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What is Castlevania: Harmony of Despair?

Castlevania: Harmony of Despair is an upcoming 2D action-adventure game for the Xbox Live Arcade. The game features a new map system that allows players to see the current quest map's entire setup, as well as up to six players at once over Xbox Live.

Gameplay includes a Co-Op mode, which plays like previous 2D Castlevania game's "Boss Rush Mode", but with several rooms and items to find, culminating in a boss to fight. It is also slated to include a Versus Mode, with battle occurring between players, possibly on a point-based system. Bosses are shown to be able to attack players on their way to the fight. The game features playable characters, such as Alucard, Soma Cruz, Jonathan Morris, Shanoa, and Charlotte Aulin, all from previous 2D Castlevania games.

All of the characters include 8 Palette Swaps to accommodate players that wish to be the same character. They will be joined by other characters through downloadable content, when released. The characters will have their own signature attacks and skills to use in battle. An all-new map system allows real-time zooming in and out of the current stage, which will not stop gameplay and even allow players to play with the map zoomed out. The game will also be played in High Definition (alluding to the initials of the title: Castlevania HD.) Other features in the game include a Book placed in certain parts of a level, which is the only way to change items and equipment mid-game. Consumable items such as potions, however, will be scrolled through and consumed using specified buttons on the controller. Also, the experience point system from most newer 2D Castlevania games has been taken out, reducing players to finding weapons and equipment as the only means of assisting the character.

Release Date and Price:
http://www.product-reviews.net/2010...f-despair-price-release-date-and-screenshots/

Castlevania: Harmony of Despair: Price, Release Date and Screenshots

Earlier on today we revealed that five new Xbox Live Arcade games would be arriving this summer as part of Microsoft’s Summer of Arcade promotion, readers showed some interest in Castlevania: Harmony of Despair therefore we thought that some more information and screenshots would be appreciated.

As previously stated Castlevania: Harmony of Despair will set you back 1200 Microsoft Points and will be available from August 4th.


The levels in the game are said to be massive, all of which were inspired by previous Castlevania games such as Dawn of Sorrow, Portrait of Ruin and Order of Ecclesia, Konami have also confirmed that DLC will be added which will add new characters and new levels.

PSN Version Probablity:
http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3180101

Konami premiered Castlevania: Harmony of Despair at E3 last week, a multiplayer Xbox Live Arcade title that uses assets from past 2D Castlevania games on the DS to fill HD screens with 2D sprites. One would think this is nothing that would necessarily have to stay exclusive to the Xbox 360, and sure enough, producer Koji Igarashi has said there's a possibility the game could also be released on the PlayStation 3.

"Right now I'm focusing on Xbox Live Arcade," Igarashi said while speaking to Destructoid at E3 last week. "But there might be a possibility with that. I hope this one sells, and then we can think about PSN."

Interviews:
GameTrailers
http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3-2010-castlevania-harmony/700979

Channels
http://www.channels.com/episodes/sh...ny-of-Despair-E3-2010-Koji-Igarashi-Interview

Screenshots:

Videos:

IGN Live Demo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsfLfLpY9-I

E3 2010 Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FwD6ZeOPpE

Gameplay w/ IGA Interview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7dbn-pPZQw

Previews:

Gaming-Age
http://www.gaming-age.com/preview/xbox360_xbla/castlevania_hod

Destructiod
http://www.destructoid.com/sdcc-another-look-at-castlevania-harmony-of-despair-179688.phtml

G4TV
http://g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/705726/e3-2010-castlevania-harmony-of-despair-preview.html

1UP.com
http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3179979

Kotaku
http://kotaku.com/5567240/castlevania-harmony-of-despair-hands+on


Achievements:
http://www.xbox360achievements.org/game/castlevania-harmony-of-despair/achievements/

There are 12 achievements with a total of 200 points.

Lifeguard 10
Bring a comrade back from the dead.

Slick Kick 10
Defeat a boss using sliding.

