#grackleking

[little-prince-ralsei]

What happened to Susie?? Is she alright?

[lena--beana]

Now that Simon’s in Smash, I’m personally invested in Castlevania. But should I watch the anime? Should I play the game/games that it’s based off of first? Thanks for your time!

Thanks for asking! First off it’s important you know that if you want to play the Castlevania games, they’re all pretty hard your first time playing each of them. It’s not like some impossible challenge that only the strongest could ever finish but they will all will beat you up a little. Also I fucking love the series so I’m going to just say a bunch of shit all at once and I really hope I don’t overwhelm you :’D

For real tho, I’ve played every game 100% (or 200% or 1000%, they count completion differently in each game) and I’ve almost never had a bad time. The 2017 anime on Netflix is superb and you absolutely can go in knowing nothing about the series and still have a good two hours, but that experience is enriched so so much if you’ve first played the games it’s based on. Also the anime actually follows Simon’s great-great-great-grandfather Trevor Belmont and his companions, but you will love them just as much as any other main character in the series. The anime is heavily based on Castlevania III for the NES, with little nods to Symphony of the Night for PS1 and it looks like Curse of Darkness for PS2 from what I’ve seen in the season 2 trailer.

The anime also has most story out of the whole series honestly. Like there is a really good story running through every game in the series, but don’t play the games for just the story. It’s a good story, don’t get me wrong, there’s just not much of it! Like there’s about a 30:1 gameplay-to-cutscene ratio constant across all the games. That being said each game is relatively short, taking between 3-20 hours on your first playthrough depending on whether it was released before or after Symphony of the Night.

As far as actually playing them though!! Castlevania 1 is the best starting place I’d say. It’s pretty short, but hard enough that you’ll give it lots of time. This can be purchased physically on the NES, GBA, or the NES Classic if you can find one of those in your local game store still, or digitally on the WiiU and 3DS e-shop. There is also a very faithful PS1 remake (also on the PS3 digital store) called Castlevania Chronicles, which in addition to the regular game also features a sort of Zelda Master Quest mode that changes a little things around in the level layouts like enemy and item spawns, as well as Simon’s hair color. Castlevania IV also sounds like it’s a sequel, but it’s really just a super huge remake of the first game with added levels and bosses and like? really really tight controls? fucking stellar. That’s on SNES and the SNES Classic, and digitally on the WiiU and 3DS e-shop.

From there Castlevania II is a direct sequel that immediately follows the story, but it is the opposite of user-friendly. You will need a strategy guide sitting in your lap for about 70% of the game just to know where to go. It is a good game and definitely worth playing for about ten minutes at least just for the music, but definitely not great for one of your early titles. Instead I’d say Castlevania III is the next best game to try. It improves on the formula of the first game, it’s incredibly difficult, but it is very enjoyable for sure. This can also be picked up on the NES, but for some reason was not included in the NES Classic’s library. It can be downloaded on the WiiU / 3DS e-shop as well, but for this game I would actually recommend emulating the Famicom version with an English language patch if for no other reason than the dramatic increase in the sound quality.

From there, the two best titles you can get are Dracula X: Rondo of Blood and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. These are the best the series has to offer in every way and I cannot stress my love for these two enough. Rondo of Blood is unfortunately only available in Japanese for the TurboGrafx-16, and officially sold in America digitally through the Wii Virtual Console, which is sadly no longer in service. I’m not sure how easy it is to emulate, but I would highly recommend doing so if it’s not a hassle for you. If that’s not an option, the game was also remade for the PSP in Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles, which does contain both the original TG16 release and Symphony of the Night as an unlockable, though I don’t know how easy that is to do.

Symphony of the Night is a direct sequel to Rondo, and also probably the best game in the series. I and everyone else will probably tell you the same thing but holy shit this one is so good??? Just like? Just play it, you’ll see what I mean. You can pick it up physically on PS1 or in the Dracula X Chronicles previously mentioned, as well as digitally on the PS3 store and Xbox Live Arcade.

