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Igarashi: 2D gaming goes from 'will never die!' to 'somewhat alive'
Is 2D gaming headed for life support status? Last year Castlevania main man Koji Igarashi was vehement in his declaration that 2D games would never die. In fact, he felt so strongly about it that he had to use a PowerPoint slide to illustrate just how he felt about the issue. All the time and effort that went into making that graphic signifies a serious lust for all things 2D.Well, a lot can change in a year. In a recent interview with Gamasutra, Iga said, "I'm glad that 2D is still somewhat alive. It's been fun." That almost sounds like a death knell. Say it ain't so, you whip-carrying developer! His argument last year was that it's much cheaper to develop 2D games when you don't have to render things in 3D, but that seems to be the equivalent of saying it's cheaper to ride a horse because it's not as expensive as a car. People want to go quite a bit faster than the horse will allow, and likewise with their games. Still, we're praying 2D gaming hasn't started to cough up blood just yet. Keep hope alive![Via DS Fanboy]
'Count Castlevania' still not whipped up about Wii
MTV's Multiplayer had a chance to speak with Castlevania series director Koji Igarashi at last week's Konami Gamer's Night and asked the eccentric icon a question that's been on our minds: what's up with the series on Wii? More specifically, is he still set against using the Wiimote for some one-to-one whip waggling?Whip in hand – seriously – he told the Multiplayer crew that he feels "cracking" the Wiimote is "going to get tiring after a while" but that he has "been thinking about different ways" to make a Castlevania work on Wii and sees Nintendo's hit console as "a viable platform, the more and more [he thinks] about it."We'll look forward to the day Igarashi figures out a way for us to "whip it good" on the Wii, instead of bringing waggle to Castlevania just for the sake of it.
Igarashi talks Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia
With the confirmation of a new Castlevania game with Koji Igarashi behind the helm, you can imagine our excitement. It's even greater than the time we first saw the last Castlevania game. If it builds upon all of the amazing features of Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin, we'll probably just die right then and there after playing it. We'll have seen everything we've needed to see and be able to die a nice, peaceful death.Until that day, though, you can bet we're salivating for every single juicy morsel of Castlevania news we can get our grubby little mitts on. This latest interview with Koji Igarashi is no exception, as he details some of the things about Ecclesia. Like, why did he go with a female protagonist? Hint: it's because the fans wanted it!Believe us, we've far from ruined the interview for you. It's got some interesting stuff in there, so give it a watch.%Gallery-22992%
More DS Castlevania: 'Order of Ecclesia,' first screens
We're pretty sure that Castlevania series director Koji "IGA" Igarashi is out to claim an award for "most sequels in a series on Nintendo DS." His latest, Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia, was revealed by the long-bearded, whip-wielding IGA at last night's Konami presser (and before that, the ESRB), and is set to stir up renewed Castle-mania this fall.Order of Ecclesia stars a new female heroine who is a member of the ... wait for it ... Order of Ecclesia, a group out to destroy -- who else -- that vile Count Dracula fellow. The game introduces a new Glyph system that Konami promises will offer "more than 100 different combinations" of weapon and spell attacks. These attack mash-ups enable players to unleash two blows simultaneously. Buying and selling items and weapons via the Nintendo WFC is also pegged for this latest, characteristically beautiful addition to the classic 2D franchise.%Gallery-22987%
Images of Igarashi's new Castlevania leaked, look absolutely gorgeous
When the scans got leaked online showing off a new Castlevania title, we don't have to tell you how exciting it was. Our staff was all kinds of happy, sipping on champagne and even a few were making copies of their butt on the Xerox machine. Now, you have to prepare yourself, because looking at scans is nothing like getting your eyes all up on some direct-feed screens, right? Right.Well, thanks to a post over at NeoGAF, that's what we're looking at right here. And, we'll do you one more solid. We'll save you the trouble of having to say it: those sprites look utterly fantastic.%Gallery-22992%
Famitsu confirms new DS Castlevania, Igarashi at helm
Famitsu has revealed the next Castlevania game for the DS, confirming recent speculation over Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia. Judging by the screens in the scan above, those mysterious shots from last month were the real thing. The magazine also divulges the involvement of Koji Igarashi, producer on Portrait of Ruin and Dawn of Sorrow. As in those games, there will be support for two players, though the exact nature of the multiplayer (local play? WFC?) remains a miserable little pile of secrets.And that's it for now! Leap past the break, whip in hand, to see another snippet of a scan.
