Castlevania DS - Dawn of Sorrow

[system11]

For those playing the game - I've been trying to collect all the souls. Has anyone managed to get a soul from the Tombstone (enemy type 30)? I'm starting to think it's not actually possible.

Does it have one? If I remember correctly, not all the enemies actually have souls you can collect. Look at the data in the monsterlist. Is the soul shown as "0" or as "-"?

A 0... I've killed over 200 of them so far with no luck, thats with ghost dancers at max for luck boost, the lucky 7 clothing, and a soul capture ring, level 67.

[Turrican]

I have a tombstone soul. I play the JPN rev though so unfortunately I can't say what effect it has. It's a yellow soul.

Stuff to be done for the next game: stop recycling sprites, animate enemies better, increase difficulty, and go back to the old art-style.

The new sprites look worse than the recycled ones, sadly. I don't find that too much of an issue.

[iatneH]

Great, so by the time EB gets my PRE-ORDER in, UFO will already be what, 40% of the way through his SECOND playthrough?

[Turrican]

Great, so by the time EB gets my PRE-ORDER in, UFO will already be what, 40% of the way through his SECOND playthrough?

These new castlevania games aren't exaclty known for their challenge factor... It's a delicious chocolate snack, but not a full meal.

If you're serious in getting all the souls and rare items, that's another matter...

[PFG 9000]

If you're serious in getting all the souls and rare items, that's another matter...

And even then it's more a matter of time than skill.

[UnscathedFlyingObject]

Great, so by the time EB gets my PRE-ORDER in, UFO will already be what, 40% of the way through his SECOND playthrough?

I decided to slow down a bit, but I'm still rushing through it, 60% right now. I'll be done with everything on Sunday since I've no classes and a whole nice day to play.

BTW, the game is easy as cake. I've died a couple of times but just because I make it my rule not to wear armor.

[Vexorg]

I got this last night and started playing through, but didn't get far due to burning my hand while cooking, which made it painful to play much. So far it looks quite similar to AoS, although there's a few things I don't understand. Is there some point to releasing souls?

[ST Dragon]

What's the gameplay, story line, secrets & most importantly the music, compared to SOTN?

Music is very important in my book. So is the music in CastleVania DS, dramatic & symphonic like SOTN, or is it gothic like Rondo or CatsleVania XX, or CastleVania 3, 4...?

[ArrogantBastard]

Does this game "beat out" Castlevania: Symphony of the Night? The reason why I ask this is because that game is my only favorite Castlevania game out of anything I've played. (No, I haven't played Dracula X or Rondo of Blood yet.)

[CIT]

It's not as good as Symphony of the Night, but it comes pretty close, IMO. Gameplay, graphics, etc, is all very similar, which of course, is a good thing.

The music is more the Gothic-Pop style from Rondo of Blood, Bloodlines, etc. I like the soundtrack very, very much, and it even has a number of remixed older tracks.

The story is fairly complex and there is a lot of text. Only the secrets were a little disappointing, they were all rather obvious, not like Symphony of the Night were you need to perform a bizarre sequence of moments to reach some place.

Still, I think it's the best of the post-SotN Castlevanias. Very much enjoyed it, and if you like SotN you will dig this game, too.

[Turrican]

It's not as good as Symphony of the Night, but it comes pretty close, IMO.

Still, I think it's the best of the post-SotN Castlevanias. Very much enjoyed it, and if you like SotN you will dig this game, too.

Yet, they all pretty much "came close"... at least until the next one is release, which will "come closer".

I'd say it's a matter of taste which one do you prefer post Sotn, but overall they are solid games.

[ST Dragon]

Oh... one more very important thing I left out from the question... is CastlaVania DS as long & complex as SOTN?

[PFG 9000]

Yet, they all pretty much "came close"... at least until the next one is release, which will "come closer".

I'd say it's a matter of taste which one do you prefer post Sotn, but overall they are solid games.

This is an excellent point, but I think they truly are getting closer to SotN with each release. CotM was similar in gameplay style. HoD was graphically closer to SotN and was much smoother than CotM. AoS brought back the non-Belmont, multiple equippable weapons thing and had more SotN-ish level design structures (more stairways/ramps than platforms), etc. DoS has graphics and effects comparable to SotN (and better in some places) and has higher quality music.

