Konami's Castlevania series currently has a level of public awareness that is perhaps unprecedented in the franchise's 35-year history. Netflix's popular animated series has given Castlevania a legion of new fans, while re-releases such as Castlevania Advance Collection and Castlevania Anniversary Collection have introduced players to some of the greatest entries in the series. However, despite all of this, we haven't had a proper mainline Castlevania entry since 2014's much-maligned Lords of Shadow 2.
We do have, of course, had a new smartphone spin-off in the form of the recently-released Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls. The game's director Yota Tsutsumizaki has been speaking to Axios about the future of the series, and the chances of a truly new entry in the beloved franchise.
His reply? Well, it's not terribly surprising, to be honest:
I think it depends on what our users say.
It's the age-old problem of a massive company wanting to be sure there's demand for a project before committing any resources to it. We can understand why Konami is cagey at present; Lords of Shadow 2 was a critical disappointment, and more recently, the firm's efforts to revive another of its key franchises, Contra, resulted in the distinctly underwhelming Contra: Rogue Corps. Even the mighty Metal Gear series is struggling, with Metal Gear Survive – the first title in the series to be made without the input of creator Hideo Kojima – proving to be something of a disaster.
Tsutsumizaki goes on to explain that creating a new instalment in such a venerated franchise isn't easy:
I’m not in a position to comment on the company’s business, but in general, it is very challenging to release the main titles of a long-term series on a regular basis.
He added that Castlevania has "taken on many challenges" since the release of 2010's multiplayer spin-off Harmony of Despair, and he refers to Grimoire of Souls as an effort to make sure the series can "keep up with the rapidly changing times."
He also pointed out that "Mr. Igarashi’s retirement from Konami is not related to the prolonged interval between series releases." He is referring, of course, to former series producer Koji 'IGA' Igarashi, who left Konami in 2014 and has since worked on the Bloodstained series, which is seen by many as the spiritual successor to the Castlevania franchise.
[source axios.com, via comicbook.com]
Comments 93
Bloodstained Curse of the Moon 1 & 2!
I though this said “Want a new Castlevania game? You need to make it yourself”, which I can genuinely see Konami saying.
I follow the talent, not the IP. The Castlevania soul is in the Bloodstained games.
Don't they ever read videogame websites...?? Don't they know how popular metroidvanias are lately? Come on, what a lack of sight. Even Nintendo knows, and so they're giving us Metroid Dread.
So basically, " we don't really want to make a new game in the series, so we're going to put the blame on the fans for not asking enough for it even though they clearly have been."
GG Konami.
I want a new Castlevania game, but I don't want one without IGA at the helm.
I want a new Suikoden game, but I’ve yet to find Konami’s suggestion box to post my idea.
Yes I want a new Castlevania game! Not a bloodstained game or other such spiritual successor. An actual Castlevania game and it better not be a mobile game either Konami! You had no trouble pumping out new games every 3 to 5 years before so why the dead franchise now?
On a side note I need to finally play Lords of shadow 2. I don't get the hate for the mercurysteam games. They are actually pretty good if you can stop thinking of them as God of war clones. Everybody loves Metroid dread so why was everyone hating on them for Castlevania?
Anyway yeah somebody resurrect this franchise. The wait has been long enough. Even mega man came back from the dead recently.
Hard to say what Konami’s metrics are considering their sparse development in recent years. They certainly don’t seem overly influenced by their core fans.
Sounds like Capcom and their Mega Man problem. They want the game to release and then be an instant bestseller, though both are retro titles that are considered something of a niche nowadays. Anything less than Big Banging Super Moneymaker is an abject failure to them. Nevermind the fact that putting talent on other games and then releasing crappy games for Mega Man or Castlevania is the exact way these franchises WON'T make money. Want Castlevania to be a household name again, Konami? Get the right people on it and commit the resources.
Castlevania lives on in Bloodstained. Also games like Dark Souls.
Sometimes you’ve just got to let the band break up, lest they get back together and release a terrible record that tarnishes their name.
I know I’ll be happy for castelvania fans if/ when a new game comes out, but the series is not for me. It’s hard and I don’t desire to get gud at it.
That being said, he’s telling people the rereleases have to sell well for a new game to be made.
I don’t understand how they don’t recognise the interest. They just released 2 Castlevania collections that have been well received and I assume are selling well enough that there’s now 2 of them. Yet they can’t see that maybe that’s the fans way of saying they want more games in the series?
Konami should just give the IP to From Software as a curtesy to the gaming industry.
I really want the story of Julius Belmont vanquishing Dracula in 1999 to be told, but I know that it just won't happen now that Iga has left Konami.
That's the crux of the issue, I want more Igavanias, but Iga won't be coming back now that he's launched the Bloodstained franchise.
