GuestLog in

The Level of Difficulty Is Excellent, Not So Hard, Not So Easy, The Music Selection Dramatize correctly each level, Also the availability of hearts makes them useful, not as in the original title.

This is incredibly impressive. Though it's not a long playthrough, it's jam-packed full of well-designed new content. The new graphics are high quality, the music remixes and new tracks are perfect for their respective environments, and the new Holy Relic items are a blast to use. The level design is well-crafted too, forcing players to do a little more than just move left-to-right. I can absolutely recommend this phenomenal fan-work to anyone who's played a Classicvania game before.

PS - Players should use the Improved Controls hack with this title as well. It makes everything smoother.

This hack is simply incredible; I have no idea how the team behind it was able to do some of things in here, but it makes for an amazing experience. Rather than having a completely linear game like the original, this game allows you to select between several levels and earn/select relics (usable items) to take with you. There is a ton of very professional sprite work and passion that went into keeping a classic but updated Castlevania feel to the levels, and in particular, the bosses shine in that regard. In all honestly, the bosses here make the bosses from the original game seem basic in comparison. The only complaints I can think to make about this hack is that some of the relics seem much better than the others and it may have been a nice touch to list out what the effect of the relics were when you acquire them.

I didn't expect this. I thought we just changed the levels a little, but I was wrong. We changed the music (it's new), all the levels (are passed in a different way), introduced "Helper Artifacts" into the game, as well as a lot of new features, a few new enemies, but what is clearly visible: "The non-linearity of the game". You are free to start from what stage.

Each stage is each "its own test". Either you will conquer this game, or it will conquer you. The difficulty is fair and fair. Plus, the final stage is kept secret until you pass the rest. Thus, there is even more motivation to go through it to the end.

If you win, you will have an artifact with a surprise. Each artifact has its own pros, you and cons. Use it wisely.

Is it different from the original? Completely! Recommend it to others? Yes

Personally, the jump-for-your-life old school gameplay of ye olde Castelvania hasn't aged well. Once I applied a version of Improved Controls that works with this hack I was able to play this and wow. It's an elaborate hack. It's like a whole new game and it's fun. And I love how it uses music from other Castlevania games. A lot of secrets to find as well. This has got to be one of the best Castlevania hacks out there.

I did notice a couple of oddities. Item drops from candles and such seem to always be random with a few exceptions, which is cool, but once it happened when I killed one of those moving dragon bones attached to a wall enemies, it dropped a bunch of keys. Not a huge deal but the random item drops code could use some polishing.

Congrats.

This isn't just a hack of the original Castlevania. It's a whole new game entirely! Instead of adopting the same mechanics of the original game with a new coat of paint, The Holy Relics adopts some improvements that makes it transcend the original game.

Instead of simply advancing from one part of the a stage to another, the player is required to find a key to advance forward. In many ways this reminds me of the MSX Vampire Killer version except in this case it's not as convoluted.

The best part of the game is taking all the treasures from the first Castlevania game, and actually making them enhancements instead of simple point awards. It gives off a Megaman vibe in the world of Castlevania.

The game is challenging enough to test the best Castlevania players, but this is really made for casual gamers which makes sense because games should be for everyone. I'm so glad this isn't an ultra hard versions of the first game. It treats itself like a viable sequel that could have come out back in the day.

I have fond nostalgic memories of Castlevania II: Simon's Quest, but I would have much preferred this as the sequel to the original game. Definitely check this game out if you're a fan of the original series.

Good god, where do I begin? Just one look at the title screen will tell you there was a lot has went into this game. Stage select was something I always liked about Belmont's revenge and I'm glad it came back as a feature here. The graphics in this game are a great improvement over the original, and give the game some much needed polish. The music is also great, with some new tracks and returning old tracks. As for the gameplay, it has been improved just like everything else in this hack. The level design feels new and fresh, and doesn't match the room layout of the original like many other Castlevania hacks. The need to find keys to unlock the door at the end of each section gives the player incentive to explore and find secrets. The relics are also a great addition. Each one does something different and can help you out when you're in a pinch. The bosses in this game are new as well, with them being different from the original bosses. Along with that, a few new stage enemies make appearances as well. Each level is satisfying to complete and feels rewarding when you do. If I were to rate this games difficulty, I'd say it's on par with, or a bit easier than the original Castlevania. My only real gripe with this game is that it doesn't work with the improved controls mod. To conclude, this is a hack well worth trying out, and any Castlevania fan who doesn't is missing out on an amazing game.

