Castlevania: Lament of Innoncence = the suck!

[maxlords]

Ok...I got a sealed copy of Lament of Innocence today. Decided to go rent it before I cracked mine (since I can trade it in at the local dept store for $75 credit). So I rent it, bringing it home full of hope after all the praise I've heard for this game. Now...before I tell you what I though, keep in mind that I didn't like Symphony of the Night, I didn't like Devil May Cry, and I DO love the original Castlevanias.

I must say that LoI is one of the most over-hyped pieces of 3D garbage I've played in a long time! There are several MAJOR problems with it.

1. Lousy camera. It honestly hurt my eyes trying to look around the edges of the screen because the damn camera won't move. It only goes where they say it goes. I'll admit this keeps it out of nasty corners, but at the same time, it SEVERELY restricts your ability to tell what's, say, BEHIND you.

2. HORRIBLE fighting interface. I've seldom played a more bland battle interface. Hit Square. Hit Triangle. Hit Square a lot. Repeat. There's no strategy at all. No skill involved, very little blocking. Just....bleah.

3. Dull, repetetive rooms. Walk into a room. They all look the same in each castle. Very little variation. I got lost really easily because they were TOO repetetive. Colors are all very uniform. Nothing stnads out at all. Everything just FEELS grey. Seriously...how many pianos and organs does one castle need???

4. Really boring item/heart/money containers. If it's yellow, it has an item. If it's purple and you're not maxed on hearts, it has hearts. If you're maxed on hearts, it has a buck in it. That's it. There's no thrill of "what's in THIS one?" because they're ALL the same! Ugh!

5. Awful intro. Ok...that's not a real gripe against the game, but MAN could you make an intro any LESS interesting? It didn't suck me into the game at all and it was LONG!

6. VERY short? I'm not sure about this, but in the 2 hours I played, I finished nearly 20% of the map, including one of the whopping 5 bosses. Whoever heard of a Castlevania with only 5 bosses (excluding Drac)?

7. Awful music selections. Ok...I have no problem with the music itself, but ANY time anything trapped me, WHAM, the music shifted to something all speedy and traumatic. No segue into the music, no smooth transition, just BAM, and it ends just as abruptly. It doesn't have that nice smooth feeling at all. Was driving me nuts.

8. This only applies to the worm boss, but MAN are the bosses supposed to be that easy??? All the regular enemies may as well be punching puppets with axes, but the worm was ridiculously easy. It was just a straight endurance test. Slash slash slash slash slash slash *yawn* slash slash slash slash slash. Oh look, it's dead.

I also don't really like the real-time item use menu...it IS realistic, but it's a pain sometimes! :D I'd rather have a camera control on that R stick. Ah well. It's going back to the store tomorrow and getting traded in anyway! And good riddance! *sigh*

[Sotenga]

You... think... it... sucks...

................................................

.................................................. ..........

GGGGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR... :grrr:

Okay, everyone's entitled to their own opinion. It's just... you couldn't find a single positive thing about the game? Not ONE THING?!?!?

:bad-words: :grumble: :snipersmile: :2gunfire: :smash: :fist: :beaten: :rockets:

Okay, so I'm more of a Castlevania die-hard than most people on this board are. So, naturally, when someone rags so badly on a CV game, I don't have a lot of kind words to say. I respect your opinion as a gamer. But as a CV freak...

:ass: :moon: :bareass: :ass: :moon: :bareass: :ass: :moon: :bareass:

And just because I really like this emoticon... :fist: :fist: :fist: :fist: :fist:

Sorry about that. You understand why I had to do that, right? :smash:

[GaijinPunch]

I decided to wait. It comes out in a week or so here, but Kunoichi comes out a week or so later, followed by Sonic Heroes. I'm cleaning up some older stuff before Ieven bother with Castlevania.

I liked Devil May Cry, but it's not worth smoking Capcom's cock for.

[GaijinPunch]

I decided to wait. It comes out in a week or so here, but Kunoichi comes out a week or so later, followed by Sonic Heroes. I'm cleaning up some older stuff before Ieven bother with Castlevania.

I liked Devil May Cry, but it's not worth smoking Capcom's cock for.

[maxlords]

Nope. I honestly found very little at all redeeming about it. It had good graphics...for the PS2, but it felt a little fuzzy...would be much better on the GC or XBox. Had decent music, but not nearly as good as other CV games.

Personally, I LOVE Haunted Castle, CV1, 2, 3, 4, and Rondo. I don't like SotN or the GBA ones, and I don't mind the N64 ones. I really just didn't like it at all. And I'm a CV fan too!

[maxlords]

Nope. I honestly found very little at all redeeming about it. It had good graphics...for the PS2, but it felt a little fuzzy...would be much better on the GC or XBox. Had decent music, but not nearly as good as other CV games.

Personally, I LOVE Haunted Castle, CV1, 2, 3, 4, and Rondo. I don't like SotN or the GBA ones, and I don't mind the N64 ones. I really just didn't like it at all. And I'm a CV fan too!

[Sotenga]

Nope. I honestly found very little at all redeeming about it. It had good graphics...for the PS2, but it felt a little fuzzy...would be much better on the GC or XBox. Had decent music, but not nearly as good as other CV games.

Personally, I LOVE Haunted Castle, CV1, 2, 3, 4, and Rondo. I don't like SotN or the GBA ones, and I don't mind the N64 ones. I really just didn't like it at all. And I'm a CV fan too!

I understand everything now. You're an old-school CV fan. I guess that's okay. I mean, I'm sure there were a few people out there who thought SOTN would have been better, had it not been so radically altered from its predecessors. But still... can I flip you off once more?

:fist:

[Sotenga]

Nope. I honestly found very little at all redeeming about it. It had good graphics...for the PS2, but it felt a little fuzzy...would be much better on the GC or XBox. Had decent music, but not nearly as good as other CV games.

Personally, I LOVE Haunted Castle, CV1, 2, 3, 4, and Rondo. I don't like SotN or the GBA ones, and I don't mind the N64 ones. I really just didn't like it at all. And I'm a CV fan too!

I understand everything now. You're an old-school CV fan. I guess that's okay. I mean, I'm sure there were a few people out there who thought SOTN would have been better, had it not been so radically altered from its predecessors. But still... can I flip you off once more?

:fist:

[petewhitley]

Ditto on the camera. I understand it keeps close for ease of use, but damn it I want to be able to look around if I want to. That shit takes me out of the game and makes me feel like I'm just some chump puppeteering a Belmont.