Rediculous statement to make. They know how people feel about Castlevania. Its like Nintendo saying "we didnt know that people wanted a new Mario Kart"
Maybe they should listen to people asking for Metal Gear and Silent Hill. Hell, even ports of old games would be a start.
I don't care how ignorant you are, there is no way this could ever be a genuine question that anybody at Konami could truly wonder. When other developers start making games that are very similar, because you won't, and those games are really successful, that's when you sack your R and D team and stop being ridiculous.
I only count on Konami to make ports of Castlevania. They will NOT make a new one themselves. The best they can do is outsource it.
Ah yes, because Konami always listens to fan feedback. That's why the entirety of series such as Silent Hill and Metal Gear are playable on modern systems! Wait a minute...
What have we been saying all those years? I guess the huge sales of the collections they released isn't enough of a proof for them.
With Metroid coming out of the void, I think that Castlevania should too. It would bring these games back into the current generations. It would inject new inspiration and life into the Metroidvania genre.
A new Castlevania is welcome. Perhaps even a 3D remake to get the gears going. I think remakes are great for getting studios back into the fold, rather than going all in blind on a new platform. I believe that Samus Returns taught Nintendo and Mercury Steam a lot of things before they ended up making Metroid: Dread. Without It I don't think the development of Dread would have turned out as well as it seems to be. There is no reason Castlevania couldn't have the same. If they did, I would suggest doing Symphony of the Night. Although Aria of Sorrow, or Rondo of Blood would be pretty great entries. They shouldn't venture too far out of the remake territory, because the next games need to be something that is easily recognizable as classic Castlevania. With the Netflix series over, and the spin off in the making, the kettle is hot. The timing couldn't be more perfect for it, and a brand new original game.
@Zeldafan79
You haven't played Lords of Shadow 2. That's the problem. I actually like the original LOS. That ending was pretty awesome, and one of my favorite moments in the franchise. Lords of Shadow 2, however, is a very disappointing and unbalanced mess of a game.
I think we're all a bit tired of being angry at Konami
Blah, blah, blah. We want more Castlevania.
How was that?
no thanks... a "new" Castlevania no .... I need only SOTN and DS trilogy on switch.
Can Konami/M2 just release a Rebirth compilation. It would be perfect for Switch with little effort needed.......the way Konami like it.
Yeaaahhhhh... because fans of really any Konami series aren't hugely vocal about it, right?
I want a new Bloodstained game, or a new Odallus game. Konami doesn't know how to make videogames anymore.
Konami have an amazing back catalogue of arcade games crying for reboots/sequels. Will it happen, don't be silly!!
This is just smoke , they dont plan on doing anything
@glaemay aren't the same... also the 2 cotm are good... rotn is mediocre
@damien33ad please no...
@MrGawain
Spiritual successor incoming for Suikoden is looking good, thanks to kickstarter.
@HarvestGoddess "With Metroid coming out of the void, I think that Castlevania should too. It would bring these games back into the current generations. It would inject new inspiration and life into the Metroidvania genre."
I do understand your sentiments here, but I have to respectfully disagree. The Metroidvania genre has been thriving without either of these properties. I'm absolutely thrilled Metroid is coming back, but we don't need Castlevania. The genre is doing fine without it.
@HarvestGoddess There is a huge difference between what happened with Metroid and what happened with Castlevania. Nintendo always maintained an interest in Metroid, but after Other M they had to rethink how they'd tackle the franchise. And that is how we got the revival of the 2D games with Samus Returns and Dread (ironically with a studio that cut their teeth on Castlevania) and them really working on expanding Retro to handle Prime 4's development. And despite Metroid's dormancy Nintendo maintained a strong output of games and maintained talent, if not nurtured more talent then they had during the Wii era.
However... almost none of the Igavania teams are at Konami anymore and have moved on same with almost everyother cornerstone team. Castlevania has remained completely dormant outside of re-releases and Konami's recent game output is borderline non-existent outside of gambling games, mobile games and the odd collection. They have not actually cut their teeth on anything of note outside of PES Football (and even that is questionable). Konami is a husk of the talent they used to have and I doubt even if they revived Castlevania if it be anything of real quality. That and they've basically lost the chance to cross-promote with the anime series booming success on Netflix to capture the mainstream into our favourite bloodsucking franchise. They were in a position every publisher salivates over and they completely squandered it.
I wonder why he said that this week of all weeks?
Did they just release a game or something...
Quit with the transparent BS moves Konami. You know full well if you made a decent new Castlevania game it would sell well. Hell an average one would at this point.
There's nothing I want more in gaming that for Konami to sell their IP to someone who actually cares.
