Castlevania Dracula X (Game Review)Castlevania Dracula X, well for beginners this is by far the one of if not the best Castlevania game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. I really enjoyed the simplicity of the game, and how the game is more fast paced and is broken down into stages instead of the usual "open map" castle style we're used to seeing from the Castlevania titles. While I do enjoy the American released version of this game I feel as though I would be doing you an injustice if I fail to mention the Japanese version of the game Castlevania Rondo of Blood because while they are the same game, there is slight variations within the two games( I would recommend the Japanese version over the American released version). I say this because in the Japanese version you can play as either Richter Belmont or Maria Renard(who becomes a playable character after you rescue her) which her attacks are stronger and have more depth to them but she takes alot more damage when hit, but that aside while in the American version you can only play as Richter. Also In addition in the American version certain aspects of the game are completely cut out like the ability to play as Maria Renard and certain stages are out of order with slight variations to them (like the background and level designs).
The graphics in Castlevania Dracula X are excellent, and what I was completely expecting from a game from the Super Nintendo Entertainment era. I love the attention to detail within the game from the scenery all the way down to how the world feels alive and how the creatures have the realistic texture and depth to them. My only complaint is how with Richter Belmont his face can't exactly be made out but his clothing and outfit design all are up to par.
The Sound within Castlevania Dracula X is amazing to say the least. The soundtrack really gives you that eerie edgy feeling, almost jump scare like in nature that go hand in hand with the visuals seen within the game. Castlevania Dracula X's soundtrack really gives you that sinking dark creepy feeling of being within the dark gloomy world that is Dracula's castle. Basically the sound really fits with the games under tone and mood.
The Story in Castlevania Dracula X goes like how the story usually goes for all the games in the Castlevania franchise for the most part. The story goes Richter Belmont, heir to the Vampire Killer whip and Simon Belmont's direct descendant, comes to Dracula's castle after his beloved girlfriend and or wife Annette is kidnapped by Dracula's servant Shaft. Throughout the game, Dracula's trusty lieutenant, Death, attempts to stop Richter before he reaches Dracula. Along the way, Richter battles many of the creatures that inhabit Dracula's castle such as the werewolf and mintour all while along the way he frees Annette's sister, Maria Renard, who was taken to the castle with her insisting on joining him, a nun who mistakes him for a manifestation of God, also the daughter of the village doctor, and finally Annette. After finally defeating Dracula's various minions/creatures(sub bosses) and rescuing the kidnapped girls, you face off against Shaft and Death and only after defeating them , Richter confronts Dracula.
Well Castlevania Dracula X depth, Castlevania Dracula X isn't as big as other Castlevainia games in the franchise mainly because it isn't an open world Castlevania castle map like we're used to seeing. It is instead a sort of faster paced nine stage game with alternative routes within the stages them self's which ultimately lead you to Dracula's room.With that said being that it isn't open world there isn't a whole lot to do within the game besides play it straight through the stages which in my opinion isn't a bad thing and help's hold the focus of your main objective and keeps you interested in the story and quite frankly holds the story in focus and captures your attention.Also In addition you have a number of weapons available to you that Richter Belmont can use like holy water, cross, Axe and knife.
The Addictiveness of Castlevania Dracula X, for startes the game holds your attention and you won't get confused or forget about your purpose for playing the game while playing. In my opinion the straightforward stage approach for the game only adds to the games overall addictiveness and appeal because you could if you choose to speed run through the game or go at your own pace without loosing focus or worrying about leveling up your Belmont which is kind of a problem in other Castlevania games within the franchise.
For Difficult Castlevania Dracula X is as difficult as you'd expect from a Castlevania game. Alot of fast paced split second attack decisions and choosing the best opportunity to attack which could cost you the win/defeat of an enemy. My only real complaints is in my opinion Richter jumps way to far and he nearly over jumps every time I try to do a short distance jump which get's frustrating at times. Anyways like with all Castlevania games the enemies all have a timed attack pattern and a pattern of attack so once you find the attack pattern plan out your best time frame to attack your enemies and the game shouldn't be too difficult for you.
Overall I would recommend Castlevania Dracula X to anyone that is looking to get into the Castlevania franchise for the first time just because it's one of the simpler Castlevania games that breaks the world of Dracula's castle down into easy to follow stages instead of getting lost within a giant maze of a Castle like in most other installments of the Castlevania series. In addition I would recommend this game to anyone that wants a easy to follow fast paced game that presents a challenge to gamers with excellent graphics and a unique art style and feel, and generally anyone who enjoy's fantasy creatures and darker themed games with darker more serious tones and moods.
Graphics
9 Sound
9 Addictive
10 Depth
7 Story
8 Difficulty
7
User Notice 
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