Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (DS)

[ersgameboy]

Man, I'm really ticked off...

I pre-ordered my copy at the local EB over a month ago and was told I was "guaranteed" to get the preorder bonus.

I went Monday and Tuesday to see if it was available, and they told it would be Wednesday. Ok, no big deal.

I went after work on Wednesday to pick it up, got the game, asked about the bonus, and was told "Sorry, we ran out."

What the heck? Doesn't the pre-order keep the bonus there? Isn't that the point? If I didn't want the bonus, I sure as heck wouldn't have gotten it from EB. I would have paid $8 less for it at Amazon. I'm so mad, I may never shop at EB again.

[mailman187666]

Just picked up 2 copies of the game both with the bonus package. I haven't listened to the soundtrack yet but the art book and stylus are pretty cool. The game itself seems like its the hardest one since before the GBA games. I already love the game though, that extra stuff is the best pre-order bonus ever.

[WiseSalesman]

The preorder bonus is fantastic. I love the extendable stylus, and the whole thing seemed very well put together. I'm a little disappointed in how "anime" this Castlevania is (I haven't played one since CotM) but the game itself seems great so far.

[l_lamb]

Man, I'm really ticked off...

I pre-ordered my copy at the local EB over a month ago and was told I was "guaranteed" to get the preorder bonus.

I went Monday and Tuesday to see if it was available, and they told it would be Wednesday. Ok, no big deal.

I went after work on Wednesday to pick it up, got the game, asked about the bonus, and was told "Sorry, we ran out."

What the heck? Doesn't the pre-order keep the bonus there? Isn't that the point? If I didn't want the bonus, I sure as heck wouldn't have gotten it from EB. I would have paid $8 less for it at Amazon. I'm so mad, I may never shop at EB again.

Same thing here. I was told that they gave out the bonus pack in the order of the reserves and that I had reserved it too late. This was a GS in a mall with two other GS/EB stores right outside in strip centers. Mall stores never have the presell traffic of strip center stores. Since the premium was in a separate package, the employees could have taken them. I worked for GameStop for about three weeks this past summer and saw what happens to the "gift with pre-order" items. I sent GS/EB corporate an email, but I know all I'll get is a canned apology. Similar thing happened with my Gears Of War: LE pre-order; I ended up buying it at Toys R Us because GS had some kind of FedEx problem that took days to resolve. And Viva Pinata. I've decided not to bother with GS/EB pre-orders anymore. The whole point is to get the game on release day and not worry about it selling out, but TRU seems to get games the same day or earlier than GS.

[ersgameboy]

Same thing here. I was told that they gave out the bonus pack in the order of the reserves and that I had reserved it too late. This was a GS in a mall with two other GS/EB stores right outside in strip centers. Mall stores never have the presell traffic of strip center stores. Since the premium was in a separate package, the employees could have taken them. I worked for GameStop for about three weeks this past summer and saw what happens to the "gift with pre-order" items. I sent GS/EB corporate an email, but I know all I'll get is a canned apology. Similar thing happened with my Gears Of War: LE pre-order; I ended up buying it at Toys R Us because GS had some kind of FedEx problem that took days to resolve. And Viva Pinata. I've decided not to bother with GS/EB pre-orders anymore. The whole point is to get the game on release day and not worry about it selling out, but TRU seems to get games the same day or earlier than GS.
I ended up calling EB's corporate headquarters, and they told me a district manager would call me back, but I'm not holding my breath.

[WizDawg]

I had a problem with GameCrazy awhile back and I emailed hq and I got a nice reply back saying the district manager would call me but he/she never did. Needless to say I told them I would never buy anything from them again.

[Daniel Thomas]

Yay! I've got my old account back! Anyway, I really wish I preordered Castlevania - the bonus box is really magnificent. I'd definitely pay for it if Konami put it out for general release. Kinda reminds me of the Black Sabbath box set for some reason. Must be the book with all the illustrations.

Oh, and I'm still having a lot of fun with the game. Skipped a lot of sleep for the sake of playing a few more hours. Oy, glayvin.

[norkusa]

Not surprised about people not getting their pre-order bonuses. My Gamestop basically gives that stuff out to anyone that asks for it, so when it's time for the people to pick up their pre-orders, there's nothing left for them.

