The Best Castlevania Games, All 30 Ranked From Worst to Best
18. Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate
One of the most recent entries in the series, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate did plenty right in its attempt to move the series forward. Fleshing out the newly established lore of Lords of Shadow, it places players in the roles of several Belmont family members from across the centuries as they try to take down their vampiric ancestor Gabriel, now known as Dracula.
Utilizing a 2.5-D art style, it offered the side-scrolling action platforming action fans had come to expect alongside a level-based progression system, different equipment and weapons to wield, and plenty of puzzles to solve throughout each character’s sordid journey.
Unfortunately, it also lost some core components in its attempts to cater to the modern gaming audience. Mirror of Fate lacked much of the difficulty and challenge which made success so gratifying in past entries, to the point where few if any enemies and bosses posed a threat to players.
Its exploration elements were likewise hampered by a more directed design which pointed players more readily to their objective, making the game feel much more linear as a result. It’s still a journey worth seeing for those who enjoy the series, but it also shows just how much work would be needed should the series ever build off of the material it presents.
17. Castlevania: Lament of Innocence
After a rocky first few steps into the realm of 3D gaming, the Castlevania finally found some footing with Lament of Innocence. A prequel title to the established series, it follows Leon Belmont as he tries to rescue his wife-to-be from a vampire named Walter Bernhard. Armed with a whip and enchanted gauntlets, he must overcome five terrifying monsters in order to reach the conniving Walter before it’s too late, and before an even more nefarious being can be created.
Full of all the whip flailing action and exploration one would expect from a Castlevania title, as well as the action adventure elements and platforming that was common during the PlayStation 2 era of gaming, Lament of Innocence managed to blend together what people loved about older entries with the ever-developing norms of 3D gameplay in a way that wasn’t frustrating and, more importantly, was fun.
The only problem was that it played it safe, never fully utilizing the hardware. Levels could feel plain and repetitive, and more often than not its story and characters were the only thing that distinguished it as a Castlevania title.
Regardless, it was a welcome step forward for the series that many were happy to see, and a precursor to what the series could one day do in the 3D realm.
16. Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles
A 2.5-D remake of the renowned Rondo of Blood – as well as its first North American localization – Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles brought plenty to the table for both old fans of the iconic entry and those looking to experience it for the first time. As Richter Belmont, players must take on Dracula and his minions, as well as aid several individuals trapped in his castle along the way.
Armed with the usual array of tools at the disposal of a Belmont, they can whip, hack, slash and burn their way through a number of different enemies as they travel from a distant country village to the iconic castle itself.
A solid title in its own right, The Dracula X Chronicles also translated some of the best elements of Rondo of Blood to a new console generation alongside several bonuses, like being able to play as other characters throughout the campaign.
Unfortunately, it still didn’t manage to capture the magic of the original that arguably perfected Castlevania’s original design framework before it was redefined by Symphony of the Night. Still, it’s a worthy entry in the series and a fine alternative for those who couldn’t play the original.