After that you’re pretty much prepped to play any other game in the series you want? My personal recommendations would be Aria of Sorrow/Dawn of Sorrow for GBA and DS (the former also on the WiiU virtual console), Portrait of Ruin for DS, Order of Ecclesia for DS, Belmont’s Revenge for the Gameboy, Bloodlines for the SEGA Genesis, Lament of Innocence for PS2 and the PS3 digital store, and although it isn’t technically a Castlevania game the newly released Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon on Switch, Xbox One, PS4, and Steam is a fucking superb homage to the NES games, and a prologue (?) to the coming soon kickstarter-backed Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, which also looks hella rad.

Also steer clear of Castlevania Lords of Shadow, because holy heck those are Castlevania games in name alone. They play like a slippery God of War 1 and they take place in an alternate timeline from the rest of the series so like what’s even the point? And Harmony of Despair for the PS3 and Xbox 360 do play like a classic Castlevania but they were made with multiplayer in mind so unless you have three friends who are also big fans then maybe wait on this.

Anyway thanks for actually reading through all of this if you did? This is kind of a personal topic for me because of just how much time I’ve invested in the series but holy shit it’s such a good series to get into. I hope this was sort of helpful and not too overwhelming!!

~-~-~

tl;dr

play these first

Castlevania I (NES) / Castlevania Chronicles (PS1)

Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse (NES)

Rondo of Blood (TurboGrafx-16)

Symphony of the Night (PS1)

Now you should watch the anime!

these are also worth your time

Aria of Sorrow (GBA)

Dawn of Sorrow [direct sequel to Aria] (DS)

Portrait of Ruin (DS)

Order of Ecclesia (DS)

Belmont’s Revenge (Gameboy)

Bloodlines (Genesis)

Lament of Innocence (PS2)

Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon (Switch, Xbox One, PS4, PC)

don’t play

Lords of Shadow

Lords of Shadow: Mirror of Fate

Lords of Shadow 2

Harmony of Despair (unless you have up to three friends who are dying to play the co-op)

[icameheretowinry]

Character Tag

Got tagged by @capra-hiircus. Thanks a ton Aja! ^^

Rules: Name ten favourite characters from ten different things (books, tv, film, etc.) then tag ten people.

1. Winry Rockbell (Fullmetal Alchemist)

2. Tsukishima Shizuku (Whisper of the Heart)

3. Natsume Takashi (Natsume’s Book of Friends)

4. Sirius Black (Harry Potter)

5. Zuko (ATLA)

6. Elisa Esposito (The Shape of Water)

7. Samwise Gamgee (LOTR)

8. Hawkeye Pierce (MASH)

9. Leisel Meminger (The Book Thief)

10. Luciel Choi (Mystic Messenger)

Tagging: @criis55, @kittykatz009, @aryllahiruelric, @silverfangirl15, @drrockbell, @hagane-no-heart, @the-heart-alchemist, @grackleking, @the-hawks-rye, @winryofresembool if you guys want to do it! 

[icameheretowinry]

TV Show Tag Game

Rules: attach gifs of your 10 favourite tv shows without naming them, then tag 10 people.

Thanks for thinking of me @jessthebooklover!! I challenged myself not to include any anime (because that’s another list). Here we go! 

... I have really weird taste ^^;;;;;;

Anyway, I’ll tag @hagane-no-heart, @the-heart-alchemist, @criis55, @aryllahiruelric, @grackleking, @silverfangirl15, @kittykatz009, @canadiangold, @thephilosophersapprentice, @karinakamichi if you guys want to do it! 

[icameheretowinry]

Rules: Tag 9 people you want to get to know better!

Got tagged by @starkravinghazelnoots​. Thank you for thinking of me!! ^^ Also you’re the second friend of mine on a Queen kick. Too funny!

