Gameplay Mechanics

In this post, I will explain the various mechanics of the game.

Control Scheme

Much like in Street Fighter, there are six main types of inputs, divided by two categories: Intensity and Height.

By intensity, inputs can be Light, Medium or Heavy.

By height, they can be “Punches” or “Kicks”, but please note that these are just metaphorical names and do not necessarily correlate to actual punches or kicks, depending on the character.

Using a PlayStation 4 controller as the example, the button layout would be the following:

• Light Punch (LP): Square (Y in a Nintendo or Xbox controller)
• Medium Punch (MP): Triangle (X in a Nintendo or Xbox controller)
• Heavy Punch (HP): R1 (Right shoulder button)
• Light Kick (LK): X (B in a Nintendo or Xbox controller)
• Medium Kick (MK): Circle (A in a Nintendo or Xbox controller)
• Heavy Kick (HK): R2 (Right trigger button)

In order to attempt a grab, the player must perform any combination of P and K inputs with matching intensity. Alternatively, the L2 button (Left trigger) serves as a shortcut, but it only uses the MP + MK combination.

In order to guard, the player must hold the control stick (or press the D-pad) in the opposite direction to the one to which the player’s character is looking.

Every character has different special attacks that they can perform if the player inputs unique commands that involve spinning the control stick in specific directions and pressing one of the attack buttons. Every attack has its own special effects, and will be specified in their own pages.

Heart Meter and its uses

When dishing out or receiving damage, the player’s Heart Meter will fill out. Like in most Castlevania games, Hearts serve offensive purposes. In this case, they offer the player the option to access various enhancements to their special attacks.

When the Heart Meter reaches 25%, players will be able to use EX Attacks, which enhance some of the character’s special attacks. Players can use EX Attacks by duplicating the button presses during the input. For example, Simon Belmont’s Holy Water attack, which can be performed by inputting “Down, Down-Right, Right + any Punch” would turn into the EX version if the player presses both LP and MP at the same time during the input. Using EX Attacks will consume 25% of the Heart Meter, so they cannot be spammed.

When the Heart Meter reaches 100%, players can use an Execution Attack, which acts as the character’s strongest move. To activate an EX move, the player has to press all three intensity buttons of either Punch or Kick at the same time. Alternatively, they can press L1 (Left shoulder button) as a shortcut. These attacks can only be used once per round, and they can miss, so they’re a powerful trump card that must be used intelligently.