Review of Carpathian Night Starring Bela Lugosi

When entering the world of Carpathian Night Starring Bela Lugosi, there was an initial concern that it might be a mere imitation of Konami’s Castlevania series; a game that we would swiftly complete and discard in favor of the genuine article. However, we were pleasantly surprised to discover an incredibly well-crafted game that can rival Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon as a genuine tribute to one of the most esteemed franchises in gaming history.

With its inspiration drawn mainly from the classic ‘Vanias, Carpathian Night takes you through 12 linear stages where you can play as either Abbot Dorin or Irina Dracul. The former uses a spear similar to Castlevania: Bloodlines’ Eric Lecarde, while the latter prefers the iconic whip. Despite the similarities in their basic eight-way directional attacks, each character possesses unique abilities accessible by collecting green gems scattered throughout the stages.

Experimenting with these abilities to suit your preferred playstyle is encouraged, as every stage presents a variety of menacing enemies and challenges to overcome. Each enemy type is distinct and follows a specific pattern, making it easier to strategize attacks and gauge the number of hits needed. However, the game’s difficulty spikes when facing multiple enemy types simultaneously, requiring excellent multitasking skills to progress unscathed.

Overall, the difficulty curve feels appropriate, gradually increasing as you reach the final stage. While there are instances that tested our patience, particularly encounters with the mischievous Dracula, it never reaches the extreme levels of Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse. For those seeking a more formidable challenge, the ‘Wicked’ difficulty setting can be selected, intensifying and altering enemy placements to create near-impossible scenarios. Certainly not for the faint-hearted.

Although Carpathian Night may seem basic in certain aspects, such as the predictable presence of restorative hearts in breakable candles and some uninspiring enemy designs, it successfully captures the essence of classic Castlevania gameplay. We were impressed by the length of the stages, offering a substantial gameplay experience. While skilled players might finish the game in just a couple of hours, the variety and depth provided by unlockable abilities make it a game worth revisiting. In fact, we would start over just to enjoy the exceptional music.

A notable mention goes to the inclusion of classic Dracula actor Bela Lugosi. Despite appearing only once during the final encounter in the game, his presence is limited to two static pixel-art images, one of which is featured in the game’s trailer. While showcasing the iconic horror actor prominently may catch attention, it feels like a missed opportunity for a more substantial homage.