Top 20 Reasons Why The N64 Castlevanias Kicked Ass!
By Jorge D. Fuentes
Reason 10 - "Children of the Corn" Evils
This kid just plain freaks me out. Getting freaked out is something I
somewhat enjoy in a CV Game. Not just shock value, just getting freaked out.
Reason 9 - Towers, Towers, and more Towers!
Unfortunately, I do not have a picture of the multitude of awesome towers
which are showcased in the N64 Castlevanias... all I can do (for now) is list
them. All of these towers have a theme to them, and they're very nice,
graphically speaking.
- CVLoD- The Outer Wall (I count it as a Tower)
- CVLoD- The Art Tower
- CVLoD- The Tower of Ruins
- CV64 - The Castle Wall
- CV64 - The Tower of Duels
- CV64 - The Tower of Execution
- CV64 - The Tower of Science
- CV64 - The Tower of Sorcery
- CV64 - The Clock Tower
Reason 8 - The Coolest Intro... Ever!
The opening with the Castle (see above), and the orchestral music into Malus
playing a "Destructive Melody" as stated in the prophecy at the end of Legacy of
Darkness, is an awesome way to start the game. It's also awesome that the
Destructive Melody just happens to be... Opposing Bloodlines! Awesomeness.
Reason 7 - "Hail to the King!"
I love this character. With his holy Boomstick of Power, he shoots in a
straight line at enemies, and can crack skeleton skulls open from a distance,
heh heh. When he powers up his six-shooter with two Sword Crest Icons, his
bullets come loaded with a nasty electical holy charge that really smarts!
Having unlimited bullets and having the ability to shoot six bullets before
reloading (which just takes a second) can really make this a fun character to
play as. I only wish his quest was longer. Still, it's really cool to play as
him.
Reason 6 - The VILLA! *Lightning Strikes*
This place has been renowned as one of the best places in Castlevania. It's a
really nice place, and has a dark, damp "Resident Evil" kind of eerie quietness.
Even its background theme "Silent Madness" sends chills down one's spine.
Reason 5 - Chainsaw Frankie... and another Army of Darkness Reference
Seriously, this guy frightened the living bejeezus out of me more than Malus
did... when he'd just dash at me like a madman at hypersonic speed... with a
chainsaw for an arm! NOH! Anyway, this man is so cool, that I tried to get a
profile picture of him... and here it is!
Profile picture of Chainsaw Frankie. I can't believe I managed to get him to
pose for me. Gotta love my graphics manipulation methods... heh heh.
Reason 4 - References to Van Helsing
Charlie Vincent may be the most lazy-ass Vampire Hunter in existence, but if
it weren't for him, we wouldn't see the Best Ending in Reinhardt and Carrie's
Quest. Still... you gotta wonder how he made it across the Tower of Duels and
the Tower of Execution with nothing but a little Doctor's bag full of trinkets.
The cross he wears on his back reminds me of Maxim, for some reason... it'd be
cool if Charlie was a playable character, and actually used that sucker as a
huge boomerang in battle or something. Or he could use it maybe like Wolfwood
from TriGun... BLAM BLAM BLAM! Heh heh... okay, I've had my fun.
Reason 3 - True Love
In this game, I was actually moved by the lengths that the characters go in
order to fulfill their quest, or their will to survive. However, one thing that
stands out more here than in other CV games is the fact that there is True Love
here. Below are some examples of True Love in a Castlevania game, which I found
to be quite moving.
Reason 2 - Homage to Simon Belmont
Simon's Castlevania II - Simon's Quest Armor is revived in this game. Single
Pauldron. Barbarian-style Plate Mail, it kicks a lot of ass. Unfortunately, this
antique has lost its vibrant deep red color over the centuries... and now
appears to be a worn out Pink. Still, Reinhardt Schneider honors his ancestor,
by wearing this Armor as his hidden Alternate Costume, an exclusive
Castlevania64 Easter Egg. Gotta love old-school stuff.
Reason 1 - Vampires, Vampires, and More VAMPIRES!
What would a Vampire game be without Vampires? Well, it would be a
Castlevania game, since Castlevania has usually had only Dracula, and sometimes
one henchman who is a Vampire (Olrox, Carmilla). However, we've got Vampires up
the Wazoo in the N64 ones... which is a nice welcome addition. We're not just
talking Vampire Ninja Maids either, an entire slew of a Cast of Bloodsuckers
attacks our heroes in the N64 Castlevania. And here they are!
That concludes this Document. Since I don't have an actual webpage built yet,
don't contact me with info on it yet, heh heh... This will probably be forgotten
quite quickly, but I'll keep it 'cuz it's cool. G'night, everybody!
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