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[sorryaboutdresden]

Nice!!! The extendable stylus in the pre-order bonus fits right into the DS Lite's slot.

Damm nice bonus, I love it and I can't wait till this final is over with tomorrow so I can start playing this.

 

[STG!]

Oh yeah, happy day, got the new Castlevania! Tried to get the pre-order bonus but no luck.

Still need to finish up Contact before I start this one up.

 

[Johnas]

It's not THAT unusual. I can only get Nintendo first party games early.

If you've been following the thread, I was worried that I WOULDN'T get the game or the preorder bonus!

Yeah I know, just giving you a hard time.

 

[brandonh83]

Oh man. This is AWESOME. I got the bonus too!

The game is incredible. 2D graphics are great, music is great, story is excellent IMO for a Castlevania... too bad I had to quit after only a few minutes because of all the shit I have to do for classes this week, but thankfully it's the last week of the semester so starting tomorrow I can really dig into this sucker.

So far, so good though.

 

[TheCardPlayer]

I'm at the last boss now.

Is it me of the last part of the game feels rushed? 6/8 paintings are freaking awesome. The other two are kinda trash. Still fun but not as much as they should have. They DID recycle alot of stuff in the previous paintings in those two.

Ah...still many sidequests to go. And that last boss is hard.

I'd give it a solid 9/10 overall. It's better then Dawn Of Sorrow, almost as good as SOTN. If only those last areas were better.

 

[Seth C]

I wish I didn't have to feel so ripped off with EB still charging me $35 for the game. Bah.

 

[Carm]

Anyone preorder from EBgames and it still hasn't shipped/been charged? I preordered on Nov. 8th and nothing yet.

 

[Az987]

Ok,

why havent I recieved my shipping notice from EBgames and when I go to check the status of my order on their site all it says under status for both preorder bonus and game are 'usually ships within 24 hours'. WTF

I preordered on 10/24, if somethings wrong with my order and this prevents me from getting the bonus im going to be ****ing pissed.

 

[Az987]

Anyone preorder from EBgames and it still hasn't shipped/been charged? I preordered on Nov. 8th and nothing yet.

Hmm, looks like were in the same boat, although I cant say whether or not Ive been charged.

 

[brandonh83]

I wish I didn't have to feel so ripped off with EB still charging me $35 for the game. Bah.

Isn't that the normal price for the game though?

 

[MadOdorMachine]

Just got it too. I'm gonna try to finish up Megaman ZX and Gears of War this weekend and then start it and Zelda. This has been a suprisingly good Christmas for games.

 

[Sagitario]

Isn't that the normal price for the game though?

Yes, it is...

Want to talk about ripped? Ask Mejilan... he was charged more for the game...

Question for the people who got the game from GS:
Were the game and the bonus delivered in one package?
The UPS page says "multiple packages"... and I'm worried because:
1. Multiple packages = more import duties...
2. Apparently, the packages are in different places right now...

 

[Mejilan]

Yep, I got charged over $50 for my order. $39.99 for the game, then tax and expedited shipping. I've been arguing with them regarding the additional $5.00, which they currently have billed as an additional "shipping cost" due to bulk and weight. No one else I know got ripped off for another $5 for that reasons, and it's gotten to the point where they're ignoring my emails. :/

Delivery to NY btw, not international.

 

[Femmeworth]

My Game Stop didn't get it today. I talked to the manager and mentioned that I didn't get the CD. The guy was nice enough to offer to give his to me. He said he didn't need it after he put it on his iPod.

 

[BioGenesis]

Yep, I got charged over $50 for my order. $39.99 for the game, then tax and expedited shipping. I've been arguing with them regarding the additional $5.00, which they currently have billed as an additional "shipping cost" due to bulk and weight. No one else I know got ripped off for another $5 for that reasons, and it's gotten to the point where they're ignoring my emails. :/

Delivery to NY btw, not international.

