October Retro Community Playthrough - Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

[GrayGhost81]

Cool. I knew there was something going on in that room!

On another note, that guy has so many moves that I want. Damnit I'm going to have to go look them up too!

Also, I'll leave this here. Pretty cool if you haven't seen it already. Maybe a little spoilery if you don't want to see any of the boss designs ahead of time, but whatever.

[GrayGhost81]

Also I thought the SOTN episode of The Completionist was really good.

[singlebanana]

I'm sure that some are going to say, "How in the world would I have ever been able to find [insert item here] without a walkthrough? That is ridiculous." To that I say this: Extra items and features of this game are essentially not necessary to finish the game, but are just there for your enjoyment. The developers put in this hidden items so that gamers might come across them by luck or heavy exploration and get a nice surprise for their efforts/luck. The game is only about 9 hours, so the additional slots for things like relics really add to the replayability and the completionist's desire to find them. Early games like this really didn't have achievements, so these items are somewhat of a predecessor to that ideology.

In the podcast, I'll discuss why I enjoy this game so much and how my gaming history pre-fueled my love for this game. People don't refer to it as "Metroidvania" for nothing. How appropriate, since we will be playing Super Metroid in November.

[GrayGhost81]

I've never been interested in Metroid before, but I may try Super Metroid because of this game. Will I like it because I like this game? If you don't want to elaborate here, send me a pm about it.

[singlebanana]

I've never been interested in Metroid before, but I may try Super Metroid because of this game. Will I like it because I like this game? If you don't want to elaborate here, send me a pm about it.

Honestly, I've never really played Super Metroid, but I played the hell out of the original when I was a kid. If Super Metroid is anything like the original, there is a lot of backtracking you have to do to discover areas you couldn't previously reach without a specific item or powerup. Since Castlevania: SotN is similar in this regard, many people lovingly refer to games styled such as these as "Metroidvania." Hell, there are even shirts (I'm sure Fleach will have to order one ):

[img width=640 height=640]http://www.daily-shirts.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/metroidvania.jpg[/img]

[Disposed Hero]

I've never been interested in Metroid before, but I may try Super Metroid because of this game. Will I like it because I like this game? If you don't want to elaborate here, send me a pm about it.

I consider Super Metroid and SoTN to be very similar in terms of quality.  Both are probably in my top ten favorite games.  I've played some of the GBA/DS Metroid and Castlevania games, and, in my opinion, none have been able to come close to capturing the magic of these two games.

If you've never played Super Metroid, don't hesitate to play it next month.

[Shadow Kisuragi]

SoTN was the precursor to the current "Metroidvania"-style games. The gameplay is very similar in terms of having to find new powers to progress, and many powers being "optional", but certain bosses must be defeated in order to reach the end-game. The map system is very similar as well.

[JerryGreenwood]

Super Metroid falls in line with Link to the Past, Super Mario World, Final Fantasy III, Super Castlevania IV, etc as far as sequels go. It's Metroid on steroids and anyone who hasn't played it is in for a real treat.

[Boshamp]

I will be playing it for the first time next month. (Although I have watched my brother play it several times growing up). It will be my first Metroid experience, just as this was my first (and still only) Castlevania experience.

[JerryGreenwood]

Do you guys run or slide backwards?

For those who don't know, sliding backwards is faster (and more stylish.)

Also, it's not really a spoiler, but just in case...

Spoiler (hover to show)

What do you guys think of the confession room? I think there a 3 different results. As a kid I never really understood it, but I knew I liked it. The music is very eerie.

[singlebanana]

No, always annoys me watching people play like that. I understand for speed running in regards to it being quicker, but I'd get annoyed with all the continual button pushing. Plus, it looks lame.

[Shadow Kisuragi]

What, you don't like hearing the slide animation twice a second and the clacking of buttons constantly? Hater.

[Slowman]

I am one of the backdash runners.  Psh psh psh psh psh psh everywhere, until I get the bat abilities sufficiently powered up so that I can just wing smash everywhere.

[singlebanana]

So,  how is everyone progressing toward the first checkpoint? I know a few of you have already finished to game, so just looking to help out those who might be having a little difficulty reaching the first checkpoint.  Second checkpoint will be revealed tomorrow. Also, if you haven't already, please see the initial post on the front page regarding the playthrough and inverted castle.

[JerryGreenwood]

I've met the ferryman. I don't know what the week 2 checkpoint is, but I'm sure I'm close to it.

I used to hate backdashing, but after playing this game for so long I think running is a little boring. I can't not backdash now. The backdashing spices it up a little. Gives the game a little life. Plus I like the sound effect.