PS2 Castlevania and the resurgence of 2D?

When Capcom has decided to take a break from 2D fighting, and when SNK has closed its doors, I had almost decided that new 2D gaming (portables excluded) was all but dead. Now I learn of this new Castlevana game for the PS2 of all systems, which will be 2D.

I find this news very surprising, and a very bold move for Konami. I had believed that Symphony of the Night was the very last of its kind, and even then the game was a bold statement simply by the virtue of being 2D while the 3D bandwagon-jumping was in its prime. Playing the masterpiece that SotN is was almost painful, because it was almost blatantly obvious that there would never be another game like it.

If this game comes even close to the quality of SotN, which, judging by Circle of the Moon, is entirely possible, and it sells well, other companies may follow suit. This may in turn produce a resurgence of the 2D gaming, complete with the timeless gameplay that we have all come to adore. Perhaps gameplay will even finally reclaim its rightful position as the center of gaming, instead of staying in the backseat behind graphics as has generally been the case in recent years.

I can hope. What do the rest of you think?

Its obvious that Konami has learned from its 3D mistakes of castlevania on the N64!! If new PS2 Version of Castlevania is anything like Nocturne in the Moonlight (one of the best PSX games ever IMO) then we know we have a winner on our hands!! Maybe i should get a PS2 after all.........

Castlevania has been, is, and will always be pure 2D heaven...
Glad to hear these news from Konami! <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">
After GT3 and MGS2 another good reason to pick up a PS2...

I tell ya, I'm considering the PS2 as a future system after hearing these rumors. My PS1 has trouble reading the games, and lately I'd been considering buying another to replace it. If there's a 2D Castlevania on PS2 with sprite-based graphics, I'll definitely support it; and it will read my PS1 games too! 2 birds with one stone! <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

The only part I disagreed with was your assessment of gameplay receving priority over graphics as a result of moving from 3D to 2D. It just seemed like you implying the graphics would receive a "downgrade" of sorts to make up for an "upgrade" in gameplay, and it's with the graphics that I'd take exception. 2D graphics (and more specifically, sprite-based graphics) haven't even begun to scratch the surface of their potential yet IMO. The only hindrance to sprites is the time it takes to program them, since you aren't working with 3D axis' and wireframes. I honestly believe sprites have more potential than polygons (esp. in terms of detail), but whether that potential is ever explored remains to be seen. I'd wager that most developers wouldn't bother spending so much time and money on something as time-consuming as a complete 3D world in sprites. Hopefully, a "resurgence" of sorts to 2D may give us insight on the progression of sprite-based graphics.

Needless to say, I'm very, VERY excited about this news. Castlevania: SotN is likely the best game I've ever played, in countless areas. Another game with a fraction of those qualities would be a miracle...

Originally posted by Heed:
<STRONG>The only part I disagreed with was your assessment of gameplay receving priority over graphics as a result of moving from 3D to 2D. It just seemed like you implying the graphics would receive a "downgrade" of sorts to make up for an "upgrade" in gameplay, and it's with the graphics that I'd take exception. 2D graphics (and more specifically, sprite-based graphics) haven't even begun to scratch the surface of their potential yet IMO. The only hindrance to sprites is the time it takes to program them, since you aren't working with 3D axis' and wireframes. I honestly believe sprites have more potential than polygons (esp. in terms of detail), but whether that potential is ever explored remains to be seen. I'd wager that most developers wouldn't bother spending so much time and money on something as time-consuming as a complete 3D world in sprites. Hopefully, a "resurgence" of sorts to 2D may give us insight on the progression of sprite-based graphics.

</STRONG>

Click to expand...

I didn't mean to say that returning to 2D would be a graphic downgrade. If I came off that way it's because I realize that the general gaming population seemes to believe that 3D graphics are superior to 2D. Like you, I am much more impressed by hand-drawn sprites than 3-D models, although I would agree that both now have a place in gaming today.

Oh; OK, no problem. I see where you're coming from.

I admit that polygons have several advantages over sprites; most notably time-constraint and ease of programming. But once, just once, I want to see a fully 3D world in the incomparable detail sprites provide...then I'll be in heaven <IMG SRC="smilies/drool2.gif" border="0">

But even if that happened, NextGen would still give a polygon-filled game the cover story. <IMG SRC="smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0">

I certainly cannot wait for this one, just hope Alucard returns!