Driving a stake through the opposition

Konami's vampire hunting saga is one of gaming's greatest franchises.

Despite this, for a long time it seemed as though the story wouldn't be transferring to the PS2.

Much of the reason for this, it seems, was the relatively poor reception accorded to the last two Castlevania outings on the Nintendo 64. Having built a reputation for itself as a two-dimensional actioner, it seemed as though the saga couldn't transfer to full 3-D.

Perhaps mindful of the phrase "third time lucky" Konami has assembled a team of its most talented artists to bring this new game to the next generation console, including producer Koji Igarashi, the man responsible for some of the most highly regarded Castlevania adventures to date.

In order to reinvent the saga for 3-D, Igarashi and his team have gone back to the beginning. This game tells the story of how Leon Belmont came to be the scourge of vampires everywhere.

Set in the 11th century, when the game starts Belmont is living peacefully in middle-Europe where his fighting prowess has brought relative calm to the kingdom. Upon returning home from a crusade, however, things seem to have gone awry. The wife of Belmont's best friend - and possibly the only knight his equal in combat - has died of some strange disease.

Worse is to follow. First Belmont's friend Mathias Cronquist also seems to contract the mystery illness then the kingdom is attacked by supernatural monsters.

Belmont finds himself unable to defend his people as the king has decreed no fighting shall take place until the crusades are over. Rendered impotent by orders issued in a far away land, Belmont can only look on in horror as an undead army lays waste to his homelands.

Belmont's epiphany comes when his fiance is kidnapped and he is faced with giving her up for dead or renouncing his title and fighting for what is right. Thus begins the epic quest to find a lost lover and drive a stake through the heart of the vampire lord behind all this badness. Belmont enters a forest where it is permanently dark and starts his search for the vampire's castle.

Devotees of the series will be delighted by the subtle touches that serve to explain features that were a characteristic of the earlier games, such as the random weapons strewn around each level. Why are they there? Because 2-D side-scrolling actioners demanded such a thing 15 years ago? No, apparently they belonged to the vampire hunters who went before Belmont, only to meet their doom. Neat.

Initially Belmont goes into battle equipped with just a trusty whip and a simple, but effective, repertoire of moves. He can also block enemy attacks with his gauntlet and absorb their power with well-timed counters. There's also a limited array of magic spells available to dispose of tough bosses.

Castlevania on the MSX had a reputation for being a rock-hard challenge. This adventure eases gamers in gently. Dealing with the first enemies Belmont encounters is ridiculously easy but serves as an effective method for familiarising you with the button layout.

Press on, though, and Belmont soon comes across bad guys who require more than mere button bashing if they are to be polished off. Exploration is key to further progression - Belmont's abilities are ramped up by key discoveries that may not be obvious to the gamer who just wants to get on with the action as quickly as possible.

Upgrades can also be purchased from an alchemy shop but the game never falls into the trap of making Belmont too powerful too quickly.

Weapons are also upgradable with magic orbs that turn straightforward flashing blades into devastating items capable of slaying even the toughest of enemies. The camera system is pretty reliable and the diversity of levels and enemies will keep you alert the whole time.

It's a big game, too. You will spend hours wandering the corridors of the haunted castle looking for clues and power-ups. It's a challenge alright but the easily defeated may find a walk-through guide comforting. Cheats will find they can race through in less than ten hours, though.

Graphically, this Castlevania lives up to the high standards set by its predecessors on early hardware. The environments are rich in detail and manage to evoke the right feeling of spookiness, as you'd expect of gothic castle backdrops. Belmont is nicely animated and the monsters are suitably frightening.

Another feature of this series has been the rousing soundtracks and, once again, Konami has gone to great lengths to ensure the PS2 version measures up by bringing back the original composer (a woman called Michiru Yamane).

If only every game was made with this kind of care and attention to detail then I guess we wouldn't have to suffer trashy software such as Carmaggedon 64. It's plain to me that this adventure was more than just another assignment - it's been a labour of love for all concerned.

Vampire hunters should rejoice - the Castlevania 3-D curse has been overcome once and for all.

Published: 06/02/2004