Introduction
Once again we will travel back in time for an amazing retro review where we will take control over Simon as we will try to crush the forces of evil that Dracula has summoned, the biggest enemy in this game? Holes that you can fall into! The bosses are a mean bunch as well but damn those holes! Once you get to the later stages, you will encounter stronger and weirder enemies!
What did I think before playing Super Castlevania 4?
It is Castlevania, who doesnt love a side scrolling platformer from the golden age of gaming? Back when things were simple but perfect. You just walk to the left and beat up nasty enemies, if you die, retry from the beginning, or use one of those awesome codes to continue your game, only to realize later you have written down a wrong number or letter, which will make you rage! For more information, we are going to check out the fandom page of Castlevania!
The Fandom Page
https://castlevania.fandom.com/wiki/Super_Castlevania_IV
There is one reason why I love this game so much, it has a lot of extra features and mechanics that make the game more accessible with tight controls to walk among the levels, forgetting about the holes at this moment. And the introduction of being able to turn your whip like a mad man to stop the incoming enemies! Or perhaps, the ability to let Simon moonwalk on stairs!
Rating
I rate Super Castlevania 4 with a 9.2 before playing.
Who does not love a good old Castlevania, when games were tough and beat you up like crazy, nowadays, you get spoiled with autosave, ah, the good old days of using codes to continue your game! Unless your code is invalid.
Story
The story starts with peace once again getting interrupted by Dracula, Simon already fought him once in Simon’s quest, the second game in the Castlevania franchise, and Simon takes up the Belmont whip again to storm the castle and beat the shit out of a desperate vampire that wants to rule the world.
Rating
I rate the story of Super Castlevania 4 with a 8.2.
Who doesnt love the easy plot, beat up the bad guys and save the world once again!
Gameplay
The gameplay of Super Castlevania 4 is quite complex for an older game. It is your goal to make your way to the castle keep. While you can keep walking left, there are also gates that will allow you to walk in the background, which is quite an amazing thing, considering that this game came out in 1991. While you can take some time to get to the end of a stage, you do need to hurry up since there is a time limit, and if it runs out, you are a goner!, well, you lose a life, and they are limited!
While making your way through the infested levels, you will find candles that you can destroy, dont even ask me why there are candles in the forest. These candles will usually hold hearts that you are going to need to use your special attack, your special attack depends on the sub weapon that you have picked up. The cross is a devastating weapon that can annihilate bosses with ease, or the clock that can save you in nasty situations with many enemies.
While making your way through the levels, you also need to platform, curse those one hit kill holes! While the jumping mechanic is tight and flawless, I just, somehow manage to mess it up. Oh well, time to try it again! You will also find secrets, these will usually hold chickens, cooked ones that you can eat to restore your health! Who doesnt love a good old roasted chicken hidden in the wall or a candle?
Rating
I rate the gameplay of Super Castlevania 4 with a 9.7.
Simon is at it again, and he wants to beat up some baddies with his amazing twirling whip!
Sound and Graphics
Graphics
The graphics of Super Castlevania 4 are amazing for that year. The background is very complex, and the sprites even move, which was quite a thing back in the day. The monsters are varied and all have unique animations. The different environments are great to explore, there are many secrets to find. There are some places where the graphics just look like a perfect blend of 2D sprites that just seem to pop out of the screen.
Sound
The soundtracks in this game are insanely gorgeous, along with neat sound effects that keep you immersed in the game!
Rating
I rate the sound and graphics of Super Castlevania 4 with a 9.8.
It is amazing that they managed to achieve these graphics back in 1991, and they even aged very well!
What did I think after playing Super Castevania 4?
I decided to record my first run, since it has been a few years since I had played this game, I came a lot farther than I had expected on my first time! The enemies in world 3 are still very annoying, but those holes, I really hate the holes in the floor. The merman enemies that spit water are also not pretty as they can drop your health to zero in no time!
The bosses are quite unique and dangerous to take down, it is important to learn their strategy. For example, Medusa does turn you to stone, which feels like a perfect fit for me, that is exactly what Medusa should do. And then those little snakes that come out of her hair, yep, it is amazing!
Rating
I rate Super Castlevania 4 with a 9.4 after playing.
It is time for the next attempt to defeat Dracula!
What are my personal thoughts about Super Castlevania 4
I still remember playing this game as a kid, a very long time ago. The enemies even looked scary to me, making me feel even better to beat them up. It took me many tries as a kid to beat this game, just to try it again!
Rating
My personal Rating of Super Castlevania 4 is a 9.1.
Are you ready to whip some more baddies!?
Last Words
Pros
- Face off with many enemies in different areas!
- Collect sub weapons and use them to your advantage
- Play through eleven levels as you try to defeat Dracula
- The levels are unique and the graphics are amazing, even for this day!
- The soundtracks are amazing to listen to and keep you immersed in the game
- The boss fights are fun, as you need to learn their attack patterns
- Walking up and down stairs has been made easier compared to earlier games
- Your whip is more versatile this time around.
- Easy to pick up and play, insanely hard to master
- The story is fun, and goes hand in hand with the gameplay.
Cons
- Who made those darned holes in the floor!?
Jump Simon, jump! No! Not in the hole, there goes another life!
Final Rating
9.3
Let me know what you think of Super Castlevania 4 in the comments!
I hope you enjoyed reading this review, I hope to see you in the next review!
If you liked reading this review, maybe you would like to share this review with your friends!
Silentrets
I miss old days. It reminds me that days 🙂
InSpec
Old games have a soul
supersven
They indeed have a lot of souls, and I kicked their ass, until I got my ass kicked!
Alex M
I love it!
Wonder
I adore old classics like these, especially considering what developers were able to pull off considering the limitations of those days! As they say, they just don't make them like they used to. Thank you for yet another awesome retro review and I look forward to more of them!
supersven
It is insane, it is why I love to look back upon old games and give them some love!
DonCarlos
One of the greatest games ever made. Gameplay, music, atmosphere - all just fantastic. This review brought back so many nostalgic memories. Thank you!
supersven
I am glad that you liked this review so much!
Myr
That game is hard as hell. I love the pixel art style.
supersven
Many old games were hard as hell!
Glyxo
Spasibo!
Darks Light
The gameplay seems interesting, maybe I'll buy the collection one of these day
Halil KAPLAN
Thanks for review 😉
supersven
You are welcome!
EMPERORU
Unfortunately never played it
Michael Lo
classic game
Anton
Nice retro gaming!)
Javier del Ríos
A classic that stands the test of time. Great review.
supersven
It indeed stood the test of time!
long shade
Good review! Given the performance of computers back then, this game really is amazing.
supersven
It is indeed, amazing!
Pawel K
well made review
supersven
You are welcome!
metalhead8489
I hope they bring Symphony of the Night at Steam
supersven
Maybe you can try retroarch!?