Indie Gamer Chick

Castlevania: Rondo of Blood also known as Akumajou Dracula X: Chi no Rondo (Review)

Castlevania: Rondo of Blood
aka Akumajou Dracula X: Chi no Rondo
Platform: PC Engine Super CD-ROM²
Released October 29, 1993
Directed by Toru Hagihara
Developed by Konami
Included in Castlevania Requiem ( PS4 Exclusive – $19.99)

It’s been nearly six months since Analysis of Castlevania: Dracula X on Super Nintendo Dracula X, also known as the SNES version of Rondo of Blood. However, it's important to clarify that this is not entirely accurate. When it comes to the level layout, Dracula X deviates significantly from being a mere remake. the original Castlevania Compared to Rondo, Dracula X is more akin to a remake of the original Castlevania. Don't always trust Wikis. The games have distinct differences. Castlevania Chronicles A game that seems to be a modern version of Castlevania 1, advertising itself as a reimagined Rondo of Blood. It heavily borrows sprites from Dracula X, offering a unique comparison. Always shown on the left, Rondo's depiction is contrasted with Dracula X's on the right. Take, for instance, the giant bat:

Here’s the headless guy:

The TurboGrafx-16, though named as such, is actually an 8-bit gaming system powered by a CPU similar to the one found in the NES and Atari 2600. However, it boasts additional features that elevate its capabilities beyond typical 8-bit consoles, enabling games of a higher caliber to be played. Bonk’s Adventure to be more colorful and have bigger sprites than its NES counterpart Moreover, the Super CD-ROM² add-on enhances the resources available to the PC Engine/TG16. Specifically, it expands the frame buffer from 64kb to 256kb. However, considering it remains an 8-bit console, the impact on the 8-bit Rondo of Blood's quality may be more significant than on the genuinely 16-bit Dracula X. The latter does not exhibit a significantly improved visual quality, if any. When comparing the werewolf depiction, the 8-bit platform excels in creating a more immersive atmosphere. It is notably more eerie than the SNES game with its faded appearance.

The SNES has more detailed backgrounds, but the character and enemy sprites themselves are usually identical. Not universally so, as Dracula has an entirely different model, but common enough it’s a little startling. It’s not just looks, either. The attack patterns of bosses and basic enemies are often similar, if not identical. That’s not a bad thing, since the bosses (except Dracula himself) were the one aspect of Dracula X I was able to praise without qualifying it. Bosses in Rondo feel climatic, helped by having a “last hurrah” final attack after being defeated. But, some of them, especially the werewolf and Dracula himself, were big improvements over the SNES game. I’ve often said that certain games, good and bad, should be shown in game design courses. I’m not kidding when I say Rondo of Blood and Dracula X should be an entire course in game design on their own. These two games together prove beyond any doubt that the difference between a historically amazing game and a game so pedestrian that it’s boring can be more subtle than you might realize.

In fact, all the best aspects of Dracula X are here and, if they’re not identical, they’re BETTER on Rondo. In addition to the bosses and enemies, the item crash debuted here and it’s fun. The key and locked doors are in both games but mechanically, Rondo does it better. So I can get why people would call Dracula X a “reworking” or “reimagining” or even a “remake” of Rondo, even if the 16-bit game is actually a huge downgrade. But, the most important thing is that Rondo is darker and scarier than Dracula X. Some might disagree with me, but I think that Castlevania, for all its silliness, should always be played sincerely and try for spooky, not corny. Here’s one final “same boss, different game” comparison shot. You tell me, which one feels more scary looking?

After a thorough examination of Rondo of Blood, it becomes evident that Dracula X can be considered as an unoriginal product, lacking creativity and effort. Comparing the two, Dracula X appears to be a mere imitation, failing to capture the essence of the original game. The developers seem to have replicated certain elements from Rondo of Blood without grasping the core concepts that made the original successful. Dracula X comes across as a substandard version of its predecessor, akin to a thoughtless imitation rather than a genuine innovation. why The aforementioned fragments represent the essence. This issue is commonly encountered in ROM hacks. Subpar ones originate from developers lacking genuine passion. why of game design.