[petewhitley]

Ditto on the camera. I understand it keeps close for ease of use, but damn it I want to be able to look around if I want to. That shit takes me out of the game and makes me feel like I'm just some chump puppeteering a Belmont.

[maxlords]

I understand everything now. You're an old-school CV fan. I guess that's okay. I mean, I'm sure there were a few people out there who thought SOTN would have been better, had it not been so radically altered from its predecessors. But still... can I flip you off once more?

:fist:

lol! Well, honestly, I wouldn't have minded SotN if it wasn't for the obscene amount of backtracking in it. I like levels in my CV games, and the newer stuff feels more like Metroid wth vampires than a CV game to me. It's a totally different style. However, I will admit that SotN was a good game...great bosses, nice enemies, amazing graphics, etc. It just wasn't the type of CV I like. And this newest installment is even LESS what I like than SotN.

[maxlords]

I understand everything now. You're an old-school CV fan. I guess that's okay. I mean, I'm sure there were a few people out there who thought SOTN would have been better, had it not been so radically altered from its predecessors. But still... can I flip you off once more?

:fist:

lol! Well, honestly, I wouldn't have minded SotN if it wasn't for the obscene amount of backtracking in it. I like levels in my CV games, and the newer stuff feels more like Metroid wth vampires than a CV game to me. It's a totally different style. However, I will admit that SotN was a good game...great bosses, nice enemies, amazing graphics, etc. It just wasn't the type of CV I like. And this newest installment is even LESS what I like than SotN.

[zmweasel]

Ditto on the camera. I understand it keeps close for ease of use, but damn it I want to be able to look around if I want to. That shit takes me out of the game and makes me feel like I'm just some chump puppeteering a Belmont.

I'm fascinated by your complaint, which is shared by many, because it gets me wondering: when did gamers start EXPECTING manual camera control as an option? Does it only apply to certain genres, such as action/platformers, or anything that's in 3D? And what was the first console game to offer manual camera control? (I'm asking because I don't know, not as a trivia Q.)

-- Z.

[zmweasel]

Ditto on the camera. I understand it keeps close for ease of use, but damn it I want to be able to look around if I want to. That shit takes me out of the game and makes me feel like I'm just some chump puppeteering a Belmont.

I'm fascinated by your complaint, which is shared by many, because it gets me wondering: when did gamers start EXPECTING manual camera control as an option? Does it only apply to certain genres, such as action/platformers, or anything that's in 3D? And what was the first console game to offer manual camera control? (I'm asking because I don't know, not as a trivia Q.)

-- Z.

[aremid23]

I was hooked on C:LoI from beginning to end. I wasn't expecting much since, imo, they botched 3D the first time around, but I was very satisfied with the game. I'm just sorry it was over so soon.

[aremid23]

I was hooked on C:LoI from beginning to end. I wasn't expecting much since, imo, they botched 3D the first time around, but I was very satisfied with the game. I'm just sorry it was over so soon.

[maxlords]

I'm fascinated by your complaint, which is shared by many, because it gets me wondering: when did gamers start EXPECTING manual camera control as an option? Does it only apply to certain genres, such as action/platformers, or anything that's in 3D? And what was the first console game to offer manual camera control? (I'm asking because I don't know, not as a trivia Q.)

-- Z.

Well, for some games a fixed camera would be fine. It just FEELS wrong in LoI though. I dont' EXPECT it as an option, it's just that if you don't account for stuff in the game with the camera, it doesn't work. I know that doesn't explain it well. I'll try.

Basically, in a game like Castlevania, where you have to do jumping puzzles and run around corners dodging things, and you're being attacked from behind, it's awful to not be able to control the camera because then you have no idea what you're jumping into or what's trailing you. In an FPS, this is fine, because it's a limitation of the genre, and you have the nifty sidestep if something comes flying at you from behind. But in a 3rd person game that's NOT on rails or level based (i.e. open ended exploration), it's tough to play a game that has a fixed camera because you try to see where you're going and you just can't. Even if you could ONLY use the camera standing still, it would be better, because at least you could look and see what you're getting into.

For a 3D platformer like Pandemonium or Klonoa, it doesn't matter because it's very linear. For a game like LoI, it makes a huge difference because you end up limited by the way the interface works. You have to run to certain sections of the rooms to see what is going on, and it can leave you in a tight spot. I think that in some 3D games, it really doesn't matter, stuff like Resident Evil and Clock Tower 3 where the games are designed specifically for a fixed angle camera. But LoI is more of a on-the-fly camera style of game which is severely limited by it's fixed camera. So to answer your question, I really only expect a manual camera for a game that needs it (typically a 3rd person action/adventure/platformer). I don't expect one for a game on rails or a game designed for fixed camera play (i.e. games like Animal Crossing, Klonoa 2, etc).

As for the first manual camera game, I'm not sure, but I remember being surprised when some of the post-Doom FPS games had them on the DOS PC. I think that was about when they were introduced...just after Doom and Doom 2 (maybe Heretic or Hexen? That era defnitely). Probably one of the PC FPS games.

[maxlords]

I'm fascinated by your complaint, which is shared by many, because it gets me wondering: when did gamers start EXPECTING manual camera control as an option? Does it only apply to certain genres, such as action/platformers, or anything that's in 3D? And what was the first console game to offer manual camera control? (I'm asking because I don't know, not as a trivia Q.)

-- Z.

Well, for some games a fixed camera would be fine. It just FEELS wrong in LoI though. I dont' EXPECT it as an option, it's just that if you don't account for stuff in the game with the camera, it doesn't work. I know that doesn't explain it well. I'll try.

Basically, in a game like Castlevania, where you have to do jumping puzzles and run around corners dodging things, and you're being attacked from behind, it's awful to not be able to control the camera because then you have no idea what you're jumping into or what's trailing you. In an FPS, this is fine, because it's a limitation of the genre, and you have the nifty sidestep if something comes flying at you from behind. But in a 3rd person game that's NOT on rails or level based (i.e. open ended exploration), it's tough to play a game that has a fixed camera because you try to see where you're going and you just can't. Even if you could ONLY use the camera standing still, it would be better, because at least you could look and see what you're getting into.

