Castlevania: Curse of Darkness

If 3-D action is what you’re looking for, then Castlevania: Curse of Darkness for the PS2 is just what the vampire-slaying doctor ordered.

Much like the recent Lament of Innocence, Curse of Darkness brings us a now familiar feel especially when it comes to the hack and slash action and the supernatural theme involving the undead.  Taking place a few years after Dracula got the whipping of his life by a member of the famous Belmont clan, gamers assume the role of one of Dracula’s Forgemasters named Hector who comes to abandon Drac in his hour of need.  As a result, a fellow Forgemaster avenges his master by killing Hector’s ladylove. 

Seeking revenge couldn’t look sweeter as Hector moves across the castle battling an army of cursed souls and monsters unleashed on Europe after the demise of Dracula.  Curse introduces a number of new additions to the series.  There’s a reworked combo system that allows you to chain some seriously damaging combos.  There’s also a better assortment of weapons that range from swords or spears.  In some instances, Hector must gain new abilities in order to proceed farther into the castle. 

One of the more interesting new features is the ability to summon helpful allies called “innocent devils.”  These allies come in the form of creatures you can command to protect and assist you by attacking nearby enemies.  The summon creature shown was a crow that shoots short blades as it followed Hector overhead.  Even the new interface allows gamers to quickly order your innocent devils to carry out your orders on the fly. 

The Castlevania series certainly provides plenty of action and the RPG leveling up elements show a lot of promise . . . although we’ve yet to see how it will add to Hector’s abilities.  Missing is also the whip, one of the weakest weapons found in Lament.  One thing’s for certain: fans of the recent game have a lot to look forward to hopefully sometime this year.

E3 2005

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