The game consists of four stages, and unlike other Castlevania games, there are no sub-weapons, but hearts are used to restore health.[1] The player has three lives, after losing them the player must restart the level.[3] Weapons can be upgraded, such as the whip into the chain whip and flame whip, but any enemy damage will downgrade an upgraded weapon.[3] At the end of each level, there is a "primary evil" (boss) to confront. The four bosses are: A knight (who later appears as a normal enemy in stage four), a group of "Fleamen/Igors" from previous installments, a gargoyle, and Dracula, who turns into a bat when his humanoid form is defeated. [4] Players can utilize crystals, hearts, and crosses of gold.[4] There is a point counter, and at 10,000 points, a player receives an extra life, and receives one for every 20,000 points after that.[4] Each stage has a time limit in which to complete the level.[4]
Castlevania: The Adventure received mixed reviews. The game was regarded difficult at times, with long levels and only three lives before playing the second cycle. The graphics were thought to be "competent", the music well-composed with memorable tunes.[3]IGN said it had a basic design, none of the series' staple bosses, and nothing original.[1]Game Informer's Tim Turi felt that it was held back by its technical limitations but praised its sound quality.[6]
Time Extension placed The Adventure second last on its list of ranked Castlevania games. It was described that "The gameplay is sluggish, the level design uninspired and the controls painful. Only a decent soundtrack saves this one from the scrapheap."[7]
In June 2006, a ROM hack of the game was created. The hack, titled Quick Fix, resolved many issues and criticisms with the game; Christopher Belmont moves at a much more reasonable speed, the whip does not downgrade when Belmont gets hit (however it still downgrades when he dies), and Belmont's hitbox was also slightly improved to prevent instances where he seemingly lands on a platform, but then "slips" off. The creator states that it was "Made on behalf of those who have played [Castlevania] Adventure and hated it due to certain drawbacks" before going on to mention said drawbacks.[8][9]
In other media
A series of comic books were released in 2005 by IDW Publishing called Castlevania: The Belmont Legacy, which are based on the game.[10]
Notes
^Known in Japan as Dracula Densetsu (ドラキュラ伝説, Dorakyura Densetsu, Dracula Legend) Trademark of the game is Castlevania - The Adventure
