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Enter a room, Kill - next room, kill... Boring

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 4 / 8
Date: November 04, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I got this game and have been playing for a few days. It has a great musical score, a niceley woven story, beautiful graphics and fun combos, etc... but it's an absolute bummer to play.

You are constantly walking toward the camera swinging blindly at enemies which you cannot see. You'll Want to look at a room you are in but have to do an irish jig to get the camera behind you. This game needs a camera control lesson from "Splinter Cell." Take advantage of that right analog stick for camera control.

Also, after a promising start with an outdoor area, a cool intro, and a weapons shop, the game soon dove into a room to room combat platform where the doors are constantly locking behind you until you destroy all the goulies in the room a-la zelda.

I LIKE 3D games, just not this one. Nice try, and I hate to have to aggrivate everyone with the same comment, but... Symphony of the Night was much much better. And, yes, because it was a "Castlevania" game written by the same development team, they can be compared. This one just doesn't stack up.

KONAMI HAS DONE IT AGAIN

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 8
Date: December 17, 2003
Author: Amazon User

THIS IS THE BEST CASTLEVANIA I HAVE PLAYED IN A LONG TIME. I'M A BIG FAN OF THE SERIES. AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK KONAMI FOR A WONDERFUL JOB THAT WAS DONE ON THIS ONE. AND PERSONALY I CAN NOT BELEIVE THE INTERVIEWS I'VE READ CONCERNING THIS CLASSIC TITLE. EVERYONE SHUOLD HAVE GAVE THIS GAME 5 STARS. I HEAR A LOT OF TALKING ABOUT SYMPHONY OF THE NIGHT, WHICH WAS A GREAT GAME. BUT IT CANNOT BE COMPARED TO LAMENT. ALUCARD WAS COOL, BUT HE'S NO MACTH FOR LEON BELMONT. THE DIFFICULTY IS NICE, THE CONTROLS ARE GOOD, AND YOU KNOW THE MUSIC IS THE GREATEST TOU HAVE HEARD IN A VIDEO GAME IN A LONG TIME. I LOVE THE SKILLS LEON LEARN AND THE RELICS , SUB WEAPONS WITH THE DIFFERENT ORBS, I MEAN THERE SO MUCH THAT I CAN SAY THATS GOOD ABOUT THIS GAME. LOOK AT THE STORY LINE THE MUSIC AND THE STORY TELLER, COME ON, IT GETS NO BETTER THAN THAT. AND FOR THE PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT THE VOICES, THERE NOT THAT BAD, STOP COMPLAINING. I CAN TELL FROM THE INTERVIEWS, THAT THESE ARE WEAK PLAYERS,LOOKING FOR THE EASY MODE. YOU HAVE TO BE A TRUE VAMPIRE HUNTER. THIS IS THE BEST GAME I HAVE PLAYED IN A LONG TIME, AS A MATTER OF FACT I HAVE NEVER PLAYED A GAME LIKE CASTLEVANIA, SO FACE IT, KONAMI DID IT AGAIN AND THE CASTLEVIAN LAGACY LIVES ON 1986-2003 AND FOREVER, THE CASTLEVIA TRUE FAN HAVE SPOKEN. I SHALL RETURN.

Finally...a 3D Castlevania worth owning

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: December 08, 2003
Author: Amazon User

After the embarassing and disastrous 'Castlevania 64' for the ill-fated nintendo 64, I thought that Castlevania would never be able to make the transition to 3D successfully, but boy was I wrong.

While I agree with most long-time Castlevania fans that Castlevania is and always MUST be a 2D side-scrolling game series, this game was fantastic. I was very skeptical about it when I got it, but my skepticism soon turned to delight. Unlike the miserable failure that was Castlevania 64, this game is loaded with the same type of RPG-ish gameplay from previous Castlevanias. You can equip armor (although it doesnt show on the character), and you can find equippable items, of which 2 (and eventually 3) can be worn at a time. There is an Encyclopedia of enemies kept as you encounter them, so you can keep track of the items they drop, or whether or not they have any items to drop and if they have dropped them yet. The sub-weapons are once again in the game, and by collecting sacred Orbs, the effects of the sub-weapons are altered dramatically, so in actuality you have many sub-weapons at your disposal at any given time simply by switching orbs, though you can only equip one type of sub-weapon at a time. There are 5 variations of the whip, acquired by finding and defeating secret boss enemies. There are also magical relics that can only be equipped one at a time, which will help you gain access to new areas or help you defeat your enemies.

