History VideoGame / CastlevaniaIISimonsQuest

* GameMod: Like a lot of classic NES games, multiple hacks exist, such as one that replaces the townsfolk and enemies with characters from other games. One of the more notable mods, despite changing very little, is ''Simon's Redaction'', which replaces the cryptic dialogue with more helpful clues, speeds up the day/night transition, and even changes Dracula's face to look more like Dracula as we know him. Another mod completely retranslates the game accurately while also adding in a map, seamless transitions between day and night and a battery backup save.

* GameMod: Like a lot of classic NES games, multiple hacks exist, such as one that replaces the townsfolk and enemies with characters from other games. One of the more noteable mods, despite changing very little, is ''Simon's Redaction'', which replaces the cryptic dialog with more well-written dialog, speeds up the day/night transition, and even changes Dracula's face to look more like Dracula as we know him. Another mod completely retranslates the game accurately while also adding in a map, seamless transitions between day and night and a battery backup save.

* ContinuingIsPainful: Dying on your last life results in losing all your hearts, which can be painful if you were waiting for daytime for the stores to open. It also adds several hours to the in-game clock, making it that much harder to get one of the better endings. This bit from the [[WebVideo/TheAngryVideoGameNerd Angriest-Gamer-You've-Ever-Heard himself]] sums it best:
-->''Oh look! I finally got enough hearts to go and buy a plant that I need to cross the swamp. Now let me get to the store. *Transition between day and night occurs* Oh shit! It's fucking night time!! Now the stores are all closed, and I have to wait for it to turn day again! Oh well, I might as well kill some zombies in the meantime and stock up on some more hearts. *Dies on his last life* OH SHIT!! Now I have to start all over again!''

** WebVideo/TheAngryVideoGameNerd had a field day with this one as his first episode. Thanks to misleading dialogue, well-hidden clues, and some muddled translations, figuring out how to find the game's mansions is very difficult. The crowning example is accessing the section of the map where the final two mansions are, which requires you to equip the strongest crystal and kneel down in a dead end.

--->''This guy can go all over fighting hordes of evil monsters... but he can't even fucking swim!?''
--->-- '''The Angry Video Game Nerd'''

* {{Bowdlerise}}: Surprisingly, averted in the English version, where the opening text crawl reads "Step into the shadows of the hell house."

** The infamous line "DON'T LOOK INTO THE DEATH STAR" likely refers to ''Manga/FistOfTheNorthStar'', rather than the [[Franchise/StarWars more infamous battle station]]. In the manga, whenever someone sees the Shichosei (The Ominous Star of Death), that man will die soon.

* EarnYourBadEnding: The ending you get depends on how quickly you beat the game. Beating it within 8 days grants you the only ending where ''Dracula comes back to life''. The other endings leave Dracula dead. In a bizarre twist, the ending you get for taking the longest time is actually seems like the most uplifting one.

* PlotCoupon: This game introduced the concept of collecting body parts to reach the final Dracula fight, which was repeated in ''Symphony of the Night'' and ''Harmony of Dissonance''.

** Several of the location names. For example, Brahm's Mansion and Bodley Mansion are references to Creator/BramStoker and UsefulNotes/ElizabethBathory, respectively, and [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Storigoi]] Graveyard is supposed to be [[OurVampiresAreDifferent/Mythology Strigoi]] Graveyard.

** Several of the location names. For example, Brahm's Mansion and Bodley Mansion are references to Creator/BramStoker and UsefulNotes/ElizabethBáthory, respectively, and [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Storigoi]] Graveyard is supposed to be [[OurVampiresAreDifferent/Mythology Strigoi]] Graveyard.

* BlindIdiotTranslation: The Japanese game was already full of vague or straight-up lying [=NPC=]s -- the English translation added some more by accident. Thoroughly dissected [[http://bisqwit.iki.fi/cv2fin/diff here]].

