[20.04.08] Development has resumed with an intended version for MC v1.16.x. This map is approaching the big 10 YEAR mark, and people are still playing it!
There have been some rough patches (see recent posts for info). The next release will be a standalone expansion to the main adventure, picking up RIGHT where the story left off. This time, the troubles center around the expanded Wallachia region, adjacent to the original area, and the troubled town of Jova. There is a lot of brand-new content, QoL improvements, and several hours of new gameplay. The team is still at it, true believers that we are.
Some outdated info in the main post has been amended, and broken download links re-hosted. Feel free to join our discord channel, where you can get access to the latest test builds and help playtest the new adventure as it progresses through its development paces.
[18.09.06] Criswelvania is coming up on its NINTH year in November! That's one sturdy map! We've had a couple years of setbacks resulting from previous updates, but 1.13 has given us a chance to make a fresh restart, with the potential to finally add some features this map has anticipated from its inception. The whole team is still here and we've been hard at work since pre-Release to reconstruct and improve the complete playable map.
[15.05.30] The Criswelvania project is well into it’s fifth year and we’ve expanded our development team to include Spookyhappyfun working alongside Criswell. We’re gearing up for a new release utilizing the current Minecraft version 1.8! Criswelvania Book II is still in development, but we’ve got plenty of new features to share. Stay tuned!
Criswelvania is an homage to Konami's Castlevania series of games. Fans of the original NES game will note that every level and even the overall progression of the first Castlevania has been in some way interpreted in this map, and many elements from Simon's Quest, Dracula’s Curse, Super Castlevania IV for SNES, and Symphony of the Night make appearances as well.
Criswelvania is a vanilla Minecraft map that features deadly challenges, tense battles with new and unique mobs, mechanical puzzles and hidden magical treasures to find, all spread throughout a truly epic adventure. Discover legendary weapons, powerful potions and animal companions to aid you on your journey! Criswelvania now features greatly expanded Nether content, new challenge dungeons, NPCs, revamped economy, rebalanced better multiplayer support and a slew of new redstone and piston traps and mechanisms.
If you haven’t visited in a while, maybe it's time to Return to Criswelvania!
It's sunset on the edge of a dark forest. You need to find weapons and items to survive. Open the first chest you see, and equip the sword. You can use the snowballs too to keep monsters at bay until you can find something better. The other materials might come in handy as well.
Follow the path East, then South until you come to a lake and Zweilliger Farm. You can take refuge overnight in the farm if you wish; you may find some more items to aid you. When you are prepared, continue down the road and you will come to a passage over a cliff leading to the first village of Gillis. You should be able to see the Castle in the distance. If you search the houses in Gillis you will find your first quest.
Ascend the dark halls and towers of Criswelvania and cleanse it of the evil that awaits you within. Visit the nearby towns surrounding the Castle to buy supplies and get hints to guide you to the rarest and most powerful equipment.
Journey into the portal under the Palace of Darkness to face an ultimate challenge. Can you return through the Portal at the end of this deadly nightmare, and do more adventures yet await? Should you succeed, your name will become legend! If you fail, yours may end up as rather more of a... cautionary tale.
the following guidelines are suggested”
- Criswelvania is a tense action-adventure with roleplaying, platforming and puzzle-solving elements. Exploration is rewarded. The guidelines suggested are mainly to increase immersiveness, simulate NPC interaction, provide a challenge and sense of accomplishment, and an intuitive progression to prevent players from getting lost.
- Change the Difficulty and other challenge settings in-map at the Game Start Menu.
- Select your player character at the Hall of Heroes, and receive your starting gifts and class perk. Or choose ungifted Wanderer to forsake such attachments. Perhaps invade the Heroes instead as a PvP Adversary!
- Real Vampire Killers will only venture outdoors or leave towns after sunset. There are some encounters that only occur at night.
- Use shops to restock on gear and supplies, and Inns to set waypoints and access your permanent storage.
- Explore hidden paths and solve puzzles to advance though an intricate non-linear adventure of astonishing scope.
Looting & Treasure
You may generally take any items you find, as needed. There are several items you may find which have no specific use in the game, and your inventory will fill up quickly if you take items not related to combat, defense, and survival. There are also some valuable items which can be traded in towns for supplies (see Currency), or they may serve other purposes...
