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This game is fantastic, rest assured, but you probably should get used to hearing such things as "Dracula May Cry"...
A LOT of people said that the Castlevania series just couldn't be done in 3-D. Had I never had the chance to play Lament of Innocence, I still would BE one of those people...

You play as Leon Belmont, as you live out the beginning of the vampire hunter legacy and try to help Leon rescue his beloved from the evil of the walking dead.

First of all, Leon comes equipped with the trademark whip, and he can use it to devastating effect, unleashing all sorts of combinations on anything unlucky enough to get in his way. He can also bust out with classic moves, like the whip swing, which is used to get across gaps, over barriers and up to higher places. The biggest addition that will make the biggest impact to most, is that Leon can actually dodge and guard against enemy attacks. The HP and MP system from previous titles makes a triumphant return, and, as before, they can be upgraded to aid in your survival. The sub-weapons also make a comeback, and they look as cool as ever. The only problem with the gameplay is that, regardless of how many of the techniques you learn, you may not ever need to use them. In older games, bosses took a bit of thought to defeat; memorizing their attack patterns was crucial to victory. Now, you can go into just about every battle without ANY kind of plan whatsoever, just constantly swinging with your strong attacks, and decimate nearly every boss, and, when they ARE a challenge, they usually have some kind of technique that will more than likely kill you in one attack...

The graphics are amazing. Leon's character model is smoothly textured, and he moves quite fluidly amidst the cryptic, yet somehow beautiful castle. Candles, statues, fountains and other things pepper the numerous rooms and hallways, and beautiful lighting effects help set the mood. Also, this game has some of the best particle effects I've ever seen in a game thus far. The monsters also are extremely detailed, with their own rage and tenacity etched all over their bodies, and, if you've ever played any of the previous games in the series, you'll cringe at the return of the likes of Medusa, the Succubus and the ever-aggravating Doppelganger. My problem with the graphics? You'll hear me say this a lot, if you know me...This game just oozes Devil May Cry from every pore. From Leon's movements, to the way some of the areas look, and even the way some of the enemies look, you'll swear that you've seen it all before during one of Dante's adventures.

The sound is very well done, with some pretty good voice acting. Leon himself (along with the various enemies he faces) has his own share of war cries, grunts and groans, but it all goes right along with the clear, crisp whip-cracking sounds. And the music...wow...The PS1 smash-hit is called "Symphony of the Night", because it has some of the best music ever heard in a videogame. I can damn near guarantee you that this game will come in a close second, because this game has some of the finest music ever composed for a game.

Heed a forewarning, though: depending on how you play, this game can either be really short, or ridiculously long, since there is so much to find and do, and it is up to you whether you do so or not.

Overall, if you're an avid fan of the Castlevania series that's skeptical of this game due to it's move to 3-D, toss your inhibitions aside, and pick this one up. If you're only looking for a great action game, however, then this game will suffice as a great rental.

Unfortunately, the hero, Leon, has the worst luck I've ever seen for a hero, as he resembles Michael Jackson in some respects. xd

Yeah, the art for the Castlevania series in general is almost always top notch, just like (most of) the games themselves.

Take my favorite Castlevania protagonist, Soma Cruz, for example:



Yes, he looks effeminate. But so do most of the other Castlevania heroes. Besides, I'd never be one to get on his bad side...>.>;