Joystiq impressions: Castlevania Dracula X Chronicles (PSP)
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Jul 12th 2007 at 3:39AM }
The old roots of the game can be easily seen in the game's somewhat antiquated controls. Richter feels stiff, missing the quick movement of recent Castlevania stars. Regardless, we found ourselves compelled by the classic Castlevania gameplay. The creatures are well-designed, and the music is even more stunning.
As revealed earlier, Dracula X Chronicles will include three games: the new 3D remake, the original 2D game, and a newly enhanced Symphony of the Night. Unfortunately, we weren't allowed to see Symphony of the Night in action. But even without that, it appears that Dracula X Chronicles will offer a significant, meaty adventure. There are multiple paths through levels, and at completion, another character will be unlocked. Eventually, players will be able to remix the music of the game, reassigning levels with songs of their choice. From what we've seen, we can say the game is drawing close to completion. Expect Dracula X Chronicles before the end of the year.
Gallery: Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Alex @ Jul 12th 2007 4:11AM
Damn video game newbs calling nice looking 2d games "visually underwhelming".
BPM @ Jul 12th 2007 4:17AM
Seconded.
Top quality 2D visuals top 3D visuals any day of the week.
Rubang B @ Jul 12th 2007 4:24AM
If it's good enough for SNES, it's good enough for me. We play with our fingers, not with our eyes. Besides, weren't you guys just gushing about the cell-shading on the Simpsons game?
Brad Mecoli @ Jul 12th 2007 4:15AM
enhancements to SotN? I wonder if they mean any sort of additional content, notably the extra content in the Saturn version. That would be great.
BPM @ Jul 12th 2007 4:18AM
That would be pretty cool. In the Saturn version only, you could play as Maria Renard. Neither the PlayStation or XBLA versions had this.
Simon Belmont @ Jul 12th 2007 10:11AM
They mean your getting the XBLA Market place version of SOTN.
BPM @ Jul 12th 2007 12:13PM
Not entirely true, Simon.
SotN, as part of the Dracula X Chronicles, has been noted to have a couple of changes:
1) Will fit the full PSP resoultion (without stretching the graphics or adding borders)
2) Will be re-translated and redubbed (does this mean no more "Die, monster! You don't belong in this world!"?)
Hashbrown_Hunter @ Jul 12th 2007 4:21AM
I can't wait for this! Looks like a great Castlevania game.
jay @ Jul 12th 2007 7:10AM
WTF. Dawn of Sorrow and Portrait of Ruin have excellent examples of bringing high quality pixel art into a more or less 3D centric market. Not as good as Metal Slug mind.
Low poly 3D looking better than high quality pixel art now? It's a paradox machine!
thunderleg @ Jul 12th 2007 7:13AM
I don't own a PSP but I will own this.
kevinski @ Jul 12th 2007 10:20AM
I doubt that the Saturn-exclusive content will make it in. Maria might be playable, I suppose, but I really don't think that any of the areas or items from the Saturn version will be included, unless you're referring to stuff that was taken from the PlayStation release in the U.S.
Gambit @ Jul 12th 2007 11:49AM
The Saturn version was generally considered a bad port because it wasn't done by the original team that made it and there was a lot of loading screens, slowdown, and it also didn't look as pretty in it. There wasn't really anything too amazing in it but it's still neat. Trust me, I have it.
Vidikron @ Jul 12th 2007 10:32AM
As some other people have mentioned, I wouldn't call the DS games "visually underwhelming" at all! I think they are the best looking games for the DS... they also happen to be my favorite games for the DS.
Anyway, the screenshots of the this games DO look great though. I really like these games that feature 2D gameplay using 3D graphics. They have their own appealing look.
LK @ Jul 12th 2007 11:06AM
From looking at that mock boxart, they finally brought back Ms.Kojima's work!