[NDS] Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia - HumrH360

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Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia
Developer: Konami Digital Entertainment
Publisher: Konami
Review by HumrH360​

At long last, after at least two years since the last Castlevania for DS came out, it is here. Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia!
People know a good game when they see it, and if they looked at this baby, boy, they would know it!
The question is: Will this game deliver just like the last to DS releases, or it all go up in smoke?


Plot Synopsis: It is somewhere in the 1800s, Dracula is at it yet again, and the Belmont clan has suddenly gone poof! So what does mankind do in their absence? What mankind was born to do: improvise! Ecclesia, one of many organizations, is by far the most promising, using a series of symbols called glyphs which can manifest into many things of used right. They created a trio of glyphs call Dominus that can put down Dracula's power. Shanoa (AKA you) is the only one who can use it and is about to receive it. However, the ceremony is cut short when her best friend, Albus steal the glyphs, apparently causing Shanoa to lose her memories and emotions. Thus you are sent on a wild goose chase to find the Dominus glyphs from Albus.

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Graphics: The in-game sprites for the characters are very well-done and the animations flow like water! Also thanks to the Act Imagine video codec, you will find many 3D moments. The old classic artwork is back too, so if you have been busy playing Dawn of Sorrow, or Portrait of Ruin, it might take some time getting used to the old classic artworks.

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A small sample of how things look​

Gameplay: It's back in its classic, 2D, side-scrolling RPGoodness! Just like in every other Castlevania, you go into an area, butcher everything in the way while making sure you don't get killed and leave the area to the next level or fight a boss. However, instead of grabbing a weapon and then using it to turn the room into a slaughter-house, instead Shanoa equips glyphs onto her arms and back, and can really make a mess! Another cool element in the game is the ability to unleash flurries of attacks by pressing the attack buttons one-after-another, rather then swing a sword, wait for the animation to finish, then swing again. Also, attack now require MP, which will recharge quickly unless you use it all up while beating to stuff out of an enemy. Another feature hardcore people will enjoy is the difficulty. Trust us, this game is not for the smallest at heart. You will die A LOT. Money is also a problem when buying stuff. Guess the inflation what pretty bad back then.

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Imagine the crab cakes I could make out of this sucker!​

Sound/Audio: The Audio really knows its stuff! Rather than having everything go *SLASH! BAM! KA-POW!*. Sound is different for each thing. For example, hitting a skeleton with a bladed weapon glyph will result in a mere *ding!* sound while with a mace glyph, it goes *WHAM!*. However, don't get your hopes up on the Voice Acting. Many voice clips will seem to have too much emotion or not enough. For Example, Shanoa's VA seems to be trying too hard to make her sound tough. Luckily, you can switch the VAs with the original Japanese Seiyus, in which Shanoa's Seiyu may sound much more graceful and natural. The Music can also creep you a little, especially if you have a phobia of zombies! *shudder*

Replay Value: Once you beat the game, you will unlock Hard mode, which is absolutely impossible (for me at least). You will also unlock Boss Rush, which is gives you prizes depending on your time, and Albus mode, allowing you to use Albus, who wields a pistol that behaves more like an SMG. You also have DS wireless and Wi-Fi versus or shop mode, which can be considered the only easy way to make money.

Survey Says
Plot 10/10: Kicking Dracula's ass back into hell never gets old!
Graphics 9/10: Amazing work with 2D sprites and artworks. Granted, it may take a little time to get used to the non-anime style artworks, but as if that really matters
Gameplay 10/10: Chances are one out of 100 people will stop playing due to the difficulty, in which I dub thee wuss.
Sound 9/10: Trust me, you're better off switching the VA language to Japanese.
Replay Value 8/10 Though there aren't any collectible Miscellaneous items like the Konami man from Dawn of Sorrow, wi-fi, Albus mode, and Boss Rush is sure to keep you busy.

Add it up and you get: 46/50: What is there to say, other than "Best. Castlevania. Ever." .........Well except maybe that we will get common complaints about the difficulty level.

