Overview
Taking place after the events of Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse, when Trevor Belmont and company defeated Dracula. Immediately upon his defeat, Dracula used the last of his power to spread a curse across the land, inhabiting it with vicious monsters and turning the people to heresy and violence.
Among the people affected was a man named Hector, who once was employed by Dracula as a devil forge master, a sorcerer who created and conjured monsters. Having left Dracula's employ after falling in love with a human woman, Hector's life was undone when a mob accused his wife of witchcraft and subsequently murdered.
It was not long after that Hector learned his wife's murder was directed by his former fellow forge master, Isaac, who still remained loyal to Dracula. Seeking revenge for the heinous deed, Hector began his chase to destroy Isaac and end the curse before others suffered as he did.
Gameplay
The gameplay of Curse of Darkness is very similar to the previous iteration (Castlevania: Lament of Innocence), but with several key differences. In the ways that it is similar, the player is able to traverse a series of large rooms and corridors, each inhabited by enemies that respawn after a short time.
Combat plays out in the same style as games such as Devil May Cry and Onimusha, where the camera stays fixed and cannot be controlled by the player. However, it will move to accommodate player position. The more that Hector fights, the more he will learn new techniques to use as well, just as it was with Leon in Lament of Innocence.
As far as differences go, Curse of Darkness offers many new features that make it unique from the previous entries. There is an experience-based leveling system, where Hector will be able to become more powerful the more enemies that he defeats. There is also a forging system, where Hector is able to take different materials to craft new weapons, items and armors.
Stealing from enemies is also a tactic that Hector is able to use. During special circumstances, enemies may open themselves up to this technique and relinquish items that range from common, rare and unique.
Most notable of all is the devil forge system. When special materials are interacted with, Hector is able to create monster familiars, which will assist him in both combat and exploration throughout the game. Most of the familiars, called innocent devils, have the ability to unleash attacks. Others are able to offer support by healing Hector, or turning him invisible. Others still are able to use their abilities to open doors or access distant areas. Throughout the game, the Innocent Devils are able to evolve into different forms, granting them different abilities, depending on what form they take.
Items
The game offers many different items to consume or equip.
Consumables
Instant Use Items
These items are used upon collecting them.
- Heart: Restores 5 hearts.
- Big Heart: Restores 10 hearts.
- Small Meat: Restores 29 HP.
- Large Meat: Restores 290 HP.
- Rosario: Instantly destroys all enemies who are onscreen.
- HP Max Up: Increases maximum HP by 30.
- Heart Max Up: Increases maximum hearts by 10.
- Money: Cash pickups with values of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000.
- Evo Crystals: Crystals that allow Innocent Devils to evolve into different, more powerful forms. The type of crystal dropped depends on which weapon is used.
Materials
The items that are used to create more powerful items. Some can be found in the environment. Most are dropped by enemies. Some rare materials can only be stolen from enemies.
- Adamantine
- Aluminium
- Ancient Memory
- Angel Halo
- Aquamarine
- Beelzebub's Seal
- Bronze
- Carbon Steel
- Ceramics
- Ceremonial Tool
- Damascus Steel
- Dark Crystal
- Dark Matter
- Death's Pulse
- Devil Iron
- Devil Vein
- Dragon Scale
- Ether
- Forgotten Memory
- Frenzy of Wind
- Galtite
- Holy Man's Vein
- Immortal Fragment
- Indigo Steel
- Jade
- Jet Black
- Knight's Vein
- Lightning Stone
- Midas's Gold
- Miracle Egg
- Orichalcum
- Phlogiston
- Purple Glitter
- Red Steel
- Spirit of Fuji
- Steel
- Sun Tears
- Vampire Blood
- White Steel
- Wild Memory
Weapons
Weapons in this game have various categories, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Some have more reach, are faster but weaker, slower but stronger, and other combinations of balance.
Swords
- Short Sword
- Broad Sword
- Ada
- Sword Breaker
- Schiavona
- Kris Naga
- Damascus Sword
- Bastard Sword
- Seven Bladed Sword
- Laser Blade
- Bamboo Sword
Greatswords
- Zweihander
- Nodachi
- Claymore
- Dragon Killer
- Muramasa
- Feather Sword
Fencing Swords
- Foil
- Main Gauche
- Rapier
- Colichermade
- Estoc
Hand Axes and Clubs
- Gano
- Piko-Piko Hammer
- Frying Pan
- Club
- Mace
- Pumpking Mace
- Morgenstern
- Zaghnol
Two-Handed Axes and Clubs
- Bullova
- Bardiche
- Tabar
- Battle Axe
- War Hammer
- Death's Scythe
Spears
- Deck Brush
- Bamboo Spear
- Dung
- Sasumata
- Lance
- Naginata
- Long Spear
- Trident
- Versatile Spear
- Halberd
- Nyoi-Bo
- Do Sanga
- Chauve-Souris
Knuckles
- Champion Gloves
- Punch Rings
- Baghnakhs
- Claws
- Jur
- Knuckle Duster
- Metal Glove
- Iron Shell Fist
- Ring
- Hora
- Pata
- Force Gloves
Special Weapons
- Gatling Gun
- Bombs
- Boomerang
- Fire Flask
- Shuriken
- Hien
- Spiked Shield
- Bat
- Electric Guitar
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