Master of Darkness - Sega's Castlevania Clone

Lots of you wanted a Castlevania game for your Sega Master System. One never showed up, but we did get something quite a bit similar.
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Opening 3D Logo By:
Jan Neves
KZbin Page - / jan3d
Opening 2D Animation By:
Kevin Bhall
Facebook - / kevin.bhall.14
Episode Notes:
1. Games captured via the Mega SG.
2. The Japanese version of this is known as "In the Wake of Vampire".
3. SIMS was also responsible for some of the Sega Ages 2500 games on the PS2. The worst one in fact. They did the remake of Golden Axe.
4. The likely reason we never saw more Master of Darkness games is because Konami became a 3rd party developer for the Sega. They would go on to release many of their games for the Genesis/Mega Drive.
5. I have a much easier time playing the SMS version. The GG game offers more challenge because the enemies sneak in more hits. The extra play area really makes a difference.
6. Every physical version of this title is expensive. The Japanese version is even worse. I've seen it go for $200+ complete.
7. One of the biggest issues that Master of Darkness had was that by being released in late 1992 and 1993, the Castlevania titles had matured across multiple releases. It wasn't just going against the original NES game, but was compared to the series as a whole. I really do feel a part 2 to Master of Darkness could have fixed many of my nitpicks here.
8. A subscriber pointed out that I used the wrong footage for Ninja Gaiden for the SMS and he's right. I used the Game Gear version which was made by a different company.

[@bonesjackson81]

I love this games atmosphere. How on Earth it didn't have a Genesis sequel is beyond my brains ability to fathom. 🤯

[@supersexysega]

@Boris Karloff Not unitl March 1994. Master of Darkness could have been a 1992 Genesis release.

[@Hektols]

@@supersexysega I guess that Sega didn't make a sequel because they thought that Konami wouldn't have wanted to make a Castlevania game if the Genesis already had a similar game.

[@hammerheadms]

This was something they could have definitely built off of. Had they done an actual 16-bit sequel, and had success with it, we could be looking at a completely different outcome of opinions about the first game. But this seems to be typical of Sega. It's par for the course to look back and think of the "what if's" and "if only's".

[@SomeOrangeCat]

Why did Sega make half the bad decisions they made back then?

[@Gameboy-Unboxings]

Then we probably wouldn't have Bloodlines.

[@nimaiiikun]

a lot of the 'clones' on SMS and GEN were pretty great. wish there were sequels for Master of Darkness, Golden Axe Warrior, and Ragnacenty

[@Video-Games-Are-Fun]

double dragon on the master system was amazing for its time and capability. the NES was garbage and i was a HUGE nes fanboy

[@rainehappy7097]

Scooby Doo on Genesis is pretty close to LucasArts point n click adventures from the era.

[@Boogie_the_cat]

Golden Axe Warrior was great fun

[@billcook4768]

SLX: Any gamer with decent skills will easily beat this game the first time they play it. Me: Uh, I’ll just be hanging out in the losers corner

[@ravinnox2640]

No you won't, even I beat this one

[@lonesquiff6551]

@Bill Cook I thought the same thing! Maybe if I had played it back then lol

[@lonesquiff6551]

@Frank Garrett J/c which version were you playing?

[@tarasybnios5356]

haha its funny that he says that but his gameplay shows otherwise. 🙏 With all the respect to SLX but I will have to disagree with some of his statements. Its not that easy and its not that the enemies have cheap attacks.. well sometimes they do but so does Castlevania enemies! Looks at medusa heads! There is a decent difficulty level which I prefer over some brutal Arcade level difficulty which drops the fun factor. Also the weapons drops ending up with something that will downgrade you reminds me of Ghosts 'n Goblins on the NES. It adds up to the difficulty and makes more aware on how to proceed. My verdict: of course its not a Castlevania level of experience but its a must for any Sega console owner and lover and not only! If you love 8 bit Castlevania games you need to play this.

[@neojeets]

First time trying I got about 2/3 through, then got my ass kicked. A lot of cheap damage from enemies as SLX talks about in his video (Bats!). I think I’ll be able to get through it if I play with some more patience.

[@ManillaHeep]

One of my favorite SMS games. Smooth, good difficulty and it still holds up today. Plus the dark themes add to the atmosphere.

[@michaelsierra9]

Looks like an early genesis game, outstanding as a master system game.

[@RetroMoments]

This game was the reason I bought a Master System, a few years ago!