This just makes me so frustrated at Konami. At the same time it's why I bought the advanced collection immediately to hopefully add to the numbers and maybe they will understand, we want Castlevania Games.
Just remaster symphony of the night, put back in the bad voice acting. Take out that awful credits song and replace it with something castlevania-ey. 4k/60 pixel art. Charge $60. We will pay it, Konami.
As long as it's not Lords of Shadow-related. I wouldn't mind a new 3d or 2d Castlevania with Metroidvania structure, with a story that fits in the original canon.
@AgentGuapo Why would you want the bad voice acting/ dialogue back? Symphony of the Night is a great game but it shouldn't be a comedy.
Everyone wants a new Castlevania, but how many of us want one made by present day Konami?
Contra Rogue Corps, an internally developed title, is a textbook example of “be careful what you wish for”.
If Konami does choose to make a new ‘Vania title, hopefully they’ll outsource it to a competent studio with experience in the genre.
Well, turning all your franchises into pachinko machines probably dosen't help. please give us Sotn/rob
@Zeldafan79
You said "Everyone hates Mercury Steam Castlevania games, but everyone likes Metroid Dread."
I'm pretty sure they would've ruined Dread too if Nintendo wasn't involved in the Metroid development.
@Cia Agreed I never understood why folks wanted the original terrible voice acting for Symphony of the Night. It’s horrendous, and it was right in the heels of other horrible voice acting like Megaman 8 or the original Resident Evil.
@Zeldafan79 I enjoyed the first Lord of Shadows, it had a solid story that added a new twist to the Castlevania formula and boy the plot twist at the end was freaking awesome.
I agree though we need a new Castlevania game.
Lol, yeah ok. How many atlus surveys have been done with poll results showing people want p5 on switch and yet after five years we still have nothing? This is just audience engagement, no matter how loud we all shout, nothing will come from this.
@RushDawg Contra Rogue Corps seems to be developed by Toylogic and only overseen by Konami.
Not that Konami ever should have let that game release in the shape it was...
The team that made the DS, Advance games and SotN have all left. They made Bloodstained RotN, and are working on a sequel right now. So I suggest if those are the Castlevania games you want, that you play RotN & wait for the sequel
@MrFox yeah but I don’t let nostalgia blind me. Look I played Resident Evil back in 96 and that game at the time blew me away, but hell I would never want to hear that voice track again. Same with Symphony of the night, I played it in 97 when it was released and it was the same thing, I knew it was bad then and it’s bad now.
I don't want any IGA games, I want full 3D games, they can make it, just refined what was done with the N64 games, those games translated the classic 2D Castlevania experience, and to this day, are still the best 3D games of the franchise.
Come on Konami. Y’all should know people want a new Castlevania game already.
Just port over the DS games and I'm set. Bloodstained is the new "Castlevania ".
@moodycat @Jimmy_G_Buckets but the DS games require effort. Konami isn’t gonna put effort in another collection. Especially since the DS games will be harder to port than the GBA games
I don’t want another 3D Castlevania. Stick to 2D Castlevania because imo
2D Castlevania >>>>>>>>>>> 3D Castlevania.
Also bring SOTN to switch please
@MrFox oh yeah for sure, but personally I would like that track buried, cause it’s not needed IMO. I see your point but it’s just a really bad voice acting. If we say that about modern day games with bad voice acting than we don’t give those a pass right?
@MrFox I see your point but to me that voice in SOTN was a blight in an otherwise great game, the new dub elevated that game for me so yes it did hurt me.
100 percent agreed om Zero Wing, run fact G4 did a top ten worst games and Zero Wing was km there due to the intro. The game journalist on there slammed the people who ,ad Ethan list cause they said Zero Wing itself as you a new I got know is a great game despite the stupid intro, that intro hurt that game so I agree,
Let's see a Castlevania DS collection, and a 3D collection featuring the N64 and PS2 games.
@MrFox yeah but nostalgia is a poison and can easily blind us. I am not saying I am impervious to it but I think it can blind us. And used to prey on people with bad works. Ready Player One of the worst books ever written but it used people nostalgia to trick them into thinking the book is something it’s not,.
@MrFox And yes we need Zero Wing.
So, if we make our voices known, what will we get? Castlevania Pachinko? Castlevania Survive? Castlevania: Rogue Corps? Or maybe Castlevania: Downpour?
Cya
Raziel-chan
We need to do something then, I bought the Advance collection at the moment it was available on Switch. I love Castlevania and definitely want more! Both 2D classicvania as well as 2D metroidvanias.
@MrFox my failure is why it detracted from the gameplay, you have this game with beautiful art style, a nice gothic theme, haunting bosses, and a game Itself was serious. But padding that silly voice track to it, detracted from those factors that added to a wonderful atmospheric game, imagine bad voice acting in Super Metroid.
