by Josh Komon

Created on: June 20, 2010

Castlevania is one of the all time great video game franchises.  No doubt the original set the standard for whipping mythical monsters to death, and difficult, unrelenting platforming.  A great game like that requires a lot out of a sequel.  And in Castlevania 2, Simon's Quest, made for the Nintendo Entertainment System, players get a lot.

GAME PLAY

At its very core, Castlevania 2 is very similar to the original.  Players control Simon Belmont as he moves left and right, up and down stairs, whipping undead, swamp monsters, and Medusa Heads, etc.  That is about where the similarities end.  The original was divided into individual stages.  Castlevania 2, while having different castles and locations which need to be explored, is ultimately one gigantic stage.  Players can always go back to areas they have been to before.  Players can save their game.  Once a whip is upgraded, it stays upgraded.  Players can switch back and forth between the acquired secondary weapons.  In fact, the hearts are no longer used for using those secondary weapons, and are instead used to purchase things from stores.  in these ways, Simon's Quest is very much like an action role playing game.  Throw in a little night and day, and players get one heck of an intricate adventure.

The story of Castlevania 2 is all about finding the major organs of Dracula, putting them back together at the right location, bringing him back, then slaying him again.  It might not all make the most sense, but it is still a ton of fun.  

GRAPHICS

The overall look and feel of the game is very similar to that of the original, with minor upgrades to all the character and monster designs.  The layout of "stages" is not as cool as the original, but it is close.

AUDIO

The sound designers for Castlevania 2 did an excellent job of maintaining the gothic sounding music from the original.  Couple that with the terrible sounds of the monsters, and players are brought back in time to a place that never really existed.

OVERALL

Traditionalists may be disappointed in the format change, but players who just appreciate a good game are likely to love the combination of adventure and platform.  It was and still is a unique game, just about guaranteed to satisfy classic gaming fans.

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