Shops & Currency
The treasure items you find in chests throughout your journey support the local economy in Criswelvania. Selling or trading with local vendors will help you to acquire items to help you along your quest. Some vendors may even purchase any books or paintings you find along the way
The rates of exchange are as follows:
Gold Nugget . . . $ 1
Iron Ingot . . . . . $ 3
Gold Ingot . . . . $ 9
Diamond . . . . . $18
Breaking & Placing Blocks
There are a few breakable blocks: any clay is breakable, as are suspiciously-placed single or paired blocks of half-steps or brick, or out-of-place patches of sand or gravel. There is usually a hint nearby, such as a pick or shovel in a chest. You may break monster spawners, or disable them with torches (unless playing Hardcore).
You may also mine out exposed minerals, and smelt any ores found to use as you see fit.
It is permissible to place dirt, stone, wood and other blocks to repair damaged floors or walls with the same kind of material. You may also build emergency barricades, and you may build bridges in situations such as crossing lava or chasms if it suits your style, but you may not build steps or towers to climb over fences, walls or other obstacles.
Crafting
You may not craft items until after you find the recipes or schematics for that item (or the item itself in early versions of the map). So, even if you find 2 bars of iron, you may not craft an iron sword until you find the schematics for an iron sword. Likewise for armor, diamond gear, potions, and other things. It is possible to find or buy everything you need and never have to craft anything, but you will have to search! You will need at least some of the iron you find to buy things with anyway. Additional items may be crafted for extra players as well.
If you die in Criswelvania, you will spawn at your starting location outside the forest. You may want to leave some items stashed behind you in case you need to craft or purchase replacements for any lost gear.
There are a few usable beds around, you may use these to advance your spawn position.
There is a marked path to every important location, and clear boundaries to the distinct regions in the map. Try to stay within these boundaries to avoid getting lost or breaking the game. Anywhere you see pavestones or stairs is fair game for exploration. If you get out of sight of civilization, you are getting yourself lost.
Try not to break obstacles to get around them. The puzzle elements of Criswelvania are not overly complex for the uninitiated, nothing is too fiendishly buried or requires esoteric knowledge of weird Minecraft techniques. Players need not randomly rip apart the environment to find arbitrary loot. There are occasionally multiple paths to get to or from some locations, so if you get stuck, backtrack and keep searching.
it will greatly increase the depth and enjoyment of your game”
Helpful Hints
Keep an eye out for buttons which open doors from the outside.
Many metal doors can be permanently opened from the inside by a lever.
Wooden plates activate when an item is dropped upon them. A fishing rod sinker also works!
Spare ladders may come in handy.
Stash excess loot in safehouse locations and always enter unexplored areas prepared!
There's always a way out.
Chapter 6: Throne of Darkness begins after you ascend the Clock Tower before you enter Bathory Castle. You may still return to previously visited locations to recover overlooked items. After you clear the Palace of Darkness, you are free to locate the Treasury and the Portal Room.
There are also several challenge areas to explore once you are sufficiently equipped. First of these encountered would be Deadman's Cave, just outside of Gillis, where a great amount of pirate treasure lies tucked away. There are other mysterious areas scattered around containing treasure as well.
When you are prepared and carrying as much treasure as you can, enter the portal. To complete the game, simply return from the Nether through the next portal you find, to the Caves of Confusion. Escape to the surface! But, is this really the end??
Once you beat the map, you are free to use the world as your own. If you decide to use the castle as a base, there are 3 other large and mostly unexplored caves in the area, full of minerals and danger.
The extensive Nether portal system will take you to dozens of areas to explore spanning 2 large continents, an enormous world with hundreds of things to discover. The Nether itself has 32 secret chests tucked away -- how many can you find? In the non-Lite versions, see if you can find the Western Ziggurat, Embersted, or the Sacred Caves. Take an 8-minute train tour of the main continent! Try to sail back to Criswelvania on the Minerva Cup Regatta route.
Looking to immerse yourself in the experience even more? Maybe consider contributing to the world! Read more over at The Minerva Project.
More images:
http://ultrafetzig.i...om/criswelvania
Criswelvania now has full support for Multiplayer, and to enhance the adventure, several player character roles involved in the story are provided here. These suggested roles are designed to suit players with various playstyles and levels of experience, and should be balanced in such a way that each player has a clear function in the group. Up to 5 players are recommended.
This map was designed using Default textures, and they are recommend for maximum clarity and fidelity to the intended appearance. However, if you want to spice up the look of the map, there are some appropriate textures and resource packs available that very much compliment the atmosphere of Criswelvania.
