Co-op can't save everything
The Castlevania franchise has been incredibly stubborn when it comes to trying new things, but I thought that with a new-found focus on cooperative play that all might change with Harmony of Despair. And it kind of does- but unfortunately the changes are all for the worst. Harmony of Despair can be an okay time waster when played with a few friends, but the low quality of the game itself makes it one that is very hard to recommend otherwise.
First and foremost, all of the traditional strengths of the Castlevania franchise are nowhere to be found in Harmony of Despair. There's no story, no stylish visuals, no catchy music, and most importantly, there is no sprawling castle to explore in that classic "Metroidvania"-like fashion. While I'm all for change, Harmony of Despair simply tosses away these qualities without replacing them with any meaningful additions- it feels like "Castlevania lite". The entire game is composed of six bite-sized boss runs, all of which are filled with staple Castlevania enemies and bosses. There's nothing new to see or fight, and the control scheme works just as you'd expect. And while that means the game controls well, it also means that it won't feel like anything you haven't played a dozen times before. That is, unless you're a Castlevania newcomer, in which case Harmony of Despair is about the worst possible starting point for a franchise such as this.
Past lacking any of the series' strengths and substantial content, Harmony of Despair also suffers from some awful interface and balance issues. Navigating the game's menus to manage your character is a chore, and the way you level your abilities is a convoluted mess that's never explained. Perhaps worst of all, however, is the blatant imbalance in the characters. There are five playable characters, but three of them are essentially worthless. This is unfortunate, as the large cast of characters was to be the only real form of customization the game has to offer. Last but not least, the big selling point for Harmony of Despair is that up to six players can play the game cooperatively (five characters for six players, thanks Konami!). I'm all about cooperative games, and playing with friends certainly makes the game infinitely more enjoyable than it would be as a single player experience. At the same time, adding co-op play to an otherwise lackluster game isn't enough to save it by itself- there are a lot better ways to spend time with friends than this.
All told, that's really the crux of the matter. Given it's extreme focus on cooperative play, it's understandable that Harmony of Despair is lacking as a single player game. But when it's also an unexceptional co-op game, you've got a problem. If you're absolutely desperate for something to play with a group of friends, Harmony of Despair can provide a few short hours of mindless fun. Even then, there are bound to be better options out there.
For additional information on my review style and scoring system, click here.
