Castlevania II: Simon's Quest/Berkeley Mansion

Town of Jova
You start out in the upper left corner of the Town of Jova, one of the locations least affected by Dracula's curse, although the townspeople are by no means unaware of you and your plight. You begin the game with the regular whip, and 50 hearts to your name. There are three items for sale here, two of which you must buy, and one which you will be tempted to purchase, but might be better off leaving. The two items which you need are the Holy Water, sold inside door C, and the White Crystal, sold by a merchant walking around just outside of door C (point D). However, they each cost 50 hearts, so you'll need to earn another 50 to buy them both. The optional item is the thorn whip, sold behind door B for 100 hearts. However, only a short distance away in the Town of Veros and for only 50 hearts more, you can purchase the Chain Whip which is twice as strong as the Thorn Whip. Therefore, it may be wiser to skip the purchase of the Thorn Whip.

To the left of town is Belasco Marsh, a dangerous area with strong monsters and poisonous marshes. You are highly advised not to visit the marsh until you become substantially more powerful. To the right of town is Veros Woods, a far safer area though not without its own dangers. Before you leave town, be sure to make note of where the church is (door A), but remember that you can only visit the church to restore your health during the day time.

Quotes

Jova Woods
The first section, which is where you should be fighting for hearts, is a very mild area. There are a lot of skeletons and werewolves, but no environmental hazards. The skeletons are a trivial threat, however the werewolves can jump about and make a nuisance of themselves. Run under them if they get to close and whip them from behind. Don't try and jump and whip; you'll just get hit. Head right to get to the river and meet the Fishmen. It wouldn't be a Castlevania game without Fishmen jumping out of the water, shooting fireballs at you.

South Bridge
Move across the bridge slowly; otherwise you risk having a Fishman jump up and hit you from below, probably knocking you into the water. Jump or duck their fireballs, then move in and whip when you have an opening. If you wait around a bit they'll jump back into the water, letting you pass.

On the next screen you'll see a set of platforms that you can use to reach the upper level, or you can use the Holy Water to break the lowest block. The purplish liquid is marsh, not water, so it won't kill you. You will, however, lose life quickly if you stand around in it. It's easiest to take the upper path. Head right and you'll be in Veros Woods.

Veros Woods west
Veros Woods is pretty much just like Jova Woods, but even shorter and easier. If you don't have at least 200 hearts, fight the skeletons in this screen. Once you're set, go down the stairs and head right. You'll find yourself in the second town of the game.

Town of Veros

 * Key Items:

Veros is significantly smaller than Jova, but there are some very important things here. When you go in the building, they may seem abandoned, but if you use Holy Water on the floors or walls, you'll find the secret passage where the merchants hide out. In the first building, break through the right wall and buy the, then go back out side. Continue to the right, stopping at the Church needed, and go into the open building on the right side of town. Use Holy Water on the floor and then buy the (which is 3-4 times as strong as the Leather Whip) from the merchant at the bottom.

You're now prepared to go through the first mansion. You can reach it by heading out of town to the right, up to the top of the cavern, and then through the left exit. However, it's easier to get to the mansion from the west, so head back into Veros Woods.

Quotes

Veros Woods east
Head left and back up the stairs, then to the right. You can hit the Skeletons on the platforms above the marsh much more easily with the Dagger than the whip. In the next screen, watch out for a Fishman when you go to jump across the pond. Head right one more screen and you'll be outside Berkeley Mansion. If you have at least 50 hearts go through the door, otherwise keep fighting outside until you get enough.

Berkeley Mansion
Important items: Other items: Bosses:
 * 3 Books
 * 3 Books
 * None

Three things that you need to know about this (and every) mansion:
 * 1) A lot of the floors are fake - if you step on them you will fall through.
 * 2) You can find hidden books containing clues that are [usually] useful in the walls.
 * 3) There is a merchant selling ; buy one.

To avoid the fake floors, simply thrown Holy Water down every step. The vial will pass through fake floors, just as you would.

When you first enter, you'll be at the edge of a river with a ledge high above you, that you can't reach. Equip the and you'll be able to see a platform moving up and down. Jump onto the platform to reach the high ledge and head right. When you reach the end of the corridor, you'll see two staircases; go up. On the next level, head left, use the blocks to reach the fourth level. If you head all the way right, past the spikes, and break the right wall with holy water, you'll find the first book. If you got the book, head all the way back to the left side of the mansion. In any case, head up the stairs to the fifth level and go right. You'll reach a point where you have to jump to the next ledge, but be careful as the first two blocks are fake. Head right, into the next screen.

Go all the way right and down two sets of stairs, and then back left. Take the stairs going up and head as far left as you can, over the spikes. There's an old man here who sells for 50 hearts. You need one, so if you can't afford it, fight enemies until you get enough hearts. Past the merchant is a wall that can be broken with Holy Water to revel the second book. Go back to the right and down two sets of stairs.

If you head all the way to the right, you'll reach a dead end. You can break the wall to get the third book, and then backtrack to the stairs. Head down the last set of stairs and then go all the way right, keeping an eye out for fake floors You'll be in a large room with a couple of hung skeletons and a crystal ball. Use the Oak Stake on it (make sure the stake hits the crystal or you'll have to go buy another one) to reveal a bag containing. Equip the Rib and whenever you're stationary, you'll have a shield that can block fireballs and other small projectiles. Note that, for the most part, you have to be stationary - Simon will lower the shield to move, whip, or use items; you can, however, jump and hold the shield.

Head back left, and drop through one of the fake pieces of floor. Being careful not to fall in the water, head all the way left, to the next screen, up the stairs, and left some more to reach the left side of the mansion. Drop down and go through the entrance to get back outside. If you need to heal, head back left, down, and right to get back to Veros, otherwise head right to begin the second phase of your journey: retrieving Dracula's heart from Rover Mansion.

Books