Comments on: Anatomy of Castlevania III: Block 6-0A to 6-0D

By: Sarge

Sarge — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 19:45:12 +0000

I actually did use Grant when I went through the Japanese version. It’s also quite a bit easier, not just because of Grant’s newfound (oldfound?) prowess, but some tweaks to various enemies, like the Bone Pillars. Dracula himself is a good deal easier, as well. He does less damage, the lasers are easier to dodge, and so on.

By: Lilfut

Lilfut — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 18:02:59 +0000

In the Japanese version it’s possible!

(i promise this is the last time i’ll mention the japanese version and/or grant until you address either directly in the blog)

By: Sarge

Sarge — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 17:45:00 +0000

All this talk of Sypha makes me want to solo the game using her. I did a solo Trevor and Alucard. I don’t even want to _think_ about a Grant solo, what with his tiny stabbing utensil.

By: jparish

jparish — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 15:02:15 +0000

Yeah, she can Metroid ‘em.

By: Tato

Tato — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 13:43:25 +0000

The freezing of the lake is a very, very cool character specific power. I may be mistaken, but can’t Syphia also jump on frozen enemies and use them as stepping stones? Given how quickly enemies become unfrozen, this seems like a risky move and I’m not sure if there’s anywhere in the game where this would be particular handy, but still a nice touch.

By: Tato

Tato — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 13:39:07 +0000

I’ve always loved this game and thought it was great, but this series of articles is making me appreciate just how impressive it really is. SCIV is probably my favorite of the series, but now I see how many of the awesome set pieces and technological tricks that game employs were actually done first in CVIII, which makes it even more mind blowing that they were able to do these things on the NES. SCIV actually seems like a tiny step backwards in this context. There have been some really great games in the series, but none of the “standard” side-scrolling CVs have ever quite gotten back to the level of complexity, intricate planning, and challenge demonstrated by CVIII.

I love all of these Anatomy articles (and GlassKnuckle’s as well) and the layout of the Castlevania book you posted earlier looked fantastic. Definitely going to purchase it once it comes out.

By: Roddy

Roddy — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 09:35:58 +0000

Fascinating! As I read these delightful designs, I’m amazed not only by the fact that I survived this game (even the original version) but at the utility of Sypha! When I found her on my playthrough, I wasn’t struck by her and stuck with Alucard through the rest, I think, but to think that even the water freezes! Inspired to play through again, and with an eye towards the intelligent architecture you’ve so artfully pointed out, too.

By: MetManMas

MetManMas — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 05:53:49 +0000

Been testing Sypha out a bit. I guess she needs running water to be able to freeze it; didn’t work at the swamp and she sinks as soon as she touches the water pits in the mad forest.

However, that doesn’t really matter, because ice is so busted against standard foes. I was freezing and smashing Simon wraiths, dragon cannons, and those asshole owls, toads, and mudmen. I even killed a normally unkillable blood skeleton! Freeze, bat, boom! Freeze, bat, boom! Freeze, bat, boom!

By: MetManMas

MetManMas — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 04:26:55 +0000

Holy crap…Sypha can freeze water? Interest sparked! I should really take advantage of this game having a password system and see if it also applies to the stages you normally wouldn’t be able to use her until the hard mode replay.

By: Lilfut

Lilfut — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 03:42:45 +0000

Also, time for GrantTalk(tm)! There’s actually not a whole lot Grant does differently from Sypha here, though he can go under the bridge for a less-flashy-but-still cool alternative to freezing the water.