Bram Stoker's Dracula
Developed By:
- Neverland Co
Published by:
- Sony Imagesoft
- Psygnosis (Amiga/DOS)
Producers:
- Steven Riding
- Richard Robinson
Programmers:
- Chris Stanforth (SNES)
- David Dootson (Mega Drive)
- Mark Stokle
- Andy Ingram
- Gary Burley
- Jeff Bramfitt
Composers:
- Andy Brock, Matt Furniss (SNES, Genisis)
- Mike Clark (SCD)
- Jeroen Tel (NES,SMS,GG)
- NES
- Super NES
- Game Boy
- Game Gear
- Master System
- Mega Drive/Genesis
- Sega CD
- Amiga
- MS-DOS
Release dates:
- JP - 1993
- NA - 1993
- PAL - 1993
Genre:
- Action platformer
Mode:
- Single-player
Check pricing here:
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Box Synopsis
Bram Stoker's Dracula for the super Nes goes straight for the jugular with spine-chilling action so real you won't believe your eyes. As a vampire hunter Johnathon Harker you're plunged into the world of the undead in this ultimate interactive movie. Seven terrifying levels, each various day and night sections, plus incredible 3-D graphics bring to life the cold, dark, dungeons of Castle Dracula, the brutal Transylvanian countryside and the eerie chambers of 19th century London. By day, you'll search for weapons. As the sun sets beware...because now the Prince of Darkness himself arises and comes for you... as bat,wolf and even an old man. Bram Stoker's Dracula....makes no mistakes....he must be stopped.
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Gameplay
Bram Stoker's Dracula is based on a 1897 novel Bram Stoker's Dracula and the 1992 film of the same name. The game tells the story of Johnathon Harker who has been employed by Count Dracula to help him move from Transylvania to England, however Harker is now a prisoner and must escape the clutches of the Prince of Darkness. The game plays as an action platformer and is broken down over 7 main levels with sub levels that follow a similar tale to the film.
Each level has a maze like feel but ultimately has one path that leads to the exit. The player must navigate past enemies, traps and environmental threats to survive. Each level is based on a section of the story and has a related background and characters. As you progress through each level an arrow will help guide you but it is up to you to explore and find items, weapons and secrets that will help you when you battle against the multiple forms of Dracula.
Once you successfully defeat Count Dracula in his final form on level 15 you are rewarded with a story ending which helps bring Johnathon Harker's dangerous journey to an end.
Each level has a maze like feel but ultimately has one path that leads to the exit. The player must navigate past enemies, traps and environmental threats to survive. Each level is based on a section of the story and has a related background and characters. As you progress through each level an arrow will help guide you but it is up to you to explore and find items, weapons and secrets that will help you when you battle against the multiple forms of Dracula.
Once you successfully defeat Count Dracula in his final form on level 15 you are rewarded with a story ending which helps bring Johnathon Harker's dangerous journey to an end.
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Controls
*Default layout
Directional pad up - Moves Harker/Menu
L - N/A
R - N/A
Y - Missile
X - N/A
B - Sword slash
A - Jump
Select - N/A
Start - Pause
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Game Videos
Introduction Video
Gameplay Sample
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Shanwow's Review
Story and Gameplay: 2 point
Bram Stoker's Dracula is an action based horror platformer that is set in 1987 London and tells the story of Johnathon Harker a recently graduated lawyer and how he chooses to help Count Dracula before becoming a prisoner. The story is told by the turning pages of a book that is rewarded by completing the levels and defeating the boss that waits at the end.
There are 7 main levels that are set in a certain time of the story that closely follows the film. The main levels have some smaller areas which are an added danger to Harker during this adventure. In total there are 15 levels with multiple terrifying bosses that include Dracula and his multiple forms.
Gameplay wise this is a pretty basic platformer with the objective of reaching the end of the area or defeating the boss. The arrow helped my navigate through the maze like levels but the real challenge is surviving the enemies, environment and traps that stand in your way.
There is no real switch up in gameplay however it does remain intense and immersive through the entire journey. The game took me several attempts to finish but when I did, I squeezed just over an hour of gameplay out.