* EarnYourBadEnding: The ending you get depends on how quickly you beat the game. Beating it within 8 days grants you the only ending where ''Dracula comes back to life''. The other endings have Dracula permanently dead. In a bizarre twist, the ending you get for taking the longest time is actually the most uplifting one.
* EarnYourHappyEnding: In the best ending, Simon is free from the curse and he can live the rest of his life until the next time Dracula rises. In the other endings, Simon succumbs to his wounds and dies as well.

** Related to this, but more of a GameMod, is ''Castlevania 2: Simon's Redaction'', as seen below.
* GameMod: Like a lot of classic NES games, multiple hacks exist, such as one that replaces the townsfolk and enemies with characters from other games. One of the more noteable mods, despite changing very little, is ''Castlevania 2: Simon's Redaction'', which replaces the cryptic dialog with more well-written and accurate dialog, speeds up the day/night transition, and even changes Dracula's face to look more like Dracula as we know him. Another mod completely retranslates the game while also adding in a map, seamless transitions between day and night and a battery backup save.

* TheHeroDies: [[spoiler:Implied in the worst ending, since Simon is not standing by Dracula's grave, though the text is cheerful. Outright stated in the moderate ending, though he is standing in front of the grave.]]

* MultipleEndings: [[InUniverseGameClock Take too long]] to kill Dracula, and it's DownerEnding time for you! Of course, once you know where time runs and where it doesn't, as well as where to get the items and which ones aren't needed (Don't bother with the Diamond), the bad ending is easily avoidable. The best ending requires you to beat the game in less than 8 day-night cycles, the bad ending in 8 to 15 cycles, and the worst ending in +15 cycles.

** The artwork of Dracula on the front cover of the game resembles the Clyde Caldwell cover of the original ''TabletopGame/{{Ravenloft}}'' module from [[Tabletopgame/DungeonsAndDragons AD&D]]. "Resembles" here means "identical except that Dracula/Strahd is looking at the viewer instead of directly forward, and Simon Belmont is superimposed on the foreground." This one does feel a bit ''beyond'' "shout out" and it's a little incredible to some today that the otherwise litigation-happy Creator/{{TSR}} didn't take Konami to court over it.

* {{Trailers}}: You can take your pick of the classic 80's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qkqbw9Y0fVM commercial]] or the modern fan-made trailer [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGudlj4kxSo&list=PLSQLREUw9vwmE8HYXkE0uYgR6ur64hjIQ&index=19 here]].

* EarnYourBadEnding: The ending you get depends on how quickly you beat the game. Beating it within 8 days grants you the only ending where ''Dracula comes back to life''. The other endings have Dracula permanently dead.

* LevelUpFillUp: Your only way of restoring life short of visiting a church. Or [[DeathIsASlapOnTheWrist dying on purpose

* LevelUpFillUp: Your only way of restoring life short of visiting a church. Or [[DeathIsASlapOnTheWrist dying on purpose]].

* GameMod: Like a lot of classic NES games, multiple hacks exist, such as one that replaces the townsfolk and enemies with characters from other games. One of the more noteable mods, despite changing very little, is ''Castlevania 2: Simon's Redaction'', which replaces the cryptic dialog with more well-written and accurate dialog, speeds up the day/night transition, and even changes Dracula's face to look more like Dracula as we know him.

->''[[AC:"What a horrible night to have a curse."]]''[[note]]Or, loosely translated: "And so begins the frightening night", in the Japanese version.[[/note]]

* MoodDissonance: Related to the MultipleEndings, the [[http://www.vgmuseum.com/end/nes/a/cv2-3.htm worst ending]] (the one you get if you take too long) is in black and white and [[spoiler:Simon is not standing at Dracula's grave, implying that he died]], but the text is the most uplifting of the three endings and there is no mention of [[spoiler:Simon dying]]. The [[http://www.vgmuseum.com/end/nes/a/cv2-2.htm middle ending]] is in color on a bright sunny day, and Simon is at Dracula's grave, but the text is the most bleak and depressing of the three, explicitly stating [[spoiler:that Simon dies]]. And finally, the [[http://www.vgmuseum.com/end/nes/a/cv2.htm best ending]] has a good but unenthusiastic description, and shows [[spoiler:[[SequelHook Dracula's hand breaking through the soil]]]]. Some fans have mistaken this for a [[BlindIdiotTranslation mix-up during localization]], but it's actually [[https://legendsoflocalization.com/did-castlevania-iis-endings-get-mixed-up/ accurate to the Japanese version]].

