After having left many of its key franchises dormant for nearly a decade, Konami has recently acknowledged the desire from fans to see a new title in theCastlevaniaseries. Sources have even pointed to the possibility of the publisher unveiling a new title at this year’s E3. With the last main title in the series being 2014’sLords of Shadow 2, which took more cues fromGod of WarthanSymphony of the Night, one wonders whether this new title will be a 2D Metroidvania or a 3D action game. If the recentReturn to CastlevaniaDLC forDead Cellsproved anything, it’s that there is still plenty of viability for a new 2DCastlevaniatitle.
The 2D entries in theCastlevaniafranchise, along with the 2D entries in Nintendo’sMetroidfranchise, are each one of the “Metroidvania” portmanteau. It is the Metroidvania titles in theCastlevaniaseries that are held in highest regard by fans – fromSymphony of the Nighton PS1 through the GBA and DS titles. If Konami is indeed going to unveil anewCastlevaniagame in 2023, there is one developer who would be perfect to develop a new 2D entry in the series that adheres to this formula, as it has already proven that it can create compelling 2D adventures in theMetroidfranchise. That developer is MercurySteam.
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MercurySteam Helped Konami Relaunch Castlevania Once Before
In addition to helping Nintendo bringMetroidback into the gaming zeitgeist withSamus ReturnsandMetroid Dread, MercurySteam helped Konami relaunch theCastlevaniafranchise back in 2010 withCastlevania: Lords of Shadow.That title and its direct sequel were both 3D character action gamesakin toDevil May CryorGod of War, but MercurySteam also developed the 3DSLords of ShadowMetroidvania-lite spinoffCastlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate.Mirror of Fateutilized 3D characters and environment assets on a 2D plane, with players acquiring gradual upgrades to traverse more of the interconnected castle map and discover previously inaccessible secrets – trademarks of the series' 2D past.
TheLords of Shadowtitles all vary in terms of quality and reception, but in the years since MercurySteam partnered with Konami, it has been hard at work honing its craft at creating compelling Metroidvania titles inCastlevania’s sister franchise. Given the chance, it is entirely possible that MercurySteam could develop another 2DCastlevaniatitle that more strictly adheres to the Metroidvania formula and includes fan favorite characters such asAlucard and Richter Belmont. Both of them feature in theDead CellsDLC and could easily appear in a direct sequel to 1997’sSymphony of the Night.
Bringing Metroid Its Greatest Commercial Success
After a trilogy of excellent first-personMetroid Primetitles and the imperfectMetroid: Other M, fans were ready for the series to return to its 2D roots. 15 years after the release ofMetroid Fusionon Game Boy Advance, MercurySteam was the team that brought this desire to fruition with the release ofMetroid: Samus Returns, a full remake ofMetroid 2: Return of Samuson Game Boy. After the critical and commercial success of that release, Nintendo revived theMetroid Dreadproject that had been languishing in development hell, hiring MercurySteam to develop after its excellent showing onSamus Returns.
Continuing to flex its skill at craftingMetroidtitles, MercurySteam helped launchMetroid Dreadin November 2021, and it quickly went on to become thebest-sellingMetroidgamein the entire history of the franchise. The runaway success ofMetroid Dreadestablished two things that a AAA 2D Metroidvania is something fans want, and that MercurySteam understands what makes a goodMetroidgame work. With both theMetroidandCastlevaniafranchises existing as two sides of the same Metroidvania coin, it follows that a new 2DCastlevaniatitle developed by MercurySteam could replicate the success Nintendo had withMetroid Dread. Here’s hoping that Konami doesn’t leave money on the table.
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