There are 7 main levels that are set in a certain time of the story that closely follows the film. The main levels have some smaller areas which are an added danger to Harker during this adventure. In total there are 15 levels with multiple terrifying bosses that include Dracula and his multiple forms.
Gameplay wise this is a pretty basic platformer with the objective of reaching the end of the area or defeating the boss. The arrow helped my navigate through the maze like levels but the real challenge is surviving the enemies, environment and traps that stand in your way.
There is no real switch up in gameplay however it does remain intense and immersive through the entire journey. The game took me several attempts to finish but when I did, I squeezed just over an hour of gameplay out.
Controls and Features: 1 points
Bram Stoker's Dracula was released on multiple platforms and this may be the reason I find it lacking in this category. The control layout is a simple three button input which is easy to use but leaves Harker a little undependable with his one attack, jump and projectile attack. He moves great on screen but it just he just isn't that amazing for a vampire hunter.
There isn't much on offer apart from the 15 level main mode unfortunately which means not much replay value unless you decide to play it on easy. Doing so makes the game easier but it makes it shorter and not 100% completable.
This game doesn't have many other features to separate it from other platformers unfortunately. It does have a few pickups and paths but nothing really unique which means the game is pretty much a get from point A to B and survive.
Design and Difficulty: 2 point
Bram Stoker's Dracula may lack features but it does make it up in the design category. It's breath taking environments deliver a dark and gloomy game that feels very immersive. The levels vary from interior to exterior as well as night and day which is a refreshing change to a rather straight forward game.
Harker the playable character looks fantastic in his vest and slacks ensemble but he is a bit lame to use because he has limited animations. The on screen enemy sprites are very well designed and a just really creepy. As they move their animation is very clean and the move without any issues. They are limited in attack animations which is a bit boring to be honest but they don't survive long enough to really matter.
This game is quite difficult when you first begin to play because you need to learn a few key elements. Harker doesn't get knocked back or turn briefly invulnerable when hit which leaves him overwhelmed when surrounded and often results in death. This means it is often better to move slowly when you are in new areas.
Moving slow is also important when you navigate the maze like levels because there are traps waiting to appear out of the ground and walls. These traps are very tricky to see but can be passed with strategic movement. Like many elements of the game there are patterns for these traps so always observe before attempting to pass.
You will be required to defeat a handful of bosses to reach the end destination. The bosses look amazing on screen but aren't as scary as they seem. Most of them have a very easy to read pattern and can be defeated easily once you figure this out.
Harker the playable character looks fantastic in his vest and slacks ensemble but he is a bit lame to use because he has limited animations. The on screen enemy sprites are very well designed and a just really creepy. As they move their animation is very clean and the move without any issues. They are limited in attack animations which is a bit boring to be honest but they don't survive long enough to really matter.
This game is quite difficult when you first begin to play because you need to learn a few key elements. Harker doesn't get knocked back or turn briefly invulnerable when hit which leaves him overwhelmed when surrounded and often results in death. This means it is often better to move slowly when you are in new areas.
Moving slow is also important when you navigate the maze like levels because there are traps waiting to appear out of the ground and walls. These traps are very tricky to see but can be passed with strategic movement. Like many elements of the game there are patterns for these traps so always observe before attempting to pass.
You will be required to defeat a handful of bosses to reach the end destination. The bosses look amazing on screen but aren't as scary as they seem. Most of them have a very easy to read pattern and can be defeated easily once you figure this out.
Fun and Summary: 👍+1
Bram Stoker's is a really immersive and creepy game that delivers a rather good move adaptation. The size of the game is a little bit of a let down but that is balanced out with great graphics and a well told story.
There are many movie games out there for Super Nintendo and Bram Stoker's Dracula is another example of an average game released to make money on the popularity of the film. This game isn't the best or worst movie game and I do recommended if you want a short freaky game that pushed the graphics for it's time.
There are many movie games out there for Super Nintendo and Bram Stoker's Dracula is another example of an average game released to make money on the popularity of the film. This game isn't the best or worst movie game and I do recommended if you want a short freaky game that pushed the graphics for it's time.
- Graphically appealing
- Easy mode for practice
- No knockback/ invulnerability
- Short game duration
RetroRating: 6 / 10
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