10 Songs I Can’t Stop Listening to:

Face - Woosung

Lights - BTS

Through to You - Glades

Time of our Life - Day6

Bet Bet - Nu’est

Rainbow - Kacey Musgraves 

The Lonliest Girl - Carole & Tuesday OST

Juicy - Notorious B.I.G.

By Now - Will Jay

Soulstar - Musiq Soulchild, DJ Aktive

Favorite Ships:

Royai (fma)

Edwin (fma)

Yatori (noragami)

Almei (fma)

Izuocha (bnha)

707 x MC (mystic messenger)

Kyo x Tohru (fruits basket)

Mitsuha x Taki (your name)

Sophie x Howl (howl’s moving castle)

Lingfan (fma)

Todomomo (bnha)

Fakiru (princess tutu)

Soma (soul eater)

Lipstick/Chapstick:

I hardly wear either. I do have an eos in my purse though? 

Last Movie:

The Peanuts Movie (excellent btw!) 

Currently Reading:

I’m currently into podcasts tbh. My favorites are Spooked and My Favorite Murder! 

I Would Like to Tag:

@criis55 @silverfangirl15 @aryllahiruelric @kittykatz009 @the-heart-alchemist @grackleking @dragonfire00002 @drrockbell @bornadreamer if you guys want to do it! 

[icameheretowinry]

Get to know me ~

I got tagged by @starkravinghazelnoots ! Thanks a ton! ^^

Rules: Bold everything that applies to you!

APPEARANCE

I’m over 5'5". I wear glasses/contacts. I have blonde hair. I prefer loose clothing to tight clothing. I have one or more piercings. I have at least one tattoo. I have blue eyes. I have dyed or highlighted my hair. I have gotten plastic surgery. I have or had braces. I sunburn easily. I have freckles. I paint my nails. I typically wear makeup. I don’t often smile. I am pleased with how I look. I prefer Nike to Adidas. I wear baseball hats backwards.

HOBBIES AND TALENTS

I play a sport. I can play an instrument. I am artistic. I know more than one language. I have won a trophy in some sort of competition. I can cook or bake without a recipe. I know how to swim. I enjoy writing. I can do origami. I prefer movies to tv shows. I can execute a perfect somersault. I enjoy singing. I could survive in the wild on my own. I have read a new book series this year. I enjoy spending time with friends. I travel during school or work breaks. I can do a handstand.

RELATIONSHIPS

I am in a relationship. I have been single for over a year. I have a crush. I have a best friend I have known for ten years. My parents are together. I have dated my best friend. I am adopted. My crush has confessed to me. I have a long distance relationship. I am an only child. I give advice to my friends. I have made an online friend. I met up with someone I have met online.

MISCELLANEOUS

I can fall asleep in a moving vehicle. I am the mom friend. I live by a certain quote. I like the smell of sharpies. I am involved in extracurricular activities. I enjoy Mexican food. I can drive a stick-shift. I believe in true love. I make up scenarios to fall asleep. I sing in the shower. I wish I lived in a video game. I have a canopy above my bed. I am multiracial. I am a redhead. I own at least three dogs.

Tagging: @criis55 @kittykatz009 @aryllahiruelric @the-heart-alchemist @grackleking @bornadreamer if you guys want to do it!

[icameheretowinry]

get to know me~!

i got tagged by @aryllahiruelric and @starkravinghazelnoots​ (also happy birthday!!). Thanks guys! ^^

nicknames: nikki, niks, or nik (depends)

zodiac sign: scorpio

height: 5′7”

hogwarts house: ravenclaw

last thing i googled: google maps (for a museum i’m going to visit!)

favourite musician(s): bts, day6, the rose, nct127, sunmi, the cab, onerepublic, the maine, imagine dragons, the script (i have too many really ;;;)

song stuck in your head: golden slumbers by lee hi

following: 775

followers: 2,921 

do you get asks?: yeah! i still have a few fic ones to answer and i promise i’ll get to them! 

