Succubus Hunter is a well-executed simple game, but it's also drawn back by exactly just that: simple. With improvements from previous entries of the series as well as emulating the classic Gameboy vibes really well, it ultimately has to stay in slightly lower ratings due to its own predetermined goal that is has achieved.
Pros:
Artstyle: I won't diss on Gameboy artstyles after its time because, well, it's obviously meant to emulate the classic style, so I can't say it looks bad. With that being said, Libra Heart 100% nailed its charm very well while managing to add in their own style.
Sounds: classic styled as well, and it's pretty good. Good SFX, good music, all around very well.
Story: much darker toned than what I've seen so far with this series as well as H-game (that aren't outright brutal ryonas) in general. I really enjoy this aspect of the game and makes me all the more motivated. I like the good Succubus subplot as well and overall just seeing these dark backstories really makes the world more lively (in the not very sunshine and rainbow way), even in this Gameboy 4 color aesthetic.
Gameplay: simple but fun. Arrows for movement, one button for attacking, one for jumping and up + attack = throwables. There are 3 types of throwables that you can pick up in the levels and you spend coins to use them. Straightforward, yet the ways each enemies and levels work really makes the most out of this simple gameplay design. It's very fun navigating around the place and beating up everything in your way. And the bosses are surprisingly fun. A bit annoying at times but that's just a skill issue on me, except if they're RNG-dependent. Also, you don't jump backwards after getting hit anymore so yay, big plus on not including that.
Spoilers: beating the game grants you the ending and a NG+ which I have some compliments.
Sometimes frustrating gameplay: while I like the aesthetic the game goes for, there's a few drawbacks that inheritly was included in the game. Stairs? There's a reason why they weren't as restrictive as they were in some old Castlevania games because this SUCKS. Super slow tile based stairs with no cancels and inability to jump out of it for flexible movements, these drags the game's pace down by a ton and I hate it. While it was there to achieve that classic feel, it's undeniable that it is bad game design in the first place and I unfortunately have to deduct points for its inclusion. Also, in some levels, enemies can be very overwhelming and crowd control in this game is... subpar to say the least. There's also the armored knights who throw axes at you. The axe's hitbox lingers even after you destroyed it, making is super frustrating to deal with. And those flying ghost thingies with their annoying pathfinding gets on my nerves.
H-content: at the end of the day, they're just CGs. No animations too, not even crumbs like the last game. While they provide great stories, I don't think you'll easily bust a nut over this. But hey, if you did, to each their own but it's still not a lot of content for your desires. And there's no H-game mechanics too so it's just a Castlevania game that's vaguely including some porn in it, nothing much.
Conclusion: at its core, it's too simple of a game. After all, it's meant to be a bonus, but that still won't make it receive less criticism from someone. I can't say I was asking for much, but it definitely did do better than my original expectations. Is it enough for a 9? No, it is held back by being annoying at many times, but the NG+, the well-made bosses and platforming at times and the story makes for a very competent game. 8.75/10, recommend playing, just... hopefully you can handle the stairs.
If you, like me, love Castlevania for the NES (Not the series, I mean literally just the first game in the series) then you will appreciate this game as much as I do.
Toward the end of level 1 I was starting to get disappointed by the lack of wall chicken, but I wouldn't have given this game a 5 if I didn't find some tasty wall treats.
My biggest complaint is that I hit esc at some point trying to pause the game and it instead exited the game entirely.
edit: I posted a list of passwords on page 2 of the thread
Just came back from Midnight Castle Succubus. And i gotta say this was quite underwhelming compare to MCS. But i won't get too critical here because this is probably their first game and they are obviously trying to mimic these old school hardcore castlevanias. Something happened when I played Succubus Hunter though. I wanted to pause at half of level 2 but i couldn't find how... So i pressed 'R' i think and it took me back to the title screen. I selected continue and then they ask me for a password... They didn't give me one at the end of level one. So i think i'll pass on this game. However, i do find the porn content was a bit more exciting than MCS
The game is good, it has 2 campaigns, one with each girl, changing the roles of them. Gameplay is cool, a little old castlevania but not as hard as the old ones, scenes are nice as well, they just lack some animation and more descriptive texts. And the graphics, even if there are people who call these classic, there is a reason they aren't used anymore, they are weak, like watching in Black and White TV.
