THE COVER ART: [JAPAN VERSION] THE HERO: Simon Belmont THE PLOT: The Count Dracula is reaking havok, and you, Simon Belmont, must stop him! You must enter his maze-like castle, make your way to the Count, and face your destiny. The Count must be destroyed! THE WEAPONS: The Vampire Killer This is the one and only Vampire Killer, the only whip in the game. Good damage. THE SPECIAL ITEMS: The Dagger Weak, but has great speed. Long range. 0 Hearts used. The Axe Though hard to aim, it inflicts the greatest damage. Medium range. 0 Hearts used (Provided you catch it). The Holy Cross When you throw it, it flies a distance and then returns. Easy to aim and highly effective, it is a favorite weapon. Medium range. 0 Hearts used (Provided you catch it). The Hour Glass Slows down the movement of all monsters onscreen. Jump and press down to use. NOTE: It may not be effective against certain enemies. Unlimited Range. 5 Hearts used. The Holy Water Rises into flames once thrown onto the floor. Jump and press left or right to use. Although it has a wide effective range, it's intensity is weak. Long Range. 1 Heart used. The Castle Map Use this to check on your location. N/A. 0 Hearts used. Shields Use these to protect you. Two different kinds, one blocks projectiles, the other reduces total damage. N/A. 0 Hearts used. Boots Use these to jump higher. They only last for a limited time. N/A. 0 Hearts used. Candles Use these to see hidden items. They only last for a limited time. N/A. 0 Hearts used. THE DIFFICULTY: With no 'Save' or 'Password' feature this one has to be played from beginning to end all in one session. To make matters worse, there are NO continues, and that can make this game insanely difficult. Good Luck! REVIEW: Vampire Killer was made only for the MSX home computer. The structure of the game was very different from previous Castlevania games. Although it certainly looks like the original Castlevania, it plays very differently. Rather than the linear structure, you are presented with a section of the castle. You can't move onto the next section until you find the white key, hidden somewhere in the bricks. There are small treasure chests lying around that you need keys for, as well as merchants that sell objects to you. All of these sections bear a vague resemblance to those in Castlevania...it's oddly familiar and haunting. However, some of the levels have additional things that make you miss them from the NES version. For instace, there's an extra part you have to go through in Dracula's tower to reach him. The third part of the first level (where you have to go down the steps to cross the water) has an area above it, off from the main path. And the fight with Dracula is almost completely different...although the first method of attack Dracula uses is similar, once you beat him, the painting in the background starts spitting out bats. You have to climb on platforms then jump off to whip the painting in the head. The game plays somewhat similarly to its offspring, although there are some control differences. You must press up to jump, for example, which can create a bit of trouble when trying to go up stairs. However, this problem is alleviated if you have a gamepad, as it used one of the buttons to jump. Also, weapons such as daggers and axes are not special weapons...rather, they take the place of your whip, and can be used as long as necessary (but you must catch the axe on its return.) You also get holy water to use, an hourglass to stop time, a map to take a look at your progress, and two varieties of shields. The graphics look like the original Castlevania only several times better. There's nice color, and the backgrounds are much cleaner looking. The music is pretty much the same though, and the sound effects, at least coming from an emulator aren't all that special. The one main problem I have with this title is the difficulty...you don't get any continues. Plus, you start off every level with a minute amount of hearts and your stupid leather whip, leaving you mincemeat for any enemy coming at the beginning of a level. However, I have included a cheat in the normal package that will allow you to change your starting level, as well as your lives. There is also a ROM that allows invinicibility, but it crashes on me at the fourth level and doesn't work with the level skipper. Well, you might as well try this game, 'cuz it doesn't cost anything. (See emulation section) TIPS & TRICKS: HOW TO "ROB A MERCHANT" There is something I call robbing a merchant. Whip them several times, but make sure you don't have enough hearts to buy the object they hold. Then continue to whip them. They will soon give you some extra hearts, and disappear shortly afterward. THE 'VAMPIRE KILLER' HELP FILE Having trouble getting the ROM to work? Are you confused on how to control Simon? Not sure what to do? Then take a look at the 'Vampire Killer' help file, kept right here.