Preview: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia – Going After Dracula, Again

I was surprised to hear that people were calling “Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia” “the best Castlevania game since ‘Symphony of the Night.’” It’s not because “Ecclesia” is a bad game, but because it is the biggest departure from the traditions of the Castlevania series since, well… “Castlevania Judgment.” While “Order of Ecclesia” has the makings of a great game, it seems odd to have it bear the name “Castlevania” because it is so different than previous games, and that includes the 2D games that it most closely resembles. Again, what I played of the game wasn’t bad by any means… just different.

First of all, the game stars a female protagonist. While I’m all for empowering the ladies of video games, the lead character’s first name is Shoanoa, and her last name isn’t Belmont. This is not the first time that a Castlevania title hasn’t stared a someone from the Belmont lineage, but coupled with the fact that the series so rarely even has a women in the game, it feels like a bit of a stretch. I repeat, I’m not against a women staring in a game, it just feels a little off for a Castlevania title. [Continue Reading]