Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin announced

[Msia]

- The Nintendo DS will see another Castlevania sequel this fall with Castlevania: Portrait Of Ruin coming 11/15/06.

[SpottedNigel]

Well, hopefully we get some screen shots with the next Nintendo Power

[Msia]

Well, hopefully we get some screen shots with the next Nintendo Power
I wouldnt expect to see anything till E3 but you never know.

[javeryh]

They just should have called it Castlevania 2006

[SpottedNigel]

I wouldnt expect to see anything till E3 but you never know.

They had a quote in the last NP hinting at a new Castlevania game being debuted in the next issue.

[Msia]

They had a quote in the last NP hinting at a new Castlevania game being debuted in the next issue.
Oh nice, I dont have a sub to that and wasnt aware, thanks.

[Rusty Ghia]

Portrait of Ruin? Is Soma finally going to become Dracula?

[exceed19]

best series ever. PERIOD....

thank you konami

[mykevermin]

Portrait of Ruin? Is Soma finally going to become Dracula?

I was thinking that "Portrait of Ruin" would be a fantastic title for a compilation of the N64 Castlevanias.

*rimshot*

[Vinny]

They just should have called it Castlevania 2006

:lol: While normally I'd agree with you saying that these Castlevania games are becoming a bit to common, I can't really say I mind some 2D goodness like we've been getting.

Honestly, I think Castlevania is the only remaining 2D series which has enough popularity to stay alive... and besides, the newer games (Aria and DoS) a bit different than the older ones, so it's not all that repetitive.

[Apossum]

know what would really suck? .....if it was 3D. I would get cancer from that level of suckiness.

[rabbitt]

I do agree that Konami is rolling the CV's out a little too much, but they have a winning formula, and we keep buying 'em. Plus, they're great games. I just hope we don't get flooded with mediocre sequels in the future.

[Masterkyo]

I don't like 3-D Castlevania games. I thought 2 D is amazing or they can make 3-D castlevania like New Mario Bros.

[ITDEFX]

they should make an attempt to port Rondo of blood to the ds just for the hell of it. no not the SNES version but jap PC Engine/TG 16 version...hell if they can compress those RE live action videos from the original CD version of RE for the PS1, then they sure can port over some cd quality music from Rondo.

[Arkay Firestar]

All I know is that this makes me happy I didnt get the first DS castlevania...some of the DS integration seemed too gimmicky...hopefully this one pwns a little more.

[SpottedNigel]

Does it matter if its "Gimmicky" if its actually fun? I enjoyed the hell out of that games, and I had NO problems with the seals.

[daroga]

When you play the game you realize that the seals, while perhaps gimmicky, are a LOT of fun and draw you in just a bit more to the game. DoS rocks, looking forwad to some more info on the next CV

[Vinny]

All I know is that this makes me happy I didnt get the first DS castlevania...some of the DS integration seemed too gimmicky...hopefully this one pwns a little more.

In all honestly... the touch pad was barely used. It was used to clean away those ice blocks and for the seals, that's pretty much it.:)

[ITDEFX]

im close to beating DoS and yes I agree this game rocks.. I am using the great axe as my primary weapon. too bad I don't have enough money to get that ring to increase soul releases :(

[Apossum]

if anything, i wanted more touch screen integration. some more puzzles with it would've been sweet.

[asianxcore]

sweet.

[elprincipe]

All I know is that this makes me happy I didnt get the first DS castlevania...some of the DS integration seemed too gimmicky...hopefully this one pwns a little more.

The touch pad crap was complete gimmick, it's like they put it there because Nintendo forced them to or something. But who cares, just ignore that junk, still the best DS game available. If they can figure out something actually cool to do with the touchpad this time around, that's just the icing on the cake.

[Strider Turbulence]

I really hope this is different from the last few 2D Castlevanias. I know I'm in a minority, but I really didn't enjoy them much compared to most of the other games in the series.

[Gameboy415]

In all honestly... the touch pad was barely used. It was used to clean away those ice blocks and for the seals, that's pretty much it.:)

True, but I loved this game above any other Castlevania simply because YOU COULD SEE THE MAP WITHOUT PAUSING THE GAME!