Though I've never played Vampire Killer, I understand that this is what it is like. Instead of just making your way from door to door, you have to smack candles until you find the key that will open said door. This works surprisingly well with Castlevania's mechanics, and makes levels engaging in a different way from the original. Instead of just brutalizing you, the game makes you manage exploration with staying alive. Additionally, you have the relics, which you can acquire in any order, though their usefulness varies a great deal. You start out with the cross, which kills everything on the screen, and once you get the crown, there's little reason to use anything else, since it allows you to kill most bosses in 3 hits, and lasts long enough that you'll probably only have to use it once; grab yourself a throwing axe, get the triple multiplier, and BAM! Victory. On the other side of the coin, there's an item that just increases the amount of points that you score. Either way, it's exciting to tackle new stages and find out what your new prize can do!

The graphics are very good; much of the graphical overhaul is lifted from other Castlevania games, but you'll find a decent amount of original artwork, as well. Despite this mix, the visuals are a surprisingly cohesive package. Palettes are simultaneously dark and colorful, creating a lovely, bold aesthetic. The actual stages' identities are various, but fit within the Castlevania universe, and show a deep love for the series; it fleshes out the world in a way that most canonical games in the series do not. The music is not all new to the series, but all of it is new to the original Castlevania.

The first Castlevania game is an interesting specimen in the romhacking community, as it serves as a base for a large number of hacks that range from simple texture changes to entire level redesigns. The Holy Relics stands on the far end of the latter, to the extent that it can easily stands on its own as an entirely new game in the Castlevania series.

The hack is an entire redesign of the base game with six new levels, each of which is based on a particular locale, such as a graveyard, woods, or a castle. You can choose the order in which the first five levels are traversed, which then paves the way to the last level. Our hero starts with one relic, which is the familiar screen-wiping Cross, but new relics are acquired as each boss is defeated. It's a great way to experience as much of the new content from the get-go, as opposed to the linear path of the base game, and it's a good way for players to focus their efforts on the harder sections without having to ramp back up to them.

The levels themselves are beautifully crafted, with gorgeous textures and color choices, and the Denis Woods are a great example of Optomon's attention to visual direction. The first section starts with the last afternoon light of day but upon entering that first door, our hero finds himself in the dark of night. Yet even so, sprites pop against the darker tones, and stairs and ledges are markedly clear. The two new musical tracks are a treat as well, and they fit surprisingly well with the rest of the soundtrack.

The levels are also cleverly designed, with many sections requiring the player to search high and low for keys to unlock doors in order to progress. Many items are strategically placed in obstacle-filled areas or pathways where it would seem intuitive for a reward to be, and certain candles are colored blue to signify importance. Monsters are also cleverly placed and are spaced properly as to not overwhelm the player. Overall, it's a challenging experience but it comes with the sense that each section is doable with a bit of practice.

As for the relics, they provide an additional layer of strategy to the game, though thankfully none of the levels are really built around the need for any particular one. Bonus points for being able to use them on command, which is great when recalling how the base game would give you the Cross at times when it's not really needed.

Overall, this is a fantastic hack that transforms the base game into its own standalone title, one that stands out among the plethora of fan hacks out there. Heck, it easily stands alongside the original three games as a sequel/side story. This is a must-try for anyone looking for a new Castlevania experience on the NES.

This is an outstanding hack! I truly recommend it, and what's even better is that's it's possible to patch this with "Castlevania - Vertical Knockback" AND "Castlevania: Improved Controls" to get the ultimate Castlevania experience!

I have only one word for this hack ... WOW!I will not dwell on graphics in general because words can not be expressed so much beauty, but the best thing is having to go around looking for keys to open the doors (small clue: they are in blue candles). I also appreciate the relics that give a not indifferent help (except against the bosses, there you only need luck). I do not have much else to say, except that the treasures are totally useless (collect them is useless). What are you still doing here? Hurry up and download it!!

I appreciate the time Optomon put into this hack. Overall, it's a fun but short-lived experience.

Pros: There is at least one original tune (Denis Woods) and classic Castlevania music throughout. Enemy graphics are nicely done and well implemented, and that includes all-new boss characters. Most of the stages look great, especially the final stage.

Cons: The first stage most players will try, Denis Woods, is rough on the eyes courtesy of some jarring background colors (thankfully, this is the only stage with this issue). The crown item is overpowered, making most bosses a piece of cake. The game itself is very short and the novelty of backtracking through stages to reach the access doors can get old.