But I wish the series would get away from the SotN rehashes. It's getting old and much too easy. We need something fresh!

[CIT]

Oh... one more very important thing I left out from the question... is CastlaVania DS as long & complex as SOTN?

About the same, I would say. Although with ample Castleroid experience you can probably master these games much quicker now, than when you first played SotN.

But I wish the series would get away from the SotN rehashes. It's getting old and much too easy. We need something fresh!

That's true, and that's what Igarashi has been trying to do on PS2, but so far the old formula has worked much better. We'll see in November how Curse of Darkness measures up.

[iatneH]

Woohoo, I finally got my game, and a coworker picked it up today too (along with Nanostray... gah.. I wish I was there to stop him, especially since he said he saw me at the mall..)

Good thing the weekend is coming up, since I'm getting more serious at work, I won't be playing much even during breaks...

[Turrican]

This is an excellent point, but I think they truly are getting closer to SotN with each release. CotM was similar in gameplay style. HoD was graphically closer to SotN and was much smoother than CotM. AoS brought back the non-Belmont, multiple equippable weapons thing and had more SotN-ish level design structures (more stairways/ramps than platforms), etc. DoS has graphics and effects comparable to SotN (and better in some places) and has higher quality music.

But I wish the series would get away from the SotN rehashes. It's getting old and much too easy. We need something fresh!

Well, I think HoD was the peak of SotN-closeness in a way. It was its goal, and its failure in a sense; as this is probably why it was hated by the majority of gamers.

The Soma chapters imho open a different, new path. It still draws a lot from SotN (like it did with Rondo after all), but they aren't "X" episodes anymore. New settings, new characters, a pretty much new game system (okay, so Alucard could get two or three souls, but they were essentially relics like the rest).

Sure, DoS gets the visuals on par with SotN, and the sound quality is better than on gba... But much of the SotN atmosphere is gone, and these two games shine of their unique identity. They fit into storyline, but for all intent and purposes they remind me of .EXE or Dash recreations. As good as the Sorrow chapters are, I'm pretty sure they haven't succeeded in stealing Sotn's fans' hearts. (edit: a more fitting example would be the kind of relationship between Rockman X and Rockman Zero series)

Besides, when a series spend so much time "getting closer" to an all-time masterwork, it probably means that SotN cannot be beaten on its own ground anymore. Its legend is too great. As paradoxal as it may sound, it might be easier for a full 3D Castlevania game to overthrown it, than it is for all these clone attempts.

[Vexorg]

I've never had a chance to play SotN (I'd probably have to find the Japanese Saturn version in order to do so) I don't really have much to compare this too besides AoS.

The one thing I haven't figured out is where the storyline for AoS and DoS came from. It seems like there should have been a previous game where Julius Belmont came from, but I can't seem to identify which one that would be.

[Turrican]

I've never had a chance to play SotN (I'd probably have to find the Japanese Saturn version in order to do so) I don't really have much to compare this too besides AoS.

The one thing I haven't figured out is where the storyline for AoS and DoS came from. It seems like there should have been a previous game where Julius Belmont came from, but I can't seem to identify which one that would be.

Nah, Julius Belmont indeed is seen in Aria of Sorrow for the first time... Aria of Sorrow is set after "Akumajo Senki" (Demon Castle Wars), which is an event happened in 1999, when Belmont(s) defeated Dracula once and for all. There is not yet a game which covers this event, but Iga will do it someday.

And you should go after SotN's Playstation version, really. It's way better.

[Klatrymadon]

Although SoTN definitely had quite a singular atmosphere created by the unique visual style and musical approach, I think one of the big reasons people [myself, at least!] still hold SoTN in such high regard is their feeling of nostalgia toward it. Hell, it's probably the reason I still look to Castlevania IV as the epitome of the series in every conceivable way, and it's the reason these games will never be seen to be bettered, even if a game of a higher quality is released (objectively speaking, that is - I know it sounds odd).

