Castlevania Bloodlines
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- Опубліковано 23 кві 2020
- SPOILERS!
Here I play through Castlevania Bloodlines for the Sega Genesis. It covers the entire game but is abbreviated so that it doesn't run for an hour. I throw in some strategy for good measure.
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Opening 3D Logo By:
Jan Neves
UA-cam Page - / jan3d
Episode Notes:
1. Captured via the Mega SG.
2. The footage shown is from multiple play sessions through multiple regions on multiple difficulties. There are some major differences between them, particularly the Japanese version. It's easy mode is far easier than the Western variants.
3. Michiru Yamane did the music for this game. She also did Symphony of the Night.
4. This is my all time favorite game for the Sega Genesis.
5. In terms of difficulty, I find this to be one of the easier Castlevania games. It's nowhere near as difficult as Dracula X on the PC Engine.
6. There is a color hack that changes the look of this game. If different enough to recommend.
7. The PAL variants are lightly censored by removing most of the blood and gore. I have heard that the version released in Australia is called The New Generation, but still has the blood and such.
8. The Japanese Vampire Killer is crazy expensive these days. A complete in box copy goes for 100's of dollars.
9. I own all 3 original versions of this game. They are among my most cherished in the game room.
10. My buddy and I were broke when this game first showed up. We bounced a check to get it we wanted it so badly. I still have that original copy.
11. This game is thankfully available on modern platforms in the Castlevania Collection. - Ігри
One of the best Castlevania games ever made...
Strongly disagree. I think it was the worst of its generation.
@@kekeke8988 imo it's the 3rd best 16 bit cv behind super cv 4 and rondo. If I'm not mistaken there were only 4 that came out maybe 5 if the entry on x68000 counts. I think bloodlines is a decent cv game but Id much rather play rondo or 4. But if karl digs bloodlines that much then I'm happy he finds that much enjoyment in it. What's your fav of the generation?
@@gurgamous
Rondo by far.
@@kekeke8988 right on
@@kekeke8988 kind of a bummer we got such a lame "version" of it in the states with dracula x in the mind 90s. At least rondo is very accessible now on tg16 mini and the downloadable remastered version konami released in conjunction with symphony
I finished this game on my Sega Mega Drive mini, was quite a challenge but I enjoyed every second of it.
After that, I started to play the Haunted Castle arcade ... oh god.
Oh wow, what a swing from one extreme to the other. From one of the best Mega Drive games to an utter abomination. I wonder if SLX has done a Haunted Castle video?
@@Sega_Dreams Well it might be an unpopulair opinion, but I still enjoyed Haunted Castle and actually finished it. I definitely do not want to call it an abomination, but the other classic Castlevania games are simply better. My biggest criticism is that some of the challenges in Haunted Castle felt unfair and artificial, which makes it more challenging than Bloodlines but for all the wrong reasons.
@@juliannoordennen1585 Fair enough! I wish I had found more enjoyment in it, but to each their own.
Haunted Castle...the game where Simon fights while trying to hold in a big shit.
Bloodlines is the coolest name for it imo
One of my favourites of l time...and by god are there some cool graphical effects used here... its cool because the snes castlevania 4 used what effects that the megadrive couldnt do and on the megadrive they used effects not easily if at all able to be done on snes. Really both bspoke for each platform meaning you gotta play both!!
Agreed!
@@iwanttocomplain All three 16-bit Castlevania titles were excellent in their own rights. Yes, I include the SNES Dracula X in that statement. It's a poor port, but stand along it's a phenomenal title.
@@ChaoticHoly
It's not a port, it's a rearranged 'sequel' of sorts. In Japan, it's called Dracula XX instead of Dracula X. It almost feels like an amateur romhack of Dracula X made to be extra difficult. It's like the Super Mario Bros 2 JP of the Castlevania series.
This game's my 2nd favorite classicvania. It's so strange and different, you get gems, you have an item button, it feels like a Treasure game, it has rotation and scaling effects the genesis couldn't do very easily. It's so great, it's a really fun game with great level design and awesome fast gameplay. I wish classicvania games continued. One thing to note is that at 16:22, Elizabeth doesn't randomly teleport, she goes to the opposite side of the screen you're on. So if you stay kinda close to the center, you can manipulate where she'll teleport.
