Board 8 > Metroid vs. Vania

(+) Yeah! (+)

These two series contribute their titles to the name of an entire genre, but personally, I'm much more of a Vania guy. I like Metroid a lot too, but the 2D ones always feel like they have fiddly controls that get in the way of the exploration and combat. I hate how a lot of the time progress is cut-off by arbitrarily colored doors rather than more organic movement upgrades (those exist too, of course).

Castlevania tends to have the more interesting aesthetic for me, and the light RPG mechanics make a lot of sense for the genre, because when you inevitably have to backtrack you REALLY feel like you've outclassed all the enemies in early areas. Also, music is infinitely better in Vania, which matters a lot when you're dragging yourself back and forth across the map.

---

Castlevania bay bay. Metroids great too but cannot compete with CV.

It's weird I voted Castlevania despite only playing SotN, meanwhile I've played like 4 Metroid games.

I guess SotN is just that good

---

vote whips

---

BetrayedTangy posted...

I guess SotN is just that good

You'd be right

---

Love them both, but prefer the slightly more RPG-like style of Castlevania

---

SotN is amazing, but I don't like any of the other Castlevanias nearly as much. If Bloodstained were an actual Castlevania, maybe, but Metroid just has a lot more games I like.
---

Castlevania's general aesthetic and music are among my favorite in video games period so that gives it a huge edge. It also has the benefit of two notably outstanding eras each with their own truly legendary titles - Rondo of Blood and Symphony of the Night being the best of their respective breeds, but games like Castlevania 1/3, Aria of Sorrow and Order of Ecclesia are all downright amazing as well.

All unique series appeal aside, the Metroid-style games feel like they do Metroid better than Metroid itself, so this isn't particularly close for me.

---

Castlevania and it's not even close. Super Metroid is the only good Metroid game.

---

Castlevania are some if my favorite games.
SotN being possibly my favorite game.

Metroid is good, my fav being probably Fusion for the gba actually.

But yeah I like vanias so much more.

---

the real fans know. bunch of nintendo BABIES voting for metroid

---

I do love metroid, but I'm trying to think of any aspect of metroid, that I like better in metroid than castlevania...

Combat, music, variety, all definitely points for castlevania...

Atmosphere, they're pretty close, I do enjoy the lonely self-directed exploring in metroid games, especially in Fusion... but naaaah SotN's Abandoned Mines are so creepy, I gotta give this point to castlevania as well.

Visuals, tough to compare, they've both had great looking games and mediocre looking games...

But then castlevania has the whole entire ARPG aspect, that Metroid doesn't really have an answer for!

And then you've also got the classic castlevanias, some of the best action games ever? That's like a billion points to castlevania right there.

Hmmm maybe a point for metroid in the 3d games category, because Prime 1 is really good. Although I really like Curse of Darkness for the PS2...

---

How do all the Castlevania fans in here feel about Bloodstained? I'm right in the middle of my first run of it now and it's kind of incredible how well it scratches the itch. All the different builds you can make and instantly swap between are crazy fun, too!

---

Castlevania easily for me. I don't even like Metroid.

---

Xiahou Shake posted...

How do all the Castlevania fans in here feel about Bloodstained? I'm right in the middle of my first run of it now and it's kind of incredible how well it scratches the itch. All the different builds you can make and instantly swap between are crazy fun, too!

As someone who thinks of SotN as a top 5 game ever, there's a VERY good case to be made that Bloodstained is even better.

---

I like them both equally, but I like Samus more than any Belmont or Alucard, so Metroid gets the vote.

Currently playing Hollow Knight for the first time and enjoying it.

---

I prefer metroidvanias that have more focus on environmental exploration and less on combat. Between the two, that'd be metroid.

I loooove Bloodstained, really hard to choose between that and SotN, as my favorite metroidvania. There's such a long list of super fun aspects of Bloodstained. The combat's fundamentally really good, and all the abilities you find are really fun and fairly well balanced, you can really figure out your own playstyle. And then they added so many ridiculous systems that work well, I loved the hairstyle and color customizations, and how gear shows up on your character, and picking out books to activate in the library, and building up particular stats by cooking, and even the quests were a nice addition, unlike the DS Castlevanias, where they kinda just get in your way. It's just crazy how much they packed into that game.

...But you have to admit, it's pretty ugly, and the music doesn't quite reach SotN tier. And I tried pretty hard to like the story but ehhhh it was pretty nonsense.

