Gaming Generations :: Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin

NeedsMoreZazz · Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 10:18 pm Post subject: Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin

Publisher: Konami
Developer: Konami
Release Date: 12/5/06
Genre: Action-Adventure/Platforming
ESRB Rating: Teen

Graphics
Like it's predecessor on the DS, PoR has beautiful graphics, for pixel art.

Plot
PoR contains two main characters Jonathan Morris and Charlotte Aulin. Dracula's Castle has again popped up for no apparent reason, and since Dracula's Castle usually means something no good is going on, the pair head out to investigate. They meet up with a friendly ghost calling himself Wind once inside and set about discovering what is going on and putting a stop to it.

Setting
Dracula's Castle and pocket dimensions. Unlike other games in the series, rather than exploring Dracula's vast castle you actually enter paintings within the castle created by the talented and powerful vampire Victor Brauner. These paintings send you to some familiar castle areas, and some new ones, such as a desert filled with egyptian themed monsters.

Gameplay
Solid hack and slash platforming like other games in the series, or similar types like metroid. You again level up as you progress, becoming tougher and stronger. You can make and buy various weapons and get to choose your own balance between speed, power and range. The two characters are distinctly different, with Jonathan being like most previous games heroes, strong and powerful melee, while Charlotte has more powerful magic and is more agile. The annoying seal componant from the last game was removed and they added in a Dual Crush attack, which is an extremely powerful move that involves both characters using a special attack at the same time. Like other games in the series, there are also a lot of hidden areas and secrets to discover, including a bartending skeleton.

Sound
Pretty average sound effects, beautiful score however that really sets the mood and matches the game.

Summary
Another great game in the Castlevania series, I didn't like this one as much as I like some of the previous titles and the two character gimmick felt kind of forced. That said it's another beautiful and challenging game that provides many hours of enjoyment in it's romantic goth horror setting.

Graphics: 8
Sound: 9
Control: 9
Gameplay: 9
Replay: 8
Overall: 8.5