GAME FRANCHISES THAT HAVE INFLUENCED ME:
Old Konami titles: Castlevania, Contra, Gradius/Salamander/Life Force/Parodius
Scrolling Shmups
Bubble Bobble-Style Arcade Games
Retro Beat'em-Ups (Final Fight, Double Dragon, etc)
Rez / Katamari Damacy / Portal
Survival Horror (such as Silent Hill/Dead Space)
Diablo