Separately: that Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon, the retro-style action game, oooooooh baby that is a masterpiece, might be even better than Rondo.

---

all these CV clowns not even mentioning their GOAT Soma Cruz

---

Considering picking up something after Hollow Knight.

Recommendations between:
Axiom Verge
Dead Cells
Bloodstained
Steamworld Dig 2?

---

For me, Metroid Prime series > SotN/AoS, pretty close though

I don't have much of an opinion on the rest of either series, they're 'okay'

---

Bloodstained is great.
Not as good as SotN, but better then some of the others.

---

Also, I like how virtually all of the comments are for castlevania. But the votes are not the same

---

I bet a lot of people haven't played much castlevania, is my guess. So they have no reason to comment, 'cause they're not 100% sure.

---

In 2002 this answer would have been Metroid by far for me, but Metroid has done very little since then (Prime games are kind of a different genre, and not one I care for), while Castlevania has just gotten better and better. OoE and Bloodstained (it's Castlevania as far as I'm concerned) are amazing.

I'm probably still inclined to vote Metroid just because it's so much better at amosphere. Every Castlevania comes across as dopey to me, even SotN. But I could be argued pretty easily.

---

NeoElfboy posted...

In 2002 this answer would have been Metroid by far for me, but Metroid has done very little since then (Prime games are kind of a different genre, and not one I care for), while Castlevania has just gotten better and better. OoE and Bloodstained (it's Castlevania as far as I'm concerned) are amazing.

I'm probably still inclined to vote Metroid just because it's so much better at amosphere. Every Castlevania comes across as dopey to me, even SotN. But I could be argued pretty easily.

it's weird because yeah Metroid has been pretty non-existent in the last decade............ but then you realize it's the same for Castlevania. Although Castlevania was pretty active as well in the 2005-2010 period at least

as someone that's had Metroid & CV in my Top 5 series for decades it's kinda sad

---

BakusaiTenketsu posted...

Considering picking up something after Hollow Knight.

Recommendations between:
Axiom Verge
Dead Cells
Bloodstained
Steamworld Dig 2?

Bloodstained and Dead Cells are both freaking great. Do note that DC's a roguelike though, so it's not going to be that much like most Metroidvanias.

NeoElfboy posted...

In 2002 this answer would have been Metroid by far for me, but Metroid has done very little since then (Prime games are kind of a different genre, and not one I care for), while Castlevania has just gotten better and better. OoE and Bloodstained (it's Castlevania as far as I'm concerned) are amazing.

I'm probably still inclined to vote Metroid just because it's so much better at amosphere. Every Castlevania comes across as dopey to me, even SotN. But I could be argued pretty easily.

You can't count Bloodstained as a Castlevania and not mention AM2R for recent great Metroid games!
---

Metroids atmosphere is too good imo.

---

LiquidOshawott posted...

Metroids atmosphere is too good imo.

It's this by far.

There's a danger and loneliness to traversing the depths in Metroid that's just not there in Castlevania. The Metroid games are more about survival and mastering skills. The Castlevania games are more about leveling up and overwhelming enemies.

---

Soma Cruz #1

---

Metroid is so so SO much better than Castlevania that it makes no sense that this is a term. If you're using it to talk about an interconnected open world or movement techniques, that's 100% Metroid. Castlevania just contributes the RPG systems and thematic elements.

Metroid is so good and pure that you can have a game that has just ONE awesome movement technique and is otherwise pretty plain, like wall jumping, and use it to carry your entire game, and people will praise it as a great Metroidvania.

Metroid level design was straight up copied by "best level design ever" Dark Souls and no one noticed because it fundamentally feels so fresh and new every time, even if you're replaying the same game for the 10th time (which you have likely done with Metroid).

---

Super Metroid is enough to push me to vote for Metroid here. Masterpiece.

---

I've beaten every 2D Metroid and Metroid-Style Castlevania. Here are my thoughts.