Likewise, while Criswelvania is a vanilla map that requires no mods and was not intended for use with mods, there are some that can enhance your gameplay and bring a new and different experience to the adventure.
Be aware, any 3rd-party textures or mods may change the way the game plays in unexpected ways, and may need to be maintained separately to remain compatible with future Minecraft updates, so we can in no way guarantee their performance.
Updated! Craftsylvania Texture Pack started by Morhlis, later maintained by Tibyon, this 16px pack is styled after the original 8-bit NES Castlevania games. Very cool, there's a lot to like about this pack, but for many player the textures make the game too unfamiliar and signs hard to read. Unfortunately it has not been updated since Minecraft Beta 1.7 and now appears to be abandoned. Use at your discretion.
The Endermen Nerf mod prevents Endermen from picking up blocks and moving them around like a bunch of jerks. There’s also a version that prevents them from being damaged by sunlight or water if you like seeing Endermen everywhere all the time. Updated for Minecraft version 1.7.10.
The Careful Creepers mod prevents Creepers from destroying critical blocks. This is an older mod, though, which is fine for older versions of Criswelvania. If Creepers blowing stuff up is a problem for you, give it a whirl.
If you’re playing after Criswelvania 5.2, though, these are turned off by default through console commands, along with fire spread.
User tokeitime has posted some comprehensive mod recommendations for various preferences and effects based on a Minecraft 1.4.7 playthrough of Return to Criswelvania v2.5.
more recommendations soon...
For Minecraft Version 1.5.2: *Temporarily Removed pending bugfix* - C. [20.04.08]
DOWNLOAD Return to Criswelvania v5.2.1 BETA.rar (45MB)
- Lite version, includes the Full Criswelvania Adventure minus the Minervan extras. Bear in mind that this is a Beta release and has some bugs here and there.
DOWNLOAD Return to Criswelvania v.2.5 (390MB) *Best Recent Version*
- Recommend MC v1.2.5 with separate MC install folder (See Installation Options in Launcher)
Please consider using the preferred AdFly links when available. It helps us continue to work on projects for you to enjoy. Let us know if there are any problems with the links. Thanks for your support! We really appreciate it!
Lite versions of the map are trimmed way down for those of you with limited bandwidth. They do not include all the extra features of the full map outside of Criswelvania and the Nether.
Why so many download links? Because you've asked for these options and we are happy to provide!
Older Versions:
DOWNLOAD Return to Criswelvania v2.5 Lite.rar from MediaFire
For Minecraft Beta Version 1.8.1:
DOWNLOAD Criswelvania vRC2 Gold.rar from GoogleDocs [removed]
For Minecraft Beta Version 1.3:
DOWNLOAD Criswelvania v1.3.0.rar from GoogleDocs [removed]
Installation
Extract the Criswelvania folder to your .minecraft/saves directory. Do NOT create a new folder when extracting, the World folder is contained in the archive file.
Q: Does Criswelvania install or require any mods or texture packs?
A: No, Criswelvania runs on vanilla Minecraft and is maintained to be 100% compatible with the the corresponding Minecraft version. Resource packs and mods are purely optional and officially unsupported, however some efforts have received our recognition as adding something complimentary to the mood or spirit of Criswelvania, for players seeking a different experience. Our best recommendation is to play the map on default first, then replay with mods or textures, unless you really want to jump blind into an unfamiliar scenario.
Q: I'm spawning somewhere weird/The map is broken/I don't know where I am or where to go!
A: Anyone having troubles getting started, post or PM us (Spookyhappyfun or Criswell) as much information about your setup as you can: which MC version/mode, any mods in use, which links you've tried, and we'll try to troubleshoot.
Some quick suggestions are to try a different download link, and to make sure that the World folder is in the .minecraft/saves directory, and that the World folder was not double-nested upon extraction (i.e.: "Criswelvania" folder with level.dat inside another "Criswelvania" folder inside /saves). Do NOT create a new folder when extracting.
Q: Will the Lite version work on my mobile device or console?
A: Minecraft Pocket and Console Editions do not support proper Minecraft maps yet, but the hope is that someday they will. That would be frickin' sweet.
Q: Does Criswelvania ever get old?
A: Never. It keeps getting better the more times you play it! 
Changes in v5.2:
New Opening Sequence
Added NPCs!
Added Guidebooks
Added Recipes and Schematics
*v5.2 BETA removed temporarily to fix certain previously-unresolved issues. This version was intended as a BETA only and not meant to stay up as long as it did. Apologies for any confusion this caused.