That's why I bit the bullet and pre-orderd online. Yeah, I gotta pay extra for shipping (actually, it's a $5 "handling fee" this time :roll:) but I have a better chance getting my bonus that way then buying directly from the assholes that run my local store.

EDIT: UPS just dropped it off...bonus box was totally crushed :sigh: At least I got it though. But this is the last time I'm buying anything from that fucking place. You'd think after paying a $5 handling charge, they'd at least ship the game better.

[Ed Oscuro]

I'm going to be posting something at the Contra H.Q. about the preorder business.

So far I've heard:

GameStop - employee told me the main office said that preorders were only guaranteed to people who'd ordered 'no later than' November.

EB - aside from the comments in this thread, a member of the CV Dungeons preordered on 10/21, online, and recieved the game without the bonus.

I'll be honest. I have found the behavior from both companies regardig preorders uninspiring, and I wonder if these companies are getting into murky legal waters by advertising a product that the customer won't necessarily recieve.

This is a stark contrast with preorder goodies for games like DOOM III or Quake IV where you could go into any store that had them stocked and buy the preorder (as I did for Quake IV - $10 for the shirt and I still haven't opened it or even bought the game).

[kainemaxwell]

I got my preorder bonus today!! Turned out it was in an unmarked box that had come in the manager didn't realize it. When he saw me coming into the store he ran up to me apologizing for the mistake.

Hot damn this cd rocks!

[sirhansirhan]

EDIT: UPS just dropped it off...bonus box was totally crushed :sigh: At least I got it though. But this is the last time I'm buying anything from that fucking place. You'd think after paying a $5 handling charge, they'd at least ship the game better.

Yeah, for the first time in what seems like a while, I actually did get the pre-order bonus I deserved (I ordered it from gamestop.com soon after they put it on the site), and I had the same crushed box problem. I wish there was a place I liked and trusted to buy new video games from.

Also, Norkusa, I remember your old Eraserhead and Cremaster avatars, but I don't recognize the new one. What is it?

[norkusa]

I wish there was a place I liked and trusted to buy new video games from.

Yeah, same here. I know everyone is sick of hearing about how much Gamestop sucks, but it's really the truth. I've never seen a retail chain treat their customers like shit as much as they do. And I'm not saying that just because my crushed pre-order bonus either. Their return policies are a joke, they constantly push used games as "new but not sealed", and pre-order bonuses are given away to basically anyone that asks for them. I can think of a hundred other things too but they wouldn't surprise anyone.



Also, Norkusa, I remember your old Eraserhead and Cremaster avatars, but I don't recognize the new one. What is it?

It's Harvey Keitel from one of his first movies, 'I Call First'. It also was the backdrop image for Morrissey's Kill Uncle tour (which is the main reason why I used it).

[Icarus Moonsight]

Needless to say I am livid if not completely pissed off at GC. Only three preorders at the nearest store to my house (of which I held one) and did they have the bonus along with my lovely new Castlevania, which I pined for and lusted after for more than half a year? Nope, not at all. Still have a tiny shred of hope that they will call and say that they got my order right and it was an unfortunate mistake. All said, if GC don't deliver then I'm taking my business elsewhere... first this store screws me on the Wii preorder and now some shlock-assed employee more than likely made off with my stuff! Audacious!

Already called hq and talked to customer service people. Lot of good that will do. :/ Dist. Mgr will call me eh? Kinda like I was guaranteed by your staff that I'd be getting exactly what I'm not? Sure, hey - pass the kool-aide.

Sorry for the rant... Not the way I wanted to come back to DP after all this time. It's hard to think of anything else right now.

Maybe us jilted could come together and bring eb/gs and gc a nice class action to follow along the lines Ed was driving at. I can understand if there was say 100 preorders and they ran out, but three? No way, not buying that one. Smells like deceptive business practice to me.

[sharkbates]

Not surprised about people not getting their pre-order bonuses. My Gamestop basically gives that stuff out to anyone that asks for it, so when it's time for the people to pick up their pre-orders, there's nothing left for them.