I'm curious where they're going to fit Castlevania Legends and Castlevania Dracula X Chronicles
Ok, I can add this campaign, wasting time trying to get a company to make games I want, to my campaign for Switch versions of the Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters! 😆
I have recently got into the castlevania series with it being introduced to me through the SNES classic and Super Castlevania. I decided to pickup Castlevania advance collection and love it. They're having a hard time making new games it seems but they should remake or port Symphony of the night to the current gen and that would be a big hit because of how much acclaim I've seen people have for that game.
@MrFox well that’s what they did for the PS4 a couple of years back they just ported the Dracula X chronicles version so if they do it again that’s my assumption.
Oh god that would be horrendous with that voice acting from the LOZ cartoon, but man we did get far worse with the CDI version. Hungry for an octorock?
Would love a new Castlevania game, not sure if I want Konami making it though.
I think they want to see how Getsu Fuma Den turns out before moving to Castlevania.
But you would think the popularity of the Netflix show would help the cause.
I don't want a new Castlevania, I want a port of Requiem for the Switch and Steam. Nothing the new dev team makes will be as good as the originals!
Can we get all the other Castlevanias on Switch first, please?
This is so unprofessional, I think they are asking for crowdfunding to start the project.
Not gonna die on that hill hahaha. I follow the aesthetic more than the franchise. Bloodstained is where its at currently.
@Deerock69 I backed Eiyuden Chronicle and am very very much looking forward to getting my grubby little mitts on it!
@MrFox I think we should see the whole package as well. But if we get it I think we will only get the package they had on PS4 though.
If it would be anything like Grimoire of Souls, which I played on Apple Arcade, connected to my TV with a PS4 controller... “count” me out. It wasn’t terrible, but the Bloodstained games shred it to bits. Like a Crissaegrim or Valmanway.
@Cia
Are you suggesting they make a Castlevania with Nintendos involvement? Now as cute as that sounds I don't think it's a good fit and wouldn't make a Castlevania game any better.
Lords of shadow mirror of fate on 3DS was pretty good.
It's a new silent hill game I want
Almost read it as "you need to make it yourself" Which tbh is kind of the response ai would actually expect from Konami these days.
@Funneefox Thats what I thought, and I was like Oh? Are they hiring?
@MrFox
Konami Fans: We want Castlevania! We want Contra! Give us Silent Hill! We want-
Konami installs soundproof glass: Ahh. Now we can work in peace.
Years later...
Konami: Hey, did you know fans want new games?
No, that's news to me.
Fans: collective facepalm
@Tempestryke The soundproof glass is actually to prevent the outside world from hearing the pained screams of their inhumanely treated employees…..
And the requests of their fans
I don't trust Konami with anything but ports of the old games. Bloodstained is the new Castlevania. I will always love the old games, but just let Bloodstained take the reigns from now on.
I want more Lords of Shadow like Castlevania. However beyond that, I've moved on. Bloodstained is the future of Castlevania, I think Konami and fans need to accept that. It's a fantastic game and managed to deliver.
I just picked up a ton of Castlevania games on the MSFT store on my Xbox after leaving a comment here on NLife earlier in the week regarding Symphony of the Night 😆 think once the GBA collection goes on sale I'll own everyone across my Switch & Xbox
@Zeldafan79
No, I said they make Metroid Dread with Nintendo's involvement.
Nintendo had nothing to do with their Castlevania travesty.
I picked up the Castlevania Anniversary collection when it was released, with plans to purchase the Advance collection as well, so I'm all for a new Castlevania game.
Cap. people have been saying this for years.
After Metal Gear Survive do we really want Konami to make one?
Just pay Iga already, Konami, sheesh, it's not rocket science.
@Olliemar28 I never said it wasn't doing well, but without Castlevania, it does often feel like something is missing, especially when it is in the genre name. I respect history and would love it if it were more relevant again.
Konami can just keep re-releasing the older games for all I care; it'll tide me over while I wait for Bloodstained 2. Here's an idea: Castlevania Requiem on Switch, or a collection that includes the DS games and Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth.
@damien33ad It may be my dream to have another valid 2d Castlevania, or at least a valid 3d one ... but Konami now is good only for pachinko😬
I don't know that Konami has the talent to make a new Castlevania internally. I would like the series to continue but LoS2 and Mirror of Fate were bad and mediocre respectively. I could be down with Konami licensing the IP to a talented indie, have ourselves a Streets of Rage 4 situation.
For now, I want Konami and M2 to keep mining the vaults. I want DS Collection and then a 3D Collection with the PS2 games and Lords of Shadow 1.
Ok Konami. I went on a Castlevania binge and bought all 3 Lord's of Shadow games and expansions as well as the advance collection. Hear me now!
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