mardraum's Castlevania: Circle of the Moon review

Excellent review bluberry. It's nice to see someone pinpoint exactly what makes Circle of the Moon unique and not just repeat the tired "it's SotN-lite" angle. It's very well written, too. The way you described some of the enemies and levels actually makes me want to replay the game. Although I'm surprised you didn't mention the fact that the game is too dark to see at times. (EDIT: actually, after reading some other reviews, maybe this is not the problem that I remember it being.)

that's mostly the original GBA's shitty hardware, I've played it on an SP and an emulator too and it's been fine. even on GBA, it was no harder to see than F-Zero.

anyway, thanks! glad you liked it.

Yeah, that was a problem at the time, but play CotM on anything with a backlit or frontlit screen and you'll be fine. I replayed it recently on the DS and had no problems.

Good review Boo. I'd probably give it a 9/10 actually, but I agree with most of your points, especially concerning the magic system. I liked the DSS cards but they made it so you basically had to run off to GameFAQs if you wanted to have any idea where to get them.

Yeah, I remember that, Suskie, with the magic cards. Weren't there a couple that you got as random drops from candle enemies that appeared late in the game in rooms where you'd fought bosses earlier (Cerberus and one or two other bosses). You'd have to know to go back to these rooms that have no significance anymore; you'd have to be strong enough to kill the candle monster in 1-2 hits before it disappeared; and you'd have to go in and out of the room repeatedly until it dropped the card. Not the most intuitive way to find spells.

Which reminds me of my most ingrained memory of CotM — Lilith. Bitch drops the best armor in the game. I wanted the best armor in the game. I killed her about 200 times before she dropped it. That was GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR-EAT!

haha, I forgot how that armor was better than the Shinning Armor. which is kind of stupid. "hey, you beat the Battle Arena. here's the second best armor in the game!"

Great review, dude. Ha, CHALLANGE.

Arhg, I've been on and off with that game. I've been meaning to write a review for CotM (simply known as just Castlevania in the UK), and it's straightforward at times then I get stuck for ages. Very tumultuos in difficulty and not one I enjoy. If I can lkabour to the end I may wrtie something. Would 87.5 completion be enoguh to write the review now?

thanks Marc! always good to hear you dig one of my reviews.