Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

Overview

Shanoa, the game's main protagonist.

Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia (known in Japan as Akumajō Dracula: Ubawareta Kokuin, translated to Devil's Castle Dracula: The Stolen Seal) is an action-adventure horror platformer developed by KCE Tokyo and published by Konami for the Nintendo DS on October 21, 2008. The spiritual sequel to Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin, Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia is the third Castlevania title developed for the Nintendo DS and the seventh Castlevania game to use the modern Metroidvania structure of platforming based on free-roaming exploration. Ditching the anime-inspired art of the previous two Castlevania games for the Nintendo DS, the game features a darker, grittier, more gothic art style than any previous Castlevania game since Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.

The game features a new game mechanic, called the Glyph System, that combines elements from previous Castlevania systems, including the "Tactical Soul" system of Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow and Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow and the "Spell Fusion" system of Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance. The game also makes use of the Wi-fi wireless connectivity between the Nintendo DS and the Nintendo Wii, which can be used if the player owns Castlevania Judgment.

Story

Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia takes place in the early 19th century, sometime after the events of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. As the mighty Belmont Clan vanishes into seclusion, several organizations are created to form countermeasures against the eventual return of Dracula. When the Order of Ecclesia, led by Barlowe, creates a triad of mythical glyphs (called Dominus) to counteract Dracula, a rogue disciple named Albus steals the glyphs and kidnaps inhabitants of the nearby Wygol Village. Players guide Shanoa, member of the Order of Ecclesia, as she searches for the whereabouts of Albus, the glyphs, and the villagers.

Gameplay

Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia is a two dimensional platformer, featuring adventure and RPG elements such as the ability to equip armor and cast spells. A new game mechanic called the "Glyph System" allows the player's character, Shanoa, to collect icons called "Glyph symbols", which she can acquire by defeating enemies or conquering challenges. These symbols can be equipped to her arms or her back, allowing her to perform special powers and skills. There are over 100 different Glyphs the player can wield, such as weapon and magic glyphs. Glyphs use MP (Magic Points) to work, and once the MP gauge is depleted, the player must stop attacking to allow it to recharge. The player can also use a special Glyph Union technique, which calls a more powerful attack based on the glyphs the player currently has equipped. Glyph Union attacks consume Hearts (not to be confused with health points) which do not replenish over time, unlike MP.

There are also certain Glyphs used to solve some puzzles. The game requires players to explore each of the game's regions thoroughly in order to find every villager. If the player does not rescue every villager, then the player sees an ending screen before the player can reach Dracula's castle. When the player rescues a villager, that villager will then appear in the town, and provide aid for Shanoa if she performs quests for them. Some quests involve collecting items, and others involve travelling to specific locations, and using an item there.

Several different locales can be visited in the game, including forests, mountains, and oceans. There are a total of 20 locations, with an overworld map used to traverse between them. It also features online play, allowing the player to sell/buy items with other players or go head-to-head in a versus mode.The game will make use of DS-to-Wii connectivity with Castlevania Judgment, which will unlock content in both games.

Order of Ecclesia also contains bonus modes such as Boss Rush and Albus mode, unlocked when the player finishes the game.

Albus Gameplay

Albus and Shanoa do battle

Upon completing the game, the player can unlock "Albus Mode," allowing them to play as Albus. Albus mode does not allow the player to equip any items or glyphs, or use any items. Rather then a menu, the start button will simply pause the game. The player can attempt to play through the entire game at level 1, or level up to a max level of 50.

Albus is equipped with his gun, and players can utilize all of his powers. His gun is fully automatic, and is used with the Y button. The X button uses Albus' optical shot attack, which harms all enemies on the screen. Albus' union attack is his Max shot, which sends a large projectile across the screen. The R button is Albus' crystal, which will stun enemies. The player can reach great heights using his super jump, pressing L in the air. All other moves, such as the slide and somersalt, remain the same. Albus does not progress through the levels in the same order as Shanoa, and does not experience any story events.

Castlevania Judgment Connectivity

Shanoa's appearance in Castlevania Judgment

Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia makes use of the Wi-fi wireless connectivity between the Nintendo DS and the Nintendo Wii (for players who own Castlevania Judgment). Getting a single connection between both games unlocks certain goodies. For Castlevania Judgment, it unlocks Shanoa and Aeon (non-story mode) as playable fighters from the start and two accessories to dress any fighter with. (Although these two characters could still be unlocked normally, so connecting the two games is not necessary.)