For a 3D platformer like Pandemonium or Klonoa, it doesn't matter because it's very linear. For a game like LoI, it makes a huge difference because you end up limited by the way the interface works. You have to run to certain sections of the rooms to see what is going on, and it can leave you in a tight spot. I think that in some 3D games, it really doesn't matter, stuff like Resident Evil and Clock Tower 3 where the games are designed specifically for a fixed angle camera. But LoI is more of a on-the-fly camera style of game which is severely limited by it's fixed camera. So to answer your question, I really only expect a manual camera for a game that needs it (typically a 3rd person action/adventure/platformer). I don't expect one for a game on rails or a game designed for fixed camera play (i.e. games like Animal Crossing, Klonoa 2, etc).

As for the first manual camera game, I'm not sure, but I remember being surprised when some of the post-Doom FPS games had them on the DOS PC. I think that was about when they were introduced...just after Doom and Doom 2 (maybe Heretic or Hexen? That era defnitely). Probably one of the PC FPS games.

[MarioAllStar2600]

I havn't played it yet. I am not a big fan of the castlevania series anyway. Just havn't given it a shot. I think it probably wouldve been better if it was 2-d. I miss 2-d's :(

[MarioAllStar2600]

I havn't played it yet. I am not a big fan of the castlevania series anyway. Just havn't given it a shot. I think it probably wouldve been better if it was 2-d. I miss 2-d's :(

[Drexel923]

maxlords = teh suck! :P

I actually agree with most of your original statements, but I still like the game...that is until I have to fight Death. Damn bastard and his fire blast thingy :angry:

[Drexel923]

maxlords = teh suck! :P

I actually agree with most of your original statements, but I still like the game...that is until I have to fight Death. Damn bastard and his fire blast thingy :angry:

[ShinobiMan]

Well, I have to disagree with almost everything you said. I find the combat system evolving, and the combos you learn throughout the game are much needed in order to defate DEATH at the end.

I'm an old school Castlevania'er myself, and although I think I could muster up the PERFECT castlevania game in my imagination, I find each and new offering in the series a joy. Afterall, if each and every game was just like the other (sadly, the GBA games fall into this catagory) the series would be dull by now (But hey, look at the Mega Man series and I'm STILL playing those!).

[ShinobiMan]

Well, I have to disagree with almost everything you said. I find the combat system evolving, and the combos you learn throughout the game are much needed in order to defate DEATH at the end.

I'm an old school Castlevania'er myself, and although I think I could muster up the PERFECT castlevania game in my imagination, I find each and new offering in the series a joy. Afterall, if each and every game was just like the other (sadly, the GBA games fall into this catagory) the series would be dull by now (But hey, look at the Mega Man series and I'm STILL playing those!).

[maxlords]

I'm an old school Castlevania'er myself, and although I think I could muster up the PERFECT castlevania game in my imagination, I find each and new offering in the series a joy. Afterall, if each and every game was just like the other (sadly, the GBA games fall into this catagory) the series would be dull by now (But hey, look at the Mega Man series and I'm STILL playing those!).

Well, I don't want them to all be the same. That's not what I'm saying at all. I'm just saying I don't LIKE this one. At all. In any respect. I found it boring and tedious. I'm not sure what they could do with the CV series to make it appeal to me and make a new style of game, but this wasn't it at all. I'd consider buying it for $15-20, but not for full retail.

Heck, I still buy Mega Man games too :D I just want to see some more classic style action out of the CV games. There's too much hack n slash and not enough platformer in this one.

[maxlords]

I'm an old school Castlevania'er myself, and although I think I could muster up the PERFECT castlevania game in my imagination, I find each and new offering in the series a joy. Afterall, if each and every game was just like the other (sadly, the GBA games fall into this catagory) the series would be dull by now (But hey, look at the Mega Man series and I'm STILL playing those!).

Well, I don't want them to all be the same. That's not what I'm saying at all. I'm just saying I don't LIKE this one. At all. In any respect. I found it boring and tedious. I'm not sure what they could do with the CV series to make it appeal to me and make a new style of game, but this wasn't it at all. I'd consider buying it for $15-20, but not for full retail.

Heck, I still buy Mega Man games too :D I just want to see some more classic style action out of the CV games. There's too much hack n slash and not enough platformer in this one.

[Dire 51]

Whoever heard of a Castlevania with only 5 bosses (excluding Drac)?

max, that's easy - the original! Excluding Drac, you've got the bat, Queen Medusa, the mummies, Frank & igor, and Death. Don't forget Simon's Quest either, with its whopping two bosses (again, excluding Drac).

I still stand by my liking of LoI. Of course, I loved SotN as well. In fact, the only CV I disliked was The Adventure, and even it had its good points - although not many of them.

[Dire 51]

Whoever heard of a Castlevania with only 5 bosses (excluding Drac)?

max, that's easy - the original! Excluding Drac, you've got the bat, Queen Medusa, the mummies, Frank & igor, and Death. Don't forget Simon's Quest either, with its whopping two bosses (again, excluding Drac).

I still stand by my liking of LoI. Of course, I loved SotN as well. In fact, the only CV I disliked was The Adventure, and even it had its good points - although not many of them.

[Sylentwulf]

Now...before I tell you what I though, keep in mind that I didn't like Symphony of the Night, I didn't like Devil May Cry, and I DO love the original Castlevanias.

I will keep that in mind, although not liking SOTN is absolute blasphemy, I didn't like Devil may cry either :) After reading all of the reviews that said it was a cross between these 2 games, did you really expect to like it though?

[Sylentwulf]

Now...before I tell you what I though, keep in mind that I didn't like Symphony of the Night, I didn't like Devil May Cry, and I DO love the original Castlevanias.

I will keep that in mind, although not liking SOTN is absolute blasphemy, I didn't like Devil may cry either :) After reading all of the reviews that said it was a cross between these 2 games, did you really expect to like it though?

[maxlords]

Now...before I tell you what I though, keep in mind that I didn't like Symphony of the Night, I didn't like Devil May Cry, and I DO love the original Castlevanias.

I will keep that in mind, although not liking SOTN is absolute blasphemy, I didn't like Devil may cry either :) After reading all of the reviews that said it was a cross between these 2 games, did you really expect to like it though?

I didn't know, it was part of a trade/sell deal that I got (so I didn't actually BUY it). I had HOPED it MIGHT be good anyway...but I didn't like it. And SotN isn't the be all, end all of Castlevanias, Rondo of the Blood is, but that's for another oft repeated thread :D

[maxlords]

Now...before I tell you what I though, keep in mind that I didn't like Symphony of the Night, I didn't like Devil May Cry, and I DO love the original Castlevanias.

