Current Events > Medusa Heads are peak game design

(+) Yeah! (+)

They do one thing: fly in a sin wave. That's it. They don't try to trick you or fake you out. They won't suddenly dip lower or pick up speed. They're a completely predictable, static obstacle.

But they still manage to be pretty involved to beat. They test how well you've mastered your jump arc and whip timing in a way other enemies can't because Medusa heads will just keep coming until you leave their spawn area.

Like, that hallway leading up to Death in the first game? One of the best segments in any video game. And it's all thanks to the Medusa Heads.

I agree because youre talking a lot of sense, but I also disagree because I hate those fuckers

Kim_Seong-a posted...

One of the best segments in any video game.

insert "had us going in the first half" meme here

shrug. maybe i'd agree if they were thoughtfully placed and not spammed willy nilly

also what the fuck at the picture they used for the medusa head spirit in smash ultimate

GuerrillaSoldier posted...

insert "had us going in the first half" meme here

Unironically it's amazing. Jump. Whip. Duck under an axe. Double back. Whip. Duck. Whip jump. Press forward. Kill the knight, jump again.

Playing that hallway is like Gothic Horror DDR.

That segment you speak of isn't that hard if you play like me. I refuse to carry on in the game unless I have triple shot cross.

Basically after I get that if I die I restart the whole game. So basically I only do deathless runs maybe I'll accept a death if I've made it to the final stage

i think it's a little off to call any one enemy 'good game design' when they don't really function in a vacuum; medusa heads work in castlevania because castlevania works on gradually increasing the complexity of the player experience by introducing more and more simple rules.

an enemy flying in a sine wave pattern isn't an issue by itself and in a hallway. but the player is expected to be able to deal with other enemies and to platform as well.

the axe knights aren't complex, either. but the hallway is. it tests the player's understanding of each moving part.

GuerrillaSoldier posted...

insert "had us going in the first half" meme here

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/c/c192b6d1.jpg

Good trolling attempt/10

KFHEWUI posted...

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/c/c192b6d1.jpg

ty :)

Fluttershy posted...

i think it's a little off to call any one enemy 'good game design' when they don't really function in a vacuum; medusa heads work in castlevania because castlevania works on gradually increasing the complexity of the player experience by introducing more and more simple rules.

an enemy flying in a sine wave pattern isn't an issue by itself and in a hallway. but the player is expected to be able to deal with other enemies and to platform as well.

the axe knights aren't complex, either. but the hallway is. it tests the player's understanding of each moving part.

I mean everything exists as a part of a greater whole. >_>

What I love about medusas is how much mileage they get out of such a simple concept. You can put them in almost any room to make it more challenging without being "cheap".

Horizontal rooms suddenly make you have to consider verticality. Vertical rooms' pacing becomes more precarious. Zoning normal enemies becomes more dynamic. They're just so versatile. >_>

GrandConjuraton posted...

Good trolling attempt/10

I mean this is about Medusa Heads, not Fleaman >_>

I am forever pissed off that I can't [redacted] Dusa in Hades.

In Castlevania III there are these flying skull enemies that replace medusa heads when you beat the game and play through the second loop. Those things are way more bullshit than medusa heads since they're faster and they move up and down randomly so there's no way to predict their movements.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/b/b85b4962.jpg

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]


See I'm the opposite here. In the SotN-style stuff they're basically just chaffe. They can mildly annoy you but you have so many movement and attack options that they might as well not even be there.

There's a thrill in knowing when you can or can't safely tank a medusa hit in the classic series.

SuperShake666 posted...

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/b/b85b4962.jpg

( )

SuperShake666 posted...

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/b/b85b4962.jpg

AND THEN YOU [redacted]