Story & Lore

Seven years after his legendary victory against Dracula, Simon Belmont finds himself afflicted by a terrible curse. In his dying moments, Dracula inflicted a wound upon Simon that is slowly consuming him, threatening to turn him into a creature of the night. The only way to break this curse and prevent his own demise is to resurrect Dracula and destroy him once more, severing the dark link between them. To achieve this, Simon must gather Dracula's scattered body parts from various cursed mansions across Transylvania and then burn them at the ruins of Castlevania, ultimately confronting the Dark Lord's resurrected form.

The Quest Begins: Collecting Dracula's Remains

Your perilous journey as Simon Belmont commences in the seemingly peaceful town of Jova. From this starting point, you must embark on a daunting quest to locate five specific body parts of Dracula. Each part is jealously guarded within a distinct, monster-infested mansion, requiring careful exploration, strategic combat, and keen puzzle-solving.

Initial Steps & First Body Part: Dracula's Rib

Upon starting your adventure in Jova, your immediate goal is to acquire the first piece of Dracula's remains, which will set you on the path to the Berkeley Mansion.

Acquire the Oak Stake: Before venturing into the mansions, you'll need an Oak Stake. These are absolutely crucial for breaking the magical orbs found in each mansion that contain Dracula's body parts. While some guides may suggest purchasing one immediately, the first Oak Stake is typically given to you by a man in Jova after speaking with him. Subsequent Oak Stakes can be purchased from merchants in various towns for 50 hearts. Always ensure you have at least one on hand before entering a mansion!
Travel to Berkeley Mansion: Head east from Jova. You'll encounter various enemies along the way, such as Zombies and Fleamen. collect hearts, which serve as currency for items and whip upgrades, and experience points to level up Simon, increasing his maximum HP.
Navigating Berkeley Mansion:
- Once inside, navigate through the mansion's treacherous corridors, defeating enemies like Zombies, Skeletons, and Mermen.
- Look for hidden passages by whipping walls that appear cracked, discolored, or otherwise out of place. Many secrets in Castlevania II are revealed by striking suspicious blocks.
- Your primary objective is to find the orb containing Dracula's Rib. This orb is typically found in a central or upper chamber of the mansion, often guarded by tougher enemies.
- Strategy: Once you locate the orb, equip your Oak Stake from your inventory. Stand close to the orb and strike it repeatedly with the Oak Stake until it shatters, revealing Dracula's Rib. Collect it immediately.

Whip Upgrades & Sub-Weapons

Simon's primary weapon is his iconic whip, the Vampire Killer. Throughout your quest, you'll have opportunities to upgrade its power and range. Additionally, sub-weapons offer tactical advantages in combat.

Whip Upgrades:

Leather Whip: Simon's starting weapon. Basic power and range.
Thorn Whip: Purchased from merchants. Increased power.
Chain Whip: Purchased from merchants. Further increased power and slightly longer reach.
Flame Whip: The most powerful whip upgrade, purchased from merchants. Significantly increased power and range.

Sub-Weapons:

Sub-weapons consume hearts when used, so manage your heart count carefully. Each offers a unique utility.

Dagger: Throws a short-range projectile. Useful for enemies just out of whip range.
Holy Water: Throws a vial that creates a flame pillar on impact. Excellent for ground-based enemies or hitting enemies below ledges.
Axe: Throws an axe in an arc. Ideal for hitting flying enemies or those on higher platforms.
Cross: Throws a boomerang-like cross that returns to Simon. Can hit enemies multiple times.
Morning Star: A powerful, long-range flail that extends from Simon's whip. This is a sub-weapon, not a permanent whip upgrade, and consumes hearts with each use. It's incredibly effective for clearing screens or hitting distant targets.

Prioritize upgrading your whip when possible, as it's your most consistent source of damage. The Morning Star sub-weapon is particularly potent and worth saving hearts for.

Subsequent Body Parts & Mansion Order

While you can technically approach the mansions in a somewhat non-linear fashion, a recommended order for efficiency, difficulty scaling, and item acquisition is as follows. Remember that each body part requires an Oak Stake to be freed from its orb, so always carry spares!

Berkeley Mansion: Contains Dracula's Rib. (As detailed above). This is typically your first stop after Jova.
Rover Mansion: Contains Dracula's Heart. Located to the west of Jova, past the Dabi's Path. To access it, you'll need to find a hidden passage or acquire specific items, often involving a trip through the Debora Woods. The entrance to Rover Mansion is often obscured and requires careful exploration.
Brahm Mansion: Contains Dracula's Eyeball. Often found in the northern regions of the map, requiring passage through dangerous swamps or forests, such as the Veros Woods. Be wary of the poisonous swamps and stronger enemies in these areas.
Bodley Mansion: Contains Dracula's Nail. This mansion is usually situated in a more remote or challenging area, often requiring a specific item like the White Crystal to reveal its entrance or navigate a hidden path. It's typically found in the eastern part of Transylvania.
Laruba Mansion: Contains Dracula's Ring. The final body part, typically located in the most difficult-to-reach area, often requiring the use of the Sacred Flame or other advanced items to navigate treacherous terrain or reveal its hidden entrance. This mansion is usually found in the far north or east, demanding significant progress to reach.

Remember to always keep a supply of Oak Stakes on hand, as each body part requires one to be freed from its orb. Explore thoroughly, talk to villagers for clues (though some may lie, so be discerning!), and upgrade your whip and sub-weapons whenever possible to aid in your quest. Pay attention to the day/night cycle; enemies become stronger and more aggressive at night, but some specific NPCs or events only occur during certain times.