Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrows

Retr0gamer

At last a DS game has arrived in Europe that is equal to the quality of the PSPs best. I think this game is out tomorrow. I only got my copy today from my mate in Konami for some reason. Anyway it's a sequel to the sinfully good Aria of Sorrow on the GBA. Anyone who has played it will know what to expect, Super Metroid type exploration with classic Symphony of the Night gameplay. The game really doesn't use the abilities of the DS to it's fullest. The touch pad is used to draw magic seals to finish off bosses and open doors. The second screen is used as a [sarcasm] highly original [/sarcasm] map. However don't let this put you off, the game plays fantastically and really shouldn't be missed if it lives but to its predecessor. The game is 2D but looks gorgeous. The animation is top notch and some of the enemy deaths use some excellent 2D effects. Also the game seems to be uncut for European release and features quite a lot of gore. Music is very good but just don't expect CD quality music.

I haven't really played much of this game but what I did play was fantastic. I can't tell you if it is bigger than the previous games or if the bosses are disappointingly easy like with the last 2 handheld games.

Of note is that included in the case is a poster of a game called Lost in Blue. It has some pictures from first person milking cows, lighting a fire and hunting with a bow and arrow as well as a 3D adventure type part. Looks very interesting and could have new uses for the touch pad.

super_furry

Good to hear. I'll be picking it up along with Advance Wars DS tomorrow and my DS will finally be getting a dusting off after months of playing second fiddle to the PSP. The software release schedule has been very poor, but looks to be picking up with Nintendogs due out soon, Lunar: Dragon Song just released in the U.S. and Trauma Center: Under the Knife out there next week.

Lost in Blue is a follow up to the GBC game survival kids - if it lives up to it's predecessor, it'll be a very good game.

evad_lhorg

unfortunately lunar dragon song and lost in blue arent gettin the best reviews.


they reall need to release final fantasy 6 and tales of phantasia.


ill be pickin up castlevania tomorrow with advance wars.

Mr E

Castlevania is definitely on my shopping list today.

From what I've heard, when you finish the game, it unlocks a new gameplay mode for the main game (with a different storyline and changed cutscenes).

Can't wait.

Retr0gamer

Played a bit more on the bus this morning. The second boss you face is quite tough which is a good indicator of how the tough the rest of the bosses will be. The animations really are fantastic. The attention to detail is great with lots of nice touches like snow falling off cars when you jump on them. There are some gorgeous graphical effects, lots of rotation, scaling transparency and warping effects that put even the nicest looking saturn games to shame. There are even some nice looking 3D backgrounds. Can't recommend this game enough. If it is a choice between advance wars and Castlevania then buy them both

Remember to pick this game up early. Konami Europe have an awful habit of under supplying Castlevania games. I remember asking my friend for Aria of Sorrow 3 weeks after it was released and even Konmai didn't have any copies left.

Mr E

Went to Gamestop in the Parkway SC in Limerick. They got one copy in, and it sold immediately. Asked them to ring the Crescent SC to see if they had it in stock. Gamestop there got 2 copies in, and they're holding one for me.

Don't know about Game or Smyths, but this game is thin on the ground in gamestop.

Grab it while you can....

evad_lhorg

its all good when you work for the shop though

rainbow kirby

It's a kick in the pants when you want this badly... but are flat broke because UCD is eating half your pay.

TheAlmightyArse

GAME in Galway had none in, which wasn't surprising (they had sold out their two copies of Meteos by noon last week), and Gamestop were charging a ridiculous €55, which I paid.

It was good for the bus journey home, but it hasn't really grabbed me yet. I've only played a few hours, though. And it is certainly gorgeous.

Mr E

For those looking for it, I ended up buying it in Xtravision for €45.

I like it alot. Definitely a gorgeous game, alright.

Gummy Panda

I went into Xtravision and there was a case on the floor but no game behind the counter.

Grrrr... Gimps!!

evad_lhorg

tis an excellent game tbh and yes for a twelves game it is very gory.

rainbow kirby

bah.. soooo tempted now! Must...resist...temptation...

Mr E

I'm struggling a bit with it, to be honest. Its a pretty hard game. (Thank god - should last me a while!!)

Aaron M

I picked it up over the weekend - slightly more expensive at €50, but I wasn't prepared to wait just to save €5/€10 !

I've only played about an hour of it so far, but I've been impressed. I like the way they have included lots of different abilities and weapons - feels more like an adventure game rather than just a side-scrolling platformer. The graphics are excellent - attention to detail is fantastic. Touch-screen use is minimal, but then again there was no real point in using it much anyway - it's gives no advantage for this type of game.

All-in-all, I feel that this is exactly the type of game the DS sorely needed, and I'm sure it will sell well.

BTW, has anyone read any reviews of it anywhere yet ?

evad_lhorg

TmB wrote:

I'm struggling a bit with it, to be honest. Its a pretty hard game. (Thank god - should last me a while!!)

ive fought about 3 or 4 bosses at this stage myself. i havnt found it to be too hard. its all about the right summon and weapon combo. i find the manticore summon to be the handiest.


the second boss was quite tough though. the big punching guy

Mr E

Getting through it now. Couldn't believe there was a bloody sliding puzzle in it!
Really enjoying this game.... I have Aria loaded on my GBA flashcart for a playthrough after this (stopped playing last year after I got stuck on the 'death' boss).

I really really recommend this game.

super_furry

Yeah, that block sliding puzzle is doing my head in at the moment - I can't for the life of me get the bottom left path to line up.

Mr E

The funny thing is if you arrange all parts 1-4 on the top, 5-8 next and so on, room 5 seems to be isolated from everything else. Is there a pattern that will give access to all rooms?

honru

Looks like I'll be getting this next for my DS. The Castlevania series is fantastic and this looks like another welcome edition.

Mr E

Finished it a couple of days ago (I've seen 3 different endings... are there more?)

Julius

mode is like a completely different game. Very different game mechanics.

Glazun

Do I need to get Aria of Sorrow, to understand the plot for this one? I know .. I know, I could go research it myself, but other people don't put grey boxes over their spoilers..

I've only played Circle of the Moon, I kept planning to get Harmony of the Dio..somehting and Aria of Sorrow.

Retr0gamer

It will be hard finding a copy of Aria of Sorrow on anything other than ebay. You don't really need to have played Aria to understand the game, the plot is very weak anyway and the game relies on it's excellent gameplay more than story. Aria of sorrow and Harmony of Dissonance are still worth tracking down since they are excellent games.

Mr E

In Dawn Of Sorrows, there is a library function that explains all the plot elements from Aria of Sorrow. I would argue that DoS's library function actually spoils the surprises from AoS (if you haven't played AoS and want to....)

Glazun

I see, smeh.. wonder if I could track down a 10 year old with a copy of AoS, who's stuck on the first level, and trade Zoo Keeper for DS for it.. <_< >_>