The Castlevania Cycle
By buzz_clik 21 Comments
Phase Two kicks in almost immediately after Phase One, when I remember my immaculately-coiffed hero invariably starts out as a poxy underpowered wimp. Obviously it doesn’t put me off the game entirely, but there’s definitely a sinking feeling in the centre of my chest. I realise how far I’ve got to go, exploring the massive map(s) and slowly building up my character, before I come close to feeling like I’m in control of a 50 pixel high badass.
Once I start uncovering more of the map and getting into the adventure, Phase Three makes an appearance. As is the nature of these games, the designers enjoy leaving trinkets and areas of the map visible but tantalisingly out of reach. This stirs some small amount angst in me, as I try to keep a mental checklist of the interesting places I should return to. Fortunately, I’m pretty good at learning maps quickly. However, I just know there’s going to be one thing I’ll either forget the placement of, or forget to revisit altogether. Cue compulsive completionist crisis.
Phase Four doesn’t come about until I’ve finished the game. This is where my brain accidentally records over the gloom of the opening stages, and in its place is the blissfully triumphant memory of beating the game. For me, the initial apprehension of facing this monumental task never happened, and as far as I remember the whole game was a nigh-perfect experience. Boy, I can’t wait to play another one!
In fact, all this talk has made me wanna go and…
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