I literally would check the map every 3 seconds in the older games to make sure I was in the right spot and having it on the upper screen was just WONDERFUL.

I can't wait for this new one!

Btw OP, where'd you get the title/release info from?

[bboynujen]

i did enjoy DoS but no 2D castlevania thus far has lived up in SotN in my books, here's to hoping PoR will.

Btw OP, where'd you get the title/release info from?

Personally, I found out through 4colorrebellion.com.

[evanft]

I really hope this is different from the last few 2D Castlevanias. I know I'm in a minority, but I really didn't enjoy them much compared to most of the other games in the series.

You're not just in the minority, you're shunned.

2d Castlevania>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Feces>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>3d Castlevania

[mykevermin]

Feces>3d Castlevania

Not necessarily. The second N64 Castlevania was a lot of fun. Not 2D Castlevania fun by any stretch of the imagination, and the game was more of a "we're really sorry" from Konami, in response to the first game. IMO, the worst 3D 'Vania was Fnerpitude of Unhappiness, or whatever in the hell the most recent one was called (harmonious circle of bleeding blood?). I played it on Xbox for a few hours before I put it away. Just not fun, and the graphics, when not mind-numbingly bland (shit made "The Godfather" look like a diverse setting), looked to be early-Xbox generation. This is, of course, to speak nothing of the control scheme either, or the poor implementation of the RPG elements that have pervaded the Metroid-Vania games of recent years.

If you can find it, give Curse of Darkness a try. It may not hold up to conventional 3D platformers, but it's not "Superman 64" either.

[Zmonkay]

I LOVE the 2d games, and I think if they went a similar route as Metroid Prime for the 3d series (ie, keep exploration and platforming, just make it 3d) it could rule in 3d. haha, I wonder if the "new" game is some old game of some time, PORTrait of Ruin. It would be hysterical if it was them poking fun at the old games by releasing a PORT of a RUINED game.

But in all seriousness, I'm excited, my DS needs more games!

[ArthurDigbySellers]

But in all seriousness, I'm excited, my DS needs more games!

Man, my DS needs less games! Nintendo is making some serious cash off me. I have bought more DS games in the past year than I have bought for any console that I can remember - and I still haven't picked up Metroid or Tetris yet.

Then Brain Age x2, New Super Mario Bros, Castlevania, Zelda...stop already!

[dyreschlock]

didn't someone say the next castlevania ds game was a sequel to Circle of the Moon?

[mykevermin]

I think someone made that logical jump after reading the teasers in the last issue of Nintendo Power; it made mention of a moon without explicitly dealing with CV. Since others may recognize that moons are everpresent in CV titles, this was, IMO, an erroneous conclusion (and also ignores that the CotM characters weren't that endearing).

[Squee]

Maybe Konami's going to try labeling their games with types of art instead of music. Anyone up for "Mosaic of Melancholy," lol.

[JSweeney]

im close to beating DoS and yes I agree this game rocks.. I am using the great axe as my primary weapon. too bad I don't have enough money to get that ring to increase soul releases :(

A good boomerang, a soul that increase gold drops and a spawn point of zombies from the begining of the game solves that easily... you can earn enough for that ring in about 20 minutes of harvesting that.

[ArthurDigbySellers]

True, but I loved this game above any other Castlevania simply because YOU COULD SEE THE MAP WITHOUT PAUSING THE GAME!

I literally would check the map every 3 seconds in the older games to make sure I was in the right spot and having it on the upper screen was just WONDERFUL.

I totally agree. The one thing I wish they would add for the next version is the ability to zoom in on the map. Although having the map visible at all times is excellent, those CV maps are freaking tiny!

[Msia]

Well its true after all:

http://www.flashfp.net/uploader/modules/up-pic/pic/uploads/926475e184.jpg

http://www.flashfp.net/uploader/modules/up-pic/pic/uploads/b401bbaa37.jpg

[Apossum]

Sweet! A Castlevania game starring Jimmy Lee from Double Dragon!

[evilmax17]

No Soma as the main character (good thing). I really hope he turns out to be the boss.