That's why I bit the bullet and pre-orderd online. Yeah, I gotta pay extra for shipping (actually, it's a $5 "handling fee" this time :roll:) but I have a better chance getting my bonus that way then buying directly from the assholes that run my local store.

EDIT: UPS just dropped it off...bonus box was totally crushed :sigh: At least I got it though. But this is the last time I'm buying anything from that fucking place. You'd think after paying a $5 handling charge, they'd at least ship the game better.

I had the same problem. Sent the game and bonus in a bubble wrap pouch. I can understand sending a DS game with a hard case, but the bonus items come in a cardboard box. I was/am pissed and sent two emails to EB, not holding my breath for a positive reply. You'd think someone there would have the commonsense to pack a crushable cardboard box in something a little sturdier. Especially when they charge an extra special handling/shipping fee. A-holes!

[joshnickerson]

Yeah, mine came Thursday as well, and it was crushed in a bubble wrap envelope. So this is what the extra $5 shipping fee was for, EB? Screw you guys. I used to order from EB.com frequently (I had a nasty experience with Gamestop.com, and I haven't used them since), but the hell with this. Fortunately, the contents were just fine. The CD rocks and the artbook was nifty to look at.

As for the game itself... I haven't really played a Castlevania game since the NES titles, so it was pretty much new territory for me (I honestly only got the game because of the awesome (if now slightly crushed) bonus), but I have to say, I'm really digging it so far (despite being continually obliterated by the City of Haze boss). I may go back and pick up Dawn of Sorrow as well once I'm finished with this one.

[Ed Oscuro]

Has anybody who didn't originally get their preorder get it after posting here?

@ Icarus: Damn, that sucks.

Also, just so I've got it right - you paid $15 extra (for the preorders) and didn't get one?

[-hellvin-]

Picked it up today at work, looking foward to playing through it. Didn't bother looking for the bonus package, was too tired to drive around and see if I could find one.

[Icarus Moonsight]

Has anybody who didn't originally get their preorder get it after posting here?

@ Icarus: Damn, that sucks.

Also, just so I've got it right - you paid $15 extra (for the preorders) and didn't get one?

No, the store had a total of 3 preorders. Other customers had theirs and I had my one. By my understanding none of us got the promo pack. That is why I'm assuming that an employee ganked 'em all on us. All three copies are still sitting on the shelf behind the counter. So I am also assuming that the other customers refused to take the preorder incomplete.

I really needed another reason to despise eBay and the ceaseless flow of douchbags they create. The topper of all this heap of shit is that my wife wanted to get this for me as a present. She's slightly more pissed than I am cause they totally ruined what she intended to be an awesome gift. She went around to a bunch of EB/GSs yesterday trying to find a store that still had any that would, maybe, give her one. None had any left, of course. She's a keeper that's for sure. :)

[joshnickerson]

Probably doesn't come close to making it up for those who got shafted out of the bonus, but I found a Torrent site that has MP3s from the CD up for download.

http://www.gamemp3s.net/2006/11/30/twenty-years-of-castlevania/

[Icarus Moonsight]

Probably doesn't come close to making it up for those who got shafted out of the bonus, but I found a Torrent site that has MP3s from the CD up for download.

http://www.gamemp3s.net/2006/11/30/twenty-years-of-castlevania/

You've done more for me than GC has. By that gesture alone. :o Thanks

[rurouni318]

I work at a GameCrazy, and even though I am not the manager (I am just a Manager on Duty). I made sure all the pre-orders got one, We had 8 pre-orders including mine, and I called all the people on the list and told them that the game came with a pre-order gift and it should be held for them. Thankfully the 7 other pre-orders got theirs and we had an extra bonus come in and I snagged the extra one for myself along with my pre-order one.

[Ed Oscuro]

You've done more for me than GC has. By that gesture alone. :o Thanks
Actually, the #cv channel has a great rip available - I don't know if it's that one, but I hear it's "better." PM me if you want the details of the place.

[klausien]

I too need to pile-on over the crushed box on the preorder bonus from ordering online. I only ordered it online to guarantee that I received it, but instead got it damaged. Fucking GameStop/EB. I usually try to keep my voice down about their terrible policies, but this took the cake. An extra charge for a fucking bubble mailer for something that comes in a cardboard box!?! Are you fucking kidding me!?! The contents are ok, but the box is totally ruined. I knew I shouldn't have bothered with ordering online. I am just going to have to get another one on eBay now anyway. I apologize for the f-bombs, but this wholly and truly stinks to high heaven. I will only buy from them if I am getting a deal or an exclusive from now on. I've hit the wall.

