Indeed. One of my favourite series, although I only really started with Super Castlevania IV, which was all sorts of awesome. One thing I life about the series is the amazing music. Aforementioned SCIV was great, but I think SotN has one of the best soundtracks ever, and Lament of Innocence is a highlight too. Michiru Yamane's music is lovely.

Agreed, CV music is superb.

SCIV is still my favourite in the series and indeed one of my fav SNES games.

The soundtracks of the old ones are quality even the old Gameboy ones. Actually, especially the old Gameboy ones. But for some reason since those days of yore I have never been tempted by the series.

Lords of Shadow doesn't quite have that good a soundtrack, but it fits the in screen action and atmosphere/style just fine. 

Re: old tunes, Vampire Killer and Tears of Blood are timeless classics. My favourites from SotN are Woid Carving Partita, The Tragic Prince, Olrox's Headquarters, the underground waterfall... too many good ones!!!

I think the Metroidvania formula was getting tired by the time of the third DS game (Order of Ecclesia), so Lords of Shadow was a welcome change. Looking forward to the sequel.

This little tune still rings in my head whenever I accomplish pretty much anything...

Rondo of Blood is the best of the series and has the best soundtrack.

PSP version is particularly good.

Just picked up order of ecclesia and portrait of ruin on ds for 25 quid. Saving the former for the plane journey to tokyo later this year. Still got the gba castlevanias to finish off. Though its so long since i played them i may have to start from scratch.

I've never played a Castlevania game that I've liked.  Only ever played bits here and there though.  Just never got into it.  

The most I've played of one was Lords of Shadow.  Just felt like God of War 3 but with hour upon hour of filler.

I don't mean to be a hater in the Castlevania thread btw.  I'm not looking for an argument.  It's a series that I wish I was into more.

Sucked after SotN. Even SotN is more fun in Belmont mode.

hylian_elf wrote:

Matt_82 wrote:

The most I've played of one was Lords of Shadow.  Just felt like God of War 3 but with hour upon hour of filler.

I see how people make comparisons with GoW, it's the combat, isn't it? Except that Castlevania is a far better game. GoW has always been utter dog crap.

If you say so, fella.

hylian_elf wrote:

Sucked after SotN. Even SotN is more fun in Belmont mode.

It was certainly more challenging! Possibly due to the limited move and weapon set.

What's this Belmont mode of which ye speak?
Finished SOTN last year for the first time (true ending) and barring the short opening, played Alucard only throughout. Loved it, a different character and higher difficulty would give me a welcome excuse for a second playthrough.

indigo wrote:

hylian_elf wrote:

Sucked after SotN. Even SotN is more fun in Belmont mode.

It was certainly more challenging! Possibly due to the limited move and weapon set.

What's this Belmont mode of which ye speak? Finished SOTN last year for the first time (true ending) and barring the short opening, played Alucard only throughout. Loved it, a different character and higher difficulty would give me a welcome excuse for a second playthrough.

I think it's something like just entering your name as Belmont.

Does it have the 8 directional whipping?

.....and mode-7 rotating rooms? Super Castlevania 4 ftw.

This sounds great, should make for an interesting re-play.

Speaking of which, Harmony of Dissonance is one of the best game names ever.

I've played quite a few of the Castlevanias, starting with IV, then moving on to SotN and varous handheld versions, and then Lords of Shadow.

The Metroidvania style ones have never been able to hit the highs of SotN again, although Dawn of Sorrow was rather good. I don't think it's possible because game design has to be too user friendly nowadays - it can't just leave you to get lost like in SotN, and in the end that was it's greatest strength. The last DS one, Order of Ecclesia, was very tired and it would take a real reinvention to get me interested in the 2D games again. I'll keep an eye on the sequel to Lords of Shadow though, as the first was well put together.