Lost Classics: Castlevania Bloodlines (Sega Genesis)

I featured this game’s sequel as this week’s $20 GOTW, so with Halloween less than a week away and Dracula X Chronicles hitting the PSP this week, lets take a look at this classic but overlooked installment of Konami’s signature horror series. While it had the look and style of earlier Castlevania games, Bloodlines introduced some subtle changes in the formula that made it stand out from the rest of the series.

Bloodlines was significant for many reasons. It’s the first and only Castlevania game that was released on a Sega console, the first video game console Castlevania game released in North America that wasn’t for a Nintendo system, and it was the first game that featured two different main characters, both selectable from the start. Also, it was one of the final 2-d Castlevania titles done in the tradition linear format (1997’s Castlevania Legends for Game Boy Color being the last, and I refuse the acknowledge the existence of the N64 Castlevania titles). Symphony of the Night and its successors would abandon the linearity for a Metroid-inspired exploration theme. The game also attempted to tie the Castlevania storyline into Bram Stoker’s book Dracula somewhat, although some of the plot points introduced in the North American translations tend to be contradicted. One of the main characters, John Morris, is the son of Quincy Morris, featured in the original novel. After witnessing his father’s death at the hands of Dracula, John decided to become a vampire hunter. Along with his friend Eric Lecarde, John Morris travels across World War 1 era Europe in order to stop Dracula’s niece, Elizabeth Bartley from resurrecting the prince of darkness.

Players select one of the two heroes at the beginning of the game, and they both have key differences in gameplay. John Morris wields the traditional vampire hunter whip, which can allow him to swing across pitfalls by latching onto the ceiling. Although he can whip diagonally, he doesn’t have the 8-way directional whipping or the whip dangle from Super Castlevania 4. Eric Lecarde wields a spear, which he can use to leap up towards higher levels. Instead of simply traveling around Dracula’s castle or even just Romania, players will head to Italy, Germany, France, and other parts of Europe to battle a unique and strange assortment of enemies.

Even though this game lacks the Mode 7 effects that made Super Castlevania 4 so memorable, the game manages to push the Genesis hardware to create special effects all on its own, many of which even add to the challenge. The city of Atlantis features reflecting water, Italy features a swaying Tower of Pisa, and the final level features sequences where players fight upside down and in a mirrored area. Bosses are made up of multi-jointed sprites. The soundtrack isn’t bad either. Composed by Michiru Yamane (who would later compose music for Symphony of the Night), the music met the standards set by the more familiar anthems in the Castlevania series. The theme to the second level shows up in the GBA title, Circle of the Moon. In a nice little touch, and a rather daring move at the time (especially for a game rated GA), some of the enemies bled to death upon being killed. While it was nowhere near Mortal Kombat levels, it was a nice little addition to a Castlevania title.

You shouldn’t have much trouble finding the original cart at your local Gamestop or CD Exchange. There is also a solid chance of this game coming to the Wii Virtual Console eventually. Either way, fans of the series, or just fans of 2-d platforming in general would do well to check out this entry in the series. Before I go, make sure you be here next Wednesday for the Halloween special, where I’ll feature a group of horror-themed video games, including another Castlevania title.