[Turrican]

Although SoTN definitely had quite a singular atmosphere created by the unique visual style and musical approach, I think one of the big reasons people [myself, at least!] still hold SoTN in such high regard is their feeling of nostalgia toward it. Hell, it's probably the reason I still look to Castlevania IV as the epitome of the series in every conceivable way, and it's the reason these games will never be seen to be bettered, even if a game of a higher quality is released (objectively speaking, that is - I know it sounds odd).

Nostalgia is not enough of a reason, because SotN was heralded as one of the absolute best since the very release. Also, it must be said that it was not effectively surpassed yet. Some claim Cruz' souls stealing added new depth to gameplay, some argue that Loi surpassed it in sound composition and quality... But no single package has exceeded it. It's always "this is even better in some regards, but overall I'd still say SotN is better"...

And DoS cannot claim this too, as imho missing Ayami Kojima and a musical score definitely not too hot (although I'd say on par with AoS one) do detract some points from it.

Of course, all the above is valid for SotN-like entries only. Heck, I might even argue that the best CV release post SotN is Chronicles

[Vexorg]

I've had some more chance to play through this now (I'm just a little past the first fight with Dario) and form some impressions. Is it just me, or are some of the souls a bit unbalanced in their power? It may just be that they made the souls more powerful and the weapons less so, but the balance just seems off.

For example, in AoS, the Mandagora soul (which was rather hard to get) could do hundreds of damage instantly, but would use most of your MP to do it. In DoS, the Mandagora is relatively easy to get, and still does a ton of damage, but uses hardly any MP at all. You can pretty much toss one at a crowd of enemies and take out most of them with just that, maybe a quick swing of the weapon or two for the tougher ones. Other souls that seem to be imbalanced relative to their strength are the Skull Archer (this is probably my favorite ability though) and the Slime (which seems to do in inordinate amount of damage relative to it's relative ease to acquire.) On the other hand, the regular weapons I've found to this point seem rather underpowered in contrast. This may be another case of rebalancing from AoS, where you pretty much didn't need anything else once you picked up Claimh Solais (and Vjaya for a few stubborn lightning vulnerable enemies.)

[UnscathedFlyingObject]

I'm having a heck of a time getting the mandragora souls. I've killed at least a two dozen of 'em so far. My fave soul so far (I'm at the clock tower) is axe armor. It's basically the old school axe with multiple hit capabilities and low MP consumption--instant winner.

[jp]

Picked this up yesterday and I beat it a few minutes ago. I think overall I spent 9.5 hours on it, but this is including me leveling my Katana all the way up and spending a bit during the part where you need the "Puppet Master".


At any rate, I loved the game. It was actually a huge improvement over Aria of Sorrow (and I didn't even think that was possible) and overall I think this is definitely the best DS game to date.


Great game.

[Klatrymadon]

But no single package has exceeded it. It's always "this is even better in some regards, but overall I'd still say SotN is better"

True! What I was basically saying was that even if a SoTN-beater did come along, I doubt I'd even recognise it as such based on my love of that game and the fact that it's had almost a decade to reach some kind of pedestal in my mind (I'm sure the same is true for a lot of people). Similarly, if they did ever make my dream come true and create a level-by-level sidescroller on the consoles, I'd probably still be singing the praises of Castlevania IV to kingdom come.

My gaming history frequently prevents me from looking at things objectively. In fact, I don't think that would be a useful approach anyway...

[Herr Schatten]

I'm having a heck of a time getting the mandragora souls. I've killed at least a two dozen of 'em so far. My fave soul so far (I'm at the clock tower) is axe armor. It's basically the old school axe with multiple hit capabilities and low MP consumption--instant winner.

I cleared the whole game hardly using anything else than the axe armor soul in combination with the throwing scythes. Great stuff.

[Turrican]

I cleared the whole game hardly using anything else than the axe armor soul in combination with the throwing scythes. Great stuff.

You mean, you cleared it a second time. Otherwise it would be difficult to play most of it with the scythes that come pretty late.

[Herr Schatten]

I cleared the whole game hardly using anything else than the axe armor soul in combination with the throwing scythes. Great stuff.