I will keep that in mind, although not liking SOTN is absolute blasphemy, I didn't like Devil may cry either :) After reading all of the reviews that said it was a cross between these 2 games, did you really expect to like it though?

I didn't know, it was part of a trade/sell deal that I got (so I didn't actually BUY it). I had HOPED it MIGHT be good anyway...but I didn't like it. And SotN isn't the be all, end all of Castlevanias, Rondo of the Blood is, but that's for another oft repeated thread :D

[Sotenga]

Now...before I tell you what I though, keep in mind that I didn't like Symphony of the Night, I didn't like Devil May Cry, and I DO love the original Castlevanias.

I will keep that in mind, although not liking SOTN is absolute blasphemy, I didn't like Devil may cry either :) After reading all of the reviews that said it was a cross between these 2 games, did you really expect to like it though?

I didn't know, it was part of a trade/sell deal that I got (so I didn't actually BUY it). I had HOPED it MIGHT be good anyway...but I didn't like it. And SotN isn't the be all, end all of Castlevanias, Rondo of the Blood is, but that's for another oft repeated thread :D

GGGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR...

...

...

...

:bawling: :bawling: :bawling: :bawling: :bawling:

Why haven't I played RoB yet? I don't even have a f**kin' TurboDuo! *sobs*

Why, KoA? Why have I not yet seen CV: RoB or Gradius Gaiden in America?

WHY?!?!?!?!?!?!?

:bawling: This... I have to ask myself every hour on the hour. :bawling:

[Sotenga]

Now...before I tell you what I though, keep in mind that I didn't like Symphony of the Night, I didn't like Devil May Cry, and I DO love the original Castlevanias.

I will keep that in mind, although not liking SOTN is absolute blasphemy, I didn't like Devil may cry either :) After reading all of the reviews that said it was a cross between these 2 games, did you really expect to like it though?

I didn't know, it was part of a trade/sell deal that I got (so I didn't actually BUY it). I had HOPED it MIGHT be good anyway...but I didn't like it. And SotN isn't the be all, end all of Castlevanias, Rondo of the Blood is, but that's for another oft repeated thread :D

GGGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR...

...

...

...

:bawling: :bawling: :bawling: :bawling: :bawling:

Why haven't I played RoB yet? I don't even have a f**kin' TurboDuo! *sobs*

Why, KoA? Why have I not yet seen CV: RoB or Gradius Gaiden in America?

WHY?!?!?!?!?!?!?

:bawling: This... I have to ask myself every hour on the hour. :bawling:

[jaydubnb]

:bawling: :bawling: :bawling: :bawling: :bawling:

Why haven't I played RoB yet? I don't even have a f**kin' TurboDuo! *sobs*

Why, KoA? Why have I not yet seen CV: RoB or Gradius Gaiden in America?

WHY?!?!?!?!?!?!?


Because Konami is TEH SUCK! DMC= "eh", LOI= disappointing, and Turtles = blah. WTF! What happened to the magic?

[jaydubnb]

:bawling: :bawling: :bawling: :bawling: :bawling:

Why haven't I played RoB yet? I don't even have a f**kin' TurboDuo! *sobs*

Why, KoA? Why have I not yet seen CV: RoB or Gradius Gaiden in America?

WHY?!?!?!?!?!?!?


Because Konami is TEH SUCK! DMC= "eh", LOI= disappointing, and Turtles = blah. WTF! What happened to the magic?

[Sotenga]

:bawling: :bawling: :bawling: :bawling: :bawling:

Why haven't I played RoB yet? I don't even have a f**kin' TurboDuo! *sobs*

Why, KoA? Why have I not yet seen CV: RoB or Gradius Gaiden in America?

WHY?!?!?!?!?!?!?


Because Konami is TEH SUCK! DMC= "eh", LOI= disappointing, and Turtles = blah. WTF! What happened to the magic?

You're right, you're absolutely right. Konami of America has always been teh suck, but K of Japan still means something to me. I've heard mixed reviews of the new Turtles game... personally, I think it looks delicious. Oh, and let's not forget the highly anticipated release of Gradius V.

... but ...

... they altered their logo. They scrapped the red and gold ribbons. And that's why Konami is teh suck.

... I hate this new millenium. :bawling: :bawling: :bawling:

[Sotenga]

:bawling: :bawling: :bawling: :bawling: :bawling:

Why haven't I played RoB yet? I don't even have a f**kin' TurboDuo! *sobs*

Why, KoA? Why have I not yet seen CV: RoB or Gradius Gaiden in America?

WHY?!?!?!?!?!?!?


Because Konami is TEH SUCK! DMC= "eh", LOI= disappointing, and Turtles = blah. WTF! What happened to the magic?

You're right, you're absolutely right. Konami of America has always been teh suck, but K of Japan still means something to me. I've heard mixed reviews of the new Turtles game... personally, I think it looks delicious. Oh, and let's not forget the highly anticipated release of Gradius V.

... but ...

... they altered their logo. They scrapped the red and gold ribbons. And that's why Konami is teh suck.

... I hate this new millenium. :bawling: :bawling: :bawling:

[jaydubnb]

Hopefully if Grad V sells, we'll get US releases of their Deluxe Packs. I for one have a boner for the Salamander series. Now that I think about it, I really need to get a Saturn...

[jaydubnb]

Hopefully if Grad V sells, we'll get US releases of their Deluxe Packs. I for one have a boner for the Salamander series. Now that I think about it, I really need to get a Saturn...

[Ed Oscuro]

Turtles is one of the titles I've been interested in getting 'cuz of the brilliant colors and...stuff...unfortunately I never got into the arcade game (or the NES games) back in the day, and the old Konami arcade beat-em-up really doesn't age too well from where I'm standing.

I've got Maxlord's back on SotN. The game's beginning really was a downer--I know from what I've seen and read that there's some neat stuff in the game, but I'll be damned if they can keep me in a castle going back and forth through rooms I've already memorized upwards, downwards, backwards, counterclockwise and otherwise--not to mention inverted. That and the fact that I don't think I've gotten more than 20 minutes into the game--the beginning is so flat and boring I can't believe it, especially given the very active nature of its predecessor.