Castlevania caretaker confirms another DS title in the works
After two critically-acclaimed titles on the handheld, the Castlevania series will try for a hat trick with a third Nintendo DS title. Speaking to Game|Life, series creator producer Koji Igarashi said, "First, we're doing another Nintendo DS version. There hasn't been an official announcement, but we're doing it." Igarashi added that they are currently focusing on Dracula X Chronicles for the PSP.Igarashi also discussed the live-action Castlevania movie, the director of which has been picked but not officially announced, and the strange appearance of meat whenever you destroy a candle in-game. "The meat, I have no idea," said Igarashi, although we suspect he just doesn't want to spoil another unofficial announcement yet.[Via DS Fanboy]
Reunited and it feels so good: New Castlevania coming to the DS
Two months ago we told you that there were rumors of another Castlevania title coming to the DS. After performing countless ritual sacrifices, we're happy to report that the series will definitely be returning to Nintendo's popular handheld. Koji Igarashi, the producer of the Castlevania series, recently revealed this little tidbit to Wired's Game|Life. Igarashi stated, "First, we're doing another Nintendo DS version. There hasn't been an official announcement, but we're doing it." Well, that's about as official as an unofficial announcement can get, so you can take your grains of salt elsewhere. We may have been expecting Castlevania's return to the DS, but we're relieved to hear it nonetheless.
Next Castlevania could be 360 exclusive
Speaking to Game Informer, Castlevania creator Koji Igarashi took some time to discuss the next console version of the series. Of particular interest to our console of choice is that Igarashi states the Xbox 360 would make the "best platform" for the next console iteration of Castlevania. The reason, according to Igarashi, is that the U.S. market is the biggest market for the series and that the PS3 is doing as well in the U.S. What's interesting about the interview is that Igarashi makes it sound as though the Xbox 360 will be the only platform for the next Castlevania, more or less pinning the hopes of a PS3 version on the success of Metal Gear Solid 4.When asked about whether the next console Castlevania would be 2D or 3D, Igarashi noted that he'd like to use an approach similar to the upcoming Dracula X Chronicles for PSP, which uses 3D models restricted to a 2D plane. Igarashi says that if the technique is accepted -- i.e. if Dracula X Chronicles sells well -- he'll consider doing the console version in a similar style. 2D Castlevania titles have typically fared better than the 3D outings, so here's hoping Dracula X Chronicles lives up to its pedigree. Either way, you can rest assured that we'll be playing the next version on Xbox 360.[Via Joystiq]
Igarashi favors Xbox 360 for next Castlevania
Castlevania guru Koji Igarashi in a Game Informer interview says he's leaning toward Xbox 360 for the next console version of Castlevania. He says that he's focusing on "the best platform for the U.S. market" and that would be in his opinion the Xbox 360. He goes on to the say that the US market is the "biggest market" for the series, so he's giving priority to the Xbox 360. He doesn't rule out dual development but says it "would be very tough" and that if Metal Gear Solid 4 expands the PS3 market they may release the next Castlevania on PS3 as well.Still in business mode, Igarashi went on to explain Castlevania for the Wii. He says that Nintendo dominates their own console and third party titles are not so great in sales. He says he's researching how to make Castlevania work on the system in the future and it's about getting the whip motion to work properly instead of having players waggle like Zelda. Igarashi finishes by saying that the next DS Castlevania should be announced in the "near future."
Interview reveals Symphony of the Night to include updated vocals
You may remember a little title that got everyone talking a few weeks ago: Castlevania. Ever since its incredible debut, Konami has remained silent on this hotly anticipated revival of Rondo of Blood, the only Castlevania title never to be released in the States. The upcoming Castlevania X Chronicles not only includes a 3D remake of Rondo of Blood, but includes the fan-favorite Symphony of the Night as well. Games Radar has an incredible interview with Koji Igarashi from GDC available, and here are some highlights: After years of working on GBA/DS games, the power of the PSP has been startling: "It's better than what I expected, actually. I'm very happy about the quality. Especially with the graphic quality. The PSP hardware system allows a very high resolution." Symphony of the Night will be getting a few enhancements: "So basically, it's mostly a straight port from the original SOTN on PlayStation. I wasn't happy about the quality of the PlayStation SOTN voiceover, so I'm trying to do something about it on the PSP." Don't forget to check out Games Radar for the rest of this brilliant interview.See also:The Symphony of the Night we won't get
GDC 07: Igarashi, "2D games will never die!"
