Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow

The Good
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow (isn't it cute how many DS games have the intials D.S. in their subtitles?) is another stellar entry in the Castlevania series thanks to loads of powers, weapons and other content, and a tried-and-true method of hack 'n' slash platforming that never gets old.

I admit I'm not up to date with current Castlevania mythology, but the story line isn't the highlight of this game. Rather it's fighting your way through the castle, discovering its secrets and bosses.

And the bosses, large and mean, don't disappoint. Almost all of them have repeated attacks that, with some practice, can be avoided. The game is extremely well-paced: I never felt like I had to fight a boss too often or that I wasn't prepared to take him/her down.

Also, I never got bored playing the game. Oh, there were times when I wasn't sure what my next step should be, but that only made me focus more on the game - it wasn't at all a turnoff.

The 2D graphics work perfectly. 3D attempts at the Castlevania series have always ended in mediocrity.

Controls are tight and precise. I felt like I was in gaming heaven the way I could dual equip my character with a strong, slow moving weapon and a quick one. Attacking in this game isn't a show of brute force, you must use cunning and defence to take out Dawn of Sorrow's baddies.

Multiple endings and unlockable game modes add to the game's replayability.

The Bad
Really, the only thing bad you can say about this game is that it's more of the same (for which I'm glad - if a format ain't broke, don't meddle with it too much).

Also, and maybe this is just a personal thing, the story didn't exactly enthrall me with its tale of people wanting to become evil.

The touch-screen effects are kind of gimmicky - you have to draw a code to kill bosses and certain blocks are destoyable with a tap of the stylus.

The Bottom Line
Fans of the Castlevania series already have this cartridge in their hot little hands, while fans of old-school side-scrolling action should have this title on their must have list.

For the gamer who's been Grand Theft Auto'd and Halo'd to death, the action is no less intense just because the system can fit in your hands and the fighting in done on a two-dimensional plane.

The number of weapons and upgrades available is astounding, the graphics are simple and effective and the story, if a bit wish-washy, will compell you to use your powers to help eradicate evil . . . maybe once and for all.