[Squee]

So they're keeping the art style from DoS. The second picture looks faintly like Megaman Zero style art.

[Lan_Zer0]

The art on the spread is pretty good, but the cover is hideous. I really hope the art style with stick with a darker tone. Since by the looks of it, we won't be getting the goth style the console Castlevania's have. T_T

[Ikohn4ever]

Text from the image from 4color

Castlevania. It’s one of the most hallowed names in all of gaming. It’s a name that carries with it more memorable experiences than almost any other; a name that consistently lives up to not only its storied heritage, but the ever lofty expectations of its devoted followers. Since 1986, we’ve hunted vampires on more than 10 platforms and across nearly a millennium of history. To celebrate gothic high adventure’s 20th anniversary, producer Koji “Iga” Igarashi and his team are inviting us back to Dracula’s castle this fall, whip in hand, for an intriguing new chapter in the Castlevania legacy.

[Mr Durand Pierre]

I'm really not liking that character design. But then again, the character design from Dawn of Sorrow and Circle of the moon are hideous, and those are my two favorite Castlevanias. So I'm confident the in-game graphics will be much better, and the game will rule.

[Jaket]

yesss muthafuckin whip

[Blind the Thief]

Someone told me this new one is supposed to be level-based, like the older ones. Can anyone confirm this?


If it's true, this game is going to be fucking awesome.

...though I guess it's going to be either way.

[Msia]

Legendary Action Series Celebrates Two Decades of Vampire Hunting with Two Playable Characters and Expanded Battle System

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. - April 21, 2006 - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced Castlevania®: Portrait of Ruin exclusively for the Nintendo DS™. The latest installment in the renowned action series lets players control two different characters as they attempt to thwart a terrible plan to resurrect Dracula's Castle and bring a reign of darkness upon the world.

In Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin, players take on the role of vampire hunter Jonathan Morris and Charlotte Orlean, a young girl with tremendous magical abilities. Amidst the chaos of World War II, many lost souls from the global conflict were left to wander the world in search of salvation. Desperate to escape their terrible plight, they sought to resurrect Dracula's Castle from the rubble of society, assisted by two mysterious vampire sisters. Now Jonathan and Charlotte must work together to confront the face of evil and ensure that this villainous catastrophe is not unleashed on the world.

Evolving the action-adventure gameplay that has been the series' trademark for 20 years, Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin lets players switch freely between Jonathan and Charlotte as they proceed on their heroic mission, each with their own strengths, abilities and style of play. Players can now utilize powerful Summon attacks in which both characters unleash the full extent of their combat abilities to decimate the game's more than 100 different enemies and massive bosses in new environments such as the desert and Misty Town. In their quest to stop Dracula's resurrection, Jonathan and Charlotte can collect and use different weapons, equipment and items to increase their overall skill level and acquire new abilities.

"For 20 years, the Castlevania series has set the standard for excellence and innovation in the action genre, and Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin continues this trend with all-new features that expand the handheld gaming genre," said Dennis Lee, Group Manager at Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. "The game's two different characters give players unprecedented variety in completing their quest, while the expanded battle system makes it more fun to take on Dracula's minions."

Created by Koji Igarashi and the development team behind 2005's acclaimed Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow, Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin will be launching this Fall. For more information on the game and the Castlevania series, please visit www.konami.com/gs/officialsites/castlevania (http://www.konami.com/gs/officialsites/castlevania).

http://www.gaming-media.de/NewsBilder/CPoR01.jpg
http://www.gaming-media.de/NewsBilder/CPoR02.jpg

[SpottedNigel]

Looks nice!

[Ikohn4ever]

it should be interestin to control 2 characters at the same time, a Co-Op mode over wifi would be sick if they could pull it off well

[Apossum]

sounds awesome (but they really should go back to the old illustrator for the art)

[Ace Harding: Private Eye]

Wow, the fact that this is a direct sequel to Bloodlines totally makes up for the shitty artwork! If it is level by level where you go around the world (like in Bloodlines), then Iga deserves a big-ass bear hug.

