Castlevania: Dracula X/Vampire's Kiss (SNES, 1995)
Graphics-8 Sound-8.5 Control-7 Challenge-8/8.5*
Level Design-7 Frustration-8.5/9* Fun-7 Originality-5
Overall Score-7
*Best ending
+
No knockback when crouching
Ability to switch between sub weapons (Rondo of Blood style - still a problem in some situations where you're stressed or the weapon falls off a small platform)
Some secrets (Key attack (item crash), hidden items, gain 1-ups from avoiding taking any damage in a stage, item crash, backward somersault (double tap jump, can't change direction while doing it, can flip onto stairs)
Jump up/off of stairs
Unlimited continues
Password save
Improved enemy AI
Some air control (odd system where you need to hold down the jump button to be able to steer somewhat - otherwise fixed length and height, you can also jump without steering to nudge slightly in either direction)
A couple of alternate paths (one is found by jumping down a pit though...)
Good animation and sound quality
Good bosses overall
Alternate endings (find the two kidnapped women)
Boss fights no longer confined to one screen only
+/-
No time limits
Forgiving platform hit detection
Walking off ledges makes you fall quickly straight down with no air control
Short invincibility time
Steep difficulty curve
Some delay before you can attack after jumping
Anime/comic style graphics
No whip upgrades
Fairly easy to rack up 1-ups
Checkpoint system (sometimes makes boss fights harder since you start out very close to them after death)
-
Some control issues (stun animation from falling just a few feet (oddly enough it can be canceled by whipping right before you land), inconsistent hit detection, Belmont doesn't auto-climb a downward staircase if you press forward (instead falls straight down with no air control), can’t jump between screens
Can't hit idle bats with sub weapons (!?)
Trial & error (boss patterns, several bosses have a cheap post death-attack (does very little damage though), some cheap enemy placements, enemies can shoot from somewhat off screen)
Some very tedious parts (clock tower, final boss)
Unfinished feel at times (odd scene transitions (game is basically a cut-up of Rondo of Blood mixed with new parts), lack of build up before Dracula, no Death?)
A bit short (7 stages per path out of 9 total)
Inconsistency about when you can or can’t walk back through levels (annoying if you’re going for the best ending)
Level Design-7 Frustration-8.5/9* Fun-7 Originality-5
Overall Score-7
*Best ending
+
No knockback when crouching
Ability to switch between sub weapons (Rondo of Blood style - still a problem in some situations where you're stressed or the weapon falls off a small platform)
Some secrets (Key attack (item crash), hidden items, gain 1-ups from avoiding taking any damage in a stage, item crash, backward somersault (double tap jump, can't change direction while doing it, can flip onto stairs)
Jump up/off of stairs
Unlimited continues
Password save
Improved enemy AI
Some air control (odd system where you need to hold down the jump button to be able to steer somewhat - otherwise fixed length and height, you can also jump without steering to nudge slightly in either direction)
A couple of alternate paths (one is found by jumping down a pit though...)
Good animation and sound quality
Good bosses overall
Alternate endings (find the two kidnapped women)
Boss fights no longer confined to one screen only
+/-
No time limits
Forgiving platform hit detection
Walking off ledges makes you fall quickly straight down with no air control
Short invincibility time
Steep difficulty curve
Some delay before you can attack after jumping
Anime/comic style graphics
No whip upgrades
Fairly easy to rack up 1-ups
Checkpoint system (sometimes makes boss fights harder since you start out very close to them after death)
-
Some control issues (stun animation from falling just a few feet (oddly enough it can be canceled by whipping right before you land), inconsistent hit detection, Belmont doesn't auto-climb a downward staircase if you press forward (instead falls straight down with no air control), can’t jump between screens
Can't hit idle bats with sub weapons (!?)
Trial & error (boss patterns, several bosses have a cheap post death-attack (does very little damage though), some cheap enemy placements, enemies can shoot from somewhat off screen)
Some very tedious parts (clock tower, final boss)
Unfinished feel at times (odd scene transitions (game is basically a cut-up of Rondo of Blood mixed with new parts), lack of build up before Dracula, no Death?)
A bit short (7 stages per path out of 9 total)
Inconsistency about when you can or can’t walk back through levels (annoying if you’re going for the best ending)