Defying the Curse: Castlevania Curse of Darkness Remake Explores the Struggle for Redemption

Castlevania: Curse of Darkness is a popular video game which was first released in 2005 for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox consoles. The game was well received by both critics and fans, and it has since gained a cult following. It is a 3D action-adventure game that is set in the fictional universe of the Castlevania series. The game follows the story of Hector, a former devil forgemaster who seeks revenge against his former comrade Isaac. Hector is aided in his quest by a wise old alchemist named Zead, who provides him with various magical abilities and weapons. Throughout the game, players will explore various levels and fight a wide variety of enemies, including other forgemasters and supernatural creatures.

-Castlevania 3 Dracula’s curse (Famicom/NES)

Castlevania has been getting plenty of rereleases in recent years, but according to VGC s sources, there is a brand new reimagining of the series in the works handled mainly in-house, but with support from external sources. The compilation should include all the games with filter options like the pixel perfect filter, Nintendo 64 PlayStation 2 Original Xbox Wii 3D games should get a increased resolution to Full HD or maybe 4K, there should also be extras like art gallery, sound test, music player, franchise trivia and intresting facts, developer interviews, marketing material etc.

Throughout the game, players will explore various levels and fight a wide variety of enemies, including other forgemasters and supernatural creatures. One of the standout features of Castlevania: Curse of Darkness is its intricate crafting system. Hector can gather materials from defeated enemies and use them to create powerful weapons and armor.

Holy crap, Castlevania: Curse Of Darkness is Complete Garbage

Okay, I've only been playing this game for about an hour, but I can't see this getting much better. I honestly am usually very open-minded about games and usually enjoy a lot of lower rated games. That's why I was completely surprised to pick up this game today and see that it is actually getting high 7's on most sites.

This game is absolutely horrible. The controls are stiff. Combat is incredibly dull and, at this point in the game, just consists of you pressing "x" three times to form a combo. It supposedly, gets a little more involved, but doesn't differ too much from this formula.

The graphics remind me of some of the early PS2 titles. Everybody is raving about the soundtrack, but I'm not a big fan of it. Even worse, the sound effects are almost impossible to hear. I literally turned down the music all the way and could still barely hear any sort of sound effect when I was hitting enemies, or jumping, or doing anything. It's silent.

The levels are incredibly bland. And I mean incredibly bland. The environment consists of small areas with a few enemies and a couple of objects to smash and then you are on to the next area. You'll know it's the next area because there are big arrows showing you where to exit. These are usually located by big open doors, go figure.

The enemies have terrible AI and some rarely try to attack you. After the hour I had played, I think I got hit twice. And even then, your health meter is so large that it would take 30 or 40 hits to die.

The controls are also incredibly stiff and somewhat unresponsive. The animations are not fluid, especially when jumping. But don't worry, there doesn't seem to be any platforming, so there won't be much of a reason to jump.

The positives about the game are that there seems to be a nice RPG like level-up system and a lot of items to find and collect. I just don't see how most people would want to suffer through the bad gameplay even if there is an interesting level-up system.

I honestly would not recommend anyone buy this game at $50. This crap is going back tomorrow.

#2 supadupacheap Off his medication CAGiversary! 3874 Posts Joined 19.2 Years Ago

Posted 03 November 2005 - 04:52 AM

#3 Kaijufan CAGiversary! CAGiversary! 9848 Posts Joined 19.9 Years Ago

Posted 03 November 2005 - 05:44 AM

I hope that the decision makers at Konami figure out that the only good Castlevania games are the 2d games, and they start making 2d Castlevania games for the consoles.

#4 Strell LOBSTERS. IN MY PANTS! CAGiversary! 26583 Posts Joined 20.0 Years Ago

Posted 03 November 2005 - 05:45 AM

#5 Duo_Maxwell CAGiversary! CAGiversary! 5752 Posts Joined 19.3 Years Ago

Posted 03 November 2005 - 06:06 AM

Thanks for the opinion, but I'll also take into account the dozen or so critics that gave it very decent scores. Yep, looks like I'm still getting this game. I liked LoI enough to play through it twice and I never buy games based on other people's tastes anynow, especially over the internet, no offense.

