At Konami’s E3 press conference, a few moments were set aside to talk about the two upcoming Castlevania titles exclusive to Nintendo products. Order of Ecclesia is a traditional side-scrolling Castlevania adventure, while Judgment is what is being billed as a "3D versus action game."
The only details we got on Order of Ecclesia were in trailer form, showing off a hero whipping and slashing hordes of skeletons, zombies, and Frankenstein’s Monster. This looks to be a complete return to traditional Castlevania, with side-scrolling monster hunting galore.
More time was spent on Castlevania Judgment, a Wii exclusive that you aren’t supposed to call a fighter. The producers are terming the title a "3D versus action" game, which basically means you can fight in all dimensions. Considering there are two characters onscreen replete with health bars, a timer, and special attack meters, this one has all the earmarks of a fighter. But hey, six of one, half-a-dozen of the other.
So far only four characters have been unveiled (Simon, Maria, Alucard, and Dracula), but there are going to be fourteen total once the dust has cleared. The stages also feature destructible environments and items that can be used as weapons, so at least the stages act as a little more than simple set pieces.
Walking away from Judgment, I was struck by how utterly humdrum it is. This is not the Castlevania game that’s going to draw me back into the series, as a one-on-one "versus action game" just doesn’t do it for me. Oh well, at least you can whip Dracula’s ass repeatedly with a little girl carrying a staff. That’s something, right?













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