Old School Castlevania	Vs.	New School Castlevania
	An Essay By Sam Mills

Like any game series that has existed, evolution or changes in the games is a very natural part of the process. Whether it be through attempted improvement, slow but steady changes in the story, or a reinvention to a tired system, change is bound to happen sooner or later in a series spanning several years.

Castlevania is a prime example of this. While there are no definitive traits that make Castlevania what it is, there is a certain division between what has commonly become known as "old school" and "new school" Castlevania. What defines these two is pretty clear. What is not always clear is which is better.

I've been a fan of Castlevania for almost as long as it's been around. My introduction to the series was Castlevania II: Simon's Quest. I was not as impressed with the game as I am now, and it quickly fled from memory. It wasn't until I played Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse that the series put it's hooks in me, and I never looked back!

The rest of the "old school" games were like this for me: the original Castlevania interested me, Super Castlevania 4 was almost an out of body experience, Castlevania: Bloodlines swept me off my feet, and Castlevania: Dracula X amused me, despite it's lack of inspiration.

Castlevania Chronicles was plain fun. The GameBoy games were all old school, and were fine. Lastly, a belated play of Dracula X: Rondo of Blood showed me a game that was awesome and special for reasons beyond human comprehension. Then, the old school was traded in for the new with Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.

What exactly is the difference between "old school" and "new school"? To fans, old school is the old linear format of the earlier games (Simon's Quest being the exception). Other traits also are associated: There was no real exploration at all, just go from point A to point B., going up stairs required pushing up on the controller, and there is no RPG elements like there are in the new school games.

From then on, it was all "new school", which started with Symphony of the Night and introduced a format that was more in the tradition of Simon's Quest. The game set the traits for every 2D Castlevania that followed. It was non-linear, exploration was a major aspect, stairs didn't require any pushing up or down of buttons, and progression through the game could not be obtained except through reward of game playing (no passwords). These traits don't exactly apply to the few 3D installments; those are almost another breed all together!

If not for Simon's Quest, the second official game in the series, the "new school" games would seem like more of a detachment, instead of a revisiting of an older Castlevania theme. As they stand, they do follow tradition after all.

I went over my opinions briefly of my initial feelings of the old school games. What about my feelings of the new school? I loved Symphony of the Night, and after long debate, decided it's my favorite installment of the series. It's overwhelmingly absorbing and a jewel of a game! Circle of the Moon challenged me and got my blood pumping. Harmony of Dissonance was a very good game the reminded me of Symphony of the Night. Aria of Sorrow intrigued me beyond belief, and was a catalyst for me in bringing my attention back to the series.

And just for reference, I really had a good time with the N64 games, Castlevania 64 and Legacy of Darkness. Lament of Innocence excited me, overwhelmed my senses, and it's great action blinded me to flaws I could only somewhat see after finishing the game. They don't fit the bill of either old school or new, but take elements of both.

So the question remains: which is better? Old school or new school? Can that question really be answered so easily? After all, it really depends on the individual game. While Castlevania: Symphony of the Night was my favorite in the series, a list of my all time favorites would not place the rest of the new school so highly. Super Castlevania 4, Dracula X: Rondo of Blood and Castlevania III would follow, then perhaps Aria of Sorrow would be next.

I guess the answer could be easily found in what I'd like to see next. If I could tell Konami if the next 2D game in the series should follow the old format or the new, I would almost be inclined to say old school, just for old time's sake. The last game I played before the 3D Lament of Innocence was Dracula X: Rondo of Blood. It was ten years old at the time, but new to me. It was "old school" and I LOVED IT! It was a game that stood alone on it's own, and didn't feel like a knock-off of another game.

There's a saying about the older games that I remember hearing about Castlevania. It was a series of fathers, not a series of children. That means that it was a series where every new game didn't feel like it was a mere copy or re-production of an old game, but that each one seemed to reinvent without changing anything vital. Unfortunately, as much as I loved them, the "new school" games, especially Harmony of Dissonance, felt like off-spring of Symphony of the Night and it would be hard to imagine them being made without the creation of that Playstation masterpiece.

Maybe I am being too hasty there. While the original Castlevania left the series a lot of room to grow, Symphony of the Night had little to expand upon. But when greatness in imitated well, it would equal a greatness all it's own.

What are the advantages to each? Let's review:

Old school in a positive light: Pure action. The focus is on strategy, not exploration. The challenge is also based on enemy strength's more than the chance of getting lost or not figuring out it's secrets. It's so easy to pick up and play, and the linear format means it's just plain fun. Also, it's refreshing not to have to worry about treading through the save level over and over again, simply because you can't find something, or you forgot your hat.

Old school in a negative light: How many times can you play through the same game, with the goal simply being to reach the end level boss and kick his/her/it's ass? It's so simplified to not have to look for key or a special power. While challenging as it may be, there's not variety in the game play. Point A to point B every time. No point C. No point D or point A to C to B to D. Too simple!

New school positive light: Big castle to explore! Exploration is the key to what makes these games fun! Not only do I get to fight my enemies, but I get stronger and strong with experience! I can't beat the horseman that easily...yet. But after a while, I will! There's so much to do in these games, and they have a lot of story to them as well.

New school negative light: You mean, I have to explore the whole castle? I have to revisit stages and backtrack to find things? Why can't I just kill a bunch of baddies, make it to the end and call it a day? Why do I have to work so hard at this? You mean, I need to find special boots just to get to the next stage? I need to find a key? Can't I just knock down the door? You mean, I need to earn my ability to run? Is this supposed to be fun? Arg...

My point is to show that there are a lot of different opinions when it comes to these games. Different breeds of gamers will be attracted to different Castlevanias, while many of us don't care as long as the fun is there and it keeps the spirit of the series. Therefore, it is possible to say that while different, neither old or new school is really "better" than another. It all comes down to whether the game does the best with what it is.

Looking at the big picture of video gaming, it would be hard to imagine an old school Castlevania being created in this day and age. We should consider ourselves lucky that we were able to get a 2D Castlevania in 1997 for the Playstation. The format of gaming is on the verge of changing yet again. With 3D completely taking over the industry, Castlevania is trying to evolve along with it. Some have felt Castlevania: Lament of Innocence is a good start, compromising between 2D and 3D, old school and new. Others feel it isn't the format the series needs. What will the next generation of the series be? Will it survive at all? Sometimes the future is in a class all it's own.

Sam Mills can be reached by email at sammycut1@aol.com.

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