*Use the Return to Criswelvania 2.5 link below for now. MC v1.2.5 recommended for 2.5 version. Online multiplayer is supported.
*A separate installation folder is required to play Minecraft v1.2.5 now.
Converted map to Anvil format
Utilized all-new MC v1.2.5 content
New! Character Selection at the Hall of Heroes
Revamped currency system, based on Gold Nugget Std.
Rebalanced and reduced amount of items in stashes
Redistributed treasure items
Added enchanted items and potion vendors
Added location to find wolf companions
Added several new locations, including the Devil's Spire challenge dungeon
More new monsters and treasures
Expanded and improved Nether section
Removed most interior pressure plates on doors to friendly establishments
Added Curse Traps and Altars of Blessing
Activated Lighthouse quest
Lots of improvements to classic areas
Corrected the typo in graveyard from v1.8.1
Fully compatible with Minecraft v1.3.x
Changes in RC2:
Repaired redstone circuit broken by update
Re-armed trap disabled during testing
Exactly 7 blocks changed
Remains compatible with MC b1.8.1
Changes in 1.8.1:
Revamped map compliant with recent MC updates
Improved & Expanded
Fixed ladders broken since MC b1.6
Upgraded minecart rides to use new track types
Reworked & re-detailed original areas
New puzzles and challenges
New monsters and treasures
Rebalanced loot distribution
Supplies in chests are more scarce
Full Multiplayer support
More story elements
Fixed dates in graveyard
Changes in v1.3.0:
Converted map to new format
Added beds & retimed clock with inverter
Changes in v1.2.1:
Added Inverted Nether Castle
New ending goal and scoring system
New treasure hunt quest rewards exploration and replay
Higher prices and more items for sale in shops
Rebalanced loot distribution
Somewhat clearer pathing and goals
More side-quests in villages
Many more monsters, traps and challenges!
The Criswelvania project is approaching its fourth year and still running strong! Significant progress is being made on Criswelvania Chronicles Book II! Thanks for all your support, suggestions and encouragement!
[13.09.15]
Return to Criswelvania v5.2.1 BETA is now in a final closed testing phase! Full release soon to follow!
[13.01.31]
Criswelvania turns two years old today! Thanks for all the support, suggestions and encouragement. Look forward to new adventures soon, spanning the massive world of Minerva with everything Minecraft has to offer!
[12.09.01]
Return to Criswelvania v2.5 is live. New areas, treasures and adventures await! Find wolf companions, potions, and powerful enchanted weapons and armor to help you drive back the hordes of evil lurking within the haunted halls. Works fine in Minecraft v1.3.x! One Lite version available for now, Full version with extras coming shortly.
[11.11.14]
Criswelvania vRC2 Gold
[11.11.09]
Criswelvania v1.8.1 Lite Edition released, a much smaller version of the map minus extras, for users with limited bandwidth or who just want the adventure only. Perfect for playing on your Droid!
[11.11.07]
Criswelvania v1.8.1 Gold is released! The definitive update to the original classic remake/parody horror-action-rpg-adventure map for Minecraft that you should play over and over, alone or with friends! Do it! Get it now!! Can you collect all the treasures?
Chapter 3 is coming in December and it's all-new!! Ask Santa to download it for you for free!
[11.09.01]
I will be at MineCon in Las Vegas all 3 days (hopefully!). Hope to see you there! Say hi, I might have some pins n' stuff to give away.
More than 600 Criswelvania videos have been created from players around the world, and that’s just the ones we know about!
(Spoilers ahead!)
Criswelvania Best Of - The funniest, most action-packed, best-produced and most thorough runs have been moved to their own Best Of playlist. It's still being updated, there are a ton of deserving videos we haven't been able to re-watch yet to evaluate.
Click through for more videos:
Over 100 hours of Criswelvania gameplay videos so far! That's amazing!! Keep 'em coming -- we try to watch them all and we love them!
If you have a Criswelvania playthrough you'd like to promote, feel free to post a link in this thread! We'll be sure to give you a free like+subscribe, and add your video(s) to the official playlist on YouTube. If you would be so kind as to post a link in your description back to this thread for others to download, it would be appreciated.
Quote from bobbert7591»This is truly the greatest map I have EVER downloaded. It has the perfect blend of exploration, story, and difficulty.
Quote from Nathan719
Probably the most fun I've ever had in minecraft.
Quote from Cerebral Cortex
You added an environment to a Minecraft map like no other... I was completely sucked into the atmosphere you created.
