It seems like years ago when I last completed a game. I blame the crippling twin time vortexes of Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate and Animal Crossing: New Leaf, because escape from them is almost impossible.

But, here and there, I’ve worked through the final chapter of the story – playing as Simon. His section actually fits before Trevor and Alucard (which run pretty much concurrently), and although I’d spotted where it was going well before it got there, the reveal after “defeating” Dracula was still excellent.

Dracula himself was really rather difficult. Not only do you have to counter or avoid his attacks, but he alternates between light and dark magic – which you must also do to actually cause him any damage. His “flaming towers” attack is especially deadly, as if you get caught in it, he can easily hit you repeatedly before you are able to recover and dodge. It took a good half an hour to finally best him.

Now I have Hardcore Mode unlocked, but I’m not sure I’ll be up for that. It was hard enough on Normal!