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CommunityInterview: IGA-san Talks Castlevania Judgment on Nintendo Wii
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Konami's Koji Igarashi is taking a risk by moving the Castlevania franchise into the world of fighting, especially considering the series' deep roots in the platform-adventure genre. However, but the question is whether or not this is a cleverly calculated venture. Will IGA-san be able to tap into an audience the series has yet to reach before, and will loyal fans follow as well? Cubed3.com caught up with the man himself to discuss details of Castlevania Judgment on Wii, as well as if it has more of a future on Wii and even DS.
Cubed³'s Adam Riley: After only ever making platform adventures, what was your inspiration for now creating a game in the fighting genre, especially on Wii rather than 360/PS3?
Koji Igarashi: Since the release of Wii, I've been getting requests from many people that they would love to use the Wii controller as a whip. So I considered how I could do this. To make an adventure game on the Wii using the Wii Remote as a whip would be very difficult because the player's arm will get tired and it will be hard for them to continue enjoying the game.
Based on the request, though, I knew that people would want to swing the Wii Remote like a whip and battle. So we came up with the idea of using short gameplay sessions and decided to make a 3D versus action genre game.
AR: When did development start, and what are some of the toughest challenges you have faced so far (for example, did the Wii controls prove to be problematic)?
KI: We came up with the concept in May and started the development around August.
The toughest challenge was recreating the feel of swinging a whip and creating a camera which can perfectly display both players while they are running around in the 3D space and preparing for the attacks.
As for the feel of swinging a whip, we decided to use the light quick swing style considering the response issues etc. But of course, you can swing big, too. Please swing however you like!
AR: How did you decide which characters from the Castlevania world would be included in the roster? And will there be any special surprise 'hidden' characters, possibly even from other Konami franchises?
KI: This time, I selected only characters only the Castlevania series. I believe all characters have been announced already. You might be surprised to see some of the characters that were announced.
First, I just picked the characters I personally like and then I realised that all of them use whips?I didn't want this to be just a WHIP battle game! (*smiles*) When I realised what I had done, I had to laugh at myself.
So considering both the existing fans and people who are playing a Castlevania game for the first time, I re-selected the characters based on their weapons, presence and attributes. For example, Simon and Trevor use whips, Eric uses a spear and Alucard uses a sword.
In terms of presence, I wanted to include big, powerful characters in this game. But because the human characters cannot be that big, I decided to pick some characters from the Golem category like Franken in the 1st game. I believe many people did not expect to see Cornell. I really wanted to include a beast man type character, so I picked him.
AR: Can you please explain what modes are on offer? What aspects of the game do you think will keep players coming back for more?
KI: For the modes, there is the following:
Story Mode will end when players clear with all characters. But all other modes have different elements that make players keep playing. For example, in Arcade Mode, players can try "Time Attack." In Castle Mode players will be able to get accessories for their characters and Survival Mode has 100 stages. Players have to have pretty good techniques to survive in this mode without making mistakes.
There are many other elements that make players keep playing!
AR: Judgment makes use of both the Wi-Fi Connection and DS Link-Up. Can you please discuss these elements?
Wi-Fi Connection allows players to battle with friends who live far away. I tried it during a bug check. I was able to have pretty good battles using this feature. For DS Link-Up, players can link this with the DS version of the game, "Order of Ecclesia," and unlock hidden elements.
For example, players won't be able to play the main character of the DS version, Shanoa, at the beginning of the Wii game. But they can unlock the character by using DS Link-Up. Also, they will be able to unlock another character and use the character in battles. I can't say which, but there are other ones, too. Please use this feature and find out yourself.
Oh, I forgot to mention, if you use this feature, you can unlock some of the Order of Ecclesia level caps and items which you usually cannot get until you clear the game in the "hard" difficulty. I think these are good bonuses!
AR: If Castlevania Judgment proves to be highly successful, is it likely a Wii sequel will be made? And would you consider making a version for DS in the future considering the strong fan-base already on that system?
KI: If this proves to be highly successful, a sequel is highly possible. It'll be a shame to quit after just one try? A DS version might be possible, too.
But first, this title must succeed, so I hope you will support this one?
AR: Considering this change in genre, is there room for Castlevania to also move into other styles of game? A Castlevania RPG would be an ideal candidate due to the amount of material to draw from. What are your thoughts on such an idea?
KI: This game is a different style of game. But I created this game as an action genre game. I think RPG would be interesting, but for now, I would like to stick to "Action = Castlevania."
I am not sure about the future, though?
AR: A lot of readers are very passionate about the 2D Castlevania games, so we have to ask this question: Considering 'Wario Land: The Shake Dimension' has been so popular, will you ever consider a 2D Castlevania either for Wii or WiiWare?
KI: I am very interested in the option. I truly hope that the 2D market will be revitalised. I need your support to do that. Let's make the 2D market (world) more exciting!!
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Zapp
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aka N_M! {- User No: 2107 ~ Join Date: 03.12.2004 22:41 -}
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L100 C3 Master
I've only played 1 game on the Castlevania series on the SNES, Castlevania 4 I think it was called... anyway that game was awsome... but this one doesn't look like it! 
