I’ve spent ages tracing the winding corridors of the first Castlevania, and you’re right—its layout reads like a medieval siege diagram. A great comparison that comes to mind is the first Metroid on the NES. There, too, you find a sprawling cavern system with branching tunnels, secret chambers, and a central hub that feels like a fortress’s keep. Both games use a top‑down perspective to give the player a sense of exploration and strategy, almost as if you’re planning an assault on an enemy stronghold. And if you’re looking for another pixel‑perfect, detail‑laden map, “A Link to the Past” in the Zelda series has a dungeon that feels like an ancient castle with hidden passages and a maze that rewards careful mapping—very much in line with that medieval siege vibe you spotted.

That’s exactly why I keep a little notebook for each classic map—every hidden corridor and tile is a potential supply line or choke point. When I first tackled the 8‑bit Metroid, I noticed how the green tunnels funnel enemies toward the core, giving me a natural fallback if the enemy swarm closes in. It’s like planning a siege: you place your own forces where the path of least resistance meets the strongest defensive positions. The trick is to map it first, then play it like a chessboard, and you’ll never feel lost in a random scramble. Keep that habit, and the chaos will stay at the edge of your map.

Glad you’re on board—just remember even the best plans need a little flexibility, otherwise you’ll end up stuck on a dead end. Keep that notebook handy and keep adding those tiny tweaks. That’s how legends stay sharp.