You mean, you cleared it a second time. Otherwise it would be difficult to play most of it with the scythes that come pretty late.

No, I probably picked the wrong word here. I don't mean the scythes you opbtain from Death's soul, I mean the throwing sickles. The normal, non-magical weapons, you know?

I pretty much abandoned using close combat weapons as soon as I discovered the boomerangs. Later I upgraded to the tomahawk, then to the throwing sickles. With the Skelerang soul equipped you can throw two of them at a time, which combined do only a little less damage than even a good regular weapon, but have the great advantage that you don't have to be near the enemy. It actually made some of the bosses a lot easier, including the last one. Most of the time I fought him he wasn't even on screen, but I could hear my sickles hitting him. I only occasionally had to switch to my longinus spear (sounds naughty, doesn't it?) when some of the flying things that looked like easy chairs with teeth came too close.

And the axe armor soul was pretty much the only shot type soul I used. Although the Rycuda soul is great for getting rid of those annoying little mini devils and medusa heads.

I'm currently playing the game on hard mode for a second time. I hope I will find the three missing monsters somewhere. I'm also enjoying Julius mode right now.

[system11]

I just finished the game - died about 12 times in total, most of those being to that bloody stomping boss at the top of the tower. 100%, hit level 80-something. I have 90-something percent of souls too, but a few stragglers remained (tombstone, queztacotal), and a few one-off souls were used to upgrade weapons preventing 100%. I never found anything you could do with that big piano. EDIT: I have a full monster list too, if anyone get's stuck finding some, lmk.

[Herr Schatten]

I just finished the game - died about 12 times in total, most of those being to that bloody stomping boss at the top of the tower. 100%, hit level 80-something. I have 90-something percent of souls too, but a few stragglers remained (tombstone, queztacotal), and a few one-off souls were used to upgrade weapons preventing 100%. I never found anything you could do with that big piano. EDIT: I have a full monster list too, if anyone get's stuck finding some, lmk.

As I said before, I'm still missing enemies numbers 29, 32 and 81. Who are they and where are they?

I haven't found any use for that big piano either. I finished the game with 98.6%. I always assumed that the percentage was tied only to the rooms you have visited and the bosses you have beaten, so I thought I didn't get to see the 100% because the last save is always before the last boss. I have a quezalcoatl soul. It's not particularly useful.

Did you upgrade all the weapons to their highest level? If so maybe you can answer what's up with the little crown symbol that appears where normally the name of the next upgrade is shown if you're weapon is really powered up a lot (if your spear is a Longinus, for example). It never seemed desirable to actually do the upgrade, because the stats of the new weapon are lower than those of the current one.[/code]

[system11]

As I said before, I'm still missing enemies numbers 29, 32 and 81. Who are they and where are they?

29: Yeti - right in the first room of the game
32: Flying Humanoid - right hand room from top of clocktower
81: Mothman - room containing 2 Final Guards near the top of the map

You need to solve puzzles based on the UMA news letters for these to appear.

I haven't found any use for that big piano either. I finished the game with 98.6%. I always assumed that the percentage was tied only to the rooms you have visited and the bosses you have beaten, so I thought I didn't get to see the 100% because the last save is always before the last boss. I have a quezalcoatl soul. It's not particularly useful.

100% is also linked to how much of the map you've seen - there are quite a few breakable walls. I checked the WHOLE MAP again just when the Abyss had opened, using the Peeping Eye soul which identifies these walls when you're near them. These places all have nice items in them, and especially some of the mirror rooms. Note that to get 100% you have to have passed through all those numbered rooms even if you didn't use them as a route.

Did you upgrade all the weapons to their highest level? If so maybe you can answer what's up with the little crown symbol that appears where normally the name of the next upgrade is shown if you're weapon is really powered up a lot (if your spear is a Longinus, for example). It never seemed desirable to actually do the upgrade, because the stats of the new weapon are lower than those of the current one.

Crown means highest level I think. Things like the Mjollnir hammer actually lower the stats, but what it didn't mention was that that lower stat version hits 3 or 4 times, and ends up doing much more damage. You need to upgrade that one actually for a puzzle which gives items.