Air Luigi was right, Castlevania discussion has apparently become all the rage so, like Megaman, IT'S TIME FOR A THREAD.
Because I'm late to this series and I regret that, because it's full of some quality stuff, both classic and Metroidvania style. Great music, fun gameplay, and so far a decent storyline as well.
My experience with the classic style so far is limited to Castlevania on the NES, Super Castlevania IV, Castlevania: Bloodlines, and Castlevania: Dracula X. I intend to play Castlevania II: Simon's Quest (unsure if original version or the Redaction hack), Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse (Famicom version), and Rondo of Blood. So far Castlevania IV is my favorite of those, a big factor being its freedom of controls compared to the stiff, predetermined jumping arc of the others, though even then the overall package of the game just makes me want to complete it and see what all's within... or, in Dracula X's case, makes me want to get it over with.
I will readily admit that, other than Theme of Simon, Super Castlevania IV's soundtrack, while beautifully and perfectly atmospheric, just isn't anywhere near as catchy or memorable as other games of either style.
With Metroidvanias, Symphony of the Night, Circle of the Moon, and Harmony of Dissonance. Symphony is fantastic, easy bosses aside, but the gameplay is just so fun, the castle is great to explore, the soundtrack is great, and the story is good. Even the cheesy acting is iconic and honestly kind of awesome at times, and I enjoy it unironically.
Circle is good with a catchy soundtrack, even if some of it is remixed from other games, and the gameplay and its card system is pretty solid, though it has a mean difficulty jump at the chapel. Thankfully, once you get used to that, it remains consistent from then on, although it jumps again at Dracula...
Harmony of Dissonance is kind of tedious with a lackluster soundtrack and unfortunately a poor take on one of my favorite gameplay mechanics, which is a shame. Getting through it was somewhat a chore and it was incredibly easy throughout. Not one of my favorites.
And I'm moving on to all the Metroidvania games afterward, as well as the ones I mentioned above. Castlevania is a great experience and I'm sad I'm late to it, especially when it's essentially dead now. But that's my experience so far. What about the rest of PureZC?