 

Re: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

the game is okay, not the best. i didn't like how your heart meter ended up as your magic meter. there aren't that many hearts and it's hard to fill up your heart meter as compared to your magic meter.

what makes it hard is the spacing of save points and the number of portals. the old castlevania games for ds had portals and savers near each other, but here they are apart, there are some that are near, but most are apart from each other. they are typically apart maybe by 2-5 rooms or more.

the character seems a bit sluggish, maybe it's me.

the combo system is great as you can kill enemies quickly then before but it requires timing. if your timing is off, you'll end up with either 2-3 hit combos.

somethings progress only when you have accomplished them. if you didn't accomplish them then you won't progress in that particular thing. for instance, potions. if you don't finish the potion part then you'll be stuck with a first level potion spell.

the game is okay, but it's not the best. again, maybe it's just me.

 

Re: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

If nothing else, its definitely rather difficult at times. I can't wait to try hard mode with the level 1 cap.

 

Re: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

200 taken off your life points for getting touched by a monster! it goes even higher on some monsters too, such as the hammer foot kickers [gray colored, i believe 350-400 points with an armor of 60 at level 52]. it's ridiculous.

i haven't found an easy way of leveling up yet. all i've been doing is roaming around dracula's castle killing things.

 

Re: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

Yeah, this one is tough. It's like Castlevania's version of Megaman, hard fights and lots and lots of dying.

 

Re: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

I felt the game was great all around except for the last two bosses. It might just be me but with bosses like the crab, the giant horseman, and the shadow boss it seems like they got a little lazy on death & Dracula. The only other gripe I had was the heart meter. You can deplete it very quickly and it takes forever to fill it back up by striking candles and what not. I found my self constantly going back to the village and using the fountain over and over again.

 

Re: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

That what makes the game fun! It's meant to push your resourcefulness and your combat tactics to the limit. If Konami had made the game easier, then this game would have gotten a "Most disappointing game" award like Devil May Cry 2

 

Re: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

You've got to be kidding.

I think this post (ultra's) sums up what I'm about to say. The game is good but it's in no way the best of the series. I mean sure, it's fancy, polished and introduces some new elements but it can't compare to Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Graphics and sounds alone do not make a game. At least for me, if the plot is lacking then I don't care how great the game looks, it is not the best. Unfortunately, this game had good graphics, nice tunes and it was very innovative but the plot was deficient and unprovocative. Now don't get me wrong, the plot in this game is sufficient but it felt very linear. I didn't get a sense of excitement or any feel for an unexpected twist. It felt like the game was telling me what to do instead of me doing what I wanted, very restricting.

However, with that out of the way, the game is indeed good. It is definitely innovative and has revolutionized somewhat the franchise as we know it, but it is definitely not the best.

By the way, nice review. I agree with most of the points and I recommend this game to whoever has not played it yet.

 

Re: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

are you nuts? this castle is good but I don't think that can be called "the best" I prefer dawn of sorrow

anyway is good and all people should try it weee

 

Re: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

The game is pretty good so far. Nice review.

 

Re: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

You showed me the crab boss!!! Im stuck at the crab boss!!!

 

Re: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

eazy as pie even on hard mode

 

Re: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

Yeah i suck at castlevania, dont try me on megaman!!

 

Re: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

the game's too short, but overall this game is pretty good~

 

Re: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

OMG! Love this game! Its a bit too short though...

 

Re: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

Gimmic bosses are stupid (The Crab and Eligor). Playing it in Albus mode now.

 

Re: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

You want stupid? Look up Cho Aniki. Don't ask, just do and you'll probably see what I mean *shiver*.

 

Re: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

This game at first was a bit difficult than the old castlevania titles but now its easy for me.

 

Re: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

Loved the review!!!

im still playing it on boss rush mode over, and over again

 

Re: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

i personally didn't like Order of Ecclesia at all. the game is too short, the ending sucked, plus it seems kinda sluggish to me too.

i prefer portrait of ruins more ways than one.