Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
Do some soul searching on Nintendo DS.
The legendary Castlevania franchise returns to the next generation of
handheld gaming systems.
Set in the year 2036, Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow picks up one year
after the events of Aria of Sorrow (GBA). A mysterious cult, unhappy
that Soma Cruz failed to fulfill his destiny and become the
reincarnation of Dracula, seeks to sacrifice our hero so it can bring
about a new dark lord. Rather than wait for his enemies to come to him,
Soma decides to go on the offensive, which leads him to an
all-too-familiar castle.
Following in the footsteps of recent Castlevania games, the series’ DS
debut features RPG elements and a labyrinthine map rife with secrets and
special weapons. Aria of Sorrow’s heralded Tactical Soul system returns
as well, allowing you to learn new powers and abilities by capturing the
souls of your vanquished foes.
As you control the action on the bottom screen, the top screen will
display enemy and player information or a map that’s updated in real
time as you explore the castle. While that may not sound like the most
glamorous use of the dual screens, Castlevania disciples can attest to
how valuable a persistent view of the map will be when you’re trying to
find a secret room or remember the location of that previously
unreachable platform.
The touch screen also plays a crucial role in smashing crystal blocks
that stand in your path and in drawing Magic Seals to banish bosses.
Konami has also revealed that certain Tactical Souls will enable you to
perform location-based attacks via the stylus. In some rooms, you’ll
even be able to use the stylus to warp to different locations in the
castle.
Bottom Line
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow is a winner and a must-have for the Nintendo
DS.
Features
-
Use the touch screen to defeat evil spirits with the new Magic Seal
system -
Defeat monsters and destroy Soul Keepers to gain control of monster
souls and manipulate them using the Power of Mastery -
Collect items and gather experience points by defeating enemies to
level-up your character -
Introduces a variety of memorable new characters that help drive an
exciting and dramatic storyline includes an incredibly moving musical
score and stunning special effects -
Exchange or trade acquired souls with friends via the DS wireless
connection