As for the game itself, Portrait of Ruin is excellent, and could be the largest of the "Metroidvanias". It made me put down Zelda on the Wii, but CV is my favorite series and the games usually only take a couple days to finish anyway. I too am not a fan of their recent trend of replacing Kojima's art with cheap, afternoon cartoon anime, but beggars can't be choosers. At least Igarashi and his team are still giving us 2D goodness to go along with the sketchy 3D experimenting. I also like the fact that they have brought the Bloodlines cast back into the fold. Bloodlines has never truly gotten the respect it deserves as the last great action-only Castlevania, remaining as a bit of a footnote for appearing on the Genesis. The SNES Dracula X can't hold a candle to it.

[slip81]

I got mine, but then again I work in the mall and went to EB about 5 minutes after the UPS guy left.

Anyway if you all really want one badly ebay has a ton of them for around $10-20. I know it's a lot for something that should have been free, but once again ebay prooves that nothing is rare anymore.

[Icarus Moonsight]

$10-$20? Not for me, though I wish. Just bought one for $34 and $7 shipping and that was on the low end of what was about to close at the time. Was seeing alot with BINs from $50 to $100... insane.

Anyway, actually got the call from the dst mgr. :o ZOMG! He told me the problem was sorted out and I could go pick up my preorder. I thanked the guy hardily and zipped up to my store. When I arrived what do I find? Game, still without the bonus. WTF? That was the straw. I'm never going back to GC and I'll encourage anyone to do the same, if they ask my opinion. On the plus side, if you can call it such, I got a refund on my deposit and was told when/if they ever get the bonus I am welcome to ione even if I don't buy the game there. If they do get one to me then I will start doing business with them again... maybe.

[Perkar]

don't want to ruin the rampant EB/GS bashing on the pre-order bonus... but has anyone played the game yet...?

i "finished" the game but i don't think i got a "real" ending. although i guess i'm not sure. there's two FAQs up on gamefaqs.com so far... and neither is complete. there's one room above the "end boss" that i can't get into.

and how does the game work the percentages? i ended with 473.9% complete in 4 hours 49 minutes.

[DigitalSpace]

I'm probably gonna buy the game today. This was one of two winter releases I was planning to get right away rather than waiting for a price drop like I usually do (the other game was Yoshi's Island DS),

As for the preorder bonus fiasco - and don't get me wrong, I do think GameStop and EB are pretty messed up as a company - but I have a feeling that, like with the MGS3 Subsistence LE, Konami didn't produce enough copies to meet demand. Someone on CheapAssGamer reported that their GameCrazy had 20 preorders and got enough copies of the game to fill them, but only five of the bonuses. Yes, it's sad that some stores are handling this the wrong way, but if I'm right, Konami deserves some blame too.

[WiseSalesman]

Perkar:

I haven't beaten the game yet. 11 hours in. 900+% of the map completed (however that works). Haven't fought the "end boss" yet. I can't get into that top room yet either.

[Perkar]

Perkar:

I haven't beaten the game yet. 11 hours in. 900+% of the map completed (however that works). Haven't fought the "end boss" yet. I can't get into that top room yet either.

dammit :(

i guess i'm totally missing something then. are Wind's quests vital? i'm 29% done with quests.

[Perkar]

so i thought about it for a bit, and i figured out what i was doing wrong.

4 more portraits, here i come.

[klausien]

In order to get the most out of the game, you should do most of, if not all of, Wind's quests. Also, try to get the Eye of Decay to make life easier. There haven't been this many randomly hidden rooms since Symphony of the Night. I am about 80% or so through the game and still loving it as usual.

[WiseSalesman]

I have four of Wind's quests left to go. The ones that require item mastery are brutally tedious to complete.

I don't want to spoil anything for you, Perkar, but at least one of Wind's quests unlocks an entirely new area that is one of the most fun and challenging things in the game. I reccomend doing them all if you can. If you have trouble finding an item or something, go ahead an PM/IM me and I'll help you out.