Overall, this is a fun but very short game and a nice take on the original Castlevania. It's quite a bit easier than the original but more difficult than CV II. The ending is particularly well-done. It would have been nice to have a map / transitional stage graphics, but I'm sure that would have been some work. Worth a look for CV fans who want a quick, almost-arcade style experience.

On the end of 2007, Optomon released his first completed Castlevania hack: Chorus of Mysteries.

CoM managed to bring a fresh take on Castlevania with a new story and new levels to increase it's value. Put on some solid music and a fresh graphical style and you have a good hack.

Fast forward 10 years, and we have The Holy Relics, which seems to be the Rockman 4 Minus Infinity of Castlevania.

First of all, the gameplay is drastically different than that of the original. This game features an innovative stage select that enables you to visit any stage in any order, bringing that of Lament of Innocence or Belmonts Revenge to mind.

Here many features of the MSX game make a cameo, including a nonlinear format (keys and doors!)

And of course, the relics themselves. Acting like a sort of passive Mega Man ability, each one is selectable before a stage starts and have varying effects for each one

Optomon's original music returns here, but the soundtrack is largely made up of remixes! See ya, Vampire Killer! Hello Bloody Tears! All of these gorgeous arrangements are made on the original sound engine, which is a testament to how solid the original one is.

Oh, and forgive me for not discussing the art. The art here probably isn't what your used to, its more of a glowy pastel take on the traditional Castlevania style. But it works well with the game's aesthetic.

All in all, Optomon has created a tribute to Castlevania games of old and new, and will definitely keep you coming back for more long after you complete it.

This is the best Castlevania hack I've seen here to date. It adds new things to the game, it has new bosses and enemies, it still "feels" like Castlevania, the stage select is meaningful since it affects what relics you'll have, the relic abilities are generally pretty good, there's treasures to find, and just generally it's terrific. I won't say it's perfect, but what does perfect even mean, anyway? What it is, is great.

Played this when it was first posted and now finally making a review.

Definitely a nice spin to how this is paved out for Castlevania. I recognized a lot of the artwork in it as they weren't wasted from other cancelled hacks so that's a definite plus there. The relics are a nice touch to the game as they are like actual item crashes in which you have to use the select button for. Something I might utilize for one of my projects as that solves of how I'll use the select button.

I definitely say yes to trying this. It kicked my tail a few times but once I got used to the enemies' placements I played it again. Something I don't normally do with Castlevania 1 hacks since most of them are almost the same with no originality. My brutal honesty for the day.

Definitely get your friends together and play this. Its just as good as the original.

Again and as always the heart or engine of Castlevania hacks. Is perfect and as my before speakers said, a complete and new Castlevania. 5 + 1 stages, awesome soundtrack and beautiful graphics/sprites. Most important, the high replay value is set :) What are you waiting for, download and play !!!!!

I recommend this patch to every Castlevania fan out there. Try it yourself what are you waiting for?

There is a new Castlevania game ahead of you with 5 selectable stages form the get go and one final stage. Every stage unlocks a relic with special power that can be used to fight the daemons. There are no leftovers of CV1. All levels feel fresh with new music, graphics, sprites and items. Like the key you have to find to progress. There is so much to find and explore and the game keeps the Castlevania spirit at its best.

Optomon has done it again with Castlevania – The Holy Relics. The Holy Relics takes advantage of the unused items from the original Castlevania, and gives it the feel of the Castlevania II, with, believe it or not, the environment of the MSX Vampire Killer. The game comes with all new enemies as well as new bosses with custom programing. Most the music is remakes of the previous songs. There are a couple of new tunes that were created by Optomon himself and they are always pretty awesome. The difficulty of the game starts off fairly easy, as I was able to get through The Woods with ease. Once you hit, The River, literally all hell breaks loose. What I like is that in the later stages, the game makes the player think instead of just going from left to right. It does play with your instinct tricking you into taking the wrong path, with what appears to be humorous, as the key you are searching for appears on the opposite path you have taken. The ending is quite something, as the completely custom feel leaves you with the mystery, whether collecting all the hidden treasure chests might affect a better ending or not. This certainly gives the game replay value. Overall, the game is pretty good and definitely has the Optomon feel to it. I would recommend this game to anyone who has played Castlevania and is looking for a more MSX Vampire Killer / Simon's Quest feel.