Castlevania: Dracula X
From Castlevania Wiki - Forbidden Library
| Castlevania: Dracula X | |
|---|---|
| |
| Developer(s) | Konami |
| Publisher(s) | Konami |
| Designer(s) | K. Yamashita (director) A. S. Minakawa (Main Programmer) K. Kinosita (Producer) |
| Released | SNES
|
| Genre | Action Platformer |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: E10+ |
| Platform(s) | Super Famicom, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Virtual Console |
| Media | 16-megabit cartridge (Super NES) |
Castlevania: Dracula X (Japanese: Demon Castle Dracula XX or Castlevania: Vampire's Kiss in Europe) is the twelfth installment in the Castlevania series, and the second to be released on the Super NES. It was developed and published by Konami in 1995. The game is based on Castlevania: Rondo of Blood, which was previously released on the PC Engine. Instead of being a port or remake, this title is a new game with totally different stages, and a slightly different story. Furthermore, the quality of some graphics is lowered, and many other elements were completely taken out of the game, such as not being able to play as Maria Renard. The reason for these discrepancies were Konami being unable to obtain rights for the orginal trademark.
According to the game's storyline, it is set several centuries after Simon defeated and sealed away Dracula several centuries prior. Series' producer Koji Igarashi mentioned Castlevania: Dracula X is set in a parallel timeline, separated from the main chronology.
Story
In the year 1792, Count Dracula was resurrected and he sent his forces to attack humanity. The horde of night creatures set fire to a Transylvanian town and kidnapped two young maidens - Annet Renard and her younger sister, Maria. Annet was the girlfriend of Richter Belmont, a descendant of the Belmont Clan, a family of vampire hunters that were the mortal enemies of Count Dracula. When Richter learned of Dracula's new offensive, and that those dear to him were in the Count's clutches, he took his ancestral whip, Vampire Killer, and set out toward the town to liberate it from Dracula's minions, who were led by Cerberus. Once they were expelled from the town, Richter rushed toward Dracula's castle to rescue the maidens and fulfill his destiny.
After making headway through the deadly labyrinth of Castlevania, Richter found both girls and set them free. Annet warned Richter that Dracula's power grew greater and greater, but the vampire hunter pressed on to the end of his quest, which was the top of the castle where the vampire lord awaited. Richter and Dracula engaged in a fierce and treacherous battle atop a set of raised pillars where falling would spell certain doom. Despite the perilous situation, Richter emerged victorious after he defeated Dracula in his demonic form.
The Count was put to rest, Richter and the two girls escaped the castle, which was destroyed, and Transylvania once again saw peace until the Count would next awaken.
Criticism
When Dracula X was first announced, Castlevania fans were excited to see the popular Japanese PC Engine game make it to Super NES. However, many gamers were disappointed upon discovering the game is very different from Rondo of Blood. This turned out to be what many feel is one of the biggest disappointments in the entire series. Rather than a direct port, it was meant to be more of a remixed version of Rondo of Blood. The levels are completely different, yet still contain many sprites, bosses and elements from the PC Engine game, Maria is unplayable and demoted to merely a damsel in distress, and the non-linear game play elements are diminished. Instead of four alternate levels, as in Rondo of Blood, Dracula X features only two. It is also said to be one of the most difficult and frustrating Castlevania action games. However, many consider some of the music tracks to be better than some of the CD quality music of Rondo of Blood. The differences are most likely caused by issues between NEC, the PC Engine's company, and Konami.
In 2007, The Rondo of Blood 3-D remake (as well as the original game) was finally made available to audiences outside Japan with Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles on the Sony PSP hand-held, which Dracula X is absent from.