I saw something along the lines of: an additional $5 shipping fee will be charged due to unusual shape and size" or some such thing on the gamestop webpage last time I looked.

 

[MindCollizion]

Yes, it is...

Want to talk about ripped? Ask Mejilan... he was charged more for the game...

Question for the people who got the game from GS:
Were the game and the bonus delivered in one package?
The UPS page says "multiple packages"... and I'm worried because:
1. Multiple packages = more import duties...
2. Apparently, the packages are in different places right now...

Yeah, both my game and bonus arrived in one package via UPS. I selected Overnight shipping though so I don't know if it makes a difference.

 

[Mejilan]

I saw something along the lines of: an additional $5 shipping fee will be charged due to unusual shape and size" or some such thing on the gamestop webpage last time I looked.

It wasn't there when I preordered it months ago, nor where my other friends charged that additional fee.

 

[Gigglepoo]

Gamefly shipped mine out today! Quick question - I spent more than 20 hours playing DoS. Is PoR just as long?

 

[Chris Michael]

Every time a new portable CV comes out I hear "It's the best since SOTN!" What's the deal? Is this really good or is it just a bunch of fanservice? It's getting lower scores than a portable CV usually gets across review sites.

 

[MarkMan]

To the series' credit. They really try to improve upon each one since SOTN's release.

The GBA ones and now the DS ones have all gotten better(though that is up for debate).

I personally think while it's unfair to compare a 10 year old game with the handheld titles... but Portrait of Ruin really is the best handheld CV title to date.

 

[SentientStone]

Anyone know where I can still pick up the game with the preorder bonus here in Canada (Vancouver)? I asked multiple EBs but without luck (since I didn't preorder).

 

[EMBee99]

Got the game tonight (3-day shipping only took one day. Wheee.) and so far, it's Castlevania. Not a bad thing at all.

Between this and EBA, train rides will be all good for a while.

Oh, and the bonus came in the same craptastic UPS envelope. Mine came a bit smooshed up but, otherwise, it's one of the best pre-order goodies I've seen.

 

[MegaTen]

Oh, and the bonus came in the same craptastic UPS envelope. Mine came a bit smooshed up but, otherwise, it's one of the best pre-order goodies I've seen.

I really wish Konami would have chosen a higher quality box. Maybe something like what is used for the special edition versions of Beatmania IIDX.

 

[Grizzlyjin]

Picked up my copy from Gamestop about two hours ago. Got the pre-order bonus and everthing. I'm loving the game so far, and Charlotte really isn't as useless as some of the reviews lead me to believe. Although I will admit that I tend to use Jonathan about 90% of the time, just because it seems more natural to me.

My Castlevania skills are extremely rusty, I died like a punk on the first boss. I had a potion, but didn't have enough time to use it. I hadn't noticed that my life was down so far.

 

[ProphetZG]

Played a little... Just met Wind the ghost.

The gameplay is good of course, I like the dual characters.

But the art style is completely obnoxious. Right now I'm in the cut-scene conversation with Wind, and the bright, cheerful looking anime character art destroys the mood of the game. The appropriately dreary, spooky music works. But these big eyed shiny child-people are really tiresome.

Flame me all you like. And yes, I realize it's tired old complaint by now. But does EVERY game have to look like this these days?! >_<

 

[Y2Kev]

This game's music :O :O :O

How is the preorder bonus?

 

[RaidenZR]

I've been playing ALL afternoon. The game's music is tops up to this point and I just reached the Forest of Doom. Playing that stage with headphones is fan-fuggin-tastic.

And yeah, the art's kinda all over the place. Not as concerted an effort as the GBA/Dawn of Sorrow Castlevanias.

 

[Johnas]

I'm at the last boss now.

Is it me of the last part of the game feels rushed? 6/8 paintings are freaking awesome. The other two are kinda trash. Still fun but not as much as they should have. They DID recycle alot of stuff in the previous paintings in those two.

Ah...still many sidequests to go. And that last boss is hard.

