order-of-ecclesia posts(Subscribe to this feed)
The DS Life: Sleepy underground
by Eric Caoili 
{ Nov 12th 2008 at 11:30PM }
We've featured "subway gamers" in the past, and we've also posted images of sleepy gamers, but this week, through the magic of candid photography, we have a scene that captures both of those elements together. It doesn't sound that amazing, right? Well, join us past the post break to see why we thought this photo is so special!
Gaming to Go: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia
by Matthew Madeiro { Nov 10th 2008 at 7:24PM }
Surprised? The Castlevania series typically isn't associated with speedy, high-intensity gaming, so I can say with utter honesty that I had no intention of writing about IGA's latest delicious Metroidvania whenever I finally got my hands on Order of Ecclesia. The game has surprised so far in being pretty different from its immediate predecessors in both combat and environments, the combination of which is like a clean, refreshing punch in the face.
It's hard, guys. Really hard, in fact, but with the kind of irresistible challenge that'll have you firing up your DS at every free moment to try and beat that next boss or just make it through the next level without failing too miserably. In that regard Order of Ecclesia is surprisingly well-suited for this week's edition of Gaming to Go, as in at least the first half of the game you'll encounter numerous levels which can be run through and completed without losing vast amounts of time. Whether you'll make it to the end of that level alive is an entirely different matter, mind you, but that's half the fun! Want to hear more? Click the big button down there and see why masochism is good.
DS Daily: Seriously? This castle? Again?
by David Hinkle { Oct 29th 2008 at 9:00AM }
Sorry folks, but we just can't get Castlevania off of our minds this week. One of the things we appreciated most about Order of Ecclesia was its proposal that we traverse environments that weren't all located in a castle (or an inverted one, for that matter). But, regardless, there has been plenty of GBA and DS installments in the franchise leading up to this one. Which of the portable Castlevania titles could you do without or find to be the worst of the bunch? For those of you who aren't Castlevania nuts, have you played any of the games before? Why not?
DS Daily: The Order
by David Hinkle { Oct 28th 2008 at 9:00AM }
Top 5: Castlevania Games
by Kaes Delgrego { Oct 20th 2008 at 2:36PM }
This week marks the release of the highly anticipated Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia. Poised to be more than the usual Metroidvania-romp, Ecclesia's glyph system coupled with great diversity in environments and level layout (we're apparently not stuck inside the castle anymore) has all of us whip-enthusiasts drooling with anticipation. To be honest, Konami could slap the word "Castlevania" on a box of assorted animal feces and we'd still pre-order. Here's the part where I'm supposed take a cheap shot at Castlevania Judgment, but admit it: no matter how many times we all spit on the brawler, we never seem to stop checking out movies or screenshots. Castlevania has us whipped; pardon the hideous pun.
Assuming I haven't lost all credibility after the Mega Man list, here's another stab at ranking the best of a legendary franchise. Unlike most other Top 5's, this list is not necessarily Nintendo-specific. Take a gander, and try to pretend that you don't know what number one is.
The Top 5 is a weekly feature that provides us with a forum to share our opinions on various aspects of the video game culture, and provides you with a forum to tell us how wrong we are. To further voice your opinions, submit a vote in the Wii Fanboy Poll, and take part in the daily discussions of Wii Warm Up. TGS08: Castlevania: Order of Awesome Trailer
by Chris Greenhough { Oct 13th 2008 at 5:00PM }
With Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia due out in Japan and the U.S. later this month, the Tokyo Game Show represents the last major event at which Konami can show the game off; and shown it off they have, with this spectacular trailer.
The first minute and thirteen seconds consists of Order of Ecclesia character/location art, so if it's gameplay you're after, you'll want to skip to around one-third of the way through. Though why you'd want to skip Castlevania art is utterly beyond us.
Like Castlevania? We do -- to an embarrassing degree. Check out our impressions of Order of Ecclesia from E3, settle in for a trailer, or go Behind the Boxart with a Konami graphic designer. But enough talk -- have at you!TGS08: Bouncing beatdowns in Castlevania Judgment
by Alisha Karabinus { Oct 13th 2008 at 9:52AM }
But for a moment, for one bright, shining, purply-explosions moment, Castlevania Judgment was beautiful. Now we're back to bursting muscles, wacky shorts, and flawed gameplay. But buck up, little campers: there's a bit of news on the Order of Ecclesia/Judgment DS-Wii connectivity front. We knew the DS title's heroine, Shanoa, was unlockable in Castlevania Judgment, and as we speculated, so is Aeon -- both through the DS/Wii game connection. In the DS game, Wii connectivity adds a hard mode and raises your level cap in one mode to a whopping 255. Do we need to be so badass? Oh yes. Yes, we do.
Gallery: Castlevania Judgment
DS Daily: Castlevania: Double Order of Games
by JC Fletcher { Oct 13th 2008 at 9:00AM }
Does the promise of Ecclesia's awesomeness make Judgment any more of a purchase candidate for you? Or are you willing to do without the connection bonuses?