Bone Cold Justice 10
Defeat an enemy by hitting back a Skeleton's bone.

Grim Synergy 10
Defeat a boss using a Dual Crush.

Poetic Justice 15
Defeat an ally who has been seduced by the enemy.

Vampire Hunter 15
Destroy the lord of Castlevania.

Grasshopper 20
Jump kick 30 times in a row without touching the ground.

Boned 20
Defeat a boss with 5 players in skeleton form.

Pack Rat 20
Collect 300 different types of items.

Wicked Deep Pockets 20
Amass 1,000,000 gold.

Slaughtervania 20
Rack up 10,000 enemy kills.

Hunter Legend 30
Complete Hard Mode.

Reviews:

Eurogamer 4/10
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/castlevania-harmony-of-despair-review

MSXbox World 7/10
http://www.msxbox-world.com/xbox360/reviews/review/570/Castlevania-Harmony-of-Despair.html

Resolution Magazine 6/10
http://resolution-magazine.co.uk/content/review-castlevania-harmony-of-despair/[/QUOTE]

GAF Group

I made a group Gamertag.

Add GAFlevania HD if want to play with other gaffers.

 

[Salz01]

I'm interested in how this plays. Will probably download the demo first though.

 

[Cynar]

This will be fun to try.

 

[DRock]

I thought it was coming out this week for a second. My brother and I are excited for this one. I hope it's fun!

 

[burgerdog]

Does this have local coop?

 

[andymcc]

:lol

 

[ultron87]

I feel like GAF told me I was supposed to hate this game.

Spoiler

It looks really fun. I'll definitely try it out.

 

[Chauncy Talon]

OMG... The cradle of civilization will tremble when this game drops.

 

[Ephemeris]

Thought it looked good when I saw it at E3 (only played the 3D one). Hmm. Maybe I should just wait/pray for it to drop on PSN.

 

[SAB CA]

Does this have local coop?

All signs point to NO, sadly enough. Never saw the mode available in the trailers, the multiplayer mode stresses LIVE, and there seem to be no indication of "press start" or such in the single player mode.

 

[BattleMonkey]

Still not sure on this

 

[jetsetfluken]

How credible do you think that 1Up PSN possibility rumor is?
I really hope so, but it was funded or developed by Microsoft Game Studios...

 

[TxdoHawk]

I feel like GAF told me I was supposed to hate this game.

There was loads of GAF hate for this, especially when it was first announced. I personally think it's a really neat concept.

It just kind of stuns me...after all the bashing we as consumers have done about how the game industry is just bleeding the same ideas dry, people were awful quick to jump all over this for not being another Metroidvania. But what can you do? Consumers are tough to please. I hope people will at least give the demo a shot.

 

[theMrCravens]

This is either going to be an online masterpiece or a massive Iga fail.

 

[sixteen-bit]

Lack of local co-op seems like a missed opportunity. I guess they didn't have the budget for it.

 

[Ryu Hayabusa]

This is either going to be an online masterpiece or a massive Iga fail.

Online masterpiece

 

[DidntKnowJack]

I'm trying to stay positive. I'll at least give the demo a shot. In fact I'm very interested in seeing how a game like this looks in HD. I just hope the single player mode is enough to keep me engaged, I don't even have XBL. (Or rather, a Gold account.)

 

[dark_inferno]

This is either going to be an online masterpiece or a massive Iga fail.

Monstervania,Castlehunter with low quality 2D sprites. Could be a masterpiece and an epic fail.

 

[Noisepurge]

Really have to wait for reviews on this one. it's either a boring rehash with broken co-op or a really fun revisit to all the best locations and bosses from the metroidvania history

 

[JustAnotherOtaku]

Still not sure on this

Same. I'll probably just wait and try the demo to see if it's worth buying.

 

[ixix]

I will buy this so that IGA can give us new characters and stages. So that he can finally be free.

Millions of dots.