The story itself is nothing spectacular, though this game covers the origin of the castlevania series, and the whole reason why the Belmonts have become vampire hunters. The voice acting is decent and not as bad as some other games in the series (namely Symphony of the Night, which was also one of the best games). As usual, there is a great soundtrack with the game.

The overall gameplay itself is alot of fun. There are many skills to be learned as you progress, which seem to happen either by chance, or by random mashing of the buttons. You will learn most of your attack combos as you fight large groups of enemies. While the combo attacks are a little complicated at first, its definitely nothign that will hinder your gameplay. It takes only a few minutes to learn the combos and once you find how easy they are, you'll probably remember them and use them effortlessly. If you have any confusion on skills, there is an easy tutorial available to you at the beginning of the game, which is integrated into actual gameplay. The whip jumping is a little tough at first, but soon becomes second nature. None of the controls in the game are very hard to learn at all.

There is one thing that stands out in terms of control, however. The game's inventory system is by far the WORST inventory system I have ever seen in a game of this type. You cannot go into the pause menu to change your equipment, whether you are in a fight or not. You must always do it real-time, as you are fighting or moving throughout the areas. If you happen to be using a whip that doesn't harm a specific enemy or you need to use a health potion really quick, then good luck surviving the encounter. Pretty much the only time I ever got killed in this game is when I was swarmed with enemies and I could not get through the awful inventory system fast enough to get a health potion. There are also many encounters that you are forced to fight in, since the doors lock. When you spend so much time backtracking in the game, you will probably want to skip fighting as you get much farther into the game, but those locked doors keep you stuck in there. Annoying, but the Inventory system is definitely the worst aspect of this game. If it weren't for the god awful inventory system and other minimal problems, this would've been a 5 star game. You get accustomed to it, but it is always an annoyance.

In terms of problems, the camera is a little iffy at times. You can be pounded by enemies you wont even know are there because the camera just won't turn around to fce their direction. The targeting system is ok, but you'll probably be swinging around in the wrong direction a few times. Some of the fights get impossibly hard, and the 2-part final battle is extremely annoying, since you have to go through it completely again if you should happen to die.

The rewards for beating the game include an extra character and other things. Castlevania fans will probably really enjoy this game, since the flaws are easy to look past, even if they are annoying. While I prefer Castlevania in its 2D roots, I don't own a Game Boy and never plan on owning one, so i'll just have to settle for this offering, which is a great one at that, but I would love to see another 2D castlevania on the Playstation 2.

Worth the effort.

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: January 04, 2004
Author: Amazon User

There are several reviews that complain about the camera, several that complain about controls, and still more that complain about the real time menu, and all I have to say is, are you playing the same game? This is a brilliant addition to the Castlevania line of games. The difficulty is spot on, not too tough and not too easy, the camera behaves in a predictable fashion and the real time menu is fine as long as you plan accordingly.

I think that gamers have become complacent and lazy. There are enough creatures roaming around to create the mood of the original Castlevania series and then some. Massive knights hurl maces from across the screen, red skeletons swing clubs, die and are reborn as you watch, screen filling blades slash from the ceiling, and the whole time orchestrated music surges from your speakers.

In my 24 years of playing video games I have seen some crappy, unfinished, beta-like games hit the market, and this is NOT one of them. The graphics are very polished, the moves that Leon can bust out with are smooth and well animated, and the weapons ROCK! Don't worry about the dinosaurs that complain about the game in 3-D, these are the same people that complain whenever a DJ samples a song. Rent it or buy it, but do not miss it! Let the blood lust begin, Castlevania LOI is the heat!

Excellence despite flaws . . .

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: July 14, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Who wouldn't like the idea of exploring a haunted castle and killing a few monsters? Personally, the idea has appealed to me since the first entry to the series back in the 80s. (Although that first game literally had me screaming in frustration when the Grim Reaper killed me AGAIN! That little b*****d was harder than Dracula, in my humble opinion.)

But then, this isn't supposed to be a review of the whole series, is it? My apologies.

All the elements that made those 2-D games so great are back in "Lament of Innocence", with a few added elements and a few drawbacks, too. And they are ... ("Drumroll, please.")

--I was disappointed that the whip is not upgradeable to a chain whip. Sure, you can get fire and ice and that cool purple glow for the "Vampire Killer", but I wanted a big-@$$ chain to wave around. I mean, how much damage can a leather whip (I don't care how much "alchemy" was involved) do against a creature made of stone? Oh, well.

--The ability to combine the spheres with the sub-weapons was really cool. Holy Water was always my favorite, and it still is.

--I'm glad that the platforming aspect of this game was toned down. 3-D games are notoriously hard when it comes to leaping about and landing on small platforms. The fact that Leon will not automatically walk off edges helps a lot, too.

