Nottle

Wait... What is that? An anime?

Now I really want a Castlevania game that is set in 2099. I know Aria of Sorrow took place in the future. But now I want cyber vampires.

@the_hiro_abides: I don't know. They seemed sort of serious.

@dungbootle:Yeah those games did have a lot of weird stuff. I want to say there was a steam punk Frankenstein... but that makes sense. That's just part of the series, you fight a big bat, Medusa, 2 mummies, Frankenstein, DEATH, and Dracula as bosses in the first game. Why were there Mummies and Medusa in Christian inspired Europe?

@riostarwind

:That sounds like some weird magic stuff though. Do you look out while you're climbing the clocktower and see Earth? Kind of as an inverse on that Castlevania trope? It's not like Jonathan and Charlotte got on rocket to go to space or anything, right?

@the_hiro_abides: I don't know. They seemed sort of serious.

@dungbootle: Yeah those games did have a lot of weird stuff. I want to say there was a steam punk Frankenstein... but that makes sense. That's just part of the series, you fight a big bat, Medusa, 2 mummies, Frankenstein, DEATH, and Dracula as bosses in the first game. Why were there Mummies and Medusa in Christian inspired Europe?

@riostarwind: That sounds like some weird magic stuff though. Do you look out while you're climbing the clocktower and see Earth? Kind of as an inverse on that Castlevania trope? It's not like Jonathan and Charlotte got on rocket to go to space or anything, right?

Brad and Ryan have mentioned that one of the later DS Castlevanias had a Cyborg Dracula and that you go to space at some point. I've played most of Portrait of Ruin, all of Aria of Sorrow, and all of Order of Eclasia, so is it in Dawn of Sorrow or the other two GBA games or is the cyberdracula and Space all just bullshit?

@secondpersonshooter: Yes the weird dream vampire thing. That was a cool easter egg too. But everything else is still in tact.

@ducksworth: Yes it does. Glad they included those.

Fire Emblem Awakening is amazing. I've played 2 entries in the series before Awakening and it is by far my favorite.

Just don't rely too much on Frederick and make sure you let your weaker guys get the killing blow. Really on Casual and normal you should have no problems getting though the game. At that point it may be impossible to fail.

The HD collection is flawless other than the fact that they took out an easter egg in 3, and some of the bonus stuff like Skateboarding, secret theatre and Snake Vs. the Monkey were taken out. Nothing vital.

Peace Walker is a lot of fun too.

Take your time with those games though. A lot of fun easter eggs.

@noobsauceg7: That's how I am. I like all the MGS games I've played. I think there are arguments that any of any of the games can either be the best or worst in the series.

How I'd rank them is: MGS2>MGS3> MGS1> MGS Peace Walker> MGS4. MGS4 is fine, there are just some dumb story stuff I don't like that cheapens the previous 3 games. For a straight forward emotional story MGS1 and 3 are probably the best. MGS2 is probably the most thoughtful and interesting, that's why I like it the most.

@noobsauceg7: Sort of funny that the last game I beat was MGS1 as well. Is this your first time playing the series? I love MGS2 even though most call it the black sheep of the series. I think more so than any game in the series MGS2 warrants a second play through just for the stories sake.

I never MGS1 in it's original form, I only played Twin Snakes so I was used to having MGS2 mechanics in it. MGS1 holds up very well with the exception of the 2nd half of the game where they try to amp up the action. MGS1 Snake does not control as well as MGS2 Snake, Raiden or Big Boss so when you are being chased up stairs by guards or you have to fight Sniper wolf and your aim is being thrown off by her shooting you and you can't fine tune your sniping because the movement isn't analog and super slow it can get pretty annoying.

Just because I can't get a hang of those clunky controls near the end I'd give it a 4/5. Some things I think it does the best in the series; Shadow Moses is probably one of the most memorable environments in the medium and the bosses are probably the most interesting, unique and creative in the series which say a lot. Even something about the graphics are stylized in a way that I find pretty likable.

No, you don't need outside talent. How just about more talent?

People with more good ideas and the ability to implement them.