Now take Rondo of Blood--that game always has something interesting going on. What's over this way, or should I go down that hole...doesn't look like I can jump back up here so I have to choose. What's in the church bell? (Ring to find out). What if I touch this skeleton? (Did that, learned to be more careful when jumping on furniture.) Can I jump over this pool and onto that ledge? (Yes, and inside lies the game's only ectoplasm and giant plant, not to mention a couple other things.) You ask yourself all those questions before you're even out of the first half of the cathedral stage. While it might seem that Rondo is a more linear game than SotN in that it continually presses you onward in search of the next doorway, it really isn't. SotN simply delays you from moving to the next area, but sooner or later you'll have to go there. Super Metroid did it with much more style (not to mention having an original map...)

Back when I played a lot of N64 and a bit of PlayStation stuff, I didn't mind slower games (as long as they didn't challenge your reflexes too much). Since then I've realized that I really only like action games when you can sit down for 20 minutes with them and actually do something interesting. SotN? What do I care about playing for hours until I bumble across some silly catching-a-peanut sequence? Iga knows style (he worked on Rondo of Blood, though to be honest I do not know what he did) but only a bit, it seems.

I thought that the battle between 2D action and 3D action was the main focus of the new era of development--boy, was I wrong. I could enjoy Castlevania 64--either of them, and I must've played the original through three times (and much more; really, if there had been some RPG element, I'm sure my characters would've been quite high level...as it was, I had to be content with simply approaching my money counter's rollover point). I could run about in the villa courtyard for an hour whipping at all the different monsters that came out, and if the scenery would change for me I'd call that a game. I'd even press Right on the d-pad the whole time, by golly! Just so long as I got a break every now and then to jump or take a shot at some monster or other. From what I'm reading, it seems to me that the focus is on long, senseless story sequences and inventing new ways to keep the player insulated from the game.

A while back I read an Gamasutra post-mortem on the original Half-Life, and one of the main reasons why they thought the game was recieved so well was partially due to their decision against including cutscenes. In the case of the Half-Life crew, it was partly realization that it was fruitless work and perhaps a tacit admission that their theatrical skills were no match for the drama you can achieve in-game, that fidgety moment when you know you're in control but there's no magical cutscene box to protect your character. There is no substitute for the sense of urgency that only actually being faced with danger--however imaginary--can create.

I realize these statements are taking a number of liberties and assume a number of things, but I'm sticking to them. I can't say anything about Iga's character from personal experience, but if his public appearances (not to mention his recent crusade to get one of KCEK's games kicked out of the Akumajo Dracula timeline..!) are any indication, he's not only far out of his depth but has nary a clue that he's wholly inadequate to the task of building a compelling 3D game. Perhaps, as some people are already guessing, it's a sort of "test" of the market. I know that Igarashi has rather limited freedom in what games he develops...why he would waste a game as a test is beyond me, but suffice to say that as a developer he's not speaking only for his own interests. We might get off cutting him some slack.

Of course, I base a lot of this on Maxlord's post, but from what I've heard I have a really bad feeling that I won't enjoy this game one bit. Now on the other hand we have Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, which is on the whole a delightful game with some bright color, great attention to detail, a true sense of exploration, and a lack of too many annoying cutscenes.

[Ed Oscuro]

Turtles is one of the titles I've been interested in getting 'cuz of the brilliant colors and...stuff...unfortunately I never got into the arcade game (or the NES games) back in the day, and the old Konami arcade beat-em-up really doesn't age too well from where I'm standing.

I've got Maxlord's back on SotN. The game's beginning really was a downer--I know from what I've seen and read that there's some neat stuff in the game, but I'll be damned if they can keep me in a castle going back and forth through rooms I've already memorized upwards, downwards, backwards, counterclockwise and otherwise--not to mention inverted. That and the fact that I don't think I've gotten more than 20 minutes into the game--the beginning is so flat and boring I can't believe it, especially given the very active nature of its predecessor.

Now take Rondo of Blood--that game always has something interesting going on. What's over this way, or should I go down that hole...doesn't look like I can jump back up here so I have to choose. What's in the church bell? (Ring to find out). What if I touch this skeleton? (Did that, learned to be more careful when jumping on furniture.) Can I jump over this pool and onto that ledge? (Yes, and inside lies the game's only ectoplasm and giant plant, not to mention a couple other things.) You ask yourself all those questions before you're even out of the first half of the cathedral stage. While it might seem that Rondo is a more linear game than SotN in that it continually presses you onward in search of the next doorway, it really isn't. SotN simply delays you from moving to the next area, but sooner or later you'll have to go there. Super Metroid did it with much more style (not to mention having an original map...)

Back when I played a lot of N64 and a bit of PlayStation stuff, I didn't mind slower games (as long as they didn't challenge your reflexes too much). Since then I've realized that I really only like action games when you can sit down for 20 minutes with them and actually do something interesting. SotN? What do I care about playing for hours until I bumble across some silly catching-a-peanut sequence? Iga knows style (he worked on Rondo of Blood, though to be honest I do not know what he did) but only a bit, it seems.

I thought that the battle between 2D action and 3D action was the main focus of the new era of development--boy, was I wrong. I could enjoy Castlevania 64--either of them, and I must've played the original through three times (and much more; really, if there had been some RPG element, I'm sure my characters would've been quite high level...as it was, I had to be content with simply approaching my money counter's rollover point). I could run about in the villa courtyard for an hour whipping at all the different monsters that came out, and if the scenery would change for me I'd call that a game. I'd even press Right on the d-pad the whole time, by golly! Just so long as I got a break every now and then to jump or take a shot at some monster or other. From what I'm reading, it seems to me that the focus is on long, senseless story sequences and inventing new ways to keep the player insulated from the game.

A while back I read an Gamasutra post-mortem on the original Half-Life, and one of the main reasons why they thought the game was recieved so well was partially due to their decision against including cutscenes. In the case of the Half-Life crew, it was partly realization that it was fruitless work and perhaps a tacit admission that their theatrical skills were no match for the drama you can achieve in-game, that fidgety moment when you know you're in control but there's no magical cutscene box to protect your character. There is no substitute for the sense of urgency that only actually being faced with danger--however imaginary--can create.

I realize these statements are taking a number of liberties and assume a number of things, but I'm sticking to them. I can't say anything about Iga's character from personal experience, but if his public appearances (not to mention his recent crusade to get one of KCEK's games kicked out of the Akumajo Dracula timeline..!) are any indication, he's not only far out of his depth but has nary a clue that he's wholly inadequate to the task of building a compelling 3D game. Perhaps, as some people are already guessing, it's a sort of "test" of the market. I know that Igarashi has rather limited freedom in what games he develops...why he would waste a game as a test is beyond me, but suffice to say that as a developer he's not speaking only for his own interests. We might get off cutting him some slack.

