Daily Dracula X - Stage 0: Prologue

"It won't be so easy next time!"

More typically of a PC Engine title, upon beginning the game we are treated to an anime-style introduction that stresses the coolness of our hero, Richter Belmont. Richter gears up like he’s Arnold in Commando, and poses like he’s Kyo Kusanagi. Note that this scene also depicts Dracula’s minions attacking the village that we’ll visit in Stage 1, and implies the kidnapping of Richter’s girlfriend Annette.

Symphony Of The Night— and even a future remake of Rondo of Blood— would retcon the character designs you see here with the lush, gothy artwork by Ayami Kojima which has defined the Castlevania series from that point on. Though that was certainly the call to make— who’s got more personality, this traditional Halloween-party Dracula or Kojima’s rugged dadpire?— Richter as he appears here is arguably the only anime Belmont.¹

Stage 0: Prologue

The game throws us, in the role of Richter, directly into the action. Chapter 0 has Richter riding a horse-driven carriage thorough a rainstorm, towards Dracula’s castle, as he is approached by the vampire’s frequent right-hand man, Death.

As a preview of what’s to come, we have a little spar with him as the wind blows against us. Death is very much pulling his punches here. Look at how casual his animations are; he even tips his hat at the end! This fight is really a test of your basic ability to successfully move and attack with Richter, not so much a serious battle.

The Belmont hunters pace forward slowly, jump in a very specific arc, and lash their whip at a very particular range. Their movements are restricted on purpose, to make their journey through Dracula’s castle a cautious crawl.² Mastering this character’s movement is key to defeating a Castlevania game, and it is tough.

Death’s attacks take up a lot of space on the screen, but they’re also very slow and choreographed. The game is trying to teach you patience: try to run right up to Death and you’ll get hurt, especially with the wind blowing against you. But dodge Death’s slow attacks and move in patiently, and you’ll be done with him in seconds. Patience will be key throughout this game, particularly for Richter.

Prove you can maneuver Richter and Death will decide he’s seen enough and disappear, promising that next time won’t be so easy. He’s telling the truth about that one.

But it doesn’t matter if you blow it, either. The result of this battle has no bearing on the rest of the game. No pressure at all; that’s for later.

Tomorrow the stakes will rise very slightly as Richter arrives in the destroyed village and faces some light resistance from some straggling skeletons. See you then, vampire killers!

1. It’s worth noting that Richter’s appearance in Super Smash Brothers Ultimate is based more specifically on his appearance in Rondo of Blood as opposed to Symphony of the Night; note the use of his theme song Divine Bloodlines as well as his win poses, drawn from this opening sequence and another cutscene from the middle of the game.

2. Consider the slow movement and tight hallways of a Resident Evil game, and how they force players to deal with zombies.