[esquire]

I did not order my game from Gamestop until 12/11. The game arrived late yesterday 12/13 or early today 12/14, and to my surprise the bonus was included. It looks like they still have the bonus in stock online if you decide to order from them.

[WiseSalesman]

Also, try to get the Eye of Decay to make life easier. There haven't been this many randomly hidden rooms since Symphony of the Night. I am about 80% or so through the game and still loving it as usual.

For anyone who might be looking for tips in this thread, you can get the Eye for Decay from the "Peeping Eye" enemies in the City of Haze portrait (the first one). They're the first polygon enemy you fight. Big flying eyeballs with tails.

[agbulls]

Hey everyone. I'm back, and have been out of the community for quite a while. I picked up the new Vania last week, and have spent around 5 hours on it. I'm liking it quite a bit thus far. Personally, I think it is loads more fun than Dawn--as the soul sealing got very tedious. However, my only complaint is the music. Its not terrible. Its just not memorable. I haven't found myself humming any tunes like I have from the recent console Vania games (even though the DS titles are more in line with the series play-wise). Does anyone else feel this way?
:whip:

[WiseSalesman]

Good christ, but the boss of this game is hard! Just handed me my ass half a dozen times or so. When I started cursing at the screen, I decided to take a break.

[-hellvin-]

I've been playing the game for a while and love it. Totally addicted now. I just beat the fake end boss the correct way and harvested a final guard sword. Took about 20 minutes...kinda worth it I guess, doesn't seem insanely better than the sword I got for the "A Rank" quest. I really like the quest system! Just got home from work and am gonna go bust out some quests before advancing much further.

[Perkar]

For anyone who might be looking for tips in this thread, you can get the Eye for Decay from the "Peeping Eye" enemies in the City of Haze portrait (the first one). They're the first polygon enemy you fight. Big flying eyeballs with tails.

with the eye of decay... say i equip it on charlotte, but am roaming around with jonathan. am i still able to see the hidden walls?

[WiseSalesman]

Unfortunately, no. So you end up doing a lot of helmet switching, but it's worth it to not miss anything.

[norkusa]

Well, I just finished the game but I got one of the shitty endings. I killed those 2 sisters and that was basically it. I'm at 486% but I hear a lot of people are at around 600%. I think I left a couple of paintings undiscovered too, like that 13th Street one I keep hearing about.

I did leave a lot of Wind's quests unfinished and that monk was still cursed when I beat the game. If I complete any of that stuff, does it let me continue any further?

[klausien]

Killing the sisters nets you the bad ending in a way similar to killing Richter instead of wearing the glasses and killing Shaft's control spirit in SOTN. I don't like to spoil, but what you need to do for the sisters is related to Vincent. You are only about halfway through the game.

[norkusa]

Killing the sisters nets you the bad ending in a way similar to killing Richter instead of wearing the glasses and killing Shaft's control spirit in SOTN. I don't like to spoil, but what you need to do for the sisters is related to Vincent. You are only about halfway through the game.

Can you give me more of a hint? I know I'm supposed to go and cure Vincent, but I don't know where to get the spell from.

[GizmoGC]

You need the sanctuary spell...its in the desert level where the metal balls are rolling down. Turn into a frog and go through a passage.

[norkusa]

Thanks for the tip, Gizmo. Now I made it to the part with the extra portraits past the two sisters.

BTW, does anyone know what the max completion percentage for this game is? Is it 1,000%?

[Richter Belmount]

Personally I was disappointed with dawn of sorrow , does anyone think this reclaims the series glory?

[-hellvin-]

Personally I was disappointed with dawn of sorrow , does anyone think this reclaims the series glory?

Honestly, I think this one is a little better. First of all, they axed the stupid stylus gimmick, so there's no having to pick up a damn stylus after a boss to seal him and no ice blocks. The odd soul system has also been thrown out which I'm glad about. It was a cool system, but the sub weapon system they put in for this game feels more old school and doesn't require as much farming. At least, not if you have two master rings for 400,000 ;D! The only thing I don't really like is the really anime style art they put in for most of the character portraits and the opening cut scene. Just doesn't do anything for me.

