So obviously these are NOT true 8-bit, because I was limited by whatever assets I could find in Canva / stock images, and I’m sadly not a real pixel artist. I’m definitely mixing resolutions, using too many colors for the NES, and basically making this more like SNES graphics. BUT WHATEVER.

I tried to pixelate stuff and I think it looks pretty cool. This is for fun, so I don’t want to hear any “but actually it wouldn't be this way because...” Dude, I just want to picture what levels might look like when I play the songs, ok?

I’ll keep adding mockups here over time. I want to make one for each of the 6 stages so there’s a visual for each stage track while I listen. If you have ideas for stages (or want to submit your own fan level art), message me on Neocities and I can add it here and I'll credit you!

For any HATERS of my fan creations (emphasis on FAN), here is some real pixel art I custom drew for ya!

WHO IS THE HEROINE??? (MY THEORY)

Ok so hear me out with some stuff that would be cool...

I think the heroine you play as is NOT just some random warrior. I think she’s actually a noble from a disgraced and cursed family and maybe the twist is, it's the same bloodline as DRAAKULA!? So I have this idea that Draakula cursed the bloodline itself, a curse that can only end if he is destroyed.

Her red armor isn’t just “cool armor.” Maybe it’s forged from dragon scales collected over generations (which would also explain why it’s red when its heated and forged or something? haha). The only real armor that can work against that bitch ass Count. And the purple hair? It's just like the Dutch count was rumored to have had many moons ago...oh shit! Crazy.

She was trained specifically to hunt monsters, but she doesn’t know the FULL truth about her past/family yet. Each level is her getting closer to remembering.

By the time you reach “The Smell of Dragon,” maybe little story bits have been revealed as she reads scrolls she collects along the way. Some of the scrolls are just from the Count basically saying, "Sup gurl, you better not be looking for me."

Also, if this game were real, the manual would hint that there are maybe two endings? Like if you find a secret path or beat the game only dying a few number of times or something, she either:

• returns home conquering and ending the curse, OR
• alternate ending - she turns into the dragon herself (which would be kinda sick).

If Casey ever drops more lore, I will of course re-write this to correct it. I gotta think about this more, but I’m also working with VERY little lore about the heroine to begin with here.

I love every track. That said, I am forcing myself to rank them anyway because this is "Fan Corner" and we must.

1. 1, Boss Battle — bro come on. this shit slaps hella hard.
2. 2, The Smell of Dragon (Stage 6) — feels like “oh god it’s close.” the tension building is so good.
3. 3. Stalactite Madness (Stage 2) — something about this one hits and reminds me of a bunch of games I used to play. So kind of a surprise number 3 maybe?
4. 4. Draakula Theme (PRESS START) — iconic. again, this should probably be #1 because it slaps, but whatever. Suck my draak!
5. 5. Spooky Ghoul Chaos (Stage 4) — hard to put this “low” because it’s fun and spooky as hell. Banger.
6. 6. Frigid Ridges (Stage 3) — if you can make a song sound cold, you killed it.
7. 7. Caves of Spectral Luminance (Stage 5) — pretty melody and i really like it.
8. 8. Into the Mountains (Stage 1) — it hurts to rank anything last because this track rules, but I just have reasons, so I don't want to hear it. Draak my sack!.

Disclaimer: this was fucking hard, and I feel guilty for ranking stuff last?

This guy is super talented and works in some pretty interesting genres. He seems cool, like the type of guy you’d hang out with and play N64 with, alongside some chick you met at Trader Joe’s.

I was on Discord the other day talking to one of my homies in India, and he was explaining how, in their culture, artists are often seen as being connected to something divine. Like, art isn’t just entertainment, it’s a way to channel, explore, and offer up deeper meaning while connected to a higher power. That really stuck with me, and honestly it makes a lot of sense when I think about multi-disciplinary artists like Casey and the stuff he makes.

I hope I get to collaborate with him one day. Maybe he can even help me with the military fantasy book series I’m working on, which has some characters I think will be real fan favorites! Some people have said it kinda rips off Tolkien, but it’s mostly INSPIRED. One character, Gundalf, is like a wizard but with a gun. Then there’s Aragun, who is basically a Texas Ranger type. And AShea 47 is sort of like Frodo, but totally different, and also he has a gun.

Anyway, I hope Casey makes more Draakula albums! Or, like, some kick-ass music for other games that should exist!