This is the best adventure map I have ever played!
Quote from Hatchet18
I would probably pay the price of Minecraft just to play this map, I like it that much.
Quote from Sgt. Frosty
This custom map is simply awesome. An endless variety of spectacular scenery, excellent balance between combat and exploring, and a nostalgia factor that sends a chill down my spine. A must have for those who enjoy Minecraft custom maps.
Quote from OneMoreNameless
This map can be described as nothing short of epic for a roleplay SMP... Any other creators take note: THIS is how you build an adventure map.
Quote from soccerman97
I've played this map so many times and it's still my favorite.
Quote from Owl Exterminator
I was blown away, and still am, by the amount of effort and quality put into Criswelvania...
Quote from AmantiusAllectus
This map is the most impressive utilization of vanilla Minecraft to date, does wonders with its source material, and has a tremendously couth and dedicated creator to boot.
Quote from Mango_Classic
This map is the reason I continue to play Minecraft, it is the source of almost all my inspiration when building or even playing single player.
Quote from Vechs
Aw man dude. Aw man. You have given me inspiration here.
Feedback is welcome!
Simple EULA: You can download and use this work for free, to do anything you want with it for your own entertainment purposes, but you may not resell it in any form whatsoever, nor may it be rehosted anywhere via public links without express permission of the author. If you wish to share private links among friends (i.e.: via a dropbox account), that is acceptable. The software is provided as-is and the author makes no guarantees as to performance nor assumes responsibility for misuse or damage caused the game. Simple.
Criswelvania is a respectful homage and parody of Konami's Castlevania, Bram Stoker's Dracula and many other similar works, but is not connected to those works in any direct way. Criswelvania is set in the world of Minerva in its own canon and any similarities to other works of fiction, coincidental or intended, are purely hilarious.
Criswelvania is and always will be free to play, and no related merchandise will ever be for sale by its creator (Criswell). Down the road, we may set up a donation option for the purpose of setting up an SMP server or two with its own forum, once the requirements exceed our hobbying budget. To this end, we may consider a limited run of some basic commemorative donor gifts: shirts, hats and pins, stuff we can pretty much make ourselves. However, we will never pressure the community for funding, and when interest diminishes then this project will conclude.
The creator has other more original ideas he would like to develop in the future, and is open to working with demonstrably talented individuals who have similar goals.
For more fun & adventures in Minerva, check out:
Descent Into the Devil's Spire - Action-packed with battles and puzzles, for 1-4 players!
Criswelympics 2011.05 - A Series of 12 Multiplayer Challenges for Minecraft. Go for the Gold!
The Minerva Cup Regatta - Take a grand nautical voyage of over 13km around the seas of Minerva. Explore it solo or race against friends!
Donations are purely optional but appreciated! They will go towards the continued development of this and other Minecraft projects.
Follow Criswell on twitter: @ultrafetzig
I won't buy you new pants! Do not even ask! 
With a donation you support me and the development of the mod.
)
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OHH no no no I was saying that I... well am still here watching and waiting patiently.
2
O_O Always watching! O_O
1
Was that a cowboy bebop reference?
Anyway good luck man.
1
1
(Light)
Id=
(Medium)
Id=
(Heavy)
Id=
(Plate)
Id=
So if you have armor issues from other mods all you would have to do is type the id of each item in yourself.
1
How about on hardcore mode when you sleep during a thunderstorm you have a chance to have one of the old nightmares spawning a mod next to you attacking you! Maybe have a new rare mob Wraith maybe?
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5
Pants 30%
Helmet 10%
Boots 10%
For example a gold chest plate would slow you by 2/4 which is half the slow a full gold set would give you.
1
Thank you and good idea on the Dagger. I think if you want a bow you should be mobile so you wear leather armor with no shield. So if you had to go kill some player with iron you would be able to move faster than him and avoid him. Unless he has a Shield. This would create unofficial classes. Based on speed, Defense, and Damage Type.
Here are a few Examples I could see happening.
Archer
All or some leather/chain armor and a bow or Crossbow.
Knight
All iron with a Shield and Sword or no shield and spear.
Tank
All gold with shield any single handed weapon.
M idea is make gold really heavy but really good at def. Gold weapons would still be bad except gold hammers would have a higher knockback. You could just use a diamond weapon but on the other hand your still very slow so someone could easily just kite you or use a hammer on your low durability armor.
I have a lot of combos I could come up with including using the potions and enchantments.
3