* ThisIsGonnaSuck: Every nighttime cycle is preceded by this piece of narration, presumably from Simon:

* SequelDifficultyDrop: Getting past the [[GuideDangIt obtuse hints]], the sequel to the first is ridiculously easy due to a variety of factors, such as:
** Permanent whip upgrades which do a lot more damage than in other Belmont-based titles.
** Less aggressive enemies that [[FlashofPain freeze]] more than usual on hit.
** A relative lack of BottomlessPits and LedgeBats.
** Simon getting a ''ridiculous'' amount of health thanks to the game's [[RPGElements leveling system]], as well as respawning in the same location after dying ''and'' continuing.
** The overpowered sacred flame and golden dagger.
** Only three bosses in the game, one of which can be [[SkippableBoss skipped]] and the [[FinalBoss last]] of which can be defeated easily with one of several exploits.

** [[http://www.gamespot.com/castlevania-ii-simons-quest/reviews/castlevania-ii-simons-quest-review-6182311/ GameSpot's review]] makes sure to point out that internet guides make the game easier than in its release (but point out "[[SelfImposedChallenge you can try to work through the game the old-fashioned way by throwing holy water on every brick and kneeling down on every inch of ground.]]").

* HardLevelsEasyBosses: The levels can be pretty hard at times, as the mansions are full of dead ends, pitfalls, secret passages through seemingly solid walls, and strategically placed enemies that can make things really challenging. It doesn't help that, even when you get the body part inside the mansion and defeat the boss (if there is one), you have to backtrack to the entrance. However, the few boss fights are pathetic. Death can literally be ignored by walking past him. The other bossses usually have one attack that's very easy to dodge, and they get stun-locked whenever hit.

* LowLevelRun: It's possible to beat the game at level 0. The trick is to immediately go left from the first town and get to the Morning Star with your original 50 hearts plus every small heart you can get. Your defense will suffer, but your attack won't. Dracula can kill you in one hit.

->''"[[AC:What a horrible night to have a curse.]]"''[[note]]Or, loosely translated: "And so begins the frightening night", in the Japanese version.[[/note]]

** The artwork of Dracula on the front cover of the game resembles the Clyde Caldwell cover of the original ''TabletopGame/{{Ravenloft}}'' module from [[Tabletopgame/DungeonsAndDragons AD&D]]. "Resembles" here means "identical except that Dracula/Strahd is looking at the viewer instead of directly forward, and Simon Belmont is superimposed on the foreground." This one does feel a bit ''beyond'' "shout out" and it's a little incredible to some today that the otherwise litigation-happy TSR didn't take Konami to court over it.

** The artwork of Dracula on the front cover of the game resembles the Clyde Caldwell cover of the original ''TabletopGame/{{Ravenloft}}'' module from [[Tabletopgame/DungeonsAndDragons AD&D]]. "Resembles" here means "identical except that Dracula/Strahd is looking at the viewer instead of directly forward, and Simon Belmont is superimposed on the foreground."

* BatmanGambit: Either Simon succumbs to the curse and dies, leaving House Belmont too extinct to oppose Dracula (though [[VideoGame/CastlevaniaSymphonyOfTheNight obviously]] this is a [[IHateYouVampireDad flawed]] benefit), or Simon gets desperate enough to try and burn his body parts to break the curse. Since he will need the Ring to even get in, he won't think to discard it after he's done with it, and [[HopeSpot hopefully]] by that time Simon will be weak enough that even a newly resurrected Dracula can utterly pwn him. What takes this out of [[XanatosGambit Xanatos territory]] is that Dracula clearly [[DidntSeeThatComing didn't expect]] that Simon '''WOULD''' be able to defeat Dracula after accidentally resurrecting him, even if well over 16 days has passed since Simon set out.

