THE HUB

OMG!!!

FEATURED GAME

FEATURED MEMBER

elementxstyle

elementxstyle

GP Design shop.

QUICK POLL

What's the next big game coming this year?

ASK THE PROS

THE GAMEPROS

FREE NEWSLETTERS

Sign up now to receive weekly or daily updates on your favorite games, stories, and more!



DS | Adventure | Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin

Boxart for Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin
Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin 24 screen shots
  • GRAPHICS: 4.50
  • SOUND: 4.50
  • CONTROL: 4.50
  • FUN FACTOR 4.50
  • AVG USER SCORE 4.6
  • AVG CRITIC SCORE 4.3
Winner of the GamePro Editor's Choice Award

First Look: Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin

First Look by Mike Weigand | 08/24/2006 | 11:36:42 AM PST

Morris and Orlean travel together onscreen, and the player can switch between them at will, controlling the leader while delegating the "follower" to pre-set commands (such as attack or defend). The game also throws-in some clever puzzles where both characters must work together in order to advance further in the game.

For instance, at one point the pair were faced with a seeming dead end-a dilemma that was quickly solved by Orlean jumping to the top of a tall pillar, and Morris then pushing the object underneath a ledge that Orlean could then reach. The "team" aspect also plays a key feature during boss battles, as the pair can combine forces and execute devastating attacks. (The game will also allow two players to hunt simultaneously via Wi-Fi.)

No "DS" in "Team"

Like the previous DS Castlevania, Dawn of Sorrow, Portrait will feature action on the lower screen, and maps or character statistics on the top, but the developers are implementing some new key play mechanics. For starters, there will be no sealing of a boss' soul by drawing patterns with the stylus (something gamers found to interrupt the game's flow). The touch features will be kept to a minimum, and relegated to such tasks as, for instance, directing secondary characters.

Another notable change is the elimination of the Soul System, where new abilities were earned by defeating enemies and collecting their aura. In Portrait, powers are awarded by performing tasks for a shadowy character named "Wind."

Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin isn't due to be released until November, but it has all the color, vibrancy, and trademark elements of the best 2D offerings in the series (crowned by the classic Symphony of the Night). Looks like Castlevania will turn 20 in style.

You can check out the trailer here.


Related Articles