--Why can't I destroy the Skull Pillars in this game? That bites.

--Visually, this game is at once beautiful and disturbing. All the lighting effects are nice, but zombies with venomous vomit? What mind thought that up? . . . The juvenile still in residence in my mind just says "Uh, that was cool," and chuckles.

--Yes, the cut-scenes and voice-acting are cheesy. But it's a video game, for cryin' out loud! Don't expect a fine work of art, here. Just something to waste a few hours on.

--OK, this is important. If this is a prequel, how did some guy named Walter somehow become Dracula? What happened to Vlad? The Castlevania games have always, ALWAYS been about hunting down Dracula. The fact that he's missing from this game draws a little away from the tradition. And yet I find myself thinking that this is probably the best game in the series. The only thing that would make it cooler would be if there was an upside-down castle waiting for you when you THINK you've beaten the game. (That was one of the best gaming surprises ever, by the way.)

If your gaming skills are really good or if you aren't the hugest fan of the series, just rent this one. But if you like the Castlevania franchise, pick it up. I found mine for relatively cheap. Possible Greatest Hits title?

Wait, that's not Buffy!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: November 05, 2004
Author: Amazon User

For some reason it seems that all medieval vampire slayers were flaming metrosexuals. At least, that's the impression that the Castlevania series of video games might leave you with - the heroes all certainly look as though they spend a lot of gold coin at International Male. "Ewww! You got blood on my lace petticoat sleeve!"

That aside, this latest 3D addition is not only visually incredible, but a lot of fun to play - while it lasts. "Lament of Innocence" is the story of Leon Belmont, ancestor of the whole line of Belmont vampire slayers, whose girlfriend Sara gets kidnapped by mysterious evil forces, as is the drill. Smartly accessorized with a sassy whip ensemble and Britney Spears haircut, Leon sets out on an "epic quest" to rescue her and restore peace to the land. The game takes place almost entirely within the labyrinthine recesses of a huge haunted castle. Just inside the front door is a "hub" room that conveniently transports you to one of the game's 5 main levels, which you can play in any order, although the difficulty varies and you may need to backtrack a few times. After you've beaten all 5, you can proceed to the final level and confrontation with no less a figure than Death himself. Plus, if you prevail over Death and you're still looking for that "optional challenge," there's a secret dungeon in the castle, unlockable with a certain pickup, that houses a beast called "The Forgotten One," arguably just as formidable an opponent.

This all sounds perfectly straightforward, and it is. "LOI" doesn't try to get fancy or pretentious with anything but Leon's threads. All your classic "Castlevania" gaming elements are here - the trusty whip, the torches that contain hearts or coins for some reason, the legions of various forms of undead, and the heady gothic atmosphere - this time rendered beautifully in 3D, although the action still has a linear "2D" feel. (Superficially it does resemble "Devil May Cry" - down to the cape - but "LOI" is its own game and I personally like it better.) In addition to the whip, Leon can carry a "sub-weapon," powered by hearts, as well as several "relics" that use magic power, "orbs" that work in conjunction with the sub-weapons, and an assortment of health and magic power-ups (including hamburgers, cheesecake, curry, and of course good old-skool Nintendo "meat," big and small). The way all these items work together is sometimes a little complicated, but overall there's actually much less variety of weapons than in other "Castlevania" games. The one complaint that you hear over and over about it is that you have to use the item menu in "real-time," which means that you may find yourself trying to scarf down some ramen to stay alive even as walking corpses are gnawing on your flesh relentlessly. Obviously this was supposed to be one of the game's "challenges," but it's really more frustrating than anything else, especially with some of the bosses.

All in all, though, "LOI" is a beautiful game full of spooky ambience; hardly over-complicated or long, but generally a "lash-and-slash" good time. You don't have to be a fan of the series to like it, but more importantly, if you are, you probably won't be disappointed.

There are also a few "secrets," e.g. in the House of Sacred Remains, there's a room towards the back with a Peeping Eye and a group of Skeletons that stand in a curious bowling pin formation. Hit the Eye when it drops to the ground and it rolls like a bowling ball towards the skeletons, knocking them over with the classic bowling sound effect. If you get 3 strikes without killing the Eye, you'll be rewarded for your efforts with some good old college dorm staple ramen. And yeah, that's good eatin'!

