When I called it easy, I meant in relation to other cv games, not as an absolute. Hence why I justified it by saying that CV1, 3, Chronicles and Bloodlines are harder, with CV3 being the hardest especially if you're trying to get all endings. (I don't think I've ever beaten the western version of CV3 but then again why would I lol. It has worse music.) Adventure Rebirth is also probably harder if you're playing in classic mode, though I have not played that game nearly as much as the other ones so I can't remember perfectly. I think it's not even in existence anymore, much like Contra rebirth.melonbread wrote: ↑Sat Aug 06, 2022 9:46 am It’s my understanding that there is no true Rondo on SNES, technically. Just an inferior so-called “remake” that is so different they called it Dracula X. The original Japanese Rondo on the PC engine, which we finally only ever officially got over here in the West with the remake on PSP (confusingly called Dracula X Chronicles, despite it not being the SNES game Dracula X, but the original Rondo game from Japan, just with 3-D models and spruced up graphics) and later in the Rondo of Blood/Stmphony of the Night collection on last gen.
The ones you list as being much harder I also consider hard. In fact, the common consensus is that most of the pre-Igavania titles are all extremely difficult (not that I agree with the “X many people agree so it can’t be wrong!” approach, but this isn’t about if Bon Jovi is listenable, but instead something that, while still partially a subjective thing, is a tad objective also). I still remember Rondo of Blood’s almost mythical status when it was still only in Japan, a game that many said was considered the best Castlevania, but was also crushingly difficult. It’s Japan-only status and infamy for its difficulty made it a holy grail of sorts for more “hardcore” game fans.
So, I think it must just come down to you being naturally good at it, which is awesome! However, calling it one of the easiest just struck me as funny, as it’s contrary to one of the only sole things we in the West knew for sure about it before we got it, which was its reputation for its difficulty.
I only ever 100% games I love so that fact, along with some QOL improvements in the ROB/SOTN two-pack that came out, led to me doing so with both games. I can only speak for myself, but Rondo was a ton of fun and is probably the perfect CV to me. It also, though, was NOT easy.
But maybe I just suck.
I like pretty much all the castlevania games though, except for maybe Adventure, SCV4 (although I do love the spritework and music. I just don't like how slow the game is to accomodate for the huge ass sprites. Not that castlevania was ever "fast" but you know what I mean.), the original release of cv64 and I guess Lament of Innocence kinda sucks but I do like some of its boss fights. Obviously I don't care for the reboot.
In general, almost every videogame from before the 32/64bit era is "hard" compared to what we have nowadays. Which isn't necessarily a negative either, there's a lot of games that focus on more experiential or artsy fartsy stuff which I really like. I would say all the classicvania games do a good job at having a better balanced difficulty curve than say, something like the original NES Ninja Gaiden which is pretty easy until the final level where it becomes impossible and the whole metagame for the last few stages revolves around being able to keep the spin-slash subweapon until the final boss. (Yes I am aware that it's technically possible to beat the game without it, that does not change the fact that that's gonna be the standard experience for 99% of players.) Ninja Gaiden 2 and (jap)3 are better in that regard.
The western version of NG3 is part of the same trend as CV3 and Contra Hard Corps where for some reason the western publishers decided to make them retardedly harder with some haphazard changes that don't fit the original design framework at all.