If it appears that this evaluation is a follow-up to my review of Dracula X, then Rondo of Blood is to blame. It can be challenging for me to fulfill my duties when a game provides few flaws for analysis. I regret not experiencing Rondo of Blood prior to Dracula X, as it would have enhanced my amusement at the mishaps in creating a noteworthy "Castlevania X" release for Nintendo. While this would not have improved the game itself, it certainly would have enriched the overall experience. Dracula X left me unenthusiastic: a sluggish, unoriginal game fixated on employing unfair tactics, unworthy of reusing sprites from Rondo of Blood, a game that lives up to its esteemed reputation. My primary critique of Rondo pertains to the artistic direction of the cutscenes. Richter appears acceptable, yet I struggle to perceive Dracula as a genuine threat when he resembles an exaggerated caricature of arrogance. In all seriousness, Count Chocula exudes more menace than this insipid portrayal.

Rondo of Blood just works better because it’s not designed around enemies trying to score one-shot kills, which Dracula X was heavily invested in. The level design is instead optimized for a faster-paced Castlevania romp. That’s surprising, because, like Dracula X, Rondo is still a back-to-basics Castlevania game for the most part. To put it in perspective, when you play as Richter, all the basic sub-weapons except the stopwatch and bible only cost one heart. This is a game that was made to be fun and not because the designer has some vendetta against humanity. Like the best Castlevanias, it’s fun to play just for sightseeing, with plenty of memorable settings and basic enemies, none of who are too spongy or too cruelly placed to make progress ever feel slow.

This game could serve as a perfect entry point for newcomers to the Castlevania series. It is not excessively challenging, as the enemies are meticulously calibrated, with occasional exceptions that add a sense of surprise and excitement to the gameplay. Even the more resilient foes are strategically placed, often resembling mini-bosses. Rondo of Blood excels at transforming what might be considered weaknesses in other games into strengths. If you have hesitated to explore classic Castlevania titles due to their reputation for being tough, this installment is worth a try. Alongside offering well-balanced combat mechanics, Rondo provides ample opportunities for health restoration and extra lives. While a player may lose their sub-weapon and see their hearts reset to 10 upon death, the game ensures that they are not left in a hopeless situation. Despite the absence of whip upgrades, each enemy is meticulously designed to be defeated effectively with the default whip.

Although I cannot assert with absolute certainty that the managers are ideally equipped for the task, you will... always have a chance to get at least one sub-weapon before entering a boss chamber. While you can still cheese the bosses if you have enough hearts to execute an item crash (and some cost quite a bit. One is a whopping FIFTY hearts!), it never feels like you’re cheesing it. What makes it even better is that Rondo’s defensive game is equally satisfying thanks to a variety of dodging moves. Enemies telegraph their attacks in a way where there’s always enough time to activate the backflip move. It takes practice to get the timing down, but it’s so satisfying when you successfully utilize it. I wouldn’t say this is a kinder, gentler Castlevania, but it offers the right amount of grit with almost none of dick moves Dracula X or any other Castlevania game ever has pulled. This might be the most balanced game in the franchise.

In this iteration, the branching path system functions significantly better compared to the incomplete attempt in Dracula X. Upon completing Rondo several times, a notable flaw in Dracula X becomes apparent - the haphazard implementation of branching paths in the SNES "version". It appears that these paths were included in Dracula X merely as a nod to Rondo's extensive use of the feature, serving as a superficial resemblance to convey an upgraded experience. However, while Dracula X's paths appear random and disconnected, Rondo's approach to branching paths is much more cohesive and integral to the overall gameplay experience. mostly With an exquisite coherence, Rondo games offer a unique gameplay experience. Each session begins with eight levels, featuring hidden pathways in the initial five. These pathways, housing alternative bosses and leading to new levels, are easily discoverable. This intricate design allows for a cascading exploration of secrets, unveiling hidden routes and surprises at every turn. For instance, in the opening level, players embark on a journey that sets the tone for the challenges ahead.

In contrast to Castlevania III, where players choose different paths between levels, here you encounter unique boss fights and explore diverse second levels based on your choices. Personally, I lean towards Castlevania III's approach, yet appreciate the fresh dynamics of this game. really Opt for playing through all levels in one go. Consider using a ROM hack for that seamless experience. Similar to the experience I had when analyzing Dracula's Curse, I would have chosen that path once I completed the actual game. When it comes to this game, restructuring the level designs is crucial for its success. Approximately half of the initial five levels alter their themes and enemies based on the chosen path, necessitating a rearrangement of the layout. While replaying levels disrupts the natural flow of the game, the exceptional level design compensates for it. The incorporation of branching paths within the levels is flawlessly executed, making it a perfect embodiment of this game concept.

