Posted January 16, 2021
With Bloodstained getting Classic Mode, I've been wondering what other games GOG has that are similar to the older Castlevania titles.
Basically, these are games with these characteristics:
* Game is a 2D sidescroller.
* Game is strictly linear, played one stage at a time without backtracking.
* You have a health meter. (In other words, health is handled in a typical manner, not like in Super Mario Bros., and not like Celeste either (where you die in one hit).)
* There aren't permanent upgrades. You might find a whip upgrade that lasts until you die, and you can get sub-weapons, but can only carry one sub-weapon at a time. (Well, Ninja Gaiden 2 and 3 did have a permanent subweapon ammo upgrade, but that's all it had.)
* Pick-ups are typically found by hitting candles (or something similar) with your weapon. One of the pick-ups (Hearts in Castlevania) is used as ammo for your sub-weapons.
* There are bottomless pits, as well as enemies that like to knock you into them. (If you've played any of these games, you know what I mean.)
* You have a limited number of lives, and if you lose them all, it's game over. (The game may allow you to continue, but for example continuing after a game over in 4-3 might send you back to 4-1.)
* In particular, for purposes of this topic I am not looking for metroidvanias.
So, I know that we have:
* Bloodstained's Classic Mode (but not the main game, which is a metroidvania)
* Castlevania 1 and 3 from that Castlevania/Contra collection
So, any other similar games on GOG?
(Shovel Knight doesn't quite qualify, as sub-weapons in that game are permanent upgrades, and you can switch between them in the menu. Note that this criterion would technically disqualify something like Castlevania Legends.)
Edit: Why the low rating?
Basically, these are games with these characteristics:
* Game is a 2D sidescroller.
* Game is strictly linear, played one stage at a time without backtracking.
* You have a health meter. (In other words, health is handled in a typical manner, not like in Super Mario Bros., and not like Celeste either (where you die in one hit).)
* There aren't permanent upgrades. You might find a whip upgrade that lasts until you die, and you can get sub-weapons, but can only carry one sub-weapon at a time. (Well, Ninja Gaiden 2 and 3 did have a permanent subweapon ammo upgrade, but that's all it had.)
* Pick-ups are typically found by hitting candles (or something similar) with your weapon. One of the pick-ups (Hearts in Castlevania) is used as ammo for your sub-weapons.
* There are bottomless pits, as well as enemies that like to knock you into them. (If you've played any of these games, you know what I mean.)
* You have a limited number of lives, and if you lose them all, it's game over. (The game may allow you to continue, but for example continuing after a game over in 4-3 might send you back to 4-1.)
* In particular, for purposes of this topic I am not looking for metroidvanias.
So, I know that we have:
* Bloodstained's Classic Mode (but not the main game, which is a metroidvania)
* Castlevania 1 and 3 from that Castlevania/Contra collection
So, any other similar games on GOG?
(Shovel Knight doesn't quite qualify, as sub-weapons in that game are permanent upgrades, and you can switch between them in the menu. Note that this criterion would technically disqualify something like Castlevania Legends.)
Edit: Why the low rating?
Post edited January 19, 2021 by dtgreene