So what if it's not Symphony of the Night?!?!?!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: November 04, 2003
Author: Amazon User

As far as I'm concerned this game has made the perfect leap for the genre. I too was of course skeptical given the N-64 flop of the past but this is simply put, a major improvement. You have nearly every aspect of the previous games in the series brought to dramatic, beautifully rendered 3-D life. Here's a breakdown:
Gameplay: 4 Great overall except for whip/swing and on-the-fly inventory.
Graphics: 5 Simply Beautiful.
Story: 3 However, the story is irrelevant to these games as they are not RPG's.
Concept: 5 Some great new features for the series and the revival of a lot of classics.
From what I've seen so far, those that give it low ratings are hung-up on the idea of reviving SOTN. That is like remaking a classic movie. Nobody should go there. That's why they haven't here. Comparing the two is pointless. I implore you to come out of your SOTN shell and take an objective look at a great game. Besides, you and I know you're already going to buy it or you wouldn't be reading this. So just turn off your PC and go get it.

My title is the conversation at the end of this review.

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 5
Date: November 25, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I played all the NES and SNES versions of Castlevania. I also play SOTN on the Playstation. I was lucky enough however, 2 completely miss the N64 versions.

Simply put, its Castlevania in 3D. Yes, it is similar 2 DMC. But what the heldija expect ? I can't see the game being any good in 3D without being like DMC. Other than that, its Castlevania. You use a whip to perform many combos and subweapons to defeat enemies. You can also mix sub-weapons with orbs allowing a different type of attack with each combination. You'll be having plenty of fun, but it'll be over real soon. I beat it within a week. But I'm sure others play more than me and would beat it even quiker. They put hidden things in the game for the sole purpose of dragging the time out. What I mean is, you WON'T find these things by chance. For instance theres about 9 or so relics in the game. I had found only 2 by the time I beat it. So I go back and find them, but by that time I'd beaten the game. Also when u finish it, u can play as an alternate character. That just isn't worth it. Remember on SOTN when you could unlock Richter ? Yep, its exactly like that. Meaning the other character is nowhere near as complete as the original.

2 wrap it up its Castlevania for the PS2.

I came up with how game companies think . Here is a conversation between the fans and the producers.

Fans - We want a 3D version of Castlevania. But we want it to be good. Not like that N64 garbage.

Konami -.....? Whadaya mean ?

Fans - We want you to make it in 3d but keep it real to the old Castlevania feel.

Konami - ....? {looks puzzled} What..you....you mean like this ?

{Konami releases "Lament of Innocence" for the
PS2}

Fans - YES !! YES!!!! Exactly like this!!! Now could you make a longer,complete version ?

Konami - ..... Sorry, but we don't make em like that anymore.

CASTLEVANIA does it again !!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 12 / 48
Date: September 28, 2003
Author: Amazon User

The game is amazing i've saw like 7 videos ,66 pictures ,and read tons of information on it, its going to rock .The game sports an incredible amount of enemies 70 + which is great for a 3d game.You can get different whips lighning ice fire ect... you cant get level ups but you can find items to increase your atack defence and others.All the enemies are back like madusa, zombies , fleamen , and axearmor and more . Graphics have great special effects and great music too.sub weapons are in it and you can combine them to orbs to get a total of 40 differnt effects in total . You learn new whip combos through out the game , theres a shop to buy items. Its a long game ive heard . its going to be great if you want to see it in action download an e3 clip of it at gametrailers .com trust me you should.

Castlevania just can't make it in a 3D world.

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 7 / 24
Date: October 28, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Do you remember way back when Nintendo 64 announced they were changing Castlevania from 2D sprites to 3D polygons, how exciting it seemed? One of the greatest video game franchises was evolving with the times. Well it sucked. Then after that disaster, Castlevania went back to sprites with Symphony of the Night and came out with one of the greatest 2D games ever... EVER. Well, the geniuses behind that 2D masterpiece(and NOT the N64 disasters) thought they could fare better than their Nintendo predecessors... I really wish I could say they succeeded. Well, they did succeed at one thing: Lament of Innocence is no where near the sucktitude that Castlevania 64 achieved... but it does support the argument that Castlevania doesn't belong anywhere near polygons. If they hadn't tried so hard to be a Devil May Cry/Onimusha clone and tried to innovate as so many Castlevanias have in the past, they might have done something great. But that's all they could do... clone. And we all know the clone is never as good as the original. This game suffers from the thorn in almost all 3D games' sides... camera angles. When you walk into a room, you know there are enemies somewhere in front of you but the camera is looking straight at you and the baddies are standing behind the camera man. You can't rotate the camera either as alot of 3D games have used to alleviate the problem. Also the control is just not there like it is in it's Capcom templates. Please oh please Konami, leave the Belmonts out of the 3rd dimension! And you, Mr. and Mrs. John and Jane Q Public, I would have to say: wait for a triumphant return to a kinder, gentler, and flatter world. Peace out!

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