Maldita Castilla - The Retro Homage that Needs More Love

[recorderdude]

Now, I will admit, Maldita Castilla is a game I only discovered tonight from a stray youtube comment on a "Ghouls N Ghosts" playthrough, but, only on the second level, I can already say that this is without a doubt one of the best retro-tribute games I've ever played and one of the most uniquely themed.

That being said, I have NO idea how this game isn't even a tenth as popular as the likes of Cave Story and La-Mulana.

To explain the game in brief, MC was designed with retro in mind from day one; the display window the game runs in emulates a CRT arcade screen, and all of the music was composed using the same emulated Yamaha FM chip used for lots of late 80s arcade games. The game borrows heaviest from Ghouls N Ghosts, but also has elements of other late 80s arcade action titles like shinobi and black tiger. However, what makes it interesting is that the entire setting is based around traditional spanish legends and monsters. Spritework is GORGEOUS on everything and, while limited to expected colors/pixel sizes of the time, manages to look super smooth and great in every aspect. There's plenty of level variety to keep things interesting and a fair share of bosses.

Oh yeah, one more thing...

IT'S COMPLETELY FREE.

So yeah, here's the gameplay trailer.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSSqXTOgNvI

Here's the site to download it.

http://www.locomalito.com/maldita_castilla.php

If this is your kind of game too, you know what to do.

[Jorpho]

The gameplay looks a little generic.

[The Adventurer]

The gameplay looks a little generic.

A statement that can probaly be applied to 90% of every game ever made. Ever.

[Jorpho]

A statement that can probaly be applied to 90% of every game ever made. Ever.Yes... That is why one tries to play the other 10%.

[recorderdude]

I can't help but find it amusing that you're complaining about a freeware homage to late 80s hard arcade games playing too much like late 80s hard arcade games.

The gameplay may look generic at first, but everything about this title was lovingly designed; there are various secrets hidden throughout the levels and multiple endings to increase replay value, solid controls, and a mythological base for enemies the Ghouls series seldom touches. Yes, Maldita Castilla takes a hearty helping from the Ghouls pot, but that doesn't mean it can't stand on its own as a great homage and a great game.

[NipRing]

"Platform: Windows"

Well...that keeps me out. I'd love to try it though.

[MidnightRider]

Yes... That is why one tries to play the other 10%.

Not me, I love Soul of Dracula for being oldschool Castlevania, or the Mega Man: A Day in the Limelight series for being oldschool Mega Man(with the robot masters as the playable characters), and I don't think I need to mention Streets of Rage Remake.

As for this game, I don't know if it's my computer, or what, but I couldn't play it, as it didn't look as smooth as the video. Every sprite had a black box around it, and that was too distracting for me.

[recorderdude]

I'm saddened to see compatibility with this game is so bad...it runs like a dream on my machine.

...I hadn't read of play issues with it before, but perhaps this is why it's not so well known :S

[Pikointeractive]

We got the license of the game and will be porting it to SNES hopefully next year.