I made the mistake to overlook it when it came out. A mistake I corrected later :)
Mike Lütjens made the mistake of selling I got my copy for 5 bucks as a kid oops
I remember seeing it for sale at a toy store in the mall for $10 in 1997, and I passed on it. Huge mistake. :(
Easily the best soundtrack in the series. Also, my favorite game in the series as well. Way too underrated
We really had no way to play this outside of OG hardware up until recently. Now it’s on Switch and the Genesis Mini, great time to be a gamer!
@@MonsterHunterLancer i played all these gems on emulators
The tower of Pisa is my favorite level. Such creativity.
As a kid I was put off by John's bulbus form, awkward walk, and ultra-quick whip. I'd play as Eric. Years later, this one grew to be one of my favourite CVania games. It was an era when devs had to put sheer creativity into limited hardware. Every level has a strong theme, a graphics trick like water reflections, or mirrored screen, double pathing. We don't see "nostalgic" 2D games this well thought out today. These guys were masters. Great video, Sega Lord X! I thoroughly enjoyed it!
The two dislikes are from Nintendo and Dracula.
The game is on the Switch though
I played it and it wasn't great. 6.5/10.
@@davidanderson7643 Uhh... O...kaaayyy? Even as a die-hard Nintentard in my "youth" I saw this game as faboo back then as I do today. I won't ask what you disliked as everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I'm curious as to what 3rd party Genesis/MD titles(s) you liked as a 9.0+?
@@davidanderson7643
I would say it's a solid 7.5 /10 at least, but it does disappoint compared to the other 16 bit Castlevanias.
@@oscarzxn4067 I didnt know that...
One of the greatest games of all times....Dude I don’t think what you call cow heads are that, I think is the upper body of humans remains lol
I feel like Konami actually put the extra development time into their Genesis games to maximize what the Genesis actually was capable of.
Obvious in Contra for genesis !
They put the extra effort in all their games back then, focusing on the strengths of respective hardware.
Konami put more devotion, love, and inspiration into their games until they got obsessed with gambling machines. They used to make quality. Not focused on a certain hardware, but making the most out of whatever system they were producing for. Now they don't care. Contra HC, wasn't worse or better than Super Contra III. They were different games, and both amazing. All Konami games up until the second Metal Gear were works of art. Once they saw that Hideo was becoming the face of the company they drove him out to make plinko machines. Money rules their company and we will never see these gems from them again. It's sad, but it's the way of the world. Only the fans can bring these beautiful games back to the forefront, and create their successors. /BLOODSTAINED/ I'm looking forward to a Contra style game as well. The geniuses have left the company. Konami is just a gambling addict now.
The sound was rushed though, especially compared to other Konami titles on the Genesis. It could have done a lot more. A good example of this is what Savaged Regime remixed without going too much into "over the top"with it. He found out that much of the music, while composed well, lacked complexity and was more like a 16 bit version of the NES music.
@S Bleed Have you tried Blazing Chrome? It's on Game Pass. Decent Contra tribute. Check it out.
I never thought those were bull heads hanging. I believe they r half cut torsos crucified hanging.
Without question one of the very best Sega Genesis games and one of the very best games in the Castlevania series.
My main gaming console from 1995 to 1998 was a Sega Genesis. I didn't play Castlevania Bloodlines until 2014. Today it's one of my favorite Genesis games of all time. It's just so good!
Oh how I remember playing this. As I remember it was spring... must have been around spring break. I was in heaven playing a new Castlevania- I loved castlevania.
Definitely in the Top 5 on Genesis.
17:09 I still listen to this music to this day :-)
Are you familiar with David Westerlund's channel? He partook/may be responsible for Castlevania Orchestra Concert from 10 years ago.
ua-cam.com/video/LXj3TB_tP2w/v-deo.html Here is a Bloodlines song from the concert which features favorites from throughout the series.
