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[SantaC]

4.5 / 5

Didn't score perfect because of character art (wtf seriously? It's nothing I cared of when playing the game) and ho-hum touch-screen use.

I like the lay of Dawn of Sorrow's land, and the soul mechanic is great; however, with the inferior character design and ho-hum touch-screen features, this isn't the be-all end-all of portable Castlevania. Regardless, it is a must-have for all action fans, and kicks the ever-loving crap out of any other action/platformer on the DS or (especially the) PSP. Konami and IGA still rule the 2D roost. And, with Metroid going FPS on DS, only the next Mario Bros. stands a chance of dethroning Castlevania.

http://gba.gamespy.com/nintendo-ds/castlevania/655359p1.html

Still a great score

 

[RevenantKioku]

Oh shit, I just realized the whole Metroid Prime Hunters quandary.
If we don't get another 2d Metroid, someone is getting punched in the genitals.

 

[Father_Brain]

Oh shit, I just realized the whole Metroid Prime Hunters quandary.
If we don't get another 2d Metroid, someone is getting punched in the genitals.

And, what, exactly, would make you think it has any chance of being cancelled?

 

[RevenantKioku]

And, what, exactly, would make you think it has any chance of being cancelled?

Wait, there was a 2d metroid announced?

 

[brandonh83]

Didn't score perfect because of character art

That's stupid as hell. Opinions on art design is more or less nothing but preference. It's not my favorite art design but I seriously doubt that's going to make the game any worse.

 

[SantaC]

That's stupid as hell. Character art opinions is more or less nothing but preference. It's not my favorite art design but I seriously doubt that's going to make the game any worse.

trust me, it didn't make the game worse at all. (as I have completed it)

he also complains at a pointless touch-screen use, but since it's not used much so I thought that was a positive thing since it's castlevania. Oh well.

 

[Spike]

Wait, there was a 2d metroid announced?

Metroid Dread.

Don't know if it's real or not, but the magazine did list that the new Zelda's official name was Twilight Princess, so...

 

[brandonh83]

he also complains at a pointless touch-screen use, but since it's not used much so I thought that was a positive thing since it's castlevania. Oh well.

Yeah. I'm actually kind of interested in trying out the "sealing" stuff.

 

[belgurdo]

That's stupid as hell. Opinions on art design is more or less nothing but preference. It's not my favorite art design but I seriously doubt that's going to make the game any worse.

How dare a reviewer have an opinion!

 

[SantaC]

How dare a reviewer have an opinion!

seriously, you only notice tha character art when someone speaks or else it looks just like any other castlevania game. And knowing castlevania, you do a lot more action then talk to people. It's nothing that takes away from the gameplay experience. Besides, the enemy and boss art are awesome.

 

[brandonh83]

How dare a reviewer have an opinion!

And I'm not saying they can't. But actually lowering the score for a videogame because of character art is pretty absurd. The art doesn't even matter when you're playing.

 

[Dragona Akehi]

And, what, exactly, would make you think it has any chance of being cancelled?

Precedence. Alternate GC Metroid title from R&D1 was cancelled when Metroid Prime was successful.

Anyway let's not sully another thread. Castlevania is Awesome. Awesome is Castlevania.

 

[brandonh83]

IGN's review:

9.0 Presentation
The game's change in art style for cutscenes to "generic anime" is a bit of a turn-off, but otherwise this is classic Castlevania straight to the bone.
9.0 Graphics
The DS game is an evolution of the GBA game, so much more attention's been paid to the 2D capabilities. It's a gorgeous side-scroller with clean and detailed spritework.
9.5 Sound
Fantastic use of the DS hardware for the audio -- impressive music compositions and some really cool stereo effects used throughout the adventure.
9.0 Gameplay
Classic Castlevania evolved in line with the successful GBA trilogy. Touchscreen elements are all over the spectrum, though, but they don't hurt the overall excellence.
9.0 Lasting Appeal
Multiple endings, extensive quest that can be played with multiple characters, wireless multiplayer modes. It's called "bang for the buck," and Castlevania: DoS has it.
9.3 OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)

Nice.

 

[Error]

IGN's review:

9.0 Presentation
The game's change in art style for cutscenes to "generic anime" is a bit of a turn-off, but otherwise this is classic Castlevania straight to the bone.
9.0 Graphics
The DS game is an evolution of the GBA game, so much more attention's been paid to the 2D capabilities. It's a gorgeous side-scroller with clean and detailed spritework.
9.5 Sound
Fantastic use of the DS hardware for the audio -- impressive music compositions and some really cool stereo effects used throughout the adventure.
9.0 Gameplay
Classic Castlevania evolved in line with the successful GBA trilogy. Touchscreen elements are all over the spectrum, though, but they don't hurt the overall excellence.
9.0 Lasting Appeal
Multiple endings, extensive quest that can be played with multiple characters, wireless multiplayer modes. It's called "bang for the buck," and Castlevania: DoS has it.
9.3 OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)

Nice.

that could use a new thread Gaffers who had the game earlier where complaining about the music both Ign and 1up mentioned the music is great in their respective reviews... so what's up with that?

great score btw Castlevani DoS is going to be the best game on the DS this year.

 

[TheDuce22]

My only worry is with the touchscreen elements. How often do they force you to stop everything and get out the stylus? Guess ill find out tommorow.

 

[Spiritreaver]

You might as well just make a new thread for it before Wario does, I mean hey, free post count up right? Awesome?

 

[brandonh83]

What's important about post counts?

Anyway... the IGN review isn't up yet, I must have stumbled across it while they were fucking around or something. :lol

edit: it's officially up now.

 

[GitarooMan]

The art doesn't even matter when you're playing.

When does it matter then? I think it's part of the overall package (obviously not the most important part) and deserves to be commented on like anything else. Part of playing video games is the visual experience.

Also, I agree this will in all likelihood be the best DS game this year. Can't wait to pick it up.

 

[brandonh83]

When does it matter then? I think it's part of the overall package (obviously not the most important part) and deserves to be commented on like anything else. Part of playing video games is the visual experience.

Also, I agree this will in all likelihood be the best DS game this year. Can't wait to pick it up.

I understand that, and I don't really disagree either... and I'm not saying that it isn't okay to comment on it... but if the gameplay is there and the graphics are there and everything else is there, I just don't see why the overall score should be lowered because a reviewer doesn't prefer the art style.