Castlevania: Curse of Darkness (PS2) Preview

[RainOfTerror]

Curse of Darkness introduces players to an entirely new storyline and main character – Hector, one of two Devil Forgemasters, who had once refined his skills under Dracula. Told in true Castlevania style, this action-packed tale of betrayal and revenge takes players on a journey through an expansive world filled with formidable foes and beautifully rendered environments to the ruins of Dracula's castle. WorthPlaying (http://www.worthplaying.com) had a chance to play a near final build, here is a snap :

While forging good weapons and armor for Hector will go a long way toward making him survivable, it's the Innocent Devil system that you'll really have to exploit if you want to break the game wide open. Furthermore, you have to exploit it if you want any kind of reliable method of healing around. Curse of Darkness sharply limits the number of healing items that enemies drop, as well as the efficacy of those items. You can occasionally pick up healing Meat by breaking open torches, but this is a random and unreliable source of healing. What you really want is a fully evolved, high-level Fairy Innocent Devil at your side. Similarly, the two other types of Innocent Devils we used, the Golem and the Bird, were both helpful assistants in battle and exploring the castle. Check out the complete Castlevania: Curse of Darkness preview (http://www.worthplaying.com/article.php?sid=29302) over at WorthPlaying.

[Derwin]

all the new castlevania games have names like "_____ of _____" with the second word being something like "darkness" or "shadow" or "sorrow".

it's sort of like how you can make your very own James Bond 007 movie by making any combination of the following words: "Die, Day, Tomorrow, Love, Yesterday, Gold, and Never."

007: Never Love Tomorrow.

[EvilBob46]

The 2D Castlevania games own, especially Symphony of the Night and recently Dawn of Sorrow. The 3D games...not so much. Hopefully they've fixed the camera issues. Not expecting much from the graphics.

[Major Scud]

I've said it before, I'll say it again, they need to do a 2D castlevania with a next gen console.

[DriveALW]

I've said it before, I'll say it again, they need to do a 2D castlevania with a next gen console.

Agreed. Give it the 2.5D treatment they gave Shattered Soldier.

[PantherModern]

I realize that they want to stay current with their games and do this new-fangled "3d" all the kids are talking about, but it remains true that the best installments of Castlevania have undoubtedly been 2d. Why? Cause it is a formula that works. Period. If they took the same kind of unique approach that Metroid Prime took (an established genre with some kind of fresh take), then they might be able to spawn a new 3d series that garners as much acclaim as their 2d offerings. The "Devil May Castlevania" series just isn't floating my boat.

[Adam Blue]

Some reviews are already out and they were pretty bad. The N64 games were good, but these IGA ones pretty much blow. The non-IGA 2D GBA game was even really good.

[Chimpbot]

The N64 games were good.

I think you'll be one of the few people to think this, especially openly.

It's because of the N64 games that everybody was extremely hesitant about the first PS2 3D Castlevania. They're so bad, that even the brains behind the Castlevania series think it's best to just pretend the N64 outings never occured.

I'll go into this one with an open mind; it's concept sounds wonderfully interesting, so I'll at least give it a shot.

[Spigot]

I didn't mind the last PS2 version of Castlevania, but it was no comparison to the 2D versions.

I'll give this one a try and then crack open Symphony Of The Night again and remember how great the oldies are.

Simon's Quest FOREVER!

[sickfallout]

Like the consumer whore I am, I always jump blindly at 3D Castlevanias thinking "This one will be different!" So far, to me, I've always been let down, ESPECIALLY with the N64 one. Yet, I will be sure to pick this up with some store credit, and pray like hell that it's fun.

[jacob.armitage]

i quite liked the N64 Castlevania's, but honestly i think thats just because i really enjoy the series.

I just tried out the demo for this in the latest Xbox mag, it was dissapointing, especially compaired to the quite good LoI for the PS2.

[cjrizzo]

I am a HUGE Castlevania fan, yet I could actually care less about this game. Something about 3D and Castlevania just doesn't seem right to me. I would typically be all over a new title since the GB/GBA games have been amazing and continued the trend of excellent 2D gaming. I feel like every game manufacturer thinks that 3D graphics are necessary on the newer hardware but what I think it does is make every game feel like a similar experience.