| Introduction:
As legend has it; every one hundred years in the small
European town of Transylvania, the forces of good
mysteriously grow weak, and the forces of darkness
gain a foot hold in our world. The evil manifests
itself into one of the most feared creatures of
myth... the vampire Dracula! The evil being's goal in
this world is to transform the planet's population
into vampires as himself.
Fortunately, there is a group, a family, that has
alway prepared to oppose Dracula. They are the
Belmonts, a family that has passed down the secret of
vampire slaying and the use of the whip from
generation to generation.
They are all that stand between Dracula and his evil
forces bent on world corruption. You, Simon Belmont,
must travel into the night, into the darkness to
defeat the most horrid monsters of this world. Your
failiure means certain doom for this realm.
Castlevania is a 1-player Side Scrolling-Action game.
There is no rating for the game, but I would have to
give it a 'T' (Teen) rating for this game because it
deals with remnates of the dead. (Although by today's
standards it would be rated 'K-A', I believe it is not
sutible for very young children.)
Graphics [8/10]:
Castlevania IV was created in 1991. The graphics in
this game paved the way for future designs and ideas.
Utilizing an enhancment known as 'Mode 7' Castlevania
IV delivers some very impressive effects and enemy
bosses. The main character, Simon, is highly detailed
for a sprite made in '91. As are his numberous enemies
and obstacles. Playing through this game, I could
hardly believe that it was made nearly a decade ago.
Some of the effects in the game (Such as a rotating
room) will probably never look outdated or old.
My only quarrels with the graphics is that every so
often there is a bit of a slowdown, and some of the
enemies are a little fuzzy looking.
Music and Sound [8/10]:
The music does a great job to add a gothic, fearful
mood to the game. Although some of the music is a bit
bland and sometimes almost non-existant, I still
believe it was nicely done and deserves some
recognition.
The sound effects in Castlevania IV were rather
realistic. The sound of falling bones fills the
speakers as you defeat a skeletal warrior, your whip
snaps through the air as you pick off bats in the air.
And Simon Belmont screams as he breathes his last
breath.
Game Play [9/10]:
The best way to describe this game is, 'An updated
classic.' Castlevania IV is a really fun game. I mean,
what could be more fun than going around and beating
up monsters all the way up to Dracula, the mother (or
father) of all monsters. The controls of the game only
add to the funfactor. They run smooth and are easy to
emulate. To put it simply, this game grows on you. The
more you play it, the more you love it.
Challenge and Replay [7/10]:
While many levels in the game are frusterating and
incredibly tough (like Dracula's level) the game isn't
terrible immpossible to beat. Persistance and practice
eventually enable you to pass a board or end boss.
One great thing about this game is that once you've
beaten it, you can start back from the beginning on a
harder difficulty. This will definatly increase the
game's replayability.
Conclusion/Overall [8/10]:
Super Castlevania IV is an extremely fun Action game.
The graphics are a bit old, but they still look as
exellent as they did back in '91. The music and sound
could stand to be a bit better, but they still do a
good job in delivering quality. And as for the Game
Play and Replay? Well you'll be stuck at this game for
over a week straight. The challenge could have stood
to be a bit greater, but with the extended 'loop game'
it'll keep you busy.
I recommend this game to anyone who likes action games
with a dark age feel to it. Anyone else, I would
reccommend that they rent it if possible.
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