#6

Posted 03 November 2005 - 07:42 AM

3d castlevania. They all look so generic and bland. They're trying too hard to be goth and everything. Can you imagine how amazing a 2D console castlevania could be?

#7 guardian_owl Keeper of the CAG Shrine CAGiversary! 11179 Posts Joined 19.4 Years Ago

Posted 03 November 2005 - 07:43 AM

Thanks for the opinion, but I'll also take into account the dozen or so critics that gave it very decent scores. Yep, looks like I'm still getting this game. I liked LoI enough to play through it twice and I never buy games based on other people's tastes anynow, especially over the internet, no offense.

Do yourself a favor, print off the $5 digital coupon for best buy, go down and get the new Jampack disc for free and play the Castlevania demo. Then you'll have and idea about what it's like (and it ain't that good).

#8 Scorch CAGiversary! CAGiversary! 37487 Posts Joined 20.2 Years Ago

Posted 03 November 2005 - 07:44 AM

#9

Posted 03 November 2005 - 07:45 AM

The GameSpot video review is really good -- prevented me from buying it. The game looks like a Sega Saturn game with better graphics.

#10 ManChowder soooo sleepy. CAGiversary! 1391 Posts Joined 19.2 Years Ago

Posted 03 November 2005 - 09:55 AM

played the PS2 version. WOW what a disappointment.

I picked up Castlevania: LOI for $15 a while back and thought it was pretty decent. The level design was pretty bland but the rest of the game was pretty fun overall, kind of a devil may cry/castlevania mix.

Now I play the PS2 version of Curse of Darkness and can't believe my eyes. The game looks worse than LOI. The level design(which I believe they claimed would be improved for this game) looks even more generic. The graphics and textures look incredibly rough and grainy, and the color pallete looks dark and bland(not in a good way). Your character looks OK but the enemies sport some pretty low poly counts, not to mention the character design is only decent. The camera sucks, animation is kinda weak and combat feels more simplistic(although maybe you earn more moves as you go like LOI). Lastly the music is also not as good as that of LOI, still good but not impressive.

On the positive side you always have a monster by your side helping you out, even combo-ing guys after you have lifted them into the air. Other than that I don't see any reason to buy this game till it drops to $10 or less.

Also, has anyone played both versions(xbox and PS2)? I was curious if the graphics in the xbox version look noticeably cleaner or not. That might make the game a bit more tolerable.

#11 shipwreck CAG Reviews Editor Super Moderators 7594 Posts Joined 19.9 Years Ago

Posted 03 November 2005 - 11:38 AM

Thanks for the opinion, but I'll also take into account the dozen or so critics that gave it very decent scores. Yep, looks like I'm still getting this game. I liked LoI enough to play through it twice and I never buy games based on other people's tastes anynow, especially over the internet, no offense.

That's fine by me. I'm just trying to offer a different opinion because I honestly don't see how the game is scoring so high with critics. I think if you took the Castlevania name off of this, it would be lucky to score a 5 out of 10. And from the reviews I was reading, it seemed like all the reviewers were really trying to give this game the benefit of the doubt, but they didn't even bother to write about a lot of the obvious flaws of this game.

Brak describing this as a Saturn game with better graphics might have hit the nail on the head. It feels like you are playing a game from back then. That's all well and good, and I might have had different opinions about this game if it would have come out in 1996. But in 2005, I could probably list about 20 games in this same genre that are much better just off the top of my head.

#12 danny-o Mayor of NASTYVILLE CAGiversary! 1223 Posts Joined 19.9 Years Ago

Posted 03 November 2005 - 12:07 PM

WTF is wrong with you people?
Its like 3-D Castlevania bashing is trendy. I have enjoyed all of them plenty. Yeah the first hour of this one is slow and the controls take some getting used to but it certaintly does pick up when you get to the 3rd area.

The graphics are probably not that great as the PS2 game since its a port. Its still decent for me. Theres huge open areas now and theres alot more enemies on screen as well. And you dont just push X 3 times. There are combos with the final attack button, plus all the weapons you can create is a great feature.