 

[AndyMoogle]

Really have to wait for reviews on this one. it's either a boring rehash with broken co-op or a really fun revisit to all the best locations and bosses from the metroidvania history

At least this time it's only $15 instead of the regular $40 rehash price. And we get co-op this time as well. Damn, it's like it's a brand new game compared to the last 5 handheld games from Iga.

I will most likely get this so that I get 400 points back from the summer of arcade deal. I've bought Limbo already, and unless Lara Croft sucks ass I will get that as well.

EDIT: Forgot that some of the handheld Castlevanias had similar co-op before, so I guess HoD isn't as new as I first thought.

 

[Bay Maximus]

Not sure why; but I'm suddenly excited about trying this game out. As stated earlier, this will either be damn good or an epic fail. There's no room for in-between Iga.

 

[ChoklitReign]

RE5 + Castlevania = Win?

Spoiler

I liked RE5. Deal with it.

 

[TheFLYINGManga_Ka]

I hoped there'd be a single player mode in this with a story and everything to go with it.

But it's still Castlevania, so I'll still pick it up!

 

[andymcc]

RE5 + Castlevania = Win?

Spoiler

I liked RE5. Deal with it.

i think the monster hunter comparisons are much more apt.

 

[SapientWolf]

There was loads of GAF hate for this, especially when it was first announced. I personally think it's a really neat concept.

It just kind of stuns me...after all the bashing we as consumers have done about how the game industry is just bleeding the same ideas dry, people were awful quick to jump all over this for not being another Metroidvania. But what can you do? Consumers are tough to please. I hope people will at least give the demo a shot.

For what it's worth, I liked the Harmony of Despair demo more than the Lords of Shadow demo.

 

[TheFLYINGManga_Ka]

What's with these RE5/Monster Hunter comparisons? I don't get it. Because of co-op?

This game has no single player so how could it be like RE5?

 

[Ganondorfo]

Will this game feature a new soundtrack by michiru yamane? Or are they using the famous themes from the metroidvania games.

 

[jon bones]

wat no local co-op?

looks prettty neat ,too

 

[LowParry]

:lol

 

[MechaX]

There was loads of GAF hate for this, especially when it was first announced. I personally think it's a really neat concept.

It just kind of stuns me...after all the bashing we as consumers have done about how the game industry is just bleeding the same ideas dry, people were awful quick to jump all over this for not being another Metroidvania. But what can you do? Consumers are tough to please. I hope people will at least give the demo a shot.

Saying it was GAF Hate is a bit misleading. Most of the more negative reactions were more so due to how it was both a game with entirely reused aspects on an obviously low budget , it being on a medium where it'll probably be sent to die, and most were leaning either way on whether the game would be a success or not. However, given the close proximity with IGA's presentation in the Konami conference, most GAFfers wanted to buy the game more out of pity for IGA's situation in the company at this point.

EDIT: Eh... no local co-op and it's at 1200 points.. IGA, you're making this a really tough buy for me.

 

[Rad-]

I think it looks pretty fun. Will be one of the 3 SoA titles I'm getting to get those sweet 400 points.

 

[MoogPaul]

I hoped there'd be a single player mode in this with a story and everything to go with it.

But it's still Castlevania, so I'll still pick it up!

Is this the case? No story mode?

 

[TheFLYINGManga_Ka]

Is this the case? No story mode?

I don't think there is. I think it's multiplayer only.

 

[andymcc]

What's with these RE5/Monster Hunter comparisons? I don't get it. Because of co-op?

you co-op to take down specific beasts and monsters.

didn't you make the dumb "EVERY GAME IN JAPAN IS LIKE MONSTER HUNTER" thread? this is one of the times where the comparison sticks. :lol

 

[TheFLYINGManga_Ka]

you co-op to take down specific beasts and monsters.

didn't you make the dumb "EVERY GAME IN JAPAN IS LIKE MONSTER HUNTER" thread? this is one of the times where the comparison sticks. :lol

Oh thanks for reminding of that thread! :lol

I still think my topic was relevant and made sense.