I love Castlevania Bloodlines and I play it on my Nintendo Switch time after time
So glad this is on the Genesis Mini. Never played it back then and such a great game. I also love the level variety and how your not stuck in the same castle similar to other Castlevanias
3:53 misses enemy 5 times with the sub weapon “the sub weapons are efficient at hitting your enemies ...” lol
I love Castlevania and Bloodlines is my favorite with Castlevania IV on SNES being a close second. Thanks Lord X! Great Video!
I love this game. It's my second favorite CV game under Rondo of Blood but edging out CV3. Awesome series!
Your favorites in the series are Rondo, Bloodlines and CV3? You, my friend, have excellent taste.
If you cried in the final with lord x message you're like me. (You lived the legendary path of the console)
_Sega Genesis/megadrive forever_
I always thought this game was incredible. I remember first reading about it on Mean Machines Megadrive Magazine then renting it from the video store when I was a young teen. I adored the living heck out of that game. I always contemplated on buying it even after renting the game over a dozen several times. Kinda wished I brought it now even though I no longer have a Megadrive but still being able to relive my experience via other means. What a game, absolutely fantastic. They gave Megadrive owners a reason to be happy with their Megadrive and not be too jealous of those SNES owners back. So dreamy.
had it for my Mega Drive when i was a kid in the release year and finished it just a few days ago on emulation. One of the best Mega Drive games.
easily in the top 5 of all genesis games and one of the best castlevania games PERIOD. Great video homie. You are knocking it out of the park lately.
One of the best soundtracks EVER
Probably my favorite Genesis game, I love Castlevania games
That stage intro music..... timeless.
Castlevania bloodline is the best in the series and I got to get the Sega genesis mini so I can play it. 😀👍
one of the best castlevanias ever. I was a snes guy but later with the emulation i discovered this game and played to the end(also circle of the moon). One of the strongest games in the amazing genesis library
This is a game for whatever reason, despite owning a Genesis as a kid, I didn't play. I finally did a couple of years ago, and it has become one of my top 3 Castlevania games. I'm glad Konami included it in the collection. It's a classic and one of the best in the series.
A video like this would be cool with Genesis version of Ghosterbusters.
Second this! Would love to see Ghostbusters done in this format
This game by itself was the one that made me totally fall in love with the Genesis, it became my favorite in the series next to Super Castlevania IV and this hasn't changed at all up to this day
They are also my top 2 castlevanias as well.
Superior content as usual! Thank you!! This for me is the best 16bit castlevania!
3:05 “...by removing the hanging cow heads”? Aren’t they corpses hanging with the lower half of their bodies removed?
Brown with white spots? Surely a cows head man...... ;)
Arms suspended by the chains, head slumped down. Gotta be a torso 🧟♂️. I’ll have a closer look 👀
Eric LeCarde's weapon remains as one of the most fun and unique approaches to a 2D platformer I have ever played. Pole-vaulting, spear twirl, and a dramatic falling stab attack that was hella satisfying to land made Eric one of my favorite non-Belmonts next to Alucard.
I found this game in a clearance bin at Toy's R Us brand new for 14.99. I was never so pleased with my purchase!!
As a kid, I thought it was a Nintendo property because the NES was the only thing I'd ever played them on at a friend's house. Bloodlines is the best 2D non-metroidvania Castlevania by far.
Imagine... Castelvania for master system... It would be awesome...
Your intro music just puts me there. It's almost like I'm in a JRPG and I can't express how it makes me feel. Side note, I really appreciate your content.
This is one of the great Castlevanias. Wish I could have played it back then, but I didn't have a Genesis.
One of the few great things about lockdown: more Sega Lord X videos. :)
What a fine walkthrough! I love your videos!
Glad you enjoy it!
