As a seasoned gamer with decades worth of gaming under my belt, I must say that the Castlevania Dominus Collection has truly taken me on a nostalgic journey through some of the finest games this genre has to offer. From the very beginning, Symphony of the Night and Super Metroid set the stage for what was to come, establishing a unique blend of exploration, combat, and lore that would become synonymous with the Castlevania name.
Everyone always says that Castlevania: Symphony of the Night being one of the best games of all-time, and quite rightly. Along with Super Metroid it pretty much defined a genre within itself, whilst developing a rich new vein of vampiric lore for the undead-killing Konami franchise. It is fair to say that the publisher did return to the well quite a bit in ensuing years, with well-documented and equally well-received GameBoy Advance instalments following. But the trio of Nintendo DS Castlevania titles were a truly golden time for the series and probably garnered more of my gaming time than any of the others over the years. Something about the legendary Dual Screen clamshell and touch controls hit different and I spent countless hours ensuring I bled every possible secret from their wares.
The Castlevania Dominus Collection performs remarkably well despite the challenge of adapting a single screen layout instead of the dual screens found in the original hardware. It accomplishes this by offering various video options. By default, the main gameplay is displayed in a large box on the left side, while maps and statistical data are stacked together on the right. This setup worked flawlessly for me on a Steam Deck, as well. If you prefer the original DS layout, it can be replicated, but when using a portable display, everything gets significantly smaller. Additionally, you have the option to arrange the display tiles according to your preference; however, most players should find the initial setup satisfactory.
On the title screen of The Castlevania Dominus Collection, the three DS games are arranged in descending release date order: first, Order of Ecclesia (2008), then Portrait of Ruin (2006), and lastly Dawn of Sorrow (2005). While these Koji Igarashi-produced titles share some common elements and may have some repetition, each game offers its unique selling points and plays differently. For instance, like many early DS games, Dawn of Sorrow emphasizes touch screen controls as its main feature, and its name is a clever wink to the console’s name.
In this game, the character Soma Cruz, with an anime design, uses a “Magic Seal” move that requires drawing symbols on the screen to defeat bosses. The control scheme in the original game could be inconsistent, and it’s the same here. Since I played it on Steam Deck, I was able to draw the symbols using my finger. However, this technique doesn’t always work as expected, which is why the built-in feature that lets you rewind the action was useful. If you prefer non-touch controls or are playing on a main console, you can draw symbols by holding down a trigger and moving a cursor instead.
In Portrait of Ruin, many tactile aspects are absent, and two playable characters have been added, allowing seamless switching between them on the go. These characters can combine their abilities to execute special moves and tackle puzzles. The haunting gallery painting theme offers a variety of breathtaking and unique settings for exploration. This game is another exceptional example of a platform-based role-playing experience.
wrapping up, we have Order of Ecclesia – the final installment in the pioneering exploratory platform series that started with Symphony of the Night. I remember feeling slightly let down by it initially due to its more linear and straightforward nature compared to the others. However, it still offers many appealing aspects, such as a highly praised and powerful female protagonist and an engaging Glyph system which lets you mix and match various attack, magic, and enhancement options. Additionally, trivia enthusiasts might find it interesting that this is the only game in the entire series’ history without a version of the iconic Vampire Killer whip.
As an added delightful surprise, Konami has gifted us a “new” Castlevania game after quite some time – it’s a thoroughly revamped remake of the 1987 arcade classic, Haunted Castle. The three main titles alone would have been plenty, but with Konami putting in such effort to create this charming and meticulously crafted reinterpretation, this collection offers great worth for the money.
If the three DS bangers have aged well, right down to their expertly drawn sprites and typically lush Castlevania aural experience, then Haunted Castle has aged just as you would expect a coin-guzzling arcade machine from the 1980s to have. Essentially a version of the classic original NES Castlevania, it is uncompromisingly difficult, with segments even on the very first stage capable of making you tear your hair out in frustration. It is nice, if a little incongruous to have it included, but isn’t one I would recommend. The Revisited do-over, however, is terrific.
The design has been significantly updated, yet retains a classic feel that’s not too contemporary or odd (similar to the latest ActRaiser). It wouldn’t seem out of place on a 16-bit console, while still incorporating enough modern enhancements and techniques to make it shine. The challenging nature, once harsh, has been thankfully toned down. Instead, it offers a balanced challenge throughout its journey, introducing new collectible weapons, more frequent power-ups, and fewer overly cheap enemies and obstacles. It may not surpass Super Castlevania IV or Rondo of Blood anytime soon, but it’s another fine example of quality gameplay.
That class extends to the options and extras on Dominus. There are some lavish collections of artwork to peruse, something that I wholeheartedly recommend as Castlevania has some of the most beautiful game art design ever, with this package showcasing its effortless combination of gothic vampire horror and more modern anime design. This fan service extends to a music gallery, and the ability to play the games in multiple different regional versions. There isn’t much more you could have asked for, unless you wanted to be really greedy and ask that Symphony of the Night had been included, but you can’t have it all.
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2024-09-02 14:46