Point/Counterpoint: Does Castlevania need new blood?
by JC Fletcher { Sep 19th 2008 at 2:00PM }
Producer Koji Igarashi has definitely found his recipe for Vanias, and he's changed very little since hitting upon the combination of side-scrolling action, free-roaming exploration, and light RPG elements that made Symphony of the Night such a startlingly new experience ... back in 1997.
Let's be clear: both of the bloggers participating in this debate love them some Castlevania. But the issue of the series' increasing potential for staleness is a real one, and worth discussing even just as a thought exercise. Has Metroidvania run its course? Read on and find out ... what two people think.
Joystiq hands-on: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia
by Majed Athab { Sep 18th 2008 at 8:00AM }
One of the elements that stands out the most in this new Castlevania is the glyph system. In order to carry out actions, characters absorb glyphs (which are usually either weapons, i.e. a rapier, or magic, i.e. flying fire balls) and assign them to the X and Y buttons. You can equip the same glyph more than once, making things slightly more economical. You have a green bar under your red health bar -- this is a magic gauge. This depletes as you use your glyphs, but refills quickly as soon as you stop performing any actions with them; it basically regulates your attacks, so you won't be able to mindlessly breeze through the game.
Gallery: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia
Killer Fish and the Order of Ecclesia
by Alisha Karabinus { Sep 17th 2008 at 5:00PM }
Konami really wants us to get accustomed to Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia, for some reason. It's as though they think we won't embrace the title or something, since they keep waving around screenshots and soundtracks. We're surprised they're not shipping free demos and complimentary massage oil or something to potential buyers at this point. But listen, we're not complaining. We'll watch Shanoa beat down fish any day of the week. It's very important to keep those killer fish under control, you know.IGA talks Castlevania, plays Castlevania
by JC Fletcher { Sep 16th 2008 at 7:22PM }
IGN has several minutes of new gameplay footage of Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia, showing off new environments, new enemies, and new glyphs, which include a hammer, a giant scythe, and magical attacks like ice and fireballs. According to IGN, it's Koji Igarashi himself on the controls, playing his own game. Surprisingly, his playthrough looks like pretty much anyone else's -- Igarashi takes damage from normal enemies fairly regularly. Maybe he was just nervous with a bunch of IGN guys staring at him.
He also spoke in a video interview (available via the sidebar in that video player) in which he describes the premise behind Order of Ecclesia, including who the Order is and what Shanoa is doing invading the demon castle. While describing the differences between this and past Castlevanias, IGA also says that the animation of the enemies has improved. He must be referring to the ones that have new sprites!
IGA reveals the extra modes in Ecclesia: a hard mode accessible by completing the game, and a mode with a higher (255) level cap unlocked by beating that hard mode -- or by connecting Judgment on the Wii with Order of Ecclesia.
An audible peek at the Order of Ecclesia
by Alisha Karabinus { Sep 14th 2008 at 4:00PM }
Castlevania soundtracks are often so delicious, and from the taste Konami has offered up, Order of Ecclesia will take its rightful place as the successor to the franchise's long legacy of awesome. Check out the soundtrack page, and be sure to click the links (in white) that allow you to sample the tracks. They're all catchy, but number 10 on disc one is a good place to start. Conveniently, it's also likely to be the first link you'll click.[Via 4cr]
Like Castlevania? We do -- to an embarrassing degree. Check out our impressions of Order of Ecclesia from E3, settle in for a trailer, or go Behind the Boxart with a Konami graphic designer. But enough talk -- have at you!Support your Order of Ecclesia
by Alisha Karabinus { Sep 3rd 2008 at 12:00PM }
Dearest Shanoa,We cannot tell you how pleased we were to see new pictures from the front. It has been too long since we were able to gaze upon your icy features and battle prowess, and we are happy to be afforded this new opportunity. We can only hope you are safe and warm, especially at night. We don't hear much of your battles against the eternal and unnameable evil here and we are hungry for any details on the Order of Ecclesia. Please send word when you can. Keep your eyes out for glyphs, and stay safe.
Love forever,
Your fans, who are, as ever, awaiting your release
P.S. We have enclosed a turkey and some pot roast, as we have heard that food is scarce in the field.
Like Castlevania? We do -- to an embarrassing degree. Check out our impressions of Order of Ecclesia from E3, settle in for a trailer, or go Behind the Boxart with a Konami graphic designer. But enough talk -- have at you!GC 2008: Konami news roundup
by JC Fletcher { Aug 20th 2008 at 9:00PM }
Before we get started, however, check out that Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia art. It's easily among the best Castlevania art we've ever seen.
- Time Hollow, the time-traveling adventure game from Shadow of Destiny creator (and Suikoden IV producer) Junko Kawano, is coming to Europe this November!
- The magic-themed Animal Crossing-esque communication game Tongariboushi to 365-nichi no Mahou is being released in Europe as Enchanted Folk and the School of Wizardry.
- Winx Club Secret Diary 2009 -- pretty much Diary Girl in a Winx Club theme -- coming out in Q4 of this year.
- Media: new screens for Elebits: The Adventures of Kai and Zero and Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia, in addition to the new games!