One of the very best Genesis games, it really impressed and showed off the Genesis' muscles when it was released! Great video brother
Too bad the genesis had a weak color palette of 512 colors and unable to display no more than 64 colors at a time, nonetheless thank goodness for blast processing🤔
@@gilavalos2400 more like too bad the SNES is basically stuck in that limited and flawed resolution of 256x224 pixels whereas most mega drive games (bloodlines included) run in 320x224 meaning 25% more screen estate and good aspect ratio once in 4:3 AND with usually good to fantastic graphics on top of that! (i.e. no color issue at all)
@@gilavalos2400
The default palette was actually quite excellent... better than the PC Engine one, which was also 512 colors. Plus, you could apply per-pixel shading and highlighting to those on screen colors, making properly coded Genesis games look a lot more colorful than the 64 on screen colors spec would suggest, rivaling many PC Engine games and approaching some SNES ones. Take a look at Dynamite Headdy, Panorama Cotton, Gunstar Heroes, Super Fantasy Zone or Ranger X for examples of some excellent color use. In addition, the system had the horsepower to quickly push a lot of sprites around while simulating multiple layers of parallax scrolling and other impressive effects like no other 16-bit console. That M68000 was a beast of a processor for 1988. Sega was only able to put it in their system due to a special deal they made with Motorolla. Most of the hardware costs went into this processor, which also powered most arcade boards and home computers at that time. To have it in a $200 console was nuts. And yes, that super fast 32-bit DMA (blast processing) was a big advantage too. Unfortunately, the very fast RAM used for on screen colors was extremely volatile cost-wise in the late 80s and was crazy expensive when Sega was finalizing the Mega Driver design. From what I recall, it was five times more expensive than the year prior, which is when NEC finalized the PC-Engine design, giving it 492 on screen colors (with no shadow and highlight support though) but with an 8-bit processor and no support for multiple foreground/background layers.
@shadowshinobi06
I agree. Castlevania Bloodlines had some impressive "look at what we can do!" special effects in places but most of them were gimmicky, especially looking at them now. Shinobi 3 had much larger, better animated sprites and far superior parallax scrolling effects with no slowdown anywhere. It had better sound effects too. Konami and Capcom did good with Genesis music but sucked at voices and sound effects. Still an awesome game though.
@shadowshinobi06 oh yeah shinobi 3 is the pinnacle of perfection in the shinobi series.
A friend gave me this game along with a genesis and Aladdin and some other classics , glad I got to enjoy these then and see it still seen as a great game .
In the past week you’ve covered my two favorite Genesis games: Shinobi III and Castlevania Bloodlines. You’re making this quarantine easier for me! Lol. I play through both these games every 3 months or so.
I grew up a Nintendo fan. SNES always won the Snes vs Genesis debates. It wasn’t until years later that I realized I had been missing the entire other side of the 16-bit coin. I had been told how inferior the Sega platform was in terms of sound and colors. Bloodlines destroys that notion. Note only are the tracks well composed, but they use the Genesis’ sound chip to incredible effect. Perhaps the best music on the system? And the color and graphics are amazing. Honestly, it looks just as good as anything the SNES has to offer and looks better than even the mighty Super Castlevania IV. (Plays better, too, imo).
Thanks for covering these games and giving us unworthy retro game lovers what we want. You’re the man, SLX.
Yeah there are in fact many games that destroy those bias ridden notions. But you'll notice a trend, that the best looking, sounding and most often playing Gen/MD games (and 16-bit games in general), are exclusive from Japan, and that's a key aspect that most detractors of the console fail to recognize.
If you like the music from Bloodlines, I recommend the osts from Gauntlet IV, Langrisser II (The Last Battle), Devilish, Shining Force II, Dragon Slayer etc, there's a surprising amount of good orchestral on the system as well.
I agree!
My favorite Castlevania game. Nice Video!
the composer is michiru yamane. she is most known for composing symphony of the night but this is where she got her start. It is a masterpiece soundtrack.
she also went on to compose the ps2 castlevania games and all the gameboy advance and nintendo ds entries.
Great stuff, man! I've purchased systems just to play Castlevania games - This one was always a struggle for me on the the Genesis, but still well loved. Watching this, I think I'll bust it out and give it another go today.
That's some great music right there! Impressive!
Great content as usual. I think im going to take a crack at beating this game now. Keep up the great work!
"This chick just sort of fly's around in the air SO BEAT HER ASS out of the sky" I laughed so hard at that
I think this was Michiru Yamane's first Castlevania game, which would also explain its audio splendor.
A pity this was the only truly original Castlevania on a Sega system. I still weep inwardly whenever I'm reminded of Resurrection's cancellation.