Of course, I base a lot of this on Maxlord's post, but from what I've heard I have a really bad feeling that I won't enjoy this game one bit. Now on the other hand we have Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, which is on the whole a delightful game with some bright color, great attention to detail, a true sense of exploration, and a lack of too many annoying cutscenes.

[Dire 51]

Hopefully if Grad V sells, we'll get US releases of their Deluxe Packs. I for one have a boner for the Salamander series. Now that I think about it, I really need to get a Saturn...

I'll be the first in line to buy the Deluxe Packs if they actually cross the Pacific. It'd be nice if they put them on one disc... along with Gradius Gaiden... and Nemesis '90 Kai... and maybe even Gradius III & IV, just because.

btw, jay - DMC was by Capcom.

[Dire 51]

Hopefully if Grad V sells, we'll get US releases of their Deluxe Packs. I for one have a boner for the Salamander series. Now that I think about it, I really need to get a Saturn...

I'll be the first in line to buy the Deluxe Packs if they actually cross the Pacific. It'd be nice if they put them on one disc... along with Gradius Gaiden... and Nemesis '90 Kai... and maybe even Gradius III & IV, just because.

btw, jay - DMC was by Capcom.

[Ed Oscuro]

To listen to Igarashi, DMC was more of a CV title than the N64 titles. He actually said it was closer to the spirit of the series. If I was working at KCEK I would've sharpened a stake for Iga a long, long time ago.

[Ed Oscuro]

To listen to Igarashi, DMC was more of a CV title than the N64 titles. He actually said it was closer to the spirit of the series. If I was working at KCEK I would've sharpened a stake for Iga a long, long time ago.

[jaydubnb]

Hopefully if Grad V sells, we'll get US releases of their Deluxe Packs. I for one have a boner for the Salamander series. Now that I think about it, I really need to get a Saturn...

I'll be the first in line to buy the Deluxe Packs if they actually cross the Pacific. It'd be nice if they put them on one disc... along with Gradius Gaiden... and Nemesis '90 Kai... and maybe even Gradius III & IV, just because.

btw, jay - DMC was by Capcom.

Doh! Yeh, I know--the brain just associated DMC and LOI--both of which I didnt care much for...

[jaydubnb]

Hopefully if Grad V sells, we'll get US releases of their Deluxe Packs. I for one have a boner for the Salamander series. Now that I think about it, I really need to get a Saturn...

I'll be the first in line to buy the Deluxe Packs if they actually cross the Pacific. It'd be nice if they put them on one disc... along with Gradius Gaiden... and Nemesis '90 Kai... and maybe even Gradius III & IV, just because.

btw, jay - DMC was by Capcom.

Doh! Yeh, I know--the brain just associated DMC and LOI--both of which I didnt care much for...

[calthaer]

I just started playing this one after picking it up a few months ago at $20, and I agree with maxlords on a lot of points. The utter boredom of an endless concatenation of square rooms and hallways, the awkward camera angles, the lack of variation in what candles hold, and come on - I've been to three of the sections, and I keep seeing the exact same enemy just named a different thing!

I'm a fan of Symphony of the Night - a big fan. I like all the GBA games. But this...it gets a 6.5 or 7 / 10 for me (whereas the others get 8.5 or more). It's not bad - I enjoy it to an extent...it's just disappointing compared to the other games in the series.

[Oobgarm]

Y'know it's kinda funny-I was never a fan of Castlevania until the SNES days. I always looked past the NES games, especially after seeing how tough Simon's Quest was. I never got into SotN like everyone else, but I LOVED Lament on PS2. The look/feel and music create a wonderful atmosphere that is most definitely Castlevania. The enemies, weapons, and bosses fit right in with other games in the series. Thinking about it now makes me want to play it again, as a matter of fact. :)

Some of the complaints I've seen are common in many games, it's just that since Castlevania is such a beloved series, these quibbles are magnified tenfold.

[SlayerOfFurbies]

Castlevania will always be a 2d game to me

[AlexKidd]

I wouldn't say I hated LoI but I'm not really a fan of it either. SotN is my favorite game of all time and i'm also a big fan of every Castlevania that came before it. Based on this game and the 64 ones I feel that Castlevania games should stay 2d, though i'm biased because I prefer 2d games in general. I'll still be picking up the new ps2 one when it comes out, just to check it out.

[Sylentwulf]

I'm fascinated by your complaint, which is shared by many, because it gets me wondering: when did gamers start EXPECTING manual camera control as an option? Does it only apply to certain genres, such as action/platformers, or anything that's in 3D? And what was the first console game to offer manual camera control? (I'm asking because I don't know, not as a trivia Q.)
-- Z.

Well, Mario 64 came out on launch day of the N64, and had manual camera control. I think since then it's been pretty much expected. And seeing as how this was basically one of the first 3d games on one of the first 3d consoles.... well.... there ya go :)

[Graham Mitchell]

I bought this game a couple years ago and I was pretty disappointed in it for a lot of the same reasons as Maxlords. There's just no surprises! On top of that, I could never find ANY whip upgrades, and I've got keys to a bunch of doors that apparently don't exist. Gamefaqs isn't helping. I've gotten up to the ending, and it's pretty tough, and I just don't feel like putting forth the effort to finish it. Very sad.

One of the things that bugged me is that the concept of candles just floating in space really doesn't work in 3-D, so they just made everything a brazier on the floor. And they never had anything cool in them, either.

Just a big disappointment. It seems like so much went into the 3-D design (although not that much because the rooms all repeat themselves!) and all the details that made SotN so brilliant was totally overlooked.

[§ Gideon §]

Someone (http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=475&Itemid=2) agrees with you.

[Jibbajaba]

Since I loved SOTN so much, I picked this game up shortly after it came out. I hated it, but I don't generally care for this style of 3D game (like devil may cry and whatnot). It just doesn't have that Castlevania 'feel' to it.

I'm currently playing Rondo of Blood on my PSP. Much better!

Chris

[Lothars]

Well I know it's not really much on topic but I don't like the castlevainia games, I mean they are not that bad but nothing special

I would rather play the devil may cry series which i found alot better than any of the castlevania games though I do really enjoy the SNES castlevania games.

[Haoie]

There are those like me who may believe Symphony/Nocturne will likely never be topped.

But we try to keep an open mind about new CVs.

[calthaer]

On top of that, I could never find ANY whip upgrades, and I've got keys to a bunch of doors that apparently don't exist.

