"How can the original of the series be like the newr ones?"

The Castlevania series is definately one that has it's shadows. It has many other parts of it that many don't know about. I know that some people love Castlevania SOTN or COTM because it doesn't play anything like the earlier games. They should be surprised,since the FIRST Castlevania game is VERY similar to the unlinear SOTN. This unfamiliar game to us North-Americans was called ''Vampire Killer''. Unlike the NES classic, it isn't as linear, and you can explore an entire area finding an item, killing enemies, or trying to get the hell out of there. Sounds like SOTN, huh? Well, this is the original, and one that should not be forgotten.

Graphics-9- If you compare it to the NES title, Vampire Killer is MUCH cleaner, but the sprites look the same, only in a different pallete. Instead of having Simon in the old Brown and Gold clothing, he wears a reddish-maroon suit. Aother thing to note is the enemies have changes like this too. The axe-weildin ghost armors and medusa heads are yellow-ish gold, and bats are black and tan. Some enemies just look the same as they did on the NES, like those annoying hoppers. Now, the level design, like I said, is much cleaner, and doesn't look too sloppy. The first thing you notice when you start playing is the trees in the background actually look like trees, and the statues, well, look like statues! With the powerful MSX2 8bit cpu, the graphics can have a smoother look than the NES.

Sound-8- The sound is basically like the NES game. The same music, same whip crack, same grunt by Simon. It's all here, but the music sounds a bit better. It's not bad at all. Besides, it's Castlevania! What did you expect, the sound never sounds crappy!

Gameplay-6- Now, without a gamepad, you have to use the keyboard. It can drive you nuts if you're pampered by the classic Castlevania feel. You use the left and right arrow buttons to walk around, down to duck, and up to jump. You use the space bar to use your weapon. Using the special weapons takes quick reflexes, unless you have a weapon that just replaces your whip. Even though thats the best the control could do using a keyboard, the control isn't choppy and actually runs smoothely. The only problem I had was trying to get upstairs using the up arrow, but ended up jumping. Oh yeah, the game doesn't scroll like the other games. Kinda like Resident Evil, it just moves to a new frame. It can kinda help from cluttering spritesin one room, but it can get you lost easily.

Story-8- Dracula stats to terrorize the world with evil. Simon, being the heir to the Belmont Family, must destroy him. Blah blah blah blah blah... The same story, but at least it was new at that time, so that deserves more points up.

Difficulty-10- A few words can help you out here... THIS IS THE HARDEST CASTLEVANIA GAME EVER!!! You have 18 unlinear levels to explore, harmful enemies, 3 lives, and no continues. Very challenging, and you may not reach the second level on your first try... or your twentieth...

Replay Value-7- Well, it depends if you have a lot of patience, and you're anxious to beat this mind-killer. Still, you might be coming back just to beat that grim reaper.

Overall-8- This is the original Castlevania game, and it plays like SOTN. It can really help on improving your mind skills or reflexes, or just by proving how good you are at Castlevania. If you get a hold of it someday, try it out. You shouldn't be sorry about it, except for the fact it isn't easy. You can't say no to the Castlevania series!

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 06/15/02, Updated 06/15/02