Castlevania: Curse of Darkness

Castlevania: Curse of Darkness Description

First up, it seems the contest is no longer Dracula versus a member of the Belmont clan. Instead we are introduced to Hector who once served as Lieutenant in Dracula's army, where his expertise was 'Devil Forgemaster'. Hector's nemesis is an old friend, but more on him later.

Hector's arcane skills once allowed him to tame mighty demons, and create fantastical weapons from the unlikeliest of raw materials. However, something caused Hector to doubt the Dark Prince's cause, and so our Devil Forgemaster abandoned his post, along with his powers, to seek a normal life in his homeland of Vallachia. Without such a strong commander in his forces, Dracula was unable to protect himself from the vampire hunters and was killed.

It is now three years after Dracula's defeat, but even in death Dracula remains strong. His demise brought about a curse that spread across Europe, and to Hector's village. Around this time an ex-army comrade, Isaac, journeys to Vallachia blaming Hector for their master's demise. Isaac takes his revenge by causing the death of Hector's girlfriend - accusing her of witchcraft, preying on the fears of the villagers who have her killed.

Of course Hector desires vengeance, and is tempted back to his old ways as Devil Forgemaster in order to combat the evils ahead and become a match for Isaac. Little does Hector know this is all a plan to lure him back into the fold...

Hector is cool because he plays evil at its own game. The Belmonts used whips and a handful of back-up weapons, but Hector works with those cool Devil Forgery techniques. They enable him to enlist the help of a small army of so-called 'Innocent Devils', and style his own weapons.

Over 30 Innocent Devils await our hero's call, to fight on his behalf or overcome obstacles. Occasionally they will even help you, the player, pointing out dangers ahead. All the weapons Hector creates have specific combat technique to master, resulting in amazing combo attacks and even more impressive finishing moves. Slain enemies leave behind Evolution Crystals, and their type is affected by the kind of weapon used. While Hector can increase his power from Experience Points (EXP) in battle, it's the Evolution Crystals that are used to boost his allies.

The pacing and structure of Curse of Darkness is a bold departure for the Castlevania series, offering more depth and freedom. Experimentation is your key to the most glorious of victories!