7 Confusing Video Game Plots That Make More Sense Than You Think

With over thirty games, it's understandable that someone who hasn't played Castlevania (and honestly, even somebody who has) would think that the storyline must be complicated as hell. The reality, however, is quite different.

Interestingly, the series canon has fluctuated somewhat over the years, with many of its titles being removed from the main story. Castlevania Legends, for example, which was initially pipped as an origin story was removed from the timeline during development, and spin-offs like Kid Dracula are also narratively irrelevant. When paired down to the “official” timeline, then, the story is surprisingly streamlined.

After the death of his wife, Mathias Cronqvist assumes the form of Dracula, enacting revenge on the earth. This begins a century-long recurring cycle which sees Dracula resurrected until someone puts him down. The games in the main timeline, then, take place over almost one-thousand years, and can be placed chronologically in “eras” based on which particular vampire hunter is doing the killing.

The first in the timeline, for example, is Castlevania: Lament Of Innocence, which takes place in 1094 A.D., whereas the most recent is Dawn Of Sorrow, which kicks off in 2036 A.D.

Despite the sheer number of games, it's essentially the same story being told over and over again. The Castlevania series may at first appear intimidating, but there are so many titles that don't count as part of the main narrative.