First Impressions: Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (DS)
I’ve been trying to take my time with Portrait of Ruin and really savor the experience, because I was really looking forward to the game, but I’ve been having the same problem that I keep having with these games. That is to say that the larger they get, the less attention is paid to the difficulty level. And this really hurts, because the graphics in this game are just breathtaking.
The problem with the clash of difficulty level and the quality of the graphics and sound is they work counter to each other. How can I really appreciate just how intricately and superbly designed the audio and visuals are in this game when they’re just blowing past me with no regard for if I’m even really trying?
I’ve tried to rationalize that I’m just too good at it, but even taking that into account, how hard would it have been to incorporate a difficulty setting in the game? I’m making a resolution at this time that the first time I buy a Castlevania game with a difficulty control, I’m pumping it way up and fighting hard the whole way through.
Challenge aside, I don’t think the two-character system works the way it’s implemented here. The level design requires you to spring off your sidekick’s head more often than anything else, and at least this far, I’ve had no use for a second character in any of the boss battles, so such an extent that sometimes I just “put her away” so she won’t distract me. I don’t know if that would be any different if I played it with someone else who’s just as manic about the game as me, but if I can manage that you can be sure I’ll incorporate it into my final review when I’m through the game.
The storyline is pretty smart and I like how it’s moving so far, but the localization is atrocious. I get the impression that there might be some good writing under there if they could hire someone who speaks both languages to work it out. When Simon’s Quest came out on the NES, you were collecting Dracula’s body parts. When you picked one up, it actually said, “YOU NOW PROSSESS DRACULA’S RIB.” Or eye, or whatever part it was. Konami has not come far enough from that with their Castlevania localizations, and at times you have no idea what the characters are supposed to be saying, even once you get past the resentful-young-woman-who-hates-being-called-girl clich?
Tags: castlevania
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I have always loved the castlevania games; even the N64 ones but as of late (last 2 on DS & 1 on PS2) I have not been able to bring myself to purchase any. Why you ask
Well the price. Konami games up here in Canada seem to be a lot more than others. So even the last Castlevania on DS is still $49.99(used to be 59.99) and the new one is also $59.99; I’m not sure about you guys but that’s just WAY to much for a handheld game. Other games like Mario Kart only being $34.99 which have ton of value just pushes me away from purchasing these titles.
Sadly I’m still waiting for the first Castlevania to get do to the $19.99 mark…
Castlevania games still cost too much these days and never drop in price… $59.99 CND for a handheld game is WAY too much when Mario Kart is $34.99
I absolutely detest the change in cover art of the Castlevania games from the dark, elegant, painted gothic artwork to the overly-trendy, anime style artwork.
I would recommend picking up those games on half.com from someone willing to ship to Canada. As to the artwork, I’m also bothered that the last two handheld games have gotten the anime treatment. I prefer the concept art for the rest of the games. At least the graphical style hasn’t gone that way outside of the dialog scenes that show faces.
Wow…I don’t know what -you’re- talking about, but I haven’t seen a problem at all with the translation and have quite enjoyed it. I also don’t think it’s too easy, but then again, I’m not an expert at Castlevania games to begin with. Finally, I also like the character art, so…w/e. Guess I’m in the minority. >>
That’s cool Kia. :> I’ve noticed that all the translation problems were in the very beginning of the game. The dialog after that is pretty solid. I’m nearing the end now and can clarify that in the final review, but I won’t write it until I’ve seen everything in the game.
I also like the artwork, I just prefer the darker, gothic style that in my mind better matches the feel of the game itself.