amount of sleep: i’ll take as much as i can get, but i’m such a night owl it’s usually 4-6 hours

lucky number: 13

what you’re wearing: an oversized bnha shirt (ya know that green deku one from hot topic) and black athletic shorts

dream job: at this point, i don’t even know anymore. writer? artist? 

dream trip: i will literally travel anywhere, but at the top of the list are japan, south korea, portugal, and new zealand 

instrument: ... garage band at 2am when i should be sleeping

languages: english and french

current favourite songs: dream glow by bts & charli xcx, voices by stray kids, and dejavu by nu’est w

random fact: uhh i’m terrified of spiders? (i never know what to put for these)

aesthetic: hmm distressed jeans, dr martens, polaroids, late nights, impressionist art, ruins, deep forests, old books, art supplies, sketchbooks, vinyl records, metallic accents, driving in the rain, loud music, kitschy french decorations, half-filled notebooks, kpop, red wine, over-sized hoodies, dark fantasy (idk honestly)

i tag: @floweryfandomnerd, @grackleking, @criis55, @winryofresembool, @kittykatz009, @silverfangirl15

[icameheretowinry]

I got tagged by @aryllahiruelric to share my lock screen, home screen, and the last song I listened to. Thanks J!! ^^

I'll tag @hagane-no-heart @the-heart-alchemist @criis55 @brynthebookworm @grackleking @canadiangold @maikamaika if you guys want to do it!

[icameheretowinry]

More about me ~?

I got tagged on my main by @jessthebooklover. Thanks Jess! since I’m more active over here, I’ll answer on this blog. 

Rules: tag 20 people/blogs you want to know better

Names/Nicknames: Nikki, Niks, Nik 

Gender: Female

Sexuality: Straight, ace, demi-romantic (?)

Astrological sign: Scorpio

Height: 5’7”

Favorite Fandoms: Fma/b, bnha, noragami (apparently), harry potter, bts army

Pets: My scruffy pupper Hugo

Where I’m from: Midwest

Hobbies: Writing, drawing, photography, binging anime, binging art youtube, listening to music, chatting with my friends online (I don’t see them very often irl)

I’m tagging : @silverfangirl15, @winryofresembool, @grackleking, @valenshawke, @floweryfandomnerd, @grumpycrumpet, @letthebookbegin, @because-im-freaking-greed, @teamalphonse if you guys want to do it. Yeah, I know I broke the rules ;;;

[icameheretowinry]

Music Tag! ♪♪♪ ヽ(ˇ∀ˇ )ゞ

Tagged by: @lonepiper5758. Thanks for thinking of me! ^^

Rules: Put your entire music library on shuffle and then post the first 10 songs and tag 10 people.

Mikrokosmos - BTS

Cool - Jonas Brothers

Take Her to the Moon - Moira dela Torre

Silhouette - Owl City

Watch - Billie Eilish 

Sunburn - Droeloe 

No Different - Epik High, Yuna

Countless - SHINee

In the Air - Arcades, Sarah Walk

Walking Up Slow (Piano Version) - Gabrielle Aplin

Tagging: @kittykatz009, @criis55, @silverfangirl15, @the-heart-alchemist, @dragonfire00002, @grackleking, @rouvaniemi, @drrockbell, @aryllahiruelric, @sofiakkuma if you guys want to do it! 

[icameheretowinry]

Tagged! :D

I got tagged by the lovely @aryllahiruelric​. Thanks a ton J! 

Nicknames: Nikki, Niks, Nik

Zodiac sign: Scorpio

Height: 5′7”

Hogwarts House: Ravenclaw

Last thing I googled: “Phuket Weekend Night Market” for a blog post I was working on

Favorite musicians: BTS, Day6, The Rose, SHINee, Monsta X, Loona, Sunmi, Bebe Rexha, Billie Eilish, Kodaline, Imagine Dragons, IU, Matchbox 20, OneRepublic and The Eagles

Song stuck in my head: Sunburn by DROELOE

Following now: 870

Followers: 2872

Do I get asks: Yeah, every so often. I am meaning to get to the writing ones. I promise!! 

