As a content creator who loves retro gaming, especially Castlevania games, an intriguing title was recently announced, coming to Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and Epic in 2025...
'The Transylvania Adventure of Simon Quest'
This game, which is an obvious nod to the classic 'Castlevania' series, looks to offer a blend of nostalgia and fresh adventure in a unique 8-bit side-scrolling experience.
A Familiar Yet Fresh Adventure
'The Transylvania Adventure of Simon Quest' is more than just a game; it's a journey back in time to the era of 8-bit graphics and side-scrolling platforms. But, it's not just any journey. This game is described as a "parody/homage", and it's easy to see why. It's reminiscent of a certain Konami series, but with its own twist. Players get to step into the shoes of Simon, who must embark on a quest to resurrect and slay Dracula, transitioning between the overworld and various mansions. The game promises minigames, a diverse arsenal of weapons and items, and even a built-in randomizer to ensure every playthrough offers something new.
As someone who has been immersed in the gaming world, I'm beyond hyped for this one. There's a certain charm in revisiting the 8-bit era, (and yeah I know - it's been done to death lately it feels), this game seems to capture that essence brilliantly!
However... I can't help but wonder if the game might have benefitted more from creating its own unique identity rather than leaning heavily into being a homage. It's a delicate situation that many smaller developers find themselves in these days looking to make a big splash. Regardless, looks fantastic and I'm genuinely excited about its release.
While 'The Transylvania Adventure of Simon Quest' might seem like a straight-up homage to the classic 'Castlevania' series, it brings enough of its own flavor to stand out. I'm excited to see how this game will be received by the gaming community and am looking forward to experiencing it firsthand. It's a blend of nostalgia and innovation that has the potential to captivate both old-school gamers and newcomers alike - and the sequence-breaking possibilities are always welcome! I mean, come on - you can even pet dogs in it!
Direct Insights from the Developers
Here's what the developers have to say about the game, as stated on Steam
ABOUT THIS GAME
The Transylvania Adventure of Simon Quest is a parody/homage side-scrolling platformer that immerses players in an ominous 8-bit world. The titular hero named Simon Quest has just arrived in Transylvania only to discover his vampire hunting rival, Stan Helsing, has already slain the evil Count Dracula. In order to reclaim the glory that should be his, he journeys across Wallachia to gather what he needs to resurrect the dark count piece by piece and kick his ass himself!
Sequence Breaking Encouraged! In both the overworld and in mansions, there are plenty of alternate pathways (and choices) you can make. You may think every mansion has a linear route, but you'll find there are other paths you can take to clear them! For those adventurous enough to seek an unorthodox journey in the overworld, you can even try taking on later mansions early. In fact, doing so might even yield you a different ending...
What do you think - are you hyped for this one as well?
