Castlevania: Rondo of Blood

Akumajō Dracula X: Chi no Rondo
Developer(s)	Konami
Publisher(s)	Konami
Platform(s)	PC Engine
Release	JPN October 29, 1993
Genre(s)	Platform game
Mode(s)	Single player

Akumajō Dracula X: Chi no Rondo (悪魔城ドラキュラＸ 血の輪廻, lit. "Demon Castle Dracula X: Rondo of Blood") is a Japanese PC Engine Super CD video game in the popular Castlevania series, released on October 29, 1993. It was never released outside of Japan, despite positive reviews from both fans and critics. Rondo of Blood is often considered exemplary as to why the Japanese PC Engine fared so much better than its North American counterpart, the Turbografx 16.

(Note: the kanji "輪廻" are generally pronounced "rinne", referring to the Buddhist concept of the endless cycle of death and rebirth. The idea of cycle could corresponds to the musical form of the rondo, in which the first section of the music is repeated, usually in the tonic, or first note of the musical scale. For this particular game, because of the furigana ロンド in the title, "Rondo" is the official pronunciation of the kanji).

A Castlevania game considered to be a remake of sorts to Rondo of Blood called Castlevania: Dracula X (Akumajō Dracula XX in Japan) was released for the Super Nintendo two years later, but it wasn't well received by the fans and critics who noticed substantial and negative differences from the original title. As a result, the PC Engine Super CD version is considered one of the hallmarks of the Castlevania series.

Plot

The plot of the game is fairly straightforward and typical of Castlevania titles. Richter Belmont, of the famed Belmont lineage, must rescue his loved ones, whom have been kidnapped by Dracula.

Characters

Heroes

• Richter Belmont: The main hero and wielder of the Vampire Killer whip.
• Maria Renard: A young vampire hunter girl who becomes playable after being rescued mid-game.

Supporting cast

• Annette Renard: Richter's lover who has been abducted by Dracula. Made Maria's older sister and given her surname in Castlevania: Dracula X.
• Tera: A nun from the local church. She has also been abducted.
• Iris: Daughter of a doctor and the fourth of the captives.

Villains

• Dracula: Lord of Castlevania and main antagonist.
• Death: Dracula's most trusted and loyal servant.
• Shaft: A dark priest under Dracula's command.
• Camilla: A female vampire and boss.
• Laura: Camilla's consort in her boss battle.

Innovations

Dracula X features a number of innovative and memorable twists, many of which are regarded by fans and critics as some of the best points of the game. Several of these features are descended from similar features in Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse.

Richter and Maria

After Maria is rescued early in the game, you have the option of playing as her, alternating between her and Richter at Game Over screens. She attacks with magical, whimsical skills, such as throwing doves at enemies, hiding in a turtle shell, and other animal based attacks.

Item Crush

This is the first game in the series to feature the Item Crush ability that has cropped up in other Castlevania titles. The ability allows the given sub-weapon, such as the dagger or axe, to be used in a super attack, at the expense of a larger amount of hearts. "Item Crash" is another common spelling of this feature, but neither is "official."

Stages

Many fans consider the game's stages, such as the prologue stagecoach battle with Death, the burning village of Aljiba in Castlevania II: Simon's Quest, and the raft ride, as well as the remakes of familiar stages such as the castle entryway and the clocktower, to be some of the best offered in a Castlevania game.

Miscellaneous

• This was the first title in the series to incorporate musical terminology into its title.

• This was the first Castlevania title to feature a complete "anime" style in its design. While this style had existed and influenced the series prior to Dracula X, it is more prominent here than ever before.

• This is the first game in the series to feature voice actors and recorded dialogue.

• A number of enemies, such as the spearmen and skeleton apes are introduced for the first time, and many of the sprite designs for this game were very influential in further 2D Castlevania design, particularly in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. In fact, more than half of the sprites used in Symphony of the Night are taken from Rondo of Blood.

Music

The music this time around goes for a bit of a pop style, but still contains that classic Castlevania progressive rock feel of the older games. Since Dracula X is CD based game, live guitars were brought in to back up the crisp sounding synth and drum beats. Vampire Killer, Bloody Tears and Beginning were all also rearranged for this game.

Several other pieces from the original NES game were also included: Poison Mind (the boss theme, played before fighting Shaft and at the final stage), the death dirge, the "Dracula Defeated" jingle (also from CV1), the "Stage Clear" jingle, and the "Game Over" theme. These are all played through the PC Engine sound hardware as opposed to being CD Audio.

The soundtrack was released in a two disc set (the second disk containing the soundtrack to Castlevania: Bloodlines) in 1994 and has since been taken out of production, making it just as hard to find as the game is.

Legacy

Dracula X has had remarkable impact and is something of a turning point in the series. The following games would be influenced by it graphics wise, with many sprites directly taken from the game. It is also one of the last "old-school" Castlevania games, featuring more linear, stage based gameplay, as opposed to the "Metroidvania" style introduced in this game's direct sequel, Castlevania: Symphony of The Night.

The game is highly sought after by many fans, but due to the lack of a North American release, copies are rare. The game often sells for well over $100 on ebay.

External links

• The Castlevania Dungeon: Dracula X: Rondo of Blood (Review/Article of the game)