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Nintendo and the Castlevania series have shared a long history with one another and this Fall, Konami is extending that history with two new Castlevania games for the Wii and DS.
Castlevania Judgement is a different direction for the Castlevania franchise. The Wii-exclusive game isn’t an action game like past entries, but is instead a fighting game. While it might seem like an odd match, if you look at the game’s long list of characters, it doesn’t seem that odd.
The final game will include around 14 characters culled from the series’ 22-year history. The final list of characters hasn’t been revealed, though series favorites like Simon Belmont, Dracula and Alucard are around, as well as Symphony of the Night’s Maria. Each will feature their trademark accoutrements, such as Simon’s whip, which will serve as the basis for their various attacks. Attacks are executed using both the Wii-mote and Nunchuk, presumably by waving each in different directions.
Characters will also be able to use secondary attacks, most of which involve the various secondary weapons like knives and holy water, from the action games and other items scattered around each area. So far, only two levels have been revealed: a graveyard and Dracula’s throne room, and each will feature environmental hazards that will make combat more challenging. Characters can also set traps or enlist monsters to help them out.
Castlevania: Order of the Ecclesia, the latest DS entry for the series, takes a slightly more traditional approach, though it isn’t without its own twists.
Order of the Ecclesia takes place during the period of time when the Belmont family line has disappeared, leaving the door wide open for Dracula. Without the Belmonts around to stop the Count’s resurrection, it falls on the Order of the Ecclecia to pick up the slack. The honor of slaying Dracula falls on Shonoa, a young girl with a very special ability.
Rather than using traditional weapons, Shonoa has the ability to use glyphs, which are sort of like tattoos. Glyphs are equipped like weapons in past games and offer both ranged and melee attacks. Each glyph has an energy cost to use, adding a bit of strategy into the mix. Although the meter will slowly refill when not in use, the system forces you to choose attacks wisely, otherwise you could end up in a situation where you can’t attack.
Order of the Ecclesia's gameplay follows the last game, Portrait of Ruin, though with a spin that places it more in line with Simon’s Quest on the NES. You can travel between castles and towns, performing tasks that are directly related to your quest as well as optional side jobs that will unlock helpful items and perhaps a few new glyphs.
There are no details about any sort of Wifi connectivity, though Order of the Ecclesia will connect to Castlevania Judgement to unlock additional gameplay content.
Castlevania Judgement and Castlevania: Order of the Ecclesia hit stores later this year. |
