Castlevania

2011 has marked by many major franchise anniversaries, but one that is particularly important to me has also been one that attracted fairly little press coverage and even less attention from its producers: Castlevania. The original game’s horror movie-themed atmosphere, with its gothic castle and familiar creatures from mythology and popular culture, was a stark contrast to the cartoonish nature of Super Mario or the fantasy theme of Zelda-- but it would have fallen flat without the solid game that lay beneath the surface. Over the years, that gameplay has evolved, but Castlevania games remainas well-designed and fun to play as ever.