It took me a while to beat it but, here it is, the Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia review.
Story:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AVHXOdi5vc"]YouTube - Castlevania Order of Ecclesia Opening[/ame]
The story takes place in an unknown date in the 1800's, during the time of the
Belmont clan's infamous disaperance. In turn, several organizations were
established to counter Dracula's dark forces, but many failed to produce potent
results. Fortunately, Ecclesia's leader, Barlowe, discovered a effective way to stop
Dracula: Glyphs. Of the glyphs, the most powerful were the Dominus Glyphs,
which is supposedly the only way to defeat Dracula.
On the day Shanoa, Ecclesia's combat expert, was to recieve Dominus, Albus,
lead researcher, steals the glyph causing Shanoa to lose her memories and
emotions.
Things turn for the worse when it's revealed Albus has begun to kidnap locals of
the Wygol Village and begining to experiment with their blood.
Gameplay:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aeXL6JB8H4&feature=related"]YouTube - Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia #01- Opening and Shanoa's Training[/ame]
Instead of equiping weapons and subweapons, you now equip various glyphs to
your left and right hands as well as your back. With the glyphs in your hand you
are able to equip various weapons such as throwing axes or lances or spells like
fire or ice. The glyph on your back gives you various abilities, such as increases in
atributes or various special abilities such as the ability to sprout wings. Each time
you use your glyphs, it will deplete your MP gauge which regenerates over time.
Glyphs can obtained either from enemies or several glowing statues.
Under your MP bar is your amount of hearts, at their expense, players can perform
a glyph union which results in an almighty attack.
The drastic change series vetrans will notice is the new "mission" layout Ecclesia
has, instead of everything being in one single area, there area various locations to
choose from making Ecclesia feel like the older linear Castlevanias:
Like Wind's quests in Portrait of Ruin, the villagers you rescue will provide you
with missions that will increase the available equipment at the shop or provide
Shanoa with stat boosting items.
Unfortunately there's nothing really new after you beat Order of Ecclesia. The
series famed Boss Rush mode will be unlocked for players to attempt at their best
possible time to get new equipment and items.
Finally, Order of Ecclesia's alternate mode doesn't contain a Belmont or Alucard
as playable characters, but instead has you play as traitor Albus and use his
gunslinging skills to tear foes apart.
Graphics:
Order of Ecclesia is easily the best looking 2D castlevania yet, the crashing of the
waves in the sea levels, the wear-and-tear at the Minera Prison Island. It's very
pleasing to the eye, but the only problem is is that level designs are sometimes
recycled and used in another area in Ecclesia.
Another thing players will notice is the return to the gothic style of portaits the
series is known for.
Shanoa:
Albus:
Sound:
Michiru Yamane delivers in another beautiful soundtrack:
Minera Prison Island:
Tymeo Mountains:
Misty Forest Road:
Giant's Dwelling:
Albus Battle:
Dracula's Castle:
Difficulty:
Order of Ecclesia is
hard. If you thing modern Casltevania games are too easy,
think again, because you will die alot from the brutal bosses and hords of enemies.
But if you level grind, the game will remain balanced.
Overall:
Order of Ecclesia breaths new life into the series with the new glyph system and
concludes the excelent line of DS Castlevania titles.
4.5/5
Linear Mode
