Lady Dracula Seeks To Evolve Upon The Classic Castlevania Formula

Lady Dracula hopes to emulate the original Castlevania games with a new precision platformer.

Described as an "ultra-indie" project that emulates the older Castlevania games, Lady Dracula takes us back to 1800s Transylvania to defeat the titular villain. It's imagined as a sequel to Bram Stoker's original Dracula novel, one where Dracula's widow has gone mad in her grief following his death and now seeks to destroy humanity. She's also your mother and namesake, which is a rough draw.

The NES-era retro inspirations are immediately clear, and you can take this even further with an optional CRT filter. Featuring over 30 different stages and more than 10 bosses, Lady Dracula the Second's job involves defeating these demons. You've got the usual array of attacks like a long-ranged whip and arched throwing scythes, while her transformation abilities offer forms like a wraith that can float through hazards or a spider to climb up different walls.

Notably, Lady Dracula includes what Goth Donut Games describes as a "never-before-seen" difficulty system, catering to both newcomers while providing an "extreme challenge" for classic veterans. Infinite respawns are supported on the easiest option, while the hardest ends your run thanks to permadeath. Other features like air control and knockback can also be customised.

I won't pretend that I'm a diehard Castlevania fan, though I've held a soft spot for it ever since playing Symphony of the Night on Xbox Live Arcade. Konami doesn't give it much love these days, beyond the various re-release collections and Netflix shows. OK, yes, the Dominus Collection did technically include a Haunted Castle remake. Either way, I'm intrigued by what Goth Donut Games can do here.

Lady Dracula targets a 2025 launch on Steam and itch.io.