Castlevania Dominus Collection

Dawn of Sorrow continues the story of Soma Cruz, the unlikely hero who discovers he is the reincarnation of Dracula. After narrowly escaping his dark destiny in Aria of Sorrow, Soma is targeted by a cult seeking to resurrect Dracula. Once again, Soma must navigate the perilous halls of Dracula's castle, absorbing the souls of his enemies to gain their powers and thwart the cult's plans.

The game is a near-perfect sequel that retains everything fans loved about Aria of Sorrow while adding new twists. The game’s soul-stealing mechanic allows Soma to collect and use various abilities, making each encounter feel fresh. The visuals are a beautiful blend of detailed sprites and atmospheric backgrounds, though the mandatory touch screen "magic seal" feature feels a bit forced. Despite this minor hiccup, Dawn of Sorrow delivers on action, exploration, and that classic Castlevania vibe. Also, this title excels by sticking to a winning formula and adding just enough new elements to keep things interesting. The soul system is addictive, providing endless possibilities for combat and customization. Dawn of Sorrow also balances its story with gameplay perfectly, making it easy for newcomers to jump in while rewarding long-time fans with nods to past titles. The decision to bring Castlevania into the DS era with dual screens was mostly successful, even if some features felt gimmicky.

Castlevania Portrait of Ruin

Set during World War II, Portrait of Ruin follows Jonathan Morris, a descendant of the Belmont clan, and Charlotte Aulin, a young sorceress. The duo explores a mysterious castle and its magical paintings, each leading to a different world filled with dangers and secrets. Together, they must stop a vampire artist from resurrecting Dracula and unleashing chaos upon the world.

Portrait of Ruin shakes things up with its unique dual-character system, letting players switch between Jonathan and Charlotte on the fly. This mechanic adds a layer of strategy, as players can combine their abilities to tackle various challenges. The portrait worlds offer diverse environments and enemies, keeping the exploration fresh. The game’s co-op mode, while not groundbreaking, adds a fun multiplayer aspect. Portrait of Ruin is a standout in the DS trilogy for its creativity and dynamic gameplay.

By introducing a tag-team mechanic and diversifying the setting, Portrait of Ruin successfully differentiates itself from its predecessors. The game cleverly expands the series’ traditional gothic horror into different genres and styles, from Egyptian pyramids to Victorian-era London. This variety keeps players engaged and emphasizes the series' potential for innovation. The partnership between Jonathan and Charlotte isn’t just a gameplay mechanic, it’s a narrative device that enriches the story, highlighting themes of friendship and teamwork.

Portrait of Elegance is a romhack that brings a fresh visual update to the game. Similar to the Dawn of Dignity patch, it replaces the anime-style character portraits with ones that align more closely with Ayami Kojima's iconic gothic art style seen in earlier Castlevania games. This change gives the game a more classic Castlevania feel, enhancing its dark, atmospheric vibe while keeping the gameplay we know and love intact.

Castlevania Order of Ecclesia

In Order of Ecclesia, players take on the role of Shanoa, a member of an organization tasked with fighting Dracula’s resurrection. Unlike previous protagonists, Shanoa uses glyphs, magical symbols that grant her a range of powers. When a betrayal within the order leaves Shanoa’s mentor missing, she must navigate a series of challenging locations to save him and prevent Dracula’s return.

Order of Ecclesia is the darkest and most challenging of this trilogy, offering a more intense experience for players. The glyph system allows for a high degree of customization in combat, with different glyphs combining to create powerful attacks. The game’s difficulty spikes can be brutal, but they make victories all the more satisfying. The narrative is more serious and personal, focusing on Shanoa’s internal struggles and the consequences of her mission. For those looking for a more hardcore Castlevania experience, Order of Ecclesia delivers.

This entry marks a bold departure from the interconnected castles of past games, opting instead for a variety of distinct areas. This design choice gives Order of Ecclesia a different feel, more like a series of linked challenges than a single sprawling dungeon. The game’s tone is also a shift towards a more mature and somber atmosphere, which is mirrored in its tough-as-nails gameplay. The glyph system offers deep combat mechanics, encouraging experimentation and strategic thinking. Order of Ecclesia stands out as a unique and compelling entry in the series, emphasizing character-driven storytelling and gameplay depth.