I play a lot of games on almost every system. I have been a Hardcore gamer since the early 90's. I somehow stumbled on to video games when I discovered my parents original Gameboy and NES. From then on I have been playing and I can honestly say I will probably never stop as long as I live. Most of my time is spent Gaming, exploring the internets, and listening to Video Game Podcasts.
My favorite genres are:
Action Adventure, Shooters, Puzzle, Racing, Platform, Portal, Action RPGs, and Music/Rythm.
When Castlevania Symphony of the Night was released on the 360 Live arcade many months ago, I bought it and played through the first boss and that was about it.
Recently I picked it up again and I am instantly completely overjoyed about how awesome it is.
Previous to this, the original 8-bit NES Castlevania was the only game in he series I had played and I did not really care for it. I guess it was because of how unfairly unbalanced the difficulty was.
Upon picking up SOTN I was given a fantastic 2D Gothic action adventure game with a Leveling system that allows you to power up to even the odds against the sometimes incredibly powerful foes. As with any Action RPG, it really does feel like every kill is adding to your characters potential power and that is why I find it so enthralling. The Graphics are also some of the best 2D Sprite work I have ever seen. All in all I am having an amazing time hunting down Dracula.
I have also picked up all three GBA games and have already started playing through Circle of the Moon which I hear is the least great of the GBA games. I cant wait to get to Harmony and Aria sometime soon.
Anyway, as much as the term "Mertoidvania" is put down, it sure does a hell of a good job explaining the gameplay style.
Bonus Video: here is a video of 1UP's Retronauts discussing the "Metroidvania" thing
Ahh, Castlevania: SotN. One of my personal favorite games, hands down. If you dig SotN, I highly recommend checking out the -5- other "Metroidvanias" released for the GameBoy Advance & DS.
GBA
Circle of the Moon
Harmony of Dissoance
Aria of Sorrow
DS
Dawn of Sorrow
Portrait of Ruin
I highly recommend all of these titles -- Aria of Sorrow + Dawn of Sorrow are easily the best of the bunch, however.
I am new too. My friend got me to try the demo on New Year's Eve, and I downloaded the game a few days later it really has been a blast.
Only today did he pick up the the Metriod-standard of starting out like a baddass, and then losing all your goodies which forces you to go a-collecting to regain that lost power.
I just recently played through SotN on the PSP's Castlevania Chronicles X , and it was worth it. There aren't a lot of changes, but there is one new character and a few other little tweaks that made it worth playing through again.
My one bit of advice is, get the flying sword from the Dodo Bird as soon as you can. You wont be disappointed.
I picked up SotN on XBLA arcade when it was first released and blew through the game in a weekend. It was a great game to experience all over again, even though I already own it on the PSX (acheivements!).
I just ordered Portrait of Ruin and I can't wait to play through it. Dawn of Sorrow is one I would love to play, but it seems to be a tough one to find.
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GBA
Circle of the Moon
Harmony of Dissoance
Aria of Sorrow
DS
Dawn of Sorrow
Portrait of Ruin
I highly recommend all of these titles -- Aria of Sorrow + Dawn of Sorrow are easily the best of the bunch, however.
Only today did he pick up the the Metriod-standard of starting out like a baddass, and then losing all your goodies which forces you to go a-collecting to regain that lost power.
Fun game though. Oh my gosh, fun.
My one bit of advice is, get the flying sword from the Dodo Bird as soon as you can. You wont be disappointed.
I just ordered Portrait of Ruin and I can't wait to play through it. Dawn of Sorrow is one I would love to play, but it seems to be a tough one to find.