Hmm...I have two of the whip upgrades, and no keys - but I've found the doors. The whip upgrades are a little bit hidden. They're not upgrades, per se, but actually new whips - I've found a flame one and electric one so far.

The flame whip is in a chamber off of this elongated room in the Alchemy Lab or whatever that has this platform that moves back and forth across two doorways in the room. There are two skeleton flowers in the floor below where this hovering platform is. You jump from this platform onto another platform opposite the side where the two doorways are, and then you have to whip-jump two poles upwards - there is a health (or heart, can't remember) max up there along with the doorway to the flame dude. A ring that protects against flame attacks in the Garden (it's behind one of the doors with three flashing things) will help.

There's also a ring vs. electricity in the garden. The electricity guy is up a VERY long tower with a circular staircase. You get up there by getting one of those big bulbous plants to open up and jumping off of it to a balcony - there are 2-3 balconies to access this way.

Bring the max amount of potions you can afford, because the guardians for the whips are fairly tough. Don't try to block any attacks - just dodge.

Where are the keys?

[evildead2099]

Ok...I got a sealed copy of Lament of Innocence today. Decided to go rent it before I cracked mine (since I can trade it in at the local dept store for $75 credit). So I rent it, bringing it home full of hope after all the praise I've heard for this game. Now...before I tell you what I though, keep in mind that I didn't like Symphony of the Night, I didn't like Devil May Cry, and I DO love the original Castlevanias.

I must say that LoI is one of the most over-hyped pieces of 3D garbage I've played in a long time! There are several MAJOR problems with it.

1. Lousy camera. It honestly hurt my eyes trying to look around the edges of the screen because the damn camera won't move. It only goes where they say it goes. I'll admit this keeps it out of nasty corners, but at the same time, it SEVERELY restricts your ability to tell what's, say, BEHIND you.

2. HORRIBLE fighting interface. I've seldom played a more bland battle interface. Hit Square. Hit Triangle. Hit Square a lot. Repeat. There's no strategy at all. No skill involved, very little blocking. Just....bleah.

3. Dull, repetetive rooms. Walk into a room. They all look the same in each castle. Very little variation. I got lost really easily because they were TOO repetetive. Colors are all very uniform. Nothing stnads out at all. Everything just FEELS grey. Seriously...how many pianos and organs does one castle need???

4. Really boring item/heart/money containers. If it's yellow, it has an item. If it's purple and you're not maxed on hearts, it has hearts. If you're maxed on hearts, it has a buck in it. That's it. There's no thrill of "what's in THIS one?" because they're ALL the same! Ugh!

5. Awful intro. Ok...that's not a real gripe against the game, but MAN could you make an intro any LESS interesting? It didn't suck me into the game at all and it was LONG!

6. VERY short? I'm not sure about this, but in the 2 hours I played, I finished nearly 20% of the map, including one of the whopping 5 bosses. Whoever heard of a Castlevania with only 5 bosses (excluding Drac)?

7. Awful music selections. Ok...I have no problem with the music itself, but ANY time anything trapped me, WHAM, the music shifted to something all speedy and traumatic. No segue into the music, no smooth transition, just BAM, and it ends just as abruptly. It doesn't have that nice smooth feeling at all. Was driving me nuts.

8. This only applies to the worm boss, but MAN are the bosses supposed to be that easy??? All the regular enemies may as well be punching puppets with axes, but the worm was ridiculously easy. It was just a straight endurance test. Slash slash slash slash slash slash *yawn* slash slash slash slash slash. Oh look, it's dead.

I also don't really like the real-time item use menu...it IS realistic, but it's a pain sometimes! :D I'd rather have a camera control on that R stick. Ah well. It's going back to the store tomorrow and getting traded in anyway! And good riddance! *sigh*

I haven't played the game, and may never do so until the P$2 can be effectively emulated (I sold mine after waiting 2 years for software that would justify my purchase of the system from its North American launch). In any case, I'm glad that you were specific with respect to why you don't like the game. As was pointed out, however, some positive points would've helped from making your review seem one-sided.

By the way, did you play the N64 CAstlevanias? How do you compare them to the P$2 Castlevania?

[evildead2099]

Ok...I got a sealed copy of Lament of Innocence today. Decided to go rent it before I cracked mine (since I can trade it in at the local dept store for $75 credit). So I rent it, bringing it home full of hope after all the praise I've heard for this game. Now...before I tell you what I though, keep in mind that I didn't like Symphony of the Night, I didn't like Devil May Cry, and I DO love the original Castlevanias.

I must say that LoI is one of the most over-hyped pieces of 3D garbage I've played in a long time! There are several MAJOR problems with it.

1. Lousy camera. It honestly hurt my eyes trying to look around the edges of the screen because the damn camera won't move. It only goes where they say it goes. I'll admit this keeps it out of nasty corners, but at the same time, it SEVERELY restricts your ability to tell what's, say, BEHIND you.

2. HORRIBLE fighting interface. I've seldom played a more bland battle interface. Hit Square. Hit Triangle. Hit Square a lot. Repeat. There's no strategy at all. No skill involved, very little blocking. Just....bleah.

3. Dull, repetetive rooms. Walk into a room. They all look the same in each castle. Very little variation. I got lost really easily because they were TOO repetetive. Colors are all very uniform. Nothing stnads out at all. Everything just FEELS grey. Seriously...how many pianos and organs does one castle need???

4. Really boring item/heart/money containers. If it's yellow, it has an item. If it's purple and you're not maxed on hearts, it has hearts. If you're maxed on hearts, it has a buck in it. That's it. There's no thrill of "what's in THIS one?" because they're ALL the same! Ugh!

5. Awful intro. Ok...that's not a real gripe against the game, but MAN could you make an intro any LESS interesting? It didn't suck me into the game at all and it was LONG!

6. VERY short? I'm not sure about this, but in the 2 hours I played, I finished nearly 20% of the map, including one of the whopping 5 bosses. Whoever heard of a Castlevania with only 5 bosses (excluding Drac)?

7. Awful music selections. Ok...I have no problem with the music itself, but ANY time anything trapped me, WHAM, the music shifted to something all speedy and traumatic. No segue into the music, no smooth transition, just BAM, and it ends just as abruptly. It doesn't have that nice smooth feeling at all. Was driving me nuts.