Lets look back to the N64 games. They were great, especially legacy of darkness. They really fixed any problems in the original as far as difficult level design but since it didnt have perfect controls (which no 3d game will ever have compared to 2-D) and skeletons didnt wank you off, people said it was bad. I had no problems controlling the character and thought the LOD game was brilliant. And I am picky with my adventure games. The only other adventure game I liked on 64 was Ocarina of Time.

In all Honestly, so far I like LOI better but this is still a great game.
I feel the same way about the new DS game. Its great but the Original SoTN still beats it.
I would say my favorite CV game is still Castlevania 4 on SNES with Dracula X coming in a close second (hardest CV I ever played to get the good ending).
I have beaten rondo of blood on a cd-r and emulator but until it comes to a console I will hold my judgment on it as it had some gfx glitches and I could save as I pleased which made it easier.

UPDATE: I forgot to mention that I switched my final attack button to Y (XBOX controls) and my special summon command to B and the lock on button is the L trigger since I dont need the camera reset button. It really took away any quirks in the controls.

#13 schultzed CAGiversary! CAGiversary! 4932 Posts Joined 19.6 Years Ago

Posted 03 November 2005 - 12:13 PM

#14 tayaf69 I want to change my name CAGiversary! 1244 Posts Joined 19.3 Years Ago

Posted 03 November 2005 - 12:14 PM

I guess Ill just trade in one of the games I got at TRU's sale for this. I really want it, but the reviews aren't what I was looking for. I wish someone would play through the entire thing and let us know how it is.

#15 danny-o Mayor of NASTYVILLE CAGiversary! 1223 Posts Joined 19.9 Years Ago

Posted 03 November 2005 - 12:17 PM

I guess Ill just trade in one of the games I got at TRU's sale for this. I really want it, but the reviews aren't what I was looking for. I wish someone would play through the entire thing and let us know how it is.

#16 Kayden Banned Banned 17673 Posts Joined 18.9 Years Ago

Posted 03 November 2005 - 12:17 PM

I have NEVER heard anyone say anything good about the N64 Castlevanias. I thought LOI was pretty fun. I may try CoD when it gets to be cheap, but right now, I have way too many games to pay full price for a game that may suck horrendously or be almost decent.

WTF is wrong with you people?
Its like 3-D Castlevania bashing is trendy. I have enjoyed all of them plenty. Yeah the first hour of this one is slow and the controls take some getting used to but it certaintly does pick up when you get to the 3rd area.

The graphics are probably not that great as the PS2 game since its a port. Its still decent for me. Theres huge open areas now and theres alot more enemies on screen as well. And you dont just push X 3 times. There are combos with the final attack button, plus all the weapons you can create is a great feature.

Lets look back to the N64 games. They were great, especially legacy of darkness. They really fixed any problems in the original as far as difficult level design but since it didnt have perfect controls (which no 3d game will ever have compared to 2-D) and skeletons didnt wank you off, people said it was bad. I had no problems controlling the character and thought the LOD game was brilliant. And I am picky with my adventure games. The only other adventure game I liked on 64 was Ocarina of Time.

In all Honestly, so far I like LOI better but this is still a great game.
I feel the same way about the new DS game. Its great but the Original SoTN still beats it.
I would say my favorite CV game is still Castlevania 4 on SNES with Dracula X coming in a close second (hardest CV I ever played to get the good ending).
I have beaten rondo of blood on a cd-r and emulator but until it comes to a console I will hold my judgment on it as it had some gfx glitches and I could save as I pleased which made it easier.

UPDATE: I forgot to mention that I switched my final attack button to Y (XBOX controls) and my special summon command to B and the lock on button is the L trigger since I dont need the camera reset button. It really took away any quirks in the controls.

#17 shipwreck CAG Reviews Editor Super Moderators 7594 Posts Joined 19.9 Years Ago

Posted 03 November 2005 - 12:21 PM

I have NEVER heard anyone say anything good about the N64 Castlevanias. I thought LOI was pretty fun. I may try CoD when it gets to be cheap, but right now, I have way too many games to pay full price for a game that may suck horrendously or be almost decent.

