Review by: Jeff Burke
Published: December 29, 2005

Being deep rooted in what is now the very definition of a platform game, the Castlevania
franchise has brought us from its humble beginnings in 1986 to a few months before what could be its 20th anniversary, and what do we have to show for it? When will Konami learn what that people want? I can’t speak for everyone, but I can speak for myself; I want a 2D Castlevania on a console. Clocking in at about a month before the launch of the successor to the Xbox, the Xbox360, and Konami is just now getting around to putting out a Castlevania game for the Xbox. I almost wonder after playing the game, if putting out 3D Castlevania is just a chore and that working on the next big 2D title for a handheld is where it is at for Konami.

Cast into the role of hero this time around is Hector, one of the two remaining devil forge masters and former lieutenant to Dracula. Former being in that Hector has relinquished his powers prior to the events leading up to that of Castlevania III, in which Dracula and his army of undead reigns of chaos over Europe before being slain, for the first time, by Trevor Belmont. Following the death of Dracula, a curse is unleashed that causes all of the lands to become infested with monsters. Having left all of this behind, Hector remains unconcerned, and focuses instead of his new family. Only Isaac, the other surviving devil forge master, has Hector’s wife accused and killed of witchcraft. Seeking revenge over her death, he then returns to the land he once called home, but had until now cast aside.

Needing Hector for a more sinister plan, Isaac lures Hector back and then convinces him that the only way to defeat him would be for him to reclaim his past powers and chase after him, alluding to Hector working for Isaac’s cause, though not for sometime do we find out what that is. Storyline now safely tucked aside for a few hours of hacking and slashing, we find Hector now in Dracula’s abandoned castle ravaging his way to his first Innocent Devil.

In Hector’s route to his first Innocent Devil, the new pet system, you learn that this title differs only slightly from the previous 3D endeavor, Lament of Innocence. Returning is of course something found in every other Castlevania; a large map that needs exploring with plenty of enemies standing between you and a sometimes not so obvious goal, all the while gaining experience, finding components for the new weapon and armor crafting system, learning new abilities for both Hector and later for his Innocent Devil, and of course the high point of a hack and slash title, the boss stages.