Final Battle tip: During the last section, right before you fight Dracula, you can go up and down the final staircase, thereby renewing the bonuses every time. You can max out your weapons and jewels this way. *VERY* useful if you lose a life to Dracula.
(Plus, you get to hear the final song for an extended amount of time, so this is a win-win)
The best 16-bit era Castlevania imo. Hands down...
Never owned Bloodlines but I rented it like 3 different times, even tho I beat it the first time. It was so good I just wanted to play it again and again. I did own Contra hard Corps and beat that like 50x, every ending with every character and then some.
One of my favs Castlevania, Konami did an amazing job here.
Thank you for reviewing my favourite Castlevania game! I have even used the sub-boss theme, "Messenger From The Devil", as my ringtone! ⚡🎵🎶🎮👊😎
I rented this from blockbuster video around Halloween time back in the day and was hooked instantly!! Another time capsule of Exxcelence man!👊💥✌
Great job, SLX! Bloodlines and the original Castlevania are my two favorite in the series.
This is the best game on the Genesis!
I never gave this game a chance. Thanks SLX, I'm gonna give it a go this weekend thanks to your vid
This game was the main reason why I got the Castlevania Collection.
I hadn't heard about this game until 2009 back when i got into playimg retro video games again. I've only got to the fourth level in this game so far. Great in depth review of this incedible game.
This is the only Castlevania where I have actually enjoyed the hardest difficulty setting. The team that developed this actually made a statement recommending the North American version to Japanese fans who wanted a real challenge.
This game is so sweet. Even though it has its limitations, it plays and sounds amazing. And it has something that the nes and snes Castlevania doesn't : all the violence , blood and Gore the Castlevania series deserved , but never had until then.
Keep going my friend. Great job.
Great video, better than just a play through. Never played this one but compared to Super Castlevania 4 its pretty impressive in both graphics and gameplay.
This is such an underappreciated classic. The music is fantastic
Excellent video! I love this game I still have it on my game shelf!☺
Fun fact: John Morris is canonically a distant relative of Quincy Morris, one of the main heroes of Bram Stoker's Dracula, a friend of Jonathan Harker, the main protagonist.
Also, Elizabeth Bartley is based on an actual countess Elizabeth Bathory, who (in real life) murdered young virgins and bathed in their blood in an attempt to never grow old.
Great video as always 👍
I wasn't aware of all the differences in the Japanese version. Great call out and detail.
My sneaking suspicion is that by the late 80's Konami was already bored in dealing with the limitations of 8-Bit development and were eagerly yearning to chase the Motorola 68k based platforms like the Megadrive/Genesis or the SharpX 68k computer which were more in line with the 16-bit arcade boards they were accustomed to in their arcade division of games. But because of Nintendo's exclusivity agreement they had no choice but to begrudgingly keep up 8-Bit games on the NES while expressing some of their ambitions on a platform like Super Nintendo. Once that contract ran out was when you saw games like Sunset Riders, Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster's Hidden Treasure, TMNT Tournament Fighters, Rocket Knight Adventures, Castlevania Bloodlines and the icing on the cake...Contra Hard Corps! 😁
This games was (is) great also LOVE the soundtrack..
I used to put mi stereo headphones on mi genesis model 1 (altered beast pack in) & just listened to the ost
This is not only my favorite Castlevania game, but my favorite game of all time.
You forgot to mention that this awesome soundtrack was composed by the now veteran composer Michiru Yamane, it was her first work on Castlevania and the next episode she did was none other than Symphony of the Night.
One of my favorite castlevania games
Another great video, I grew up with the Genesis and always enjoy my jr high years fighting my snes friends. I would love to see a super monaco gp video or revenge of shinobi. Thx for the great videos.
An absolute Masterpiece. I'm waiting for Alien Soldier review.
Awesome review! True Lord!
Excellent content as always, especially for one of my favorite Genesis titles! But now... I triple-dog dare to step away from the comfort zone and step into the danger zone by posting a video completely out of no-where for your typical console coverage and give us your thoughts on the direct sequel to Bloodlines...Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin on the Nintendo DS!!
