Castlevania is one of Konami's most iconic series. It's a fantastical epic that conjures up images of famous vampires, whip-wielding demon slayers and more than a fair share of horror and dark magic. One of the biggest surprises for fans is that the Castlevania television show continued to wow over its four seasons. The series delivered a gripping narrative, strong characters and fantastic writing along with some of the best dynamic animation on Netflix. However, after the recent and excellent series finale, many are wondering what could be next for Castlevania.
In the past few years, Konami has been decidedly absent from the world of big-budget releases, opting instead to leverage its many iconic series as pachinko gambling machines. However, the success of Netflix's excellent series gives Konami a great opportunity to create a Castlevania game that could in effect reboot the franchise based on the television show. A Castlevania game that borrows elements from the animation could reintroduce the series as a whole and create a new experience for fans that is both fresh and true to its roots.
One of the main ways that a new Castlevania could reinvent itself is by strengthening its long line of iconic characters. Castlevania has always full of visually striking figures that more often than not are shallow in their characterization. The Castlevania television show, being a purely narrative-driven endeavor, fixed this problem. It not only evolved classic characters, but gave them deep and meaningful arcs as well. The cast of the animated series is more fleshed out and fully realized than ever.
Characters like the human forgemasters Hector and Isaac, who are introduced as villains of the animated series, are given tragic and emotional arcs throughout the four seasons. Unlikely allies drawn together by their respective hatred for mankind, they helped Dracula in his quest to eradicate humanity, a fascinating choice for two human characters to make. Characters in the show are allowed room to breathe and grow, often maturing and evolving throughout the episodes.
Dracula himself, the ultimate villain of Castlevania, is presented as a tragic figure. He mourns the loss of the only person, his human wife, who he feels he could truly love. A Castlevania game that delivered its signature action gameplay, but with a decided focus on serious and emotional storytelling, could be a breath of fresh air for the series.
Furthermore, the animated show brings together three of the most popular Castlevania characters: Speaker magician Sypha Belnades, vampire hunter Trevor Belmont, and powerful Dhampir Alucard. Although each of these characters have appeared in various games, the animated show deftly weaves together their distinct personalities and evolves their group from unlikely allies to genuine comrades over its runtime. This setup could work wonders for a more character-focused, cooperative Castlevania game. Players could take on the roles of Trevor, Sypha and Alucard in their attempts to trap Dracula's teleporting castle and take him out, the main goal for all of the best Castlevania games.
A new video game should also capture the show's tone and atmosphere. Along with its fleshed-out characters, the world of Castlevania in the animated series is a dark and gritty setting that leans into its horror influences. The show brilliantly merges the more fantastical elements of the Castlevania lore with a Europe that is full of real characters and people desperately trying to survive in a harsh world. Castlevania games have always expertly mixed horror and action together, but a new game could take the series into a more realistic direction, featuring real stakes for the people who live in the cities and towns affected by night creatures and vampire overlords.
Whatever Konami decides to do with Castlevania in the future is, as of yet, unclear. However, now is the perfect time to bring back one of its most iconic and evergreen series in the wake of the excellent Castlevania television show finale. If Konami can use the animated series as a blueprint for a Castlevania reboot, it could truly revitalize the iconic franchise and triumphantly bring its world back to the medium that started it all.