Navigate Devil Castle: The Inner Halls in Castlevania: Bloodlines. Learn strategies for Harpies, spike traps, Bone Pillars, and the Doppelganger boss.
Walkthrough
- 1Start the penultimate stage by collecting Hearts and moving upwards.
- 2On the next screen, avoid the upper left candle and focus on moving right, timing your whip attacks against Harpies carrying Hunchbacks. Alucard with a fully-leveled spread is effective here.
- 3The third screen is mostly empty, with some upper candles containing two Money Bags and a big Heart, which may require sub-weapons to reach. Proceed to the next block.
- 4Block 9-02 introduces spike traps, which are instant death. You can jump on the first spike to reach upper candles.
- 5The next spike requires jumping a pit and walking under two spikes; wait for them to ascend simultaneously for safety.
- 6Past the fourth set of spikes, an upper candle is available before heading upstairs.
- 7Climb stairs while Bone Pillars fire; watch their patterns and whip them. Gargoyle enemies spawn on the sides, making it difficult to stay safe. It's best to get on a platform and only move when a Gargoyle is defeated. Sub-weapons that can hit Bone Pillars from range, like Sypha's or Trevor's, or Alucard's Pocket Watch, are useful here. Use your Hearts.
- 8Save points or save states can help navigate this difficult room without taking damage.
- 9At the top, an Axe Guard blocks the path; whip at his feet to defeat him safely, then collect the candles and proceed.
- 10Block 9-03 begins with Knights; defeat them and head up.
- 11The next screen is an auto-scroller that slowly scrolls upwards. Avoid Fuzz Buster enemies and defeat Sword Skeletons.
- 12A candle on the right contains Sacred Water, and a 1-Up is hidden in the right recessed wall; be quick to grab it and continue upwards.
- 13Continue up the stairs, avoiding Fuzz Busters and Sword Skeletons. Watch your head for a Fuzz Buster on the big staircase on the right, then quickly move left.
- 14On the final screen of this block, Bats appear. The far right wall hides a Leg of Werewolf. The top candle contains a big Heart, which is not essential. Proceed to the next block.
- 15Block 9-04 features waterways. Sypha's freeze ability or Alucard's bat form can be used to skip this section quickly via the upper right exit.
- 16If not skipping, beware of Fishmen (shadows in the water) which can be attacked and killed. Crows are a significant annoyance; the Axe, Pocket Watch, or Banshee Boomerang are helpful.
- 17A candle on the upper left contains a Banshee Boomerang, and an upper right candle has a Dagger.
- 18Head up the stairs to the next screen, which has flipping platforms and Medusa Heads. Cross slowly without jumping, timing whip attacks to defeat Medusa Heads. Candles here are not important.
- 19Continue left to the boss area. A big Heart is in the lower right wall before the fight.
BOSS: Doppelganger
This boss changes based on your character and uses sub-weapons. Utilize the stage layout by staying on upper or lower platforms and waiting for the Doppelganger to follow, allowing for multiple hits. Combine this with sub-weapons like Sacred Water or Banshee Boomerangs.
Tips
- The upper left candle in the second screen of BLK 9-01 is not worth the risk.
- When facing the Harpies and Hunchbacks, well-timed whip attacks are crucial.
- In BLK 9-02, wait for spikes to align for safer passage.
- If you have sub-weapons that can hit Bone Pillars from range, use them to make the stair-climbing section safer.
- The 1-Up in the right recessed wall of the auto-scroller in BLK 9-03 requires quick action.
- The Banshee Boomerang or Dagger can be useful sub-weapons found in BLK 9-04 if you are without them.
- Don't jump on the flipping platforms with Medusa Heads; cross slowly and time your attacks.
- The Doppelganger boss can be tricked into landing on hazards or into your attacks by using the platforming.
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