[@Supahdave1000]

"...Where Castlevania had perfectly placed enemies" *Glares at Medusa Heads*

[@25hztolife86]

I would like to have seen a boosted up version on the Genesis or at least part 2.

[@Choralone422]

By the time that would have been able to happen Konami was signed on as a 3rd party for the Genesis making a 16 bit sequel of this game moot.

[@DigiPen92]

25Hz to Life Or a sequel to a Sega Genesis consoles similar to Phantasy Star series.

[@rodneyabrett]

Damn, I played a ton of SMS games back in the day, how could I have missed this one? Going to have to give it a go.

[@LocoRodeoBozo]

I gotta say that I love how they reformatted the stages to fit the Game Gear's resolution. If only Mega Man on Game Gear took the same approach...

[@lonesquiff6551]

I'm replaying Mega Man right now! I couldn't believe how zoomed in it is. So many leaps of faith lol

[@lonesquiff6551]

This does have me curious how the gg version looks/plays vs using the ms version via the adapter

[@odius94]

I'm so happy the KZbin algorithm blessed me with your channel. I was raised in a SEGA house so I dig all this. Even had the 3D master system. lol [Subscribed!]

[@KTJohnsonkidThunder]

Looks fun. It should've got a Genesis sequel/port.

[@triplehsheartattack8515]

The creator of this video JUST SAID THAT. jesus christ man.

[@rainehappy7097]

Yeah but they probably didn't because of Castlevania Bloodlines.

[@balaam_7087]

Never saw this game before. This looks awesome, thanks for bringing it to my attention!

[@vicior55]

I'm playing it by emulation, and it's very hard

[@RobG1981]

@@vicior55 Sounds like Castlevania ;-)

[@HybridAngelZero]

The Game Gear version of this is on the 3DS eShop for a paltry $5, I think I'll actually give it a try

[@atranfanatic]

I got it on my Game Gear for about $30 a couple or so years back. it is fun, but really tough. lol

[@FlyingDuckMan360]

+Micaiah the Otaku Gamer [HybridAngelZero] That's how I was able to play the game. I do have an official copy of the game, but right now I'm unable to play it (or any other Game Gear cartridges, for that matter), due to both my Game Gears and my Retron 5 breaking down. If my petition to get Sega to improve the Game Gear Micro, which would have included giving it a cartridge slot succeeded, then I might have been able to play that again. Fortunately, I do still have the game downloaded on my 3DS, and I look forward to playing that (along with games such as Zombies Ate My Neighbors, Aaaah! Real Monsters, and The Simpsons: Night of the Living Treehouse of Horror) every October.

[@andrewt6338]

Do it.

[@Monacomaverick]

Just bought the GG version for $40. The biggest challenge is seeing the enemies on the tiny, washed out screen.

[@jameswalt1]

I love the UK hammer horror atmosphere and vibe of this one. One of my favorites.

[@LucianTheWorldGamer]

I agree that this is better played on the SMS, however that was never re-released. If you own a 3DS you can download the GG version for 4 bucks I believe. Much easier, and at least you get to try it. This is definitely worth a try for any Castlevania fan. Thanks for the review!

[@miketate3445]

Man, I would have loved to have seen what the big NES devs could have done on the SMS.

[@HollowRick]

​@Dean Satan 100% this ^

[@lazarushernandez5827]

Sega had a habit of doing this on the Master System, you could usually find a Sega title that had similar play mechanics and style to something on the NES; NES had Ikari Warriors, SMS had Rambo, NES had Legend of Zelda, SMS had Golvellius Valley of Doom (and later Golden Axe Warrior) NES had Kung Fu Master, SMS had Vigilante...

[@Video-Games-Are-Fun]

rambo reminds me more of guerilla war on NES which i LOVED

[@rainehappy7097]

Black Belt/Hokuto No Ken is a good gameplay clone of Kung Fu. I know Fist of The North Star is an anime/manga, but the game is very similar.

[@PunishedRangto]

Let's see here... >Takes place in or around Britain >Main protag could be seen as a gentlemen-type >There are stone masks that must be shattered >Vampires are involved So... is this a JoJo reference?

[@SomeOrangeCat]

Nah, the music would be worlds better if it was.

[@whosaidthat84]

Needs more WRRYYYYYY

[@rainehappy7097]

Yep. JoJo was out in Japan by 1986, same year as Castlevania, actually.

