Emperor Pan I
Respected Member
Ok, Castlevania has quickly become one of my favorite series of games. the first game I ever played for Castlevania was Circle of the Moon, as it was one of the launch games for the Gameboy advanced. I still to this day several years later have my level 99 character with 99:99:99 time player. I have played other castlevanias since, and the newest to the library is Dawn of Sorrow for the Nintendo DS. I'm going to make alot of references to Symphony of the Night, circle of the Moon, and Aria of Sorrow.
Gameplay 8.5/10
If you've never played a castlevania, this game will likely be amazing your first time around. However it isn't the most innovative and groundbreaking game ever. Basicly this game is Aria of sorrow for the DS. It looks and feels like the gameboy counterpart. There are however some nice additions. The DS has more buttons, allowing a wider variety of moves. A special Attack button has been added, that uses up Mana, while a quick switch has been added, allowing equipment changes instantly. Immediately this makes the game far more appealing to pick up and play. You can now equip two sets of equipment, and souls, and switch in the middle of gameplay without needing the menu.
Unlike the first half of the Castlevania series, Dawn of Sorrow like it's predecessor is an RPG based side scrolling metroidesque game. Your character gains levels through a basic RPG system that was introduced in Symphony of the Night, and can equip weapons and armor to defeat various enemys. This is completely standard with the newer Castlevania games.
Also, like Aria of Sorrow, the ability to collect souls is still present. This is unique to these two games, as all other castlevanias use differnet magic methods. There are three types of souls, red, yellow and blue. Red is bullets, that replace the old "sub weapons" from older castlevanias. Yellow are enchant souls that boost a certain stat, or gives immunity. Blue souls are closely related to the old magic system of older castlevanias, because they require a button to be activated, and drain mana to work. With duel equipment, you can equip 6 souls, using any combo of one of each type of 3 souls. 1 red, 1 blue, 1 yellow. A fourth type of soul (silver) gives special abilities that consume no mana, and are always active (double jump or walk under water.)
Where Aria of Sorrow had 120 souls, Dawn of sorrow has roughly 116 souls. The problem this game has is the monsters are either reused monsters from Aria of sorrow, or new but boring monsters. Like a fat clown that throws cards? Why is a clown needed?
Some new functionality added specificly for the DS also falls short. The magic seals that are introduced seem forced, and not needed. After every boss fight, you must trace with the touch screen a special seal or else you have to defeat the boss again. The problem with this, is If your not prepare, you have to fumble for the stylus or strap to trace it. If your off, or to slow it will break and the boss fight continues.
Other DS features are the same. The ability to break crystals with the stylus is limited at best, and the feature is hardly used. When it is used, it was tedious, and at times was a hassle. The Duel screen itself allows for a map to be displayed on the top screen. The most important feature has to be an instant map on the top of the screen. It makes up for a lot of slack in other areas, as it provides alot of flowing gameplay not interupted by the start menu. Also the stylus can be used to guide summoned familiars to attack a specific target, and also to guide through menus.
Once again, a Julius game is added, just like the last one. Other features include a Boss rush mode that must be unlocked, and a Monster set mode. The monster set mode lets you use a pre-designed dungeon and place any monster you have encountered in it. this can be traded with your friends, and challenged between players to see who gets the best time in your custom dungeon. Other multiplayer options like Aria of Sorrow is the ability to trade souls.
Another added feature is that of the soul fusing system. You can now fuse extra souls with a weapon to create a stronger weapon. This only is used for weapons which is slightly disapointing, as is the number of overall items, just another shortcommings.
don't get me wrong, this game is fun, the problem is it lacks in so many areas, that could have been improved upon. The game is easy, and unfortunately the map is smaller in comparison to otehr games. There are also no secrets, which were some of the funnest parts in older castlevanias. Otherwise the boss battles are in many respects fun, and some of the areas just looked good.
Graphics 9.5/10
The Graphics in This game are above and beyond anyhting I have seen in a 2D Castlevania. Many 3D elements have been added to the game, including the background and many monsters. although some of the same sprites from the last game have been reused, alot of it has been updated. For example if you go behind some monsters and force them to turn and face you, they will turn with a 3d effect, making it look like it actualy turned in full 3d. Many of the backgrounds have had intricate detail added, even creating an amazing effect as you walk past mirrors. The backgrounds contain multiple layers that give it a realistic effect. Even when your outside, if you look closely you can see puffs of breath coming from Soma, and as you jump on a van, snow falls off the roof. It's the little details that add to the experience.
Sound 8/10
Between the music and the SFX, Dawn of Sorrow leaves the previous games in the dust.
Story 7/10
Personaly, I have never liked this series of storyline for the Castlevania games. The Soma Cruz, soul collecting whatever is interesting for gameplay, but the story is weak. There are multiple endings, like the last game, and each one is a treat to get, however the endings don't do the game justice. The characters are weak, and the story unlike it's predecessor is not as well adjusted. I mean, it's called a cult, but it ends up being only three humans, one of which isn't around for very long.
Replayability7/10
The game is rather short and easy if you know how to play a Castlevania. However while you can beat it in seven hours, you won't be so quick to get the extras. Between unlocking bonuses, and collecting for 100%, anyone dedicated will find it is easier to come back to get more out of this game.
