Konami 1990 |
Platformer / Action |
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Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse
The time is 100 years before Simon Belmont's birth. The moon burns red overhead and black clouds loom large on the horizon. All is sill and quiet. Only the call of a distant crow stirs the cold night air. Suddenly, thunder roars out of the Morbid Mountains and into the village of Warakiya. Like the yell of an angry giant, the terrible sound shakes homes and shops as if they were sapling branches.
But no one blinks an eye. The village is dead calm. For all the people have fled after receiving warning from the Great Beyond that Count Dracula has assembled a mighty army of evil, and they're poised to march up from the Valley of Graveyards to bury mankind in a Tomb of Terror. Unfortunately, there's no corner on Earth that won't be gobbled up by this bloodthirsty legion of Swamp Dragons, Slasher Skeletons and Forces of the Undead.
The last line of defense is you, Trevor Belmont - the forefather of Simon Belmont and the origin of the Belmont Warlord Chromosomes. But your chances are slimmer than Jim. In fact, the only real edge you have over this fang sharpened freak is your power to transform into three different partner spirits. Grant DaNasty, the ferocious Ghost Pirate. Sypha, the Mystic Warlord. And Alucard, Dracula's forgotten son. Each of these spirits will confront you as you fight through 17 possible levels of never-ending fright, including the Haunted ship of Fools, the Clock Tower of Untimely Death and Curse Castle. You must also possess the strength to wield the mighty Battle Axe and Mystic Whip, which were given to you by the Poltergeist King.
So go forth young Trevor into the cold black night, where death lurks around every corner and evil lingers on every stone. And remember, if your courage and cunning are any less than magnificent or if you fail to choose the correct Paths of Fate, you'll be banished to the world of the undead, and zombies will rule until the end of time.
Castlevania III returns to the action platforming formula found in the original Castlevania. However, the adventure elements aren't all done away with. Branching paths extend throughout the land and it's your choice which one to take after completing each stage. Each route will take you through certain areas that won't be found otherwise. Some paths may be more difficult than others, and can even lead to different endings.
A new addition to the series allows you to transform into one of three different companions that are encountered depending on the chosen route. Grant, Sypha and Alucard each have their own unique attacks and special abilities, allowing you to overcome challenges that may be too much for Simon alone. Castlevania III's difficulty is cranked up to 11 compared to the first game so Simon will need all the help he can get.