[@connorkiss2614]

Why I love this channel: Coverage of SEGA games i've never heard of, but should as a SEGA fan ! Fantastic as always

[@evilash570]

I love the game gear version of this game! It’s really great..not Castlevania 3 great, but great! The jack the ripper 1800’s vibe is cool!

[@SeveredLegs]

Graphically this is excellent.

[@fatherfintanstack8810]

It really is. I didn't get your comment until I realized this is on the Master System!

[@stuartbagley2586]

Totally looks like a Genesis game.

[@Prizrak-hv6qk]

Yes. Excellent detail, animation, colors and lack of sprite flicker for a 2 Mb 8-bit game. Other than the audio, the only think that separates it from an early 16-bit game is some parallax scrolling to make things less flat.

[@pferreira1983]

Typical stuff they were doing at the time of the Master System.

[@Ghostyx1989]

man i always look forward to your videos thank you for the great content

[@ravinnox2640]

I look at this as more of Castlevania the lost chapter, its story fits perfectly into the castlevania timeline...but I already discussed that in my own video on this game so no point in repeating myself. Gods I love this game BUT I had no idea it had gotten so expensive till recently. Its absolutely not worth the current price as it's far to easy for most gamers. I like a good easy game, but for the current price, you just expect a bit more game.

[@rainehappy7097]

Well you know whenever an obscure game gets reviewed, the price skyrockets. Especially the case when Nintendo fans find out about games that only released on Sega. Now if only the games could have gotten that kind of hype and coverage back then? More Nintendo players would have flocked over to Sega easily and these games would have sold more copies.

[@richarde2001]

Been watching most(gonna try to watch them all!LOL!) Just wanted to say THANKS! for putting out such great Sega related videos!!..I share your love for everything SEGA!!...An awesome video game company that lives on in our memories!..Keep up the great videos!!..Hope your sister is doing better!...Prayers and positive vibes being sent your way!!..

[@TheTomsol]

Go Sega Lord, keep the good stuff coming!

[@lonesquiff6551]

Thanks for going in depth on this one. I always hear this game is a must have GG title but never see anyone talking about its pros and cons. It's a shame about the zoom; that seems to be a common GG failing. This is one game I'm definitely hoping to add to my collection. Great vid!

[@mateuspokemon01]

I thought for sure that this was a Sega Genesis game for most of the review. It wasn't until you mentioned that it wasn't released in north america on the Sega Master System that I noticed it.

[@brianhurt116]

Excellent video! I'm a lifelong Castlevania fan and had never heard of this game. Thank you for what you do! Subscribed.

[@triiistone]

Like this review format. Great video, Sir.

[@chaddersh3736]

One of the few channels I always like before I even watch.

[@enzowarren9832]

I love this game! Really nice surprise seeing this pop up in my recommendations.

[@BenjiMordino]

SLX, you are now 1 of only 4 channels where I "hit that bell". Keep up the good stuff mate!

[@leeg12000]

Love our SEGA-Lord's passion for these games, it shines through in every video. One of my favourite KZbin channels.

[@uniqutilities2831]

Never heard of this title before. I definitely would have been into it back in the day. Great video!

[@aaronwebb2467]

This game looks really good for an 8 bit console. Even if it is the master system.

[@bittersweetjesus]

Master System was more powerful than NES but they had no market or promotion

[@kaitain7595]

Some of the better looking Master System games rivaled some early 16-bit stuff.

[@freddyvidz]

Master System was a great system

[@freddyvidz]

I would like to see the MS with the same 3rd party support as the NES had. Nintendo was smart to block development outside of the grey box.

[@biphronte]

@@kaitain7595 what games? Im interested

[@stevesteve0521]

One of my favorite game gear games. Thanks for the review

[@standard74521]

I really think you do an outstanding job with full disclosure about your preferences while being steadfastly objective about the games.

[@frapapcgaming]

1 of the best games on sega master system! I have it in mint condition and still playing it from time to time!!thnx for the video!

[@akalyx]

new to me, thanks for this!

[@mr7clay]

Finally a review that shows there's some variety to the stages. I knew the graphics in the usual screenshots were great--great use of color, a little like NES Batman--I was just seeing the same ones over and over.

[@kfishwick3]

3:04 "Where did you learn to fly?" "Where did you learn to fly?" "Where did you learn to fly?"

[@vomination]

Pure love for this video. More SMS-videos please. :)

[@brunomoraes9967]

Watching in Brazil right now. I remember this game from when I was 5 or 6 years old and enjoyed watching my big brother beat it. Great to see it covered here!

