2/5 ★ – Manic_Zucc's review of Castlevania: Dracula X.

I swear classic Castlevania has to be the most inconsistent franchise I’ve ever played. Just when you think they’re figuring things out they take a bit step back. I had heard Dracula X had a bad reputation of just being a poor man’s Rondo of Blood, but as someone who hasn’t played that one and doesn’t have access to it I thought I’d enjoy this game more than most. Not the case. Not only is this game a step down from its Japanese equivalent, it’s also a big step down from Castlevania IV. By this time Konami already knew how to make a solid Castlevania game on the SNES. But everything here from the visuals, to the feel of the controls, to the variety of combat is stripped back. The game looks ugly, feels clunky, and is an all around pretty unpleasant experience. On the positive side I love the soundtrack. Even the bad games in this series typically have good music and this isn’t an exception. The first level in particular had a rocking theme. I don’t hate most of these boss fights. The Dracula fight at the end is way too drawn out, but I actually found most of the bosses to be a highlight of their levels. If this had been the first Castlevania on SNES I would have given it more of a pass, but it wasn’t so here we are.