Castlevania: Lament of Innocence

Dawn of the Hunter

Leon Belmont, an eleventh-century nobleman and knight of the clergy, is about to be wed when his fiancee, Sara Trantoul, suddenly disappears. Leon embarks on an epic journey to bring her back, unaware that a growing evil looms like a shadow over his quest. The majestic tale of Castlevania and the true origins of the Belmont clan of vampire-hunters is about to unfold.

• Castlevania makes its next-generation debut in full 3D
• Unparalleled graphics and gameplay deliver the most
  enriching Castlevania experience ever created
• Developed by the creators of the critically acclaimed
  Castlevania Symphony of the Night
• Dynamic attack system offers damaging combo
  attacks, magnificent spell effects and intense
  offensive/defensive moves
• Beautiful orchestral soundtrack in Dolby
  surround sound

Source:

Back of Case (US)

DESCRIPTION:

From the creators of the renowned Castlevania® Symphony of the Night’, the legendary series makes its next-gen debut with Castlevania® Lament of Innocence’.

Castlevania®'s enchanting storyline and legenday gameplay are now experienced through an exciting full 3D environment, combined with incredible graphics and a mesmerizing orchestral soundtrack. Discover the true origins of Dracula and the Belmont family in this exciting first episode of the saga.

GAME FEATURES:

• Detailed 3D environment brings the world of Castlevania® to life
• Enhanced attack system offers combos and other cool moves
• Beautiful orchestral soundtrack and character voiceovers
• Unparalleled graphics, legendary gameplay and huge enemies

Source:

www.atari.com.au

"Overall, the game is superbly done and boasts excellent audio and visual effects as well as a very intuitive and advanced combat system. The game has definitely broken the curse of 3D Castlevania and has a lot of replay value, allowing you to unlock secret items or even replay the game at different difficulty or characters. 8.4/10" - Worthplaying.com

"As players have come to expect from the Castlevania series, production values are first-class all the way with beautiful environments, character design and animation making for a beautiful game. The gorgeous soundtrack fits the action perfectly as well. Castlevania: Lament of Innocence is an excellent title that offers tight-controls, challenging opponents and beautiful aesthetics. It's a solid revival that should please most fans of the series and is the first 3D game that truly lives up to Castlevania's impressive lineage. A- " - The Laser.com

" With a wide array of competent enemies and an appreciable moves list, Castlevania: Lament of Innocence offers a fine 3D action experience with an abundance of style. 4/5" - Avault.com

"As a 3D Castlevania game, Lament of Innocence is a definite recommended purchase. The developers over at Konami Tokyo have done an excellent job preserving the best elements of the franchise, while at the same time taking the series in a new direction. 4.5/5" - Gamesdomain.com

"Castlevania is one of the few video game series that succeeded in keeping up with the flow of time without giving away too much of its original spirit. Lament of Innocence proves that the dynamic action of a 2D game can also take place in the third dimension and therefore sets a high standard for prospective titles of this never ending story." - Gamershell.com

Source:

www.atari.com.au - Press Quotes

Konami's much-loved side-scrolling 2D adventure is resurrected in gory, glorious 3D for a fresh bite of the vamp-slaying cherry

Plucky member of the beleaguered Belmont clan: check. Large whip: check. Marauding bloodsuckers a go-go: check. Yup, Castlevania's back, with all of the vital ingredients that fans have come to expect from the superlative series present and correct. Acting as a prequel to the existing chronology, with forefather Leon Belmont seizing the whip as the first in a long line of the vampire slaying dynasty, Castlevania treads a largely familiar 3D path (much in the same, um, vein as goth-horrors Devil May Cry and Soul Reaver), but with a spattering of originality that sets this arterial action adventure apart from the current brood of blood-lusting titles.

The epic quest begins with a similarly epic opening sequence which provides the background to the game's proceedings, with the foppish Leon Belmont heading out in search of his abducted girlfriend, thought to have been snatched by a vampire. After being tipped-off by a friendly local alchemist, Leon strides into the castle of his enemy, newly armed with a magic whip which has the power to see off evil in a suitably impressive fashion.

Encountering five different entrance points when you arrive in the castle, you can select whichever one you fancy to begin with, before setting out on a mission to eradicate the undead residents within. There are literally hundreds of rooms to explore within the fanged-one's fortress, with unique foes lurking around every corner, waiting to dismember you in a variety of unpleasant ways. Lucky then that Leon can acquire a collection of weapons suitable for dispensing with persistent monsters. See off bloodsuckers in style with holy water, a dagger, a cross, an axe and a magic crystal. There are also seven orbs to gather on your travels which will imbue Leon with the power to deliver spectacular attacks and whip-up visually stunning spells that wipe out all comers.

• The unique world of Castlevania makes the move to glorious 3D, but retains all its original characteristics
• Play as Leon Belmont; first in a long line of long-suffering vamp vanquishers
• Wield everything from a whip and dagger to devastating spells and attacks
• Explore five huge environments within the castle, namely a Cathedral, an alchemist laboratory, the garden, a theatre and a dungeon

Source:

uk.playstation.com