[@jeffroberts9693]

I was just playing this the other day. It's a good Castlevania clone with better controls than the original CV. I really like the soundtrack too. Nice to see you cover this.

[@AdversaryOne]

I just played the first couple of levels. I had trouble getting up stairs until I realized you have to press diagonal, not up. I also was thrown off by the masks that hold items a few times even after watching this video. I guess it's hard for me to shake off decades of being trained that floating faces in games is bad. Nice alternative to Castlevania.

[@jonathandogey5131]

I love hearing him call a game “easy” that I can’t beat after 20 years

[@unvaxxeddoomerlife6788]

30 years for me.

[@rangoononline]

I usually hate the music from master system games, but there's a bunch of bangers in this one. Thanks for including the snippets of the songs. The game looks pretty good too. Great review!

[@johnjay6370]

Thanks for doing this episode.. it looks like a very good game..

[@Shenglongification]

That's awesome man! Never heard of this game b4, definitely going to give it a try.

[@BabusGameRoom]

For the first bit of the video, I thought this was an early Genesis game. I keep forgetting how great 8-bit games looked on the SMS! It's a really underrated console.

[@SomeOrangeCat]

Definitely has a Hammer Horror vibe. Can't fault Sega for trying to copy games they couldn't acquire.

[@rainehappy7097]

Needed Van Helsing as the protagonist.

[@whosaidthat84]

This is exactly the type of game where some one would say "I swear I played Castlevania on Game Gear when i was 7!" And discover years later that their life was a lie.

[@Spartan77]

Silky smooth review, thank you for expanding my gaming knowledge.

[@OtakuFREEMAN]

Man i played this like crazy as a kid!

[@akeminakajima449]

You're becoming like the Jeremy Parish of Sega, keep it up man

[@Stephen_Eee]

Omg I'm about to take that epitaph, and use it as bgm and jam over, that was a good soundtrack

[@megarobd9761]

Wow it looks great, can’t believe this is master system

[@filipmartinez1162]

Right? It looks early genesis/snes era.

[@catvideojogos]

That is One of the best "clones" ever made ! Wyld cover !!!

[@Daniel-it1dp]

Thanks, learn about another retro game every day lately seems like.

[@WorldWithOEnd]

Now I remember this game. Played it probably 15 years ago

[@segare-trop-vieux3932]

A great game for sure. As usual, nice video 👍

[@ReigningSemtex]

I had this on master system as a kid and really loved it, also as far as master system box art goes it was actually a looker.

[@Larry]

My only issue withe the game was it was released a bit too late in the Master System library, If it had been released before the launch of the Mega Drive/Genesis, it would have made more of an impact on the console. But I suppose Sega had Kenseiden for their CastleVania knock off back then (which was okay). But if you're doing NES clones, you got to look at Golden Axe Warrior and Golvellius for Zelda clones! :)

[@AnthonyFlack]

I much prefer Kenseiden to Master of Darkness.

[@Supahdave1000]

Guru Larry! Sir, I love your videos and how much respect you bring to the SEGA Master System.

[@OdaVenom]

What makes Kenseden a Castvania clone? Side scrolling?

[@sayian1_998]

I have been trying to find this game for some time now. It looks amazing on the master system

[@lancelindqvist8848]

Loved it

I played the GG version on the 3DS virtual Console, it was really good for what it was.

[@notthesameman]

This is a classic game, great for this month

[@shawnlogangibson35]

Golden Memories! 👍

[@sheltonm6073]

I've played this game a ton! It is worth playing for sure. Some of the issues you pointed out are really issues of it being repetitive and and you are absolutely right.

[@BenJabituya]

I got this game downloaded to my Nintendo 3DS. I need this game for my SEGA Master System and Game Gear!

[@retrofan4life]

I imported this game from England 2 years ago to the US and love it. Definitely glad to own it! Im a huge sega fan thanks to you. Love your videos!

[@lonesquiff6551]

Is the SMS region free? I know the GG is and I have wondered about getting that SMS adapter.

[@retrofan4life]

@@lonesquiff6551 yeah, I imported the game and it plays fine. I think with the mega drive and genesis is where the issues begin to appear

[@devmiles]

It looks like a very interesting game. Still as you state Castlevania slaughters it completely. One thing that i find is that the movement of the main character looks more free. Good review bro! Much love

[@atomicbrain9401]

I’m also getting some sega genesis Moonwalker vibes in the character animation movement (walking/jumps) and their design (dudes in suits).

