Castlevania Chronicles Now Available on PSN

Kris Erickson • Dec 18, 2008 • Comments ()

Sony today announced that Castlevania Chronicles is currently available for download on the Playstation Network. This entry in the classic vampire-hunting franchise costs $5.99. This news comes as a real treat to American fans of the series, because this is the first time that the 2D, whip-wielding action game has been widely released in North America. Like many of the characters featured in the game, Castlevania Chronicles has somewhat of a complicated lineage. today's release is actually a PSOne remake of a 1993 game released on the Sharp X68000 microcomputer. Basically, it is a remake of a remake of a remake. That means the gameplay is focused, linear, and retro. There is none of that new fangled "metroidvania" style of exploration on offer here, folks.

The story in Castlevania Chronicles is essentially the same as in the original Castlevania: players enter a world where Count Dracula has been resurrected to begin a new reign of terror across the land. As Simon Belmont, descendant of legendary vampire hunters, players enter Dracula's estate armed with a killer whip to destroy the count and his minions to bring peace to Europe. This game is known for its demanding level of difficulty, and will actually get harder once you beat it the first time. Castlevania Chronicles has as many as six additional playthroughs with each one becoming much more difficult than the last.