(Queue a duet of David Xanatos-quality maniacal laughter & Naga the Serpent-quality maniacal cackling.)
One of my favorite games ever.
Great video, great game! *addendum* LMAO those aren’t “hanging cow heads”, they’re crucified skeletons shorn off at the waist😆
I have been playing this on the Castlevania Classics Collection on my Switch. I was stuck on the Level 3 end boss, Sega Lord X's tips helped. At the time this came out, I was to busy, and impressed with Super Castlevania IV, that I overlooked Bloodlines. Then Bloodlines became a more rare, and expensive Genesis game, so I just got into it, in the recent Collection, and on the Genesis Mini
I think it is the only Castlevania game with a stage taking place during daytime.
Great vid! Thanks!
This is a wonderful game. I love it. I was just playing it again last week. It's among the best on the system. I wasn't aware of the game at all back in the day. It probably got buried by all the Street Fighter 2 and Mortal Kombat hype in those days. I missed a lot of significant games at that time. I finally got around to playing all the 16-bit Castlevania console games over a short period around 2013-2014. Sadly, I ended up not enjoying CV4, but I ended up loving both Rondo and Bloodlines. Bloodlines has some great music for the system and it's nice to hear Castlevania music using the Genesis' FM chip, which is wonderful when used right. Reincarnated Soul and Iron Blue Intention are standouts for me, and the last stage is great as well. Recently, I remembered there was the x68000 Castlevania(also on PS1 as Castlevania Chronicles) that I had never played. I finally played that about a month ago, and loved that one as well. Again, I love the music in FM synthesis. Good to see you do this feature on such a great game, just as with Shinobi 3.
Good video and commentary
Konami was such a great developer....
I don't have this game on my collection.... Except on the mega drive mini...
Thx 4 this.... Yet another great video...
Great game. I was like you and bought this a soon as it came out in 93. I was 19 then, time flies. That split screen stage still haunts me. I'll have to try the Japan version now.
One of the few games I never finished, man this game is hard towards the end! Still really enjoyed this and super Castlevania. I did beat super Castlevania and it was awesome! Till this very day these two games stand the test of time. Great video SLX
I believe this was also the only Castlevania game with a continue limit outside of Haunted Castle and the MSX Vampire Killer game.
I love this game. I actually scored a CIB copy at a used book store a few years ago. Some of the best music on the system without question. All manner of graphical tricks going on here too.
Great review! Also from what I recall, John Morris is not only a distant relative of the Belmonts but also the son of Quincy Morris from the original Dracula novel.
MY MAN
This is probably the best game on the system in my opinion. Excellent gameplay, music, sound, graphics, and any console game with a save or password feature from the early 90's gets big bonus points from me. Gunstar Heroes and Rocket Knight are a close second, but no password/save feature? sorry, the crown goes to Bloodlines.
My favorite 16-bit Castlevania for sure. Too bad about the sound effects, though. They constantly have me thinking, "None of this should sound like that." Good thing the gameplay and music are world class.
That is, quite possibly, the only weakness of the Genesis title. Flapping wings sounds like constipated quacking. Certain enemies make farting noises when hit. Explosions are particularly weak, lacking the bass "THUMP" needed. "Poit". "Poit" Everywhere. Otherwise this title, just as with TMNT Hyperstone Heist, Rocket Knight, & Contra Hard Corps, is just about a perfect game.
And this is from a gamer who never liked the Genesis synth sound chip.
Yeah. When Konami and Capcom began to develop for the Mega Drive after a Japanese court tored down Nintendo's monopoly on them, they mastered Mega Driver's music pretty quickly but could never get the sound effects and voices to sound decent for some reason.
Will Mistretta yeah the sound effect for the whip is horrible
Excellent review! I really like Castlevania Bloodlines it looks amazing, plays great and the soundtrack is fantastic! My only negative is the limited continues and having to use a password system! Castlevania Bloodlines soundtrack needs a vinyl release ASAP!
Awesome overview of this fantastic classic. I now have this again on the Genesis Mini and the Castlevania Collection and its still an amazing game. Have you ever considered speed running this game?