What I’m wearing: Jeans and a graphic t-shirt (typical lol)

Dream job: Journalist, writer, novelist, artist, photographer (any will do)

Dream trip: Japan 

Favorite food: Dead tie between ramen and pizza

Languages: English and French

Favorite song(s): Countless by SHINee, Nap of a Star by TxT, and Silhouette by Owl City

Random fact: My patronus is a thestral 

Aesthetic: pastels, half-filled sketchbooks and notebooks, scented candles, graphic tees, kpop, long car rides with the music blasting, bad puns, late nights, red wine, mountains and deep forests, polaroid cameras, thunderstorms in the fall, conversations about music, lots of silence  

Tagging: @the-heart-alchemist, @criis55, @drrockbell, @canadiangold, @grackleking, @silverfangirl15, @rouvaniemi, @dragonfire00002 if you guys want to do it! 

[icameheretowinry]

List 10 songs you can’t stop listening to and tag 10 people!

Tagged by: @indiigoimeda. Thanks Ade!! 

Prepare yourself. Who’s coherent music taste? I don’t know her. (This is in no particular order.) 

Rodeo by Monsta X

DDU-DU DDU-DU by BLACKPINK

Insomnia by The Rose

WANT by TAEMIN

What It Is by Kodaline

Marathon by Day6

changes by XXXTENTACION

Bring Me The Night by Sam Tsui, Kinna Grannis

Sorry by Halsey

What’s Up Danger by Blackway, Black Caviar

Wow... There’s a lot of guilty pleasures in here ;;;;; And lots of kpop... What’s happening to me????

Tagging: @kittykatz009, @the-heart-alchemist, @emigmatic, @criis55, @edxwin-elric​, @grackleking, @castle-inthe-sky, @sofiakkuma, @silllybunny, @wrongnote

[icameheretowinry]

This or that!

Got tagged by @1stlieutenant-riza-hawkeye Thank you!! 

honey and lemon or milk and sugar

musicals or plays

lemonade or iced tea

strawberries or raspberries

winter or summer

beaches or forests

diners or cafés

unicorns or dragons

gemstones or crystals

hummingbirds or owls

fireworks or sparklers

brunch or happy hour

sweet or sour

Rome or Amsterdam

classic or modern art

sushi or ramen

sun or moon

polka dots or stripes

macaroons or croissants

glitter or matte

Degas or Seurat

aquariums or planetariums

road trip or camping trip

colouring books or watercolour

fairy lights or candles

I’ll tag @kittykatz009, @criis55, @the-heart-alchemist, @grackleking, @silverfangirl15, @bornadreamer, @aryllahiruelric if y’all want to do it! 

[toxixpumpkin]

Ya see the thing about this morning that fuckin kills me is that it was over SPLATFEST a fuckin videogame

Like someone (x-manticore-x) sat down looked at that post and decided “This warrants calling someone a sour cunt”

Someone (acelstialboy) looked at the post and was like “Hmmmmm.... yeah this warrants calling someone a bitter asshole”

Someone (grackleking) looked at that fuckin stupid ass post and said “This is enough for me to add my useless two cents and call someone a jerk”

Like there are so many ways it could have been handled. They all could have been like “Hey dude this is in bad taste cause some players are actually upset about the turn of events” or “If this is a joke you should word it a bit better cause someone might take it seriously”

That would be fine!!! That’s okay to say!! I would have edited the post! I’m cool with that!

If I was sitting here being a racist, homophobic, bigot then yeah!!! Come at me hard!! I’m being a shit head! I’m contributing to things that actually HARM people!!

But no someone legit sat down and called me a cunt over Splatoon because I was joking that some people are bitter that the same thing that always happens when you join the more popular side happened. As if this was ever a surprise to anyone.