How is this vs the first one?

[Mister Shan]

I just started getting around to playing the first one. 20 percent in. Love the art direction, the idea of a Dark Souls/Symphony of the Night hybrid but found a lot of the game play elements really cheap rather than challenging. Did they refine their ideas in this one? Should I skip to the 2nd or it's just more of the same and keep playing the 1st and then the 2nd?

Also, I'll get flamed for this. I have the first for the switch but if I get this on steam is there some kind if quick save mod? If I could just F5 my way through the frustrating parts that would be ideal. I am a bit older now and my carpal tunnel doesn't let me plow through difficult games like I used to be able to. The constant dying and restarting takes a toll after a while.

[dq333]

In this, combat seems harder, platforming seems easier. The tone from what I've played is not as grim, but there are some parts that look quite dark and mysterious. The Pentinent One's looks seem to have gone in a direction of cute pixel style. It looks great, but not as fitting as the first. Well, it's more fitting in this game.

While the graphics are nice here, there was something about the first that almost felt like an Amiga game, it's hard to explain. This game looks "rounder", while the first blockier- The PO looked just badass in B1, no contest. I would LOVE for the developers to add it as a DLC. PLEASE!! Sorry to hear about your carpal tunnel. Hope you enjoy gaming for many years

[Mister Shan]

Originally posted by dq333:

In this, combat seems harder, platforming seems easier. The tone from what I've played is not as grim, but that are some parts that look quite dark and mysterious. The Pentinent One looks seems to have gone in a direction of cute pixel style. It looks great, but not as fitting as the first. Well, it's more fitting in this game.

While the graphics are nice here, there was something about the first that almost felt like an Amiga game, it's hard to explain. This game looks "rounder", while the first blockier- The PO looked just badass in B1, no contest. I would LOVE for the developers to add it as a DLC. PLEASE!! Sorry to hear about your carpal tunnel. Hope you enjoy gaming for many years :happymeat:

Ah, that sucks. Yea I love the commitment to a darker vibe in the first one. We have plenty of cute games out there, we don't need more of that.

Funny you used the meat boy emoji as that's the first game that comes to mind when I think of wrist pain. lol. Just thinking about that game and seeing the After Effects interface(for work) makes my wrist hurt lol. But yea, also what I loved about meat boy was even though it's difficult, the start to stop time always made dying much much less annoying. If you had to back track for like 5 mins to get to where you died that would be quite annoying and even more painful on the wrists.

[RIG-801]

Makes me want to play the first one again

[BlackSunEmpire]

Controlls and movement feel better now.
Art style, difficulty, and level design are rather downgraded.

On its own its still a good game, but its not nearly as good as the first one.

[dq333]

Originally posted by Mister Shan:

Originally posted by dq333:

In this, combat seems harder, platforming seems easier. The tone from what I've played is not as grim, but that are some parts that look quite dark and mysterious. The Pentinent One looks seems to have gone in a direction of cute pixel style. It looks great, but not as fitting as the first. Well, it's more fitting in this game.

While the graphics are nice here, there was something about the first that almost felt like an Amiga game, it's hard to explain. This game looks "rounder", while the first blockier- The PO looked just badass in B1, no contest. I would LOVE for the developers to add it as a DLC. PLEASE!! Sorry to hear about your carpal tunnel. Hope you enjoy gaming for many years

Ah, that sucks. Yea I love the commitment to a darker vibe in the first one. We have plenty of cute games out there, we don't need more of that.

Funny you used the meat boy emoji as that's the first game that comes to mind when I think of wrist pain. lol. Just thinking about that game and seeing the After Effects interface(for work) makes my wrist hurt lol. But yea, also what I loved about meat boy was even though it's difficult, the start to stop time always made dying much much less annoying. If you had to back track for like 5 mins to get to where you died that would be quite annoying and even more painful on the wrists.

Ah that sucks yeah Super Meat Boy requires those fast skittish moves

[welly321]

first one is by far the superior game

[An`CallBelle]

the game play is better, though you should not apply some experiences in B1 to this game.I choose open with the praying blade and got my ass kicked since only the end chain can stop foes` action(while all attacks of Mea Culpa can) and dash attack is severely nerfed.
Now I am practicing perfect counter and that`s trill.
And I can accept the change in theme since B2 is not emphasis on the Grievous Miracle which haunted the land for centuries anymore. Our enemies are mostly followers of the new Penitent Church and most of them are humans.
Still i agree the art is not good as the first game, but I believe they will improve as B1 did many reworks on art in the dlcs.

[Xlax]

There are some bugs, but the combat it more fun as some enemies are harder to fight with some weapons. The platforming is fun and there are parts which require you to do it fast due to closing doors. The enemies have better attacks which may prevent certain tactics which is nice. As in some guys attack overhead so you can't jump them. Some you can't slide through. Some you have to run away. Then there are those you can parry, but attacking right after may not always be viable based on timing.

My one gripe is some of the voice actors don't seem to voice characters to fit the setting. Tone, speed of speech seems off, but if you don't notice it then it might be me.

[digitalvanilla]

Did you like or loved the first? Stick with it. Do you like Castelvania? Play this sequel.

[KingDragoon]

An improvement on pretty much every aspect.

[KingDragoon]

Originally posted by welly321:

first one is by far the superior game

no.

[lazymagpie]

While they're still the same genre, they play very differently. Think of the two games as two excellent dishes you would get at the same restaurant. They may have differences you prefer depending on your daily mood, but ultimately, they're both excellent dishes by the same cook

[Antorius]

Originally posted by digitalvanilla:

Did you like or loved the first? Stick with it. Do you like Castelvania? Play this sequel.

Yeah, my take from the reviews and discussions so far is that real Metroidvania-heads will vastly prefer the second game for its gameplay, while those who are lukewarm on the genre will prefer the first for its lore and aesthetic. (I consider myself in the second camp, so will wait for a decent sale.)

[POMPOKO]

I never finished the first one, but might get back to it. Tho I really enjoy the 2nd. I feel the areas are a bit easier to go through but bosses are still challenging.

[mocaccino]

second game is a downgrade from the first one is almost every aspect, except movement that became more fluid.

enemies, parrying, setting, music are all way better in the original game.