[@WarMachine_Studios]

Did it live up to being considered a Castlevania clone? Yes. Yes it did. And this coming from a die-hard Castlevania fan.

[@mercster]

Thanks!

[@PurpleJinzo]

Love this game !! One of my fav for the game gear

[@MisterSouji]

I feel like this and some of the other "clones" are superior on a technical level, like graphics or controls, they often lack the refinement of the originals. I'd love to have seen a Master of Darkness 2 on genesis as well, and expand on things it does right. Maybe be about Frankenstein or a different monster this time.

[@kanekaosaard7449]

Neat review of an often unheard of horror game SLX. It looks nice and though it ain't a Castlevania, it's still horror. BTW, would you ever do a standalone Splatterhouse review for Halloween one day? I'd bet you'd do a bang-up job with it given your love of the series.

[@JoshAmes1980]

Loved this game on the Game Gear.

[@samgrahaminc]

The music in this game was phenomenal. The boss music had a shredding guitar solo... On a Master System, or all things

[@araknair9605]

I found this game on accident, so glad I did

[@JohnSTF72]

This is a nice (and underrated) game for the Master System. Too bad there was never a 16-bit sequel for the Megadrive/Genesis, it would be interesting to see what they could do.

[@EKlicKKlacK3]

Good review man. I've never played this but want to give it a shot. Looks really cool. On a side note I know you a huge Castlevania fan, you should check out Rusty on MS Dos or the PC-98. Its a very good Castlevania clone.

[@briansaunders7274]

Looks like a great game. Would like to try it.

[@AnthonyFlack]

Seems to be a pretty common game in New Zealand at any rate, comes up at auction pretty regularly for $20-$30 boxed. I had three or four loose carts of this game at one point as well.

[@MVA74]

Never played this game during my childhood, but it seems a great title for sega MS!

[@NYYanks2003040506]

Interesting. I wasn't a Master System guy so there are a lot of games I never heard of. This is one of them.

[@hjames78]

I was a Nintendo kid in America and even though the Genesis was my first Sega console I had...this game looks good to me!

[@joeyjojojunior4886]

Looks like fun.

[@fed0t38]

I think it would be cool to see modern 3D reboot of this game similar in vibe and gameplay to Vampyr, Sinking City, Call of Cthulhu, Order 1886 and maybe even Resident Evil in some elements.

[@jasonshiers5771]

Good and honest review.

[@theultimatepololo]

Again I have to say that I love all the love Sega Lord X gives to the underrrated 8 bit Sega Platforms. This was my Castlevania game back in my chillhood days, and it was awesome. In fact, im still thinking that this game is as good as the first two NES´s Castlevanias ( of course Dracula´s Curse is a better game than Master of Darkness, no doubt about it), the only aspect that is less impresive against the Castlevania´s 8 bit lineage is the music, but in other aspects like difficulty curve, lore, fun factor and graphics this Sega classic is on par with the first Castlevania and Simon´s Quest, what the hell, is a much more enjoyable experience than the second Castlevania on the NES.

[@HiddenAsbestos]

Love this game :)

[@FalloutZombie5555]

They should have kept making Kenseiden games... i always thought that was like the SMS castlevania

[@rainehappy7097]

Ninja Gaiden is like it too.

[@MasterOfDarkness42069]

I like it

[@mikey2toes966]

This is currently available on the 3Ds Eshop still March 28th 2023.

[@WeirdWonderful]

I just finished it. Thankfuly you can die however many times you want to the boss as long as you keep picking up that one 1 up in the final stage. I do recommend the cane for everything but the final boss, where you will probably want the axe for the extra dammage. And though I saw you can cheese the final boss' second form with the stake as a secondary weapon, I just stuck to the gun. And you are right, a lot of the time you may find yourself avoiding the masks, for fear you may accidentaly pick up the weaker weapons and ruin your day. Much more so with the subweapons since picking up multiples of the same gives you extra ammo till around 99 or so, if you get something else the ammount gets instantly lowered to the base, around 16 for most. Which if you just accidentally lost some 70 ammo right before a boss.....you will not be happy.

[@nidoqueenadvance6798]

I've only played the game gear version via the 3ds virtual console and I quite liked it! I should get around to playing the master system version. Also seeing as how all sorts of old sega ips are getting sequels and remakes from indie devs, I kinda would like to see one make a sequel to this. Maybe someday that will happen.

[@rustymixer2886]

Great game