This game, honestly, doesn't make sense since there's no single player. I wish there was at least a story to it with a single player campaign. Just having it being a multiplayer game devalues to overall package.

It's not worth $15 since it really is just recycled from the DS games. But putting a single player campaign that's just as good as the DS games would've made this one of the best XBLA games ever.

 

[TheSeks]

Is this the case? No story mode?

There is one if the achievement list is right. It's a co-op/singleplayer mode.

I'm really disappointed by this. I seriously SERIOUSLY doubt the $15 price is going to help the game, esp. since it reuses DS-resolution sprites in 720p. :|

 

[Carlisle]

I really want this, but I'd much rather play it on PSP. The 1200 points will make it easier to wait to see if that PSN rumor pans out... and if it does, whether a PSP version will see light.

Spoiler

extraordinarily unlikely

 

[dark_inferno]

What's with these RE5/Monster Hunter comparisons? I don't get it. Because of co-op?

This game has no single player so how could it be like RE5?

MH = 4 Player, killing Monsters, collecting Items

Castlevania = 6 player, killing Monsters, collecting Items, level up

 

[Dartastic]

I will buy this. It will be fun. I am a sucker for Castlevania. I just bought Castlevania: Puzzle for the iPhone. It's actually pretty bad ass. I hate my CV love. :lol

 

[ecierif]

Is this the case? No story mode?

There's definitely a single player mode. You can see it in the main menu at the beginning of this video.

But I'm guessing it won't be much of a "story mode", probably just playing through the levels alone.

 

[dragonlife]

I'm eager to try the demo.

 

[daevv]

I will buy this. It will be fun. I am a sucker for Castlevania. I just bought Castlevania: Puzzle for the iPhone. It's actually pretty bad ass. I hate my CV love. :lol

Puzzle IS a badass game! Took alittle tweaking of the controls, now it plays like a charm!

I'm excited for this Castlevania now even more!

~d

 

[Dartastic]

Puzzle IS a badass game! Took alittle tweaking of the controls, now it plays like a charm!

I'm excited for this Castlevania now even more!

~d

Seriously! I feel the same way. I was like, "EHHHHH..." to the puzzle one, AND this one. Then I played this at E3 and it was super fun, and I saw that the puzzle game was only five dollars and I impulse bought it... yeah. Totally fun.

...anyway, I'm looking forward to spending some real time with this one.

 

[vocab]

R-E-C-Y-C-L-E recycle, C-O-N-S-E-R-V-E conserve.

That's what this game reminds me of. This is one big recycled assets game. You know, I don't mind they have been recycling sprites since Rondo, but this is just lazy shit.

 

[Dartastic]

R-E-C-Y-C-L-E recycle, C-O-N-S-E-R-V-E conserve.

That's what this game reminds me of. This is one big recycled assets game. You know, I don't mind they have been recycling sprites since Rondo, but this is just lazy shit.

I don't give a shit, as long as it's fun. And it is. So oooo oooo o oo whatever. Granted, I DO want to see a new, REAL HD CV game, but I doubt that's gonna happen, and I'm sure that for that to even be a possibility, this game has to succeed.

 

[The Dutch Slayer]

NO NO NO NO NO this title should be,

Castlevania: Harmony of Despair |OT| Of: please buy my game or Konami will fire me

PLZ ALL BUY THIS GAME AND MAYBE WE GET DLC + HE KEEPS HIS JOB PLZ EVERYONE PLZ

ps: if you have no idea what I'm talking about check:
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=398561

[edit]
@Shard thanks for making the thread keep up the great work!

 

[PepsimanVsJoe]

1200 points and Konami expects to charge for DLC? Funk that.
No Gold at the moment anyway. Too bad cause it combines the two things I like about Castlevania(phat loot and more phat loot)

 

[the nightman cometh]

Excited for more 2d castlevania, but my excitement is tempered by the focus on multiplayer