In the game, there are four hidden maidens, with the first one being Maria Renard, a character that can be played. Unlike in Dracula X, where a single key had to be used for multiple doors, saving the maidens in Rondo is simpler. Here, there are three keys in total, each used once in the level where it is found, and not too far from its location. However, a significant challenge in Rondo is the uncertainty of whether a pit is actually a pit or a hidden path. This ambiguity occurs repeatedly, making navigation tricky. Without the assistance of features like quick save/load or rewinding in the emulator, players may find themselves taking blind leaps of faith during exploration. Hence, while Rondo has its merits, its imperfections are evident unless played on a reliable emulator.

The replay value comes from a very enjoyable alternative character. Maria is unlocked in the second level, though you have to go back to the main menu to switch to her. She’s radically different from Richter, throwing doves at enemies instead of a whip. Richter gets a defensive backflip move, while Maria gets a double jump. She also can do a sliding move, but I never found any situation where it was more effective than jumping. Even a situation that seems tailored specifically for it didn’t work. The mummy in the boss rush stage throws blocks at you and, even though it appears high enough off the ground to slide under, the slide doesn’t work for it. Whatever. Her double jump works fine enough as a defensive move. Maria’s sub-weapons are all animal-based as well, including throwing a goddamned dragon at enemies, which is the most powerful sub-weapon in the game. But even throwing a cat at an enemy is both effective and hilarious, as the cat relentlessly attacks. It’s what my A feline's actions remain noble, regardless of battling malevolent powers.

In my reviews, I often highlight the flaws of a game, but in the case of Rondo, it is challenging to find any significant ones. The only downside worth mentioning is the unskippable cutscenes, which can be frustrating regardless of language familiarity. Personally, I find the art style to be the weakest aspect of the game. It seems disconnected from the in-game graphics, hindering rather than enhancing the overall experience. However, enduring a few tedious cutscenes to enjoy a flawlessly executed Castlevania game seems like a minor sacrifice. One minor disappointment is the lack of a boss fight in the hidden level unlocked after defeating Dracula. While this may seem underwhelming for a Castlevania title, even Dracula's Curse follows a similar pattern. Despite these minor flaws, Rondo of Blood remains almost impervious to criticism, especially when played with emulation tricks to enhance exploration speed. Overall, I cannot praise this game enough; it was truly a delightful experience to finally immerse myself in its world.

Many Japanese exclusive games that never had a global release are often overhyped. Having tested several at IGC, it's clear that their reputation may not always be justified. Super Back to the Future Part 2 to Magical Quest 3 to Wai Wai World Rondo is a unique Japanese treasure that truly lives up to its reputation. Its delayed global release was truly unfortunate. The game made its debut on the Wii Virtual Console fifteen years ago, followed by a PSP release shortly after. It was also featured in a now out-of-print collection. TurboGrafx-16 Mini Regrettably, the product suffered from a short production cycle and unfortunate delay caused by the pandemic. Despite its potential as a groundbreaking application, these factors significantly impacted its success.

Rondo of Blood would make an excellent addition to any gaming collection. It's surprising that Konami has chosen to keep it exclusively on PlayStation, as releasing it for Xbox and Switch with a reasonable price tag would likely result in significant success. While Castlevania Requiem: Symphony of the Night & Rondo of Blood is a strong retro package, fans are left wondering why Konami didn't include Rondo of Blood in the Castlevania Advance Collection. The decision to feature Dracula X instead was met with disappointment. Moreover, opting for Haunted Castle over Rondo in the Dominus Collection seems like a missed opportunity to showcase this masterpiece to a wider audience.
Verdict: YES !

THE INDIE GAMER CHICK CASTLEVANIA REVIEW SERIES
Castlevania (NES) Dracula’s Curse (NES) Adventure (GB) Belmont’s Revenge (GB)
Super Castlevania IV (SNES) Dracula X (SNES) Rondo of Blood (SuperCD²)
Chronicles (PSX) Circle of the Moon (GBA) Kid Dracula (NES) Kid Dracula (GB)
ROM Hacks (NES) Konami Wai Wai World (NES) Wai Wai World 2: SOS!! Parsley Jō (NES)