Koji Igarashi, the producer of recent entries in the Castlevania series and assistant director of Symphony of the Night, gave a presentation on 2D games at GDC last week. Specifically, his presentation centered on the differences between developing 2D games and 3D games. Igarashi noted a few philosophical differences between 3D and 2D games, but also noted a few advantages that hadn't occurred to us. For instance, 2D games are easier to produce, faster to design, and faster to implement. Of course, all of this is generally cheaper than 3D production as well.
The return of Richter Belmont in Rondo of Blood
Ever since Castlevania was announced for PSP, many people have been asking a few questions. Firstly, why remake Rondo of Blood? Easy: it's the only Castlevania game to never have met a US release. As revealed in an IGN interview with Castlevania's producer, Rondo of Blood is the crucial "turning point" in the series. While many loved the changes made in Symphony of the Night, most gamers have missed out on many of the finer details of the classic's story, simply because Rondo of Blood was never released. (Castlevania X for the SNES was a "port" of sorts. However, it strayed significantly from its origins.)Rondo of Blood takes place 5 years before Symphony of the Night, and explains many origins of the characters found in the revered PS1 classic. Players will be treated to seeing Richter Belmont, "the last Belmont," fighting Dracula himself. Who is Shaft and how does he control Richter in Symphony of the Night? Who is Maria Renard? These questions will be unearthed through Rondo of Blood.While Nintendo's handhelds have met great additions to the Castlevania franchise, the future of the series may stay on the PSP. When speaking to IGN, Koji Igarashi revealed his love of the platform. "If the PSP version of Castlevania does great ... [doing sequels] is something I'd love to take a look at."See also:Tales From the Crypt: Castlevania 20th Anniversary Blowout from 1UPPlaying Dirty: Dracula wears eyeliner: Part 1 & Part 2
Castlevania celebrates 20th year of vampire violence
Aside from usually being an absolute blast to play, the Castlevania games can have the strange effect of prompting one to engage in rather dubious debates regarding some of its more colorful traditions. Certainly, the startling presence of gold coins inside candles and chandeliers is a popular topic, as is the nebulous gender of whatever whip-wielding protagonist winds up exploring Dracula's anarchic abode. There's also the more obvious question as to whether or not Castlevania works in 3D, a question which once lured me into the following (and very real) conversation:"Hey what did you think about Castlevania: Lament of Innocence? I thought it was a bit crap.""Well, the level design was far too repetitive, but the atmosphere was really true to the series. As an action game, it works pretty well -- I must admit, it has an ace combat system.""It has an Ace Combat system?""That's what I just said.""Meaning you fly your Belmont around and shoot down vampires?"Luckily (?), that particular version of Lament of Innocence never saw the light of day, though if it did, it would likely be mentioned in 1UP's great series retrospective. To celebrate Castlevania's 20th year of existence, the article delves into the pivotal points, the exacerbating enemies and the obscure oddities that litter Dracula's castle. It's well worth a read, especially if you enjoy masterfully written subtitles. Castlevania: Waltz of Discontentedness -- where are you?
Castlevania's Koji Igarashi: Microsoft don't get us
Embedded at the end of an interview with Game Informer, Castlevania producer Koji Igarashi hints at just why Microsoft's 360 can't grab that Japanese market they so desperately sought. Apparently, Japanese gamers only like three games, because as Igarashi says, "... if Japanese developers would say they're working on Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest or Metal Gear maybe, then I guess Japanese consumers would take it [Xbox 360] seriously and consider purchasing it."I never understood the fascination by Microsoft to try and conquer Japan. I always believed that they should have just gone by the Field of Dreams mantra: If you build it, they will come.Back to the real point of the interview, Igarashi said that a co-op Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin for DS Wi-Fi is not out of the realm of possibility. He says, "It's not confirmed yet because I haven't started work on it. That's why I can't confirm. But actually I'm thinking about preparing a special unlockable stage where you can do co-op over Wi-Fi. Technically speaking, I think we are able to do something like co-op, yes."[via Eurogamer]