I'd give it a solid 9/10 overall. It's better then Dawn Of Sorrow, almost as good as SOTN. If only those last areas were better.

Jeez man, you steamrolled it. How many hours on the clock?

Did you pull a

Spoiler

SMB3 and sink in the quicksand at the beginning of the desert (first large worm) for the HP MAX UP

? I've found a few

Spoiler

breakable walls and secret rooms

also.

I've only finished two paintings, but so far the game is pretty ace.

Side note, I am fully convinced there will never be another Castlevania quite as grand as SotN.

Oh yeah, best game over screen since SotN also.

 

[brandonh83]

I liked Dawn of Sorrow more than Symphony for some reason but yeah, I'd never say there's a Castlevania quite on the scale or majesty of Symphony.

 

[TheCardPlayer]

Jeez man, you steamrolled it. How many hours on the clock?

Did you pull a

Spoiler

SMB3 and sink in the quicksand at the beginning of the desert (first large worm) for the HP MAX UP

? I've found a few

Spoiler

breakable walls and secret rooms

also.

I've only finished two paintings, but so far the game is pretty ace.

Side note, I am fully convinced there will never be another Castlevania quite as grand as SotN.

Oh yeah, best game over screen since SotN also.

6 : 58 for the finish.

Oh schnapszelde!

Spoiler

I guess it'll go over that...secret area get!

 

[Futureman]

I never played the first DS Castlevania. Should I get Portrait of Ruin, or go for the older one?

 

[jtkauff]

OK, anyone aware of a place I could still get the preorder bonus, or does anyone want to sell theirs (seriously)? I've gotten majorly screwed out of it so far...

I went to preorder it via EBGames.com the day it went up, and my wife asked me not to "because Christmas is coming up, hint hint." So I didn't, against my better judgment. To be safe, I had my brother preorder a copy at the store he works at. Turns out my brother's place didn't get any preorder sets in, and my wife forgot to order the game to begin with. So I'm now looking at very limited options for what this set, which is easily the preorder bonus that I've wanted the most in years of gaming

Anyone able to help a guy out?

 

[brandonh83]

How much would you offer for it? Both me and my girlfriend got the bonus so I might be willing to part with it... name the price. I'm a Castlevania whore, so keep that in mind. I wouldn't part with it lightly. :lol

 

[CajoleJuice]

This game's music :O :O :O

How is the preorder bonus?

Awesome. I actually played the music collection CD in my car, something I almost NEVER do for game music.

 

[Sgt. Killjoy]

my god the bonus is going for up to $100 on ebay

 

[linsivvi]

6 : 58 for the finish.

Oh schnapszelde!

Spoiler

I guess it'll go over that...secret area get!

LOL. And the real game start only after you beat the game once.

 

[TheCardPlayer]

Yeah. I could start a new game with the other modes but

Spoiler

I want to finish the Nest Of Evil. Best area in the game. Heck best area in a Roid yet. Now that's a freaking test. The bosses are freaking sweet!

 

[Kamen Rider Prism]

I can't wait to dig into this. Picked it up today before work, along with MGSO. I tested this game first and love every second of it. Ever since losing my copy of DoS at the hospital, I've missed playing Castlevania. I think I'll play as Jonathan using the weak Vampire Killer for a while longer. I know it's weaker than other weapons, but I've missed the classic whip action. Because of this game and PO, I got a late start writing a report due tomorrow morning. Oh well, it's not every day that I can sample a new Castlevania.

 

[CajoleJuice]

my god the bonus is going for up to $100 on ebay

Jesus Christ I should've taken the second pre-order bonus

 

[Sgt. Killjoy]

yea me too

 

[TekunoRobby]

Picked this up before my flight, man this game is sweet. I get the gripes on it feeling a bit identical to the previous outings but its still an awesomely solid Castlevania. I was pretty hooked, I played it nearly the entire flight (about 5 1/2 hours).

The bonus is awesome as well. I've got the extendo stylus firmly entrenched in my DS Lite.