* BlindIdiotTranslation: The game was already full of vague or straight-up lying [=NPC=]s -- the English translation added some more by accident. Thoroughly dissected [[http://bisqwit.iki.fi/cv2fin/diff here]].

* ContinuingIsPainful: Dying on your last life results in the reduction of your heart count to zero. Since hearts are used as currency and ammunition and every item has an expensive price tag, this always equates to a severe loss of time invested in collecting them. It also adds several hours to the in-game clock, making it that much harder to get one of the better endings. This bit from the [[WebVideo/TheAngryVideoGameNerd Angriest-Gamer-You've-Ever-Heard himself]] sums it best:

* ContinuityNod: The final part of the game has you revisiting the ruins of Dracula's Castle from the previous game.

* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: Carmilla is portrayed in this game as a weeping mask. Later games would portray her as a seductive vampire woman and/or a bleeding skull; her weeping mask form wouldn't be seen again until ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate''.

* FakePlatform: Plenty.

* GoldMakesEverythingShiny: The gold knife.

* HardLevelsEasyBosses: The levels can be pretty hard at times, as the mansions are full of dead ends, pitfalls, secret passages through seemingly solid walls, and strategically placed enemies that can make things really challenging. It doesn't help that, even when you get the body part inside the mansion and defeat the boss (if there is one), you have to backtrack to the entrance. However, the few boss fights are pathetic. You can literally walk past and ignore them. And even if you do fight them, they usually have one attack that's very easy to dodge, and they stun-lock whenever hit.

* MultipleEndings: [[InUniverseGameClock Take too long]] to kill Dracula, and it's DownerEnding time for you! Of course, once you know where time runs and where it doesn't, the bad ending is easily avoidable. The best ending requires you to beat the game in less than 8 day-night cycles, the bad ending in 8 to 15 cycles, and the worst ending in +15 cycles.

* NothingIsScarier: Possibly what the developers were going for with Dracula's Castle, which is completely abandoned.

* SuperDrowningSkills:
** For some reason, Simon Belmont sinks like a rock. He ''is'' wearing metal armor (as depicted on the cover art), which would make anyone sink like a rock.

** This game also has poison water, which is just a different color. But landing in poison water just drains your health slowly, compared to regular water which kills you instantly. Yes, in this universe, adding poison to water makes it ''less'' deadly.

* UnwittingPawn: No one ever said Simon had to resurrect Dracula, just that his body parts had to be burned in the castle ruins. [[spoiler:Had he just thrown away Dracula's Ring once he was past the final obstacle that needed it, that being the magic bricks on the bridge to the castle, then he wouldn't have fought the easiest Dracula fight ever, since it was adding the Ring to the fire that resurrected Dracula.]]

* WoundThatWillNotHeal: What Dracula's curse entails for Simon.

* UnwittingPawn: No one ever said Simon had to resurrect Dracula. Just that his body parts had to be burned in the castle ruins. [[spoiler:Had he just thrown away Dracula's Ring once he was past the final obstacle that needed it, that being the magic bricks on the bridge to the castle, then he wouldn't have fought the easiest Dracula fight ever, since it was adding the Ring to the fire that resurrected Dracula.]]
* UselessUsefulSpell: The Diamond requires a lot of effort to get (going left from the third mansion past a difficult platforming section and some tough enemies, then backtracking through it all), but isn't too useful. Most of the game is in open space where its bouncing isn't as powerful, it doesn't scale with the whip's power, and it has no effect on bosses. Since you get the Golden Knife at the same time with much less effort, there isn't much motivation to grab the Diamon outside of completion.

* PlotCouponThatDoesSomething: Four of the five Dracula parts give you secondary benefits if you equip them. Dracula's Rib gives you a shield that takes effect when standing or crouching, Dracula's Eye makes hidden clues visible, Dracula's Heart prompts the ferryman to take you to a different location, and Dracula's Nail lets you destroy walls with your whip. Meanwhile, you need to have both Dracula's Ring and the Magic Cross to access bridge leading to Castlevania.