Levels are not timed, and some have more than one ending the route you take determines which boss battle you get at the end of that particular stage and the monsters and environment you make your way through to get there. Rondo of Blood has a number of alternate routes through the game but is a mostly linear experience. Maria is also more agile than Richter and has a double jump (which is very useful). Maria’s secondary weapons include a white tiger kitten, a dragon whelp, a baby phoenix turtle, an egg, or musical notes, which are all rather weird. Maria’s main attack is with a flock of doves (yes: birds!) and this attack is useful because the doves that fly out can do double damage if they hit an enemy on the way out, then on the way back to her. While battling the forces of darkness and exploring Dracula’s castle Richter can rescue four women, one of whom is his relative, Maria Renard, who then becomes a playable character. These secondary weapons can also be used as an ‘Item Crash’ ability which allows the main characters to use them in an occasional ‘super attack’. Richter’s main weapon is his chain whip, and he also can choose between six different secondary weapons, such as an axe, a dagger, holy water, a grimoire, a pocket watch, and a cross (although he can only hold one of these at a time – picking up another will drop the previously held weapon). In it you guide the main character, Richter Belmont, through nine different stages as he searches for his girlfriend, Annette, and to ultimately confront and defeat Dracula in his castle.
#Rondo of blood pc engine english rom series
Now if only Konami will give us a true American release.Also know as Akumajo Dracula X: Chi no Rondo, Rondo of Blood is a famous entry in Konami‘s Castlevania series that was initially made exclusively for the PC Engine CD-ROM and first published in 1993. If you're a fan of the NES Games, then you'll feel right at home with this one. Fortunately, this was improved upon in the sequel. The big-eyed, cutesy looking characters just doesn't suit the Castlevania look at all. If there's a downside to it all, it would have to be the childish anime cutscenes throughout the game. There is some voice acting as well, but it was all in Japanese (with Japanese subtitles) and I think the opening sequence was spoken in German, in the version I played. The sound and music is good (especially with the CD quality soundtrack). At any rate, it sure doesn't look like an 8-bit game (x2 or otherwise). Definitely on par with the Super Nintendo titles, but not quite as good as 'Symphony'. Graphically the game looks better than just about any TurboGrafx release. The unlockable "level select" option makes it easy to go back and replay stages you might have messed up on.
There are very few "cheap" parts (like the ones that ruined 'Dracula X'). The game is challenging but not frustrating. You can even rescue Maria Renard (who appears as a much more grown-up version in 'Symphony of the Night') and she becomes the second playable character. This makes playing through the game again more enjoyable and essential if you're trying to get 100% completion.Īlong the way, you'll find secret paths that lead to alternate boss battles and locked doors where you rescue the four maidens being imprisoned by Dracula. There are multiple routes to take through the game, and you can choose wich path to take on the fly. Game play wise, it's similiar to ' Castlevania III'.
This game manages to tie in the events from 'Simon's Quest' and the rest of the earlier games in the series to fit the more current titles. In fact, this is probably the best of the traditional side-scrolling Castlevania series.Īs the direct prequel to 'Symphony of the Night', the story follows the heroic exploits of Richter Belmont in his quest to defeat Dracula and his minions. After finally getting the opportunity to play through this Japan only release, I can safely say that it does indeed live up to its cult status praise and adulation.Īfter suffering through the disappointing ' Castlevania: Dracula X' on Super Nintendo, I was relieved to hear that the original 'Dracula X: Chi No Rondo' for the TurboGrafx/PC Engine CD-Rom was not the same game.
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