 

[RaidenZR]

Haha

Spoiler

I just beat Death. Hearing Jonathan say to Death that he just got his ass kicked was alarming but made me smile.

Oh and the Couse weapon for Jonathan kicks ass.

 

[Bebpo]

Wow, this game ****ing rocks.

My biggest issue with DoS was how the game turned into ****ing pokemon where you had to collect rare chance items just to progress the damn story so you were like "IN ROOM/OUT ROOM/IN ROOM/OUT ROOM" for minutes on end and it was just stupid. Now all that stuff is gone and were back to simply FAST PACED AWESOME ACTION!

I really like the two person system so far. The gameplay of IGAVANIA has sorta gotten stale after all these games, but this feels really fresh and brings back the fun again. Plus you get more moves

Music rocks. Much better than DoS so far!

The only thing that I'm somewhat weary about is this whole "quests" bullshit. I'm afraid this is going to turn into some stupid Rockman ZX thing since every developer in Japan on handhelds is starting to think throwing in "quests" in there games is the cool thing to do. Hopefully quests aren't like "go find this rare chance item if you want the next move to progress the story" or we're gonna be back at square one again. As long as most of the quests are just optional stuff for things you don't need to progress the plot and/or the quests themselves aren't pains in the ass this will be a non-issue. I've skipped all the media/impressions because I like going into these games fresh so I have no idea how the quests will play out.

Still, from the hour or so I've just put it...goddamn it's good to be back playing Castlevania! Even the 3d background stuff rocks!

 

[Lee N]

My copy is in Sweden now, and not far from me either. If i'm lucky I'll get it today but most likely tomorrow.

 

[Aeana]

I am so terrible at these games. I have been trying to beat the second boss for a few hours now, and I just cannot. I even tried leveling up! Oh well, I'll get it eventually I hope.

The game itself seems to be a lot more interesting than Dawn of Sorrow for me, with the variety of locales thanks to the paintings. And it's also nice to hear Koshiro's music again.

 

[Lee N]

Guess what..

\o/

 

[andthebeatgoeson]

Wow, this game ****ing rocks.

My biggest issue with DoS was how the game turned into ****ing pokemon where you had to collect rare chance items just to progress the damn story so you were like "IN ROOM/OUT ROOM/IN ROOM/OUT ROOM" for minutes on end and it was just stupid. Now all that stuff is gone and were back to simply FAST PACED AWESOME ACTION!

So, no souls? Or at least, no soul grinding?

 

[Teasel]

well i'll make this short... game pretty much rule and if it wasn't for Sotn this indeed would be the best castlevania ever made,it's also the first castlevania that pose a kind of challenge
anyone tried wifi? how's co-op mode?

So, no souls? Or at least, no soul grinding?

well certain item give you new attack skills and some of them are dropped by enemy (for example the axe knight drop the axe sub-weapon for jonathan and ghosts have the summon ghost spell for charlotte)

The only thing that I'm somewhat weary about is this whole "quests" bullshit. I'm afraid this is going to turn into some stupid Rockman ZX thing since every developer in Japan on handhelds is starting to think throwing in "quests" in there games is the cool thing to do. Hopefully quests aren't like "go find this rare chance item if you want the next move to progress the story"

nope they are totaly optional though some of them require items that are dropped by enemies

 

[ethelred]

Every time a new portable CV comes out I hear "It's the best since SOTN!" What's the deal? Is this really good or is it just a bunch of fanservice? It's getting lower scores than a portable CV usually gets across review sites.

Unfortunately, I'm starting to think the lower scores are deserved this time around.

 

[Error]

The only thing that I'm somewhat weary about is this whole "quests" bullshit. I'm afraid this is going to turn into some stupid Rockman ZX thing since every developer in Japan on handhelds is starting to think throwing in "quests" in there games is the cool thing to do.

quests in MMZX were optional at least the ones that are not by Praire.

yes this game rox I need some headphones tho.