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Sheena
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Don't think I'm doing what I'm doing
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L57 Resetti
This might be interesting. Fighting games are fun! And Castlevania is a great series.
Will try NOT to keep hopes up incase of me, as usual, being disappointed... try is the key-word, tryyyy.
That girl's clothes are a bit out of place in the whole dark and goth-looking style though...I like her!
I'm da Evil Kitten, rawr and meow PEW PEW SCRATCH Mih mih!
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Will try NOT to keep hopes up incase of me, as usual, being disappointed... try is the key-word, tryyyy.
That girl's clothes are a bit out of place in the whole dark and goth-looking style though...I like her!
I'm da Evil Kitten, rawr and meow PEW PEW SCRATCH Mih mih!
Brawl code: 3781-0908-1473
meowthemouse
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M30W
70
L8 Lakitu
gives 10/10 for music ! <3
the biggest problem with this is that the castleviania fans =/= fighting game fans!
and its rare to find some one who loves both e.g me !
@sheena u talking about maria ? to me she seems the most interesting character ! the characters of the game seem to be VERY unique !
the biggest problem with this is that the castleviania fans =/= fighting game fans!
and its rare to find some one who loves both e.g me !
@sheena u talking about maria ? to me she seems the most interesting character ! the characters of the game seem to be VERY unique !
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J Tangle
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Tangle Master of the PSI Arts
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L48 Marle
I was a little turned off by this being a fighting game, but now that I know more details about the game modes I'm a bit interested
.
Yeah that's what I want to know also. I'm hoping for something similar to Power Stone 2's adventure mode, but on a larger scale. I want more info on the DS unlockables to, since I don't own one yet. It does sound like he made them unlockable without a DS though
.( Edited 11.11.2008 02:20 by J Tangle )
.EdEN said:
Ok, what exactly and how big is Castle Mode?
Ok, what exactly and how big is Castle Mode?
Yeah that's what I want to know also. I'm hoping for something similar to Power Stone 2's adventure mode, but on a larger scale. I want more info on the DS unlockables to, since I don't own one yet. It does sound like he made them unlockable without a DS though
.( Edited 11.11.2008 02:20 by J Tangle )Currently Playing: Super Smash Bros. Brawl
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jesusraz
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11083
News Editor
I'm quite intrigued by this, especially the story aspect.
I really hope IGA-san goes ahead with the idea of a 2D Castlevania for Wii as well!
Cubed³ Senior Editor :: Lead Writer :: News & Interviews Editor
I really hope IGA-san goes ahead with the idea of a 2D Castlevania for Wii as well!
Cubed³ Senior Editor :: Lead Writer :: News & Interviews Editor
MathU
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L10 Bombomb
For god sakes Konami, fire that arrogant clown Igarashi already and rescue Castlevania.
Of course, that's just an opinion.
Faust D. Stroyer
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I don't play silly games, I destroy!
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L91 Wario
MathU said:
For god sakes Konami, fire that arrogant clown Igarashi already and rescue Castlevania.
For god sakes Konami, fire that arrogant clown Igarashi already and rescue Castlevania.
Uuhm, elaborate?
And I quite like this. I love Castlevania's usual games, but I'm a big fan of fighting games as well, so I really hope this turns out well^^
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!Ikana
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(^_^)
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L61 Tricky
Looks pretty cool. Unfortunately I've only finished the 2 DS games, so I don't know many of the characters in this. I generally enjoy the Castlevania series though and am trying to play more of them, so maybe once I've had more experience with the series, I'll buy this if it turns out to be good.
"I believe all characters have been announced already."
Which means if wikipedia is to be believed, there are only 14 characters and no Soma Cruz.
( Edited 13.11.2008 11:37 by Ikana )
Unfortunately I've only finished the 2 DS games, so I don't know many of the characters in this. I generally enjoy the Castlevania series though and am trying to play more of them, so maybe once I've had more experience with the series, I'll buy this if it turns out to be good. "I believe all characters have been announced already."
Which means if wikipedia is to be believed, there are only 14 characters and no Soma Cruz.
( Edited 13.11.2008 11:37 by Ikana )L
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Sakujo!
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L50 G&W
Soma Cruz is may favourite Castlevania character aswell. It sucks that he's not in the game.
It sucks that he's not in the game.
jesusraz
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11083News Editor
At least he's open to the idea of expanding this fighting genre trial. Hopefully the Castlevania faithful will get behind this project, thus encouraging the development of expanded versions in the future.
A traditional 2D Castlevania on WiiWare certainly wouldn't hurt either ;-
Cubed³ Senior Editor :: Lead Writer :: News & Interviews Editor
A traditional 2D Castlevania on WiiWare certainly wouldn't hurt either ;-
Cubed³ Senior Editor :: Lead Writer :: News & Interviews Editor
Super Sonic
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tomorrow never dies
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L23 Fire Leo
I cant wait for the next game in the series to come out. Is it me or does anyone think that the main character looks like Light from Death Note( Edited 25.11.2008 13:38 by Super Sonic )
( Edited 25.11.2008 13:38 by Super Sonic )