[WiseSalesman]

Hey can someone who's beaten the game help me out? I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I'm having trouble beating the final boss, and, due to the sheer amount of time it would take me to trial and error this battle, I was hoping for some pointers.

Spoilers inbound, highlight to read.

So, when fighting Dracula's second form, after he merges with death, the battle is hard enough. However, if I do well enough, eventually, he will jump into the background, and the claws of his wings will start closing in on me. When they slam in all the way, it's an instant kill. I've tried just beating on them with either the charged-up Vampire Killer or Alucard's Spear, and I've tried dual crushes (meteor strike and holy lightning) and nothing seems to work. The attack always kills me instantly. What the hell am I doing wrong, please?

Thanks in advance.

[Perkar]

wisesalesman:

what percentage are you at? when i first got to dracula, i was in the 880%'s i think. i got to that same part you keep continually dying at. now i'm up to 998.1% complete (and level 61), and am ready to give it another go. but by what you say, i think i'm going to have the same issues... i need to do some farming for cash first anyway, get my potions and crap maxed out.

i guess we'll see.

[Daniel Thomas]

Honestly, I think this one is a little better. First of all, they axed the stupid stylus gimmick, so there's no having to pick up a damn stylus after a boss to seal him and no ice blocks. The odd soul system has also been thrown out which I'm glad about. It was a cool system, but the sub weapon system they put in for this game feels more old school and doesn't require as much farming. At least, not if you have two master rings for 400,000 ;D! The only thing I don't really like is the really anime style art they put in for most of the character portraits and the opening cut scene. Just doesn't do anything for me.


So, do you have any tricks for scoring two master rings? Apart from just hunting around for cash for hours?

One thing I like about this Castlevania is the trade-off between hearts and money. It's a neat little balance between raising money and mastering your weapons; I wouldn't at all be surprised if this became standard in the series from now on.

[VACRMH]

Damn, i'm stuck :-/

I just beat the City of Fools I think, that or the one with the Fish type monster thingy.

No idea where to go now, I found an elevator type thing but that doesn't work.

I love these kind of games.

[MarkMan]

So, do you have any tricks for scoring two master rings? Apart from just hunting around for cash for hours?

One thing I like about this Castlevania is the trade-off between hearts and money. It's a neat little balance between raising money and mastering your weapons; I wouldn't at all be surprised if this became standard in the series from now on.

There's a glitch that can help you get infinite cash.

Basically whenever there is a quest where you earn an item that sells for a good amount, you can get infinite supply of that item and sell it to Vincent to make a endless supply of $$$.

What you do is once turning in the quest, and it says on the screen "____ received" hit start and it will exit out of the quest menu BUT it will still give you the item and it will NOT redeem the quest. This also works for MP plus/HP plus rewards via quests.

Have fun. :)

[sisko]

There's a glitch that can help you get infinite cash.

Basically whenever there is a quest where you earn an item that sells for a good amount, you can get infinite supply of that item and sell it to Vincent to make a endless supply of $$$.

What you do is once turning in the quest, and it says on the screen "____ received" hit start and it will exit out of the quest menu BUT it will still give you the item and it will NOT redeem the quest. This also works for MP plus/HP plus rewards via quests.

Have fun. :)

I feel like restarting now lol

[WiseSalesman]

wisesalesman:

what percentage are you at? when i first got to dracula, i was in the 880%'s i think. i got to that same part you keep continually dying at. now i'm up to 998.1% complete (and level 61), and am ready to give it another go. but by what you say, i think i'm going to have the same issues... i need to do some farming for cash first anyway, get my potions and crap maxed out.

i guess we'll see.

I'm at 990 something. I don't have my DS with me to check. I know I'm only at, like, level 48 though.

[klausien]

Also, killing minotaurs in the Dark Academy can net you Bullovas worth 10000g. In the next room, the Imps drop Tridents worth 7000g as well. Nice place to master subweapons and farm for cash.

[Perkar]

beat dracula. 998.9% map uncovered. dunno what i missed. level 64, 15:45:59.

and as for wisesalesman's problem ... it's all about doing as much damage as possible in a short amount of time. once enough damage is inflicted, the attack doesn't happen.

i didn't use the vampire killer at all, so i'm thinking i might give dracula another run using that ... maybe a different ending?

