E3 Demo Feedback for the developer's team

I have moved the back and forth about the tutorial possibilities to croc's Game Suggestions tutorial thread. It was made to discuss these things, we shouldn't clutter up the process of the staff compounding feedback with a debate.

bloodstainedfanforums.com/thread/1179/tutorials-best

crocodile CastleDan jboogieg

Any member that wants to include this topic as part of their overall feedback can give their input on it, but otherwise if you have already expressed your opinion, discuss your preference further in the mentioned topic. Thanks guys!

So finished a second run through of demo and found that my big issue, like at least a few others here, was the difficulty. Though the big thing I would point to is that most the enemies moved extremely slowly, especially the boss. That boss should have moved at least double the speed it did in my opinion.

The e3 demo was fun. It currently shows that the development team appears to be moving in the right direction with Bloodstained.

-- The art style looks spot on. The boat feels like a dank place that should be avoided. Maybe below deck could benefit from being slightly darker. Not too much, just a little in the background.

-- The control felt a little weird at times, but mostly was solid. It just needs some tightening in spots, but is a great foundation. Mostly I found myself accidentally ducking or trying to slide instead of moving like I wanted. Admittedly that may just be my controller.

-- The music wasn't super special, but it was enjoyable. It felt like a good "Level 1" song for the beginning of a long journey. Maybe some more instrumentation would be nice if possible. I do want to stress though, that if the song is any indication, I think the music is going in the right direction for this game.

-- The various enemies were all interesting. They each had their own otherworldly dark charm. I look forward to seeing them fully implemented.

-- The interface looks like it is coming along nicely. The menu system is easy to navigate, and familiar. The map system is a little rough, but I'm not that worried. It did what it needed to do for the purposes of the e3 demonstration.

-- The length actually surprised me. I wasn't sure what to expect, but was pleased with how long it was.

-- I'm not bothered by the difficulty at this time. This was an e3 demo, so I'm not upset that it wasn't hard to get through. I'm sure in due time all the teeth, claws, axes, and other deadly abilities of the enemy horde will be sharp enough to give new adventures slight pause to just rushing in blindly.

Mehve so... yes they do attack, I was grabbed... but I think the mort should try to look at Miriam before it snatches her.

yeah it is inevitable... let's hope the artists wait till the game comes out at least.

Some stuff may have already been mentioned, but...

Difficulty seemed way to easy. I know SotN was also pretty easy, save for maybe a couple boss fights but any chance we can make this one a little more challenging? Also, I really found Miriam and the other sprites WAY TO BRIGHT compared to the backgrounds. Especially the color pattern of that final boss.

Otherwise, controls were great. Music sounds stellar. Backgrounds and map looks amazing. Menu system looks perfect.

Well, it's a decent idea, but I feel like it could better if you had to hold down a butten or trigger and then use the left stick to choose an item since I like using the left stick when playing casually and the D-pad for precise movement. Then holding down the butten or trigger and push down left or right stick to use the item. 

That's my suggestion to improve your idea. I would probably have replaced the D-pad if it wasn't the most responsive and accurate method to move around, so if they majorly improve the left stick movement then I would have no problem. I still like pausing to use your item so you can use them in a pinch without worry a lot better, since I think having items that can be used immediately will probably go the Dark Souls way of having an animation to go along with it, due too you not being in the menu. Which would make you defenseless for a short period of time and makes it possible for enemies to knock you out of healing yourself since the animation didn't complete.       

I completely agree with you on this.  I'd prefer if there is a hidden item to speed the character up a la Super Metroid rather than give away a speed run helper.  I wouldn't mind an item to allow you to do unlimited backdash.  It's more fun finding an upgrade rather handing it on silver platter.

Hello there, THANK YOU ... thank you all, thank you IGA, thanks all devs, thank you fans who made this possible (with my small contribution) etc etc... can't say how glad I am to see this game coming but I'm pretty sure you already share this excitment ... so I'll stop with the gratitude  here and go straight to the point. 

The demo was great, we can feel the gameplay his already set and what's needed now is just MORE CONTENT, MORE MORE MORE, A LOT, SECRETS ETC ETC.

Now I have two main complains.
The way the main character moves feels a bit slow in my opinion. 
I know classic castlevania games have had this reputation of being a bit sluggish and that Iga's previous games had their load of tricks to go around this with a lot of spells, transformations, etc... to move faster. I SEE THAT COMING HERE TOO, but please, spare us this running gag, I think it would be a nice move to make the game just a little bit faster and punchier.
I know it CAN be done, JUST DO IT, YOU DAMN VAMPIRES !!!

On a handheld console the action must feel clear and comfortable due to the small screen and controls and the bad conditions we can play the games in, here you've got a huge screen and a nice REAL controler, people will play at home in a comfy chair and be fully focused on the game, it's not the same experience, so just make it harder than on nintendo DS and GBA !
Most of us who backed the project are old 2D fans and we want some top notch 2D classic "arcade" action so don't hesitate to strengthen the rythm and ask from us more skills than patience.

My other complain is about the looks of the game. I'm pretty sure it'll evolve and I'm glad you made a demo this fast, so ... forgive me, if I sound ungrateful ... 
I think you should add details, lights and various effects (bump/normal mapping, etc...) to make the game more impressive on the graphic side.

The game is nice ... but feels a bit hmmm ... "made for psvita" ... it's ok, but sincerely, at first I was hoping for real 2D with the best cartoon graphics ever, then I admitted that 3D would be a nice option, especially since it allows cutscenes with great art direction (that's already visible in the demo) ... now ... hmmm something seems to be lacking ... don't know what exactly ... to say it in a basic way ... it's not nice enough (sorry).

Maybe we're too far from the action, maybe it still lacks details ... maybe it's something with the lights ... I don't know, my guess is that the best cure would be to use the lights A LOT MORE ... maybe even thinking about punishing the players for whipping too much candles since it could dim the light ingame for a change.
It's a bit of a stab to old castlevania fans who like to whip candles, but it would also be a funny joke if it's done properly.

The main character could also have a lantern or use candles etc... it would be great to see the night and the dark really used for once in a castlevania game. Last time I can remember was in castlevania 4 just after the fight with the grim reaper and before dracula with the corridor and the candles lighting on, thanks to ghostly powers ... it's one of the whole franchise's BEST spooky moments ... so ... man ... I can just beg for other light tricks like that here.
Hey, isn't castlevania connected to cinema, universal movies, hammer films, etc... use that heritage, it's light tricks, it's spookiness and foggy atmosphere, please ... bring us back the old Elizabethan clichés, we just LOVE IT.
Best regards ....... a VERY OLD CASTLEVANIA FAN.