How can I possibly introduce Castlevania with the respect and credit it deserves? Its one of Konami’s most popular game franchises, with many releases spanning across quite a few platforms, having started on the Nintendo Entertainment System, and expanding out to the PC Engine, an arcade machine, the Super Nintendo, the original PlayStation, the PSP, GameBoy Advance, Nintendo DS, and the PS3, 360, and PC. Holy shit, has this series been through the years, however all Konami has done with the series is pachinko machines, and outside Castlevania isn’t all better. The only good thing I can really touch upon is the anime that Netflix has produced, which I do recommend and find quite interesting, on top of having plenty of fan service for fans of this long-running franchise.

Fear not, that you may never see the continuation of the gameplay, ideas, and potential this series has, to not be put to use! A spiritual successor that is on Kickstarter called Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, made by Koji Igarashi, a former Konami employee since 1990 and was the scenario programmer and director of Symphony of the Night. A game I am sure many Castlevania fans know and love very dearly.

This has PLENTY of potential

But for those that may want something more traditional, this spiritual successor series has got you covered with a more NES styled entry, fairly similar to the original trilogy, knock-back and all, although not many claims its as hard as the originals, however, that may vary per player. Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon will give something most fans can enjoy greatly and with fantastic production values to give you something similar to that original trilogy, but leaning more towards Castlevania 3. If interested in more information, please watch SomecallmeJohnny’s review of the game.

In the end, I hope this can be something fans of this now vacant series, something to enjoy in the future, and I wish the team and Mr. Igarashi good luck in their endeavors!