3/5 ★ – Kalle_Deimos's review of Super Castlevania IV.

TLDR: I got some beef with this entry. It's probably the most easily accesibly Castlevania but unfortunately it feels too dumbed down and simple in comparison to previous entries. Gameplay: Its the same level based action platformer as before but beefed up to 16 bits. The level design is different but it's effectively a Castlevania 1 remake / boot. No new items or power ups to be seen here. The biggest change is that Simon is absolutely giant. Simon and his upgraded whip take up most of the screen and because you can whip in 8 directions too (as well as limp fish move) you can demolish basically anything with the whip. This is cool for like a power fantasy of DESTROYING everything in your path but it can devolve very quickly into repetitive whip spamming. Items are super small and I found myself barely using them in favor of the whip. Enemies are also pretty small and overall it feels like this game was supposed to have Simon be a smidge smaller or something. Some levels also end insanely quickly before you can get accustomed to whatever stage gimmick they have. At least you can find health in candles now, that's kind of nice. Also Dracula at the end doesn't even have his final form. He face just gets red like he's embarassed or something. Overall, it's a fine game but I remember it being a bit more interesting. Story: Ooo Simon fight Dracula uhhhh thats all I got. I dont really know if this is a remake but it sure comes off as one. Graphics: Thankfully the game looks very appealing. Lots of bright colors and interesting visuals to fill out Dracula's castle. Plenty of variety to be seen and experience from Dracula's treasure to flooded ruins. Sound: Not as bomb as the other soundtracks but we got some good tracks here, but the best ones are just new versions of old tracks. Oops. Extra: No side content or even alternate paths like the last two games. Which is fine. Favorite Thing: The music is pretty bomb at least. Not My Favorite Thing: Why the FUCK is Simon SO LARGE. SHRINK HIM DOWN OR SOMETHING.