Overall 8/10
It could have been better. It had so much potential, but fell flat in many areas. The DS doesnt provide alot of features, and those that are added are mediocre. The game is gogeous, and sounds great. However the story leaves much to be desired, and a game like this has limited replayability. Overall, the problem is this game is to much like the last game, and does little to seperate itself.
Gameplay 8.5/10
If you've never played a castlevania, this game will likely be amazing your first time around. However it isn't the most innovative and groundbreaking game ever. Basicly this game is Aria of sorrow for the DS. It looks and feels like the gameboy counterpart. There are however some nice additions. The DS has more buttons, allowing a wider variety of moves. A special Attack button has been added, that uses up Mana, while a quick switch has been added, allowing equipment changes instantly. Immediately this makes the game far more appealing to pick up and play. You can now equip two sets of equipment, and souls, and switch in the middle of gameplay without needing the menu.
Unlike the first half of the Castlevania series, Dawn of Sorrow like it's predecessor is an RPG based side scrolling metroidesque game. Your character gains levels through a basic RPG system that was introduced in Symphony of the Night, and can equip weapons and armor to defeat various enemys. This is completely standard with the newer Castlevania games.
Also, like Aria of Sorrow, the ability to collect souls is still present. This is unique to these two games, as all other castlevanias use differnet magic methods. There are three types of souls, red, yellow and blue. Red is bullets, that replace the old "sub weapons" from older castlevanias. Yellow are enchant souls that boost a certain stat, or gives immunity. Blue souls are closely related to the old magic system of older castlevanias, because they require a button to be activated, and drain mana to work. With duel equipment, you can equip 6 souls, using any combo of one of each type of 3 souls. 1 red, 1 blue, 1 yellow. A fourth type of soul (silver) gives special abilities that consume no mana, and are always active (double jump or walk under water.)
Where Aria of Sorrow had 120 souls, Dawn of sorrow has roughly 116 souls. The problem this game has is the monsters are either reused monsters from Aria of sorrow, or new but boring monsters. Like a fat clown that throws cards? Why is a clown needed?
Some new functionality added specificly for the DS also falls short. The magic seals that are introduced seem forced, and not needed. After every boss fight, you must trace with the touch screen a special seal or else you have to defeat the boss again. The problem with this, is If your not prepare, you have to fumble for the stylus or strap to trace it. If your off, or to slow it will break and the boss fight continues.
Other DS features are the same. The ability to break crystals with the stylus is limited at best, and the feature is hardly used. When it is used, it was tedious, and at times was a hassle. The Duel screen itself allows for a map to be displayed on the top screen. The most important feature has to be an instant map on the top of the screen. It makes up for a lot of slack in other areas, as it provides alot of flowing gameplay not interupted by the start menu. Also the stylus can be used to guide summoned familiars to attack a specific target, and also to guide through menus.
Once again, a Julius game is added, just like the last one. Other features include a Boss rush mode that must be unlocked, and a Monster set mode. The monster set mode lets you use a pre-designed dungeon and place any monster you have encountered in it. this can be traded with your friends, and challenged between players to see who gets the best time in your custom dungeon. Other multiplayer options like Aria of Sorrow is the ability to trade souls.
Another added feature is that of the soul fusing system. You can now fuse extra souls with a weapon to create a stronger weapon. This only is used for weapons which is slightly disapointing, as is the number of overall items, just another shortcommings.
don't get me wrong, this game is fun, the problem is it lacks in so many areas, that could have been improved upon. The game is easy, and unfortunately the map is smaller in comparison to otehr games. There are also no secrets, which were some of the funnest parts in older castlevanias. Otherwise the boss battles are in many respects fun, and some of the areas just looked good.
Graphics 9.5/10
The Graphics in This game are above and beyond anyhting I have seen in a 2D Castlevania. Many 3D elements have been added to the game, including the background and many monsters. although some of the same sprites from the last game have been reused, alot of it has been updated. For example if you go behind some monsters and force them to turn and face you, they will turn with a 3d effect, making it look like it actualy turned in full 3d. Many of the backgrounds have had intricate detail added, even creating an amazing effect as you walk past mirrors. The backgrounds contain multiple layers that give it a realistic effect. Even when your outside, if you look closely you can see puffs of breath coming from Soma, and as you jump on a van, snow falls off the roof. It's the little details that add to the experience.
Sound 8/10
Between the music and the SFX, Dawn of Sorrow leaves the previous games in the dust.
Story 7/10
Personaly, I have never liked this series of storyline for the Castlevania games. The Soma Cruz, soul collecting whatever is interesting for gameplay, but the story is weak. There are multiple endings, like the last game, and each one is a treat to get, however the endings don't do the game justice. The characters are weak, and the story unlike it's predecessor is not as well adjusted. I mean, it's called a cult, but it ends up being only three humans, one of which isn't around for very long.
Replayability7/10
The game is rather short and easy if you know how to play a Castlevania. However while you can beat it in seven hours, you won't be so quick to get the extras. Between unlocking bonuses, and collecting for 100%, anyone dedicated will find it is easier to come back to get more out of this game.
Overall 8/10
It could have been better. It had so much potential, but fell flat in many areas. The DS doesnt provide alot of features, and those that are added are mediocre. The game is gogeous, and sounds great. However the story leaves much to be desired, and a game like this has limited replayability. Overall, the problem is this game is to much like the last game, and does little to seperate itself.