• BASIC GAMEPLAY: METROID. Samus' abilities are more fun to use (Morph Ball, Space Jump, Grapple Beam, I could go on), and they allow her to interact with environments in fun ways. She's basically "Spider-man in space." Aside from SotN, CVs are grounded in basic platforming/attack abilities--although I do enjoy their RPG and "Soul Ability" concepts.
• BOSSES: METROID. Metroid bosses are generally more creative in terms of design and battle tactics. CV bosses are typically oversized monsters that need to be hit anywhere on their bodies until they die.
• LEVEL DESIGN: METROID. Again, Samus' unique abilities allow for more dynamic level design. Metroid tends to have considerably better platforming variety and environmental hazards.
• MUSIC: CASTLEVANIA. This is where Castlevania wins decisively, although Metroid is no slouch in this area.
• ATMOSPHERE: METROID. Not even close. Super Metroid and Samus Returns both create an amazing sense of dread and claustrophobia through their visuals, music, and level design. Even the original Metroid II has a keen sense of loneliness. SotN is the only CV that feels truly immersive, along with maaaybe CotM.
• DIFFICULTY: CASTLEVANIA. Metroids tend to be cakewalks (aside from Samus Returns and the NES original), whereas Castlevanias offer more of a challenge, especially Order of Ecclesia and Circle of the Moon.
• STORY: METROID. Neither series excels here, but I give the nod to Metroid because Samus' journey always feels like it has ongoing purpose, not to mention the occasional emotional moment (finding the baby Metroid, the Mother Brain battle in Super). Castlevania is almost always, "Whelp, gotta kill Dracula again."

So yeah, Metroid wins in most categories. That said, I love the Iga-made Castlevanias. Here's my biased ranking/tier list of every game:

Super Metroid
Symphony of the Night
-
Samus Returns (3DS)
Zero Mission
Order of Eccelsia
Circle of the Moon
-
Dawn of Sorrow
AM2R
Fusion
Portrait of Ruin
-
Return of Samus (GB)
Aria of Sorrow
Harmony of Dissonance
-
Metroid (NES)


---

Aria way too low

---

its Metroid and its not really that close, if you ask me

---

Plot is an interesting category, I think both series are mostly games with little plot throughout, but good late-game twists. Metroid 2, Super Metroid, yep, good late-game twists. Aria of Sorrow, SotN, OoE, also all have good late-game twists.

A few metroid games went more heavy into plot: Prime 3 and Other M, and I think these were both pretty disastrous. Fusion also has heavy plot and it's a good one, but it also ruins the game a bit--I don't think I'll ever finish Fusion again, because the navigation room scenes are so tedious to sit through.

The castlevania games that went heavy into plot did a much better job I think, I love the story in both Curse of Darkness and Lament of Innocence, Lament probably has the best "story" of any metroid or castlevania. (People seem to like the Lords of Shadow plot as well, I never finished it though, didn't like the gameplay.)

Bloodstained also arguably went "heavy" into its plot, and it wasn't that great, but I'd give it points for several good late-game twists.

---

its Caslevania and its not really that close, if you ask me

---

Castlevania if I had to pick but I love both unconditionally

Epyo posted...

Plot is an interesting category, I think both series are mostly games with little plot throughout, but good late-game twists. Metroid 2, Super Metroid, yep, good late-game twists. Aria of Sorrow, SotN, OoE, also all have good late-game twists.

That's a good point. The games do a lot of their storytelling through subtext (especially Metroid with its ruined sections of planets, damaged Chozo statues, etc.) and always save the twists and payoffs for the end. I also loved the False Save Room in SotN where Alucard faces the succubus mimicking his mother. Great character moment.

But as a whole, these games are better off telling their stories through action and exploration. Like you said about Fusion, too much text gets in the way. Ideally, you could have a Metroidvania with someone speaking over a loudspeaker like the Joker does in Arkham Asylum, but too much text can wreck the momentum.

Grimlyn posted...

Aria way too low

Aria never impressed me. It was way too easy, especially if you make any effort to collect soul abilities (and thus gobble up more EXP). IMO Dawn is a better game that functions in roughly the same way, thus pushing Aria down my list.

---

Castlevania has more good titles but Super Metroid is far and away the best title.

---

Metroid comfortably for me.

The castlevania games I've played were fine but I can't say I have much desire to go back to them.

---

As an aside...

I attempted the Path of Pain in Hollow Knight last night. I've beaten everything From Software and Nioh ever threw at me, Cuphead, the Virus Sequence in Nier Automata, Sans in Undertale, and probably other unimaginably hard moments of 4 decades of video gaming... I don't think I'm nearly masochistic enough for the Path of Pain in Hollow Knight.

---

Path of Pain is a bit of a weird one difficulty-wise. In all the games you listed there I don't see much in the way of precision platforming experience. If you're familiar with games more along the lines of Super Meat Boy and Celeste, then Path of Pain isn't really that tough! Most people struggle with it and it has this reputation for being crazy hard because it's really asking for a completely different set of skills than the rest of the game.

---