[Lan_Zer0]

Wow, the fact that this is a direct sequel to Bloodlines totally makes up for the shitty artwork! If it is level by level where you go around the world (like in Bloodlines), then Iga deserves a big-ass bear hug.

Agreed. Screens are looking nice too.

[elprincipe]

Sweet!!

[daroga]

In the end, the cover art and manual art can look like I drew them for all I care. If the game rocks to the same degree that the other recent 2D Castlevanias have, I'm all there.

[Roufuss]

didn't someone say the next castlevania ds game was a sequel to Circle of the Moon?

I believe Circle of the Moon was omitted from the storyline completely... I don't think there will ever be a sequel to that game.



In 2002, just before the release of Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance, Konami posted a chronology of the Castlevania series on the official Japanese Harmony website.

[1] The list conspicuously omitted several games in the series, including: Castlevania Legends, Castlevania: Circle of the Moon, Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness, and Castlevania 64.

In the fan community, there has been much debate over the changes, why they occurred, and how they have affected the series. Fans speculate that the changes were made in order to "clean up" the timeline by removing new games whose stories/placement in the timeline conflicted with the older games (an example being the continuity problem between Legends and Castlevania III).



Good read of the timeline:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castlevania_timeline

[Arkay Firestar]

I want to save up for New SMB, but I may just have to snag DoS just to have a complete DS collection in case PoR turns out to be a PoS.

[Mr Durand Pierre]

I really hope this is a Metroidvania style game. level by level is fun at first, but gets old quickly in my opinion. And based on these couple of shots with their flat 2D plains, that may be the case. I hope it's not though. I'm sure it'll still be good either way.

[asianxcore]

screens look good.

[Ace Harding: Private Eye]

I really hope this is a Metroidvania style game. level by level is fun at first, but gets old quickly in my opinion. And based on these couple of shots with their flat 2D plains, that may be the case. I hope it's not though. I'm sure it'll still be good either way.

I disagree - I can pick up Bloodlines or Castlevania IV anytime and rock out, whereas the Metroid-style games require more time (exploring and backtracking).

A possible compromise would be to have it level-by-level, where each stage is huge & requires a map (like Curse of Darkness, minus the boring stage design).

[crazytalkx]

Great looking screenshots! Really looking forward to this, loved Circle of the Moon, Harmony of Dissonance, Aria of Sorrow, and Dawn of Sorrow (YOU COULD PLAY AS ALUCARD!!!11).

[rabbitt]

Excellent. Wonder if they'll keep that soul system to create new weapons...

[FurryCurry]

I hope it's a web of levels that you can select and revisit whenever you want to.

And if that isn't Bloodlines John Morris but his son instead, why does he look SO girly! I can deal with Soma and Alucard looking girly because they share vampiric qualities (gotta have that sex appeal) but a vampire hunter looking girly? Man I won't put up with another Juste loser.

Anyway, this dual character thing better work.

[Mr Durand Pierre]

I disagree - I can pick up Bloodlines or Castlevania IV anytime and rock out, whereas the Metroid-style games require more time (exploring and backtracking).

A possible compromise would be to have it level-by-level, where each stage is huge & requires a map (like Curse of Darkness, minus the boring stage design).

I could see that compromise working. Maybe something like Lego Star Wars where you gain new abilities as you go, but can reselect earlier levels to find all the previously inaccesable hidden goodies.

[Lan_Zer0]

Goodies for you:

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/497/11460508491219an.jpg
http://img277.imageshack.us/img277/1097/11460508719673ic.jpg

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/298/11460509139780gb.jpg

Borrowed from Magic-box. Enjoy.

EDIT: Would you guys prefer direct links, or is this good?

[Roufuss]

Hey Iga, if you like 2D Castlevania's so much, how about you make one for the PSP?

Better yet, throw one on a home console.

And I am sooooooooooo glad they are dropping the stupid touch screen gimmick, and Iga pretty much admitted it always was a gimmick.

[Mr Durand Pierre]

That article was great. Really makes me look forward to this game a whole lot more. I really like the idea that though it's a Metroidvania game, the different areas are essentially islands connected by warp points, so there will be more creative types of environments. I'm stoked.