8. This only applies to the worm boss, but MAN are the bosses supposed to be that easy??? All the regular enemies may as well be punching puppets with axes, but the worm was ridiculously easy. It was just a straight endurance test. Slash slash slash slash slash slash *yawn* slash slash slash slash slash. Oh look, it's dead.

I also don't really like the real-time item use menu...it IS realistic, but it's a pain sometimes! :D I'd rather have a camera control on that R stick. Ah well. It's going back to the store tomorrow and getting traded in anyway! And good riddance! *sigh*

I haven't played the game, and may never do so until the P$2 can be effectively emulated (I sold mine after waiting 2 years for software that would justify my purchase of the system from its North American launch). In any case, I'm glad that you were specific with respect to why you don't like the game. As was pointed out, however, some positive points would've helped from making your review seem one-sided.

By the way, did you play the N64 CAstlevanias? How do you compare them to the P$2 Castlevania?

[Mr Mort]

I didn't think it was all that bad, I felt like it was a decent game, but nothing spectacular. I really didn't care much for the plot, the camera did have a few issues here and there, but in general I enjoyed my play through the game.

One thing that did bother me is how the levels were structured, and all the rooms looked more or less the same.

I can understand that if you're an old-school CV fan, you probably wouldn't like LOI.

As much as I enjoy my old-school CV, I didnt despise LOI.


On a side note, I must be the only person on the planet who loved Legacy of Darkness on the N64. It's easily one of my top-favorite N64 games. I feel as though it really shouldn't have been given the CV name, rather an original title, but regardless, that game was great, especially the music and the boss battles. Great stuff.

[Graham Mitchell]

On top of that, I could never find ANY whip upgrades, and I've got keys to a bunch of doors that apparently don't exist.

Hmm...I have two of the whip upgrades, and no keys - but I've found the doors. The whip upgrades are a little bit hidden. They're not upgrades, per se, but actually new whips - I've found a flame one and electric one so far.

The flame whip is in a chamber off of this elongated room in the Alchemy Lab or whatever that has this platform that moves back and forth across two doorways in the room. There are two skeleton flowers in the floor below where this hovering platform is. You jump from this platform onto another platform opposite the side where the two doorways are, and then you have to whip-jump two poles upwards - there is a health (or heart, can't remember) max up there along with the doorway to the flame dude. A ring that protects against flame attacks in the Garden (it's behind one of the doors with three flashing things) will help.

There's also a ring vs. electricity in the garden. The electricity guy is up a VERY long tower with a circular staircase. You get up there by getting one of those big bulbous plants to open up and jumping off of it to a balcony - there are 2-3 balconies to access this way.

Bring the max amount of potions you can afford, because the guardians for the whips are fairly tough. Don't try to block any attacks - just dodge.

Where are the keys?

Hey, thanks for the tips!

As for the keys...I just got them as I went through the game. See, I got this game during my first year of med school, and I played it in discontinuous spurts, and I didn't pay too much attention to what I was doing (which is probably why I found none of the whip power ups!). I couldn't have gone too far off the beaten track in finding these things. The keys are colored, and there are corresponding colored doors littered throughout the game. Unfortunately, I can't find the doors that would be unlocked by the keys I found! Have you found any of the colored doors? The map permanently marks them if you come across them.

Sorry I can't be more help, but I just plain don't remember!

[maxlords]

I haven't played the game, and may never do so until the P$2 can be effectively emulated (I sold mine after waiting 2 years for software that would justify my purchase of the system from its North American launch). In any case, I'm glad that you were specific with respect to why you don't like the game. As was pointed out, however, some positive points would've helped from making your review seem one-sided.

By the way, did you play the N64 CAstlevanias? How do you compare them to the P$2 Castlevania?

I actually enjoyed the N64 ones more. I've only played partway through each, but I found them to be overall more challenging and enjoyable. I think it's something to do with the amount of accuracy involved in them. I can't give an in-depth review because I've never really devoted a lot of time to them, but what I did play, I liked more than LoI. As for the review, it's from the misty past when LoI first came out :D I was pretty negative about it. There WAS one thing that I did like about it, and that's the overall storyline. I liked the history of the characters and their relation to the present games. Other than that though, I found it lackluster in all the major areas... :(

[MattyXB]

@_@
I am too a Castlevania Fan. Since the PSX Version Castlevania - Symphony of the Night. The best Castlevania ever. The GBA versions too not bad. Then the PC-Engine Version, its great too.
But I like too the PS2 Version. The first great 3D Castlevania.

I have played a bit the N64 Versions, but they are so bad.
The controlling is so bad and the games are so bad. No fun to play.

The PS2 Version is much better. You have a map, you always know where you are. You can collect items and complete you enemie guide. I like this all.
Then you can play 3 characters, all great. And a very hard modus, which is near impossible. But I have finish it and it was great. Only the Forgotten One is missing, but I think I will never beat him in Hard Modus. But it was fun to play the Hard Modus after beat the standart game so easy. :D

So I love this PS2 Castlevania and can't wait to see the new one which will release this year.

[kainemaxwell]

Anyone here actually beat the Forgotten One boss in the castle basement?

[MarkMan]

I have, it was quite a battle. 8-)

I actually really enjoyed LoI. It was a breath of fresh air, especially after the "different" N64 titles.

I'm really looking forward to the next PS2 installment. After playing it for awhile at E3 I was definately hooked... Not as hooked as I'm going to be on the sequel to Aria of Sorrow on the DS!


:D

[MarkMan]

oops double post -_-

[MattyXB]

Anyone here actually beat the Forgotten One boss in the castle basement?
Yes with:
Leon (Normal Mode)
Joachim &
Pumpkin

But never in Crazy Mode. This one is to hard. You will get parazlized & poisned so fast, that you have no chance I think.
Medusa, Dracula and Death are too hard, but these I have beat in Crazy Mode. :D


I have, it was quite a battle. 8-)
...
:D
In Crazy Mode? If yes, congratulation. This one is hard. @_@

[calthaer]

The keys are colored, and there are corresponding colored doors littered throughout the game. Unfortunately, I can't find the doors that would be unlocked by the keys I found! Have you found any of the colored doors? The map permanently marks them if you come across them.

Sorry I can't be more help, but I just plain don't remember!

Yes, I've found several of the colored doors.

The key to finding everything in LoI is simply to be thorough. The map often shows you where there are other exits / doorways from a room, but you often have to zoom in on the map and look carefully. Several of those statues / switches / whatever for opening those doors with the three glowing circles on them are also hidden fairly well - but the items behind the glowing doors are almost always well worth it.