Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

"You danced well."

I haven't played many Castlevanias but I have to say that this is the best one I have ever played. It's very different compared to the other ones for the DS.

On this latest adventure to fight off Dracula you no longer start off in a giant castle or a huge map with so much to do that it's overwhelming, instead the game starts off with a world map and sets you off on small stages that get larger the more you discover. I found this to be refreshing since I felt very overwhelmed in the the past games. The game allows you to take your time with the levels and though some may find this new level system to be irritating, I find it to be more helpful than the previous games and more fun to explore without being sidetracked by too many doors like in Dawn of Sorrow. However, the level system is still the same, kill monsters as you run around and gain levels with the occasional boss battle. Many people find this game to have the hardest bosses, I find it to be fun, especially since the other games on the DS were too easy that they just weren't fun. Don't get me wrong, the bosses are hard but they aren't impossible. Everyone feels that they are too punishing, I find them to be normal like any boss from any game. I just want to make this clear: Bosses are supposed to harder to fight than normal enemies, that's why they are called "Bosses."

Unlike the previous games where you equip weapons and use them once, you instead equip magical spells that are called "Glyphs" in game. Though the idea of every and any attack taking MP may sound unappealing, it's actually very balanced and I never found myself out of MP during any battle. Also the MP bar fills very quickly so you never have to slow down in this game, which I like. The game is very fast-paced compared to the other Castlevanias and I like this. I always got frustrated in the last games since everything moves slow and it becomes easy to get lost. But in this game, everything is easy to understand and moves quickly so you always have some action going on. Especially with the new combo system. Instead of attacking once and dodging, Ecclesia has two attack buttons, allowing you to unleash quick combos that are easy to make. I'm personally terrible at fighting games and making combos and I found this game to be easy to make them which is perfect.

For a stand alone action RPG, this is without a doubt, one of the best adventure games out for the DS. For a Castlevania game, it's by far the best one since it's so different than the rest. The game is for anyone, not just for the hardcore Castlevania fan. After all, I haven't played many of them and I even found this game to be easy to pick up and play. I would recommend this game to anyone, especially DS owners, Ecclesia is a must-have.

As for the 8/10, the reason why I didn't give it a 9 or a 10 is this. The game is just too short. I seriously beaten it in two days and I travel and work all the time mind you. Another reason is there could of been more glyphs and combos. The dodge system also needs some serious work, I hate the fact that there's no quick turn button or something of that sort like in Onimusha. For a game like this that has many enemies at you and many attacks, the dodging is very bad since you have to use it in the game. I mean you can go and play without dodging much but it would be nice if they made it easier. There's also no story, or character development, that could of used work as well. Secret levels hidden on the world map would of been a nice touch to help add to the exploration.

Bottom Line:

Concept: It's another Castlevania game. If you are not familiar with Castlevania, the game is a 2D action game with some RPG elements.

Graphics: The animations and art style are very beautiful and fun to watch. It's great.

Sound: This has to have some of the best Castlevania music I have ever heard. Aside from that it's good music for a video game.

Playability: The attack system may be weird, but is very fun once you get used to it.

Entertainment: It's a fun quest, fighting demons, vampires, werewolves and other monsters. But just relax with the Bosses, they are supposed to be hard just like in ANY game.

Replay Value: It's fun to replay to get the other endings.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 10/29/08

Game Release: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia (US, 10/21/08)