

People prefer Rondo because it simply has more to it. More and better levels, more prisoners to rescue, an extra character to play as. Nobody likes the horrible, cheaply made cutscenes (except the first, kinda cool one). I never got the complaint that you can't 'whip' in 8 direction in Bloodlines. The game gives you two characters, Moris with the standard whip, and Eric with the spear (which can be used in multiple directions).The game gives you both, what is there to complain? It even lacks the wiggly stupidity you can do in SCV IV.This is something I find very genius about Bloodlines. Instead of giving you every direction whipping per character, they split it between two characters (ie.

If you could switch between both characters on the fly, you basically have access to whipping in every direction to handle everything in the game best. Instead the way it is now, only one character is better in certain situation, greatly adding to replay and variety). I mean come on, it's bloody brilliant!:D.

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