I actually didn't mind the N64 Castlevanias. For the time, I thought they were pretty good and it was only the camera that was really frustrating. I thought they were pretty good platform adventure games. I could certainly understand why a lot of people wouldn't like them, but I enjoyed playing them.

danny-o, how many hours have you played if you are almost done? I don't think I've heard anything about the length of this game yet.

#18 Kayden Banned Banned 17673 Posts Joined 18.9 Years Ago

Posted 03 November 2005 - 12:25 PM

3d castlevania. They all look so generic and bland. They're trying too hard to be goth and everything. Can you imagine how amazing a 2D console castlevania could be?

. right. Because vampires are really bright and cuddly creatures that demand rich worlds of vibrant color. Perhaps you'd like the game to be bundled with a stuffed bunny. The 2D versions weren't goth at all. I mean, the main character wasn't really pale with a cold hearted attitude and filled with guilt and self loathing. Oh, wait.

Posted 03 November 2005 - 12:07 PM

Players can also collect and utilize various familiars, which are magical creatures that can aid Hector in battle. Since its release, there have been numerous calls from fans for a remake of Castlevania: Curse of Darkness. Many believe that the game's detailed graphics, exciting combat, and engaging storyline would translate well to modern consoles. These fans argue that a remake could introduce the game to a new generation of players and allow them to experience the world of Castlevania in a fresh and updated way. While there have been no official announcements regarding a remake of Castlevania: Curse of Darkness, there is still hope among fans that it may happen in the future. The success of recent remakes of other Castlevania games, such as Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, has shown that there is a demand for updated versions of these classic titles. In conclusion, Castlevania: Curse of Darkness is a highly regarded video game that has garnered a dedicated fan base since its release in 2005. The game's combination of action, exploration, and crafting mechanics makes it a standout entry in the Castlevania series. While a remake of Curse of Darkness has yet to be officially announced, fans remain hopeful that one will be released in the future..

Reviews for "Creating a Monster: Castlevania Curse of Darkness Remake Gives Players the Ability to Customize Their Creature"

1. John - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with the "Castlevania Curse of Darkness" remake. The graphics were underwhelming and didn't bring anything new to the table. The controls felt clunky and unresponsive, making it difficult to enjoy the gameplay. Additionally, the storyline felt rushed and poorly developed compared to the original game. Overall, this remake failed to capture the essence of the original and left me feeling unsatisfied.

2. Emily - 1/5 stars - As a fan of the original "Castlevania Curse of Darkness," I had high hopes for the remake, but boy was I disappointed. The updated graphics were lackluster and didn't do justice to the dark and immersive atmosphere of the original. The gameplay felt repetitive and tedious, with little to no innovation. The voice acting was subpar, and the sound effects were poorly executed. It's a shame, as this remake had the potential to breathe new life into a classic game but instead fell flat on its face.

3. David - 2/5 stars - The "Castlevania Curse of Darkness" remake didn't live up to my expectations. The level design felt uninspired, and the game lacked the challenging puzzles and exploration elements that made the original so enjoyable. The character development was shallow, and the dialogue seemed forced and unnatural. The revamped soundtrack failed to captivate me and didn't evoke the same sense of dread and anticipation as the original. Overall, this remake felt like a missed opportunity to improve upon an already solid game.

4. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I was really looking forward to playing the "Castlevania Curse of Darkness" remake, but it ended up being a huge letdown. The graphics were dated and did nothing to enhance the visuals of the original. The controls were clunky and unresponsive, making combat frustrating and unsatisfying. The storyline felt rushed and disjointed, lacking the depth and complexity of the original game. I couldn't help but feel like this remake was a cash grab with little effort put into updating the game for modern audiences. Overall, it was a major disappointment.

5. Michael - 2/5 stars - Having fond memories of playing the original "Castlevania Curse of Darkness," I was excited for the remake. However, it fell short in several areas. The updated graphics were a step backward, lacking the atmospheric and gothic feel of the original. The gameplay felt overly simplified, removing the challenge and strategy that made the original so engaging. The voice acting was mediocre, and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. This remake failed to capture the magic of the original and left me craving for the authentic experience that it once offered.

A Legacy Reborn: Castlevania Curse of Darkness Remake Celebrates the Series' Anniversary