[WiseSalesman]

Did you use a dual crush or just wail on it with your main weapon?

[Perkar]

Did you use a dual crush or just wail on it with your main weapon?

dual crush ... think LoE ;)

[Gamereviewgod]

Damn this game is good. Easily my fave since Symphony.

Anyway, looking at this map for areas I missed, what are the green squares with the black dots on them:

http://db.gamefaqs.com/portable/ds/file/castlevania_por_castle.png

Look at the highest part (by the Dracula fight) on the right. I have the area opened, but the map key says it's breakable? There are a few on the map and I want to be sure I've found it all.

Also, how do you get into the Nest of Evil? I can't seem to break anything in the area like it shows.

[WiseSalesman]

I finally beat it. Not sure what LoE is, but I used Greatest Five a few times, combined with the magus ring to defeat that attack.


Also, how do you get into the Nest of Evil? I can't seem to break anything in the area like it shows.

@GRG: That link is broken, but to answer your question, you can't break into the NoE. You need to do a quest for Wind in order for it to open. To complete this quest, you must have a rate of 888% or more.

[MarkMan]

Damn this game is good. Easily my fave since Symphony.


Also, how do you get into the Nest of Evil? I can't seem to break anything in the area like it shows.

Access to the Nest of Evil is granted by completing a quest that Wind gives you.

So keep questin!

[JWKobayashi]

Loving the game so far... I'm about 75% complete.

However, has anyone had trouble with the game freezing up? My copy of the game has frozen 4 times, all while just wandering around. This is on the DS Lite that I've had since July, and have not had any other problems on any other games.

Odd, but I also had a problem while playing Dawn of Sorrow. It seemed as if randomly, my DS (my DS phat back then) wouldn't read the game. I'd start it up, play for a while and quit, but then when I went back to play again my DS didn't show it in the game select menu. Odd, I say.

[Perkar]

I finally beat it. Not sure what LoE is, but I used Greatest Five a few times, combined with the magus ring to defeat that attack.

doh, i meant NoE, not LoE :)

[-hellvin-]

Beat hard mode tonight with the lvl 50 cap. I would have just done level 1 cap if I knew it got you all three items in one run. Oh well. Boss Rush mode was really cool. Found the last 1 percent of the map tonight. I noticed that there's a map section in the menu screen that shows you the percentage you've found on each map, then found the last .3 in the main castle. Some secret room with a combat knife. I might play through 1 lvl cap hard mode again...not sure. Haven't even checked out the secret character mode yet.

[Perkar]

just wanted to say i hit 1000%. i didn't even miss a hidden room, i missed a save point room. ridiculous.

[ersgameboy]

Update - After calling and writing EB, I found a POR preorder bonus in my mailbox last week. It's very awesome. Gotta love the soundtrack.

[calthaer]

I was a tad disappointed with the soundtrack CD - I guess I hoped for more remixes of the classic tunes a la ocremix (but with less techno crap and more solid orchestrations).

The game itself is ridiculously awesome. I'm nearing 100% completion of the game with all the maps - currently trying to make sure I get 100% of the bestiary, which requires finding out what each and every enemy drops. Am down to less than five enemies, all of which are only found in the Nest (to my knowledge). Note to peeps: to get the best item drops, one would think that the witch lady is better because she gets higher luck to start out with, and double charm bracelets + her Luck spell gets her luck into the 90s.

But the fighter guy is way better with - I believe it's the Thief ring. And full luck items (like equipping the Tuxedo, etc.) and with Charlotte's Luck spell. Great for blasting gorgons and nauseum and getting 9 New York Steaks, which are great.

Then will work on getting 100% of items, many of which I'll probably have to buy from the store.

I loved the quest system and wish they had included more quests.

I also kind of wished that they had included four more distinct worlds instead of four more rehashed portrait worlds for that "final" section, but that's really a minor nitpick. I'm just glad the gameworld is so expansive.

The stylus IS used in this game, but the only thing it is used for are those three quill pens that are shown in the maps screen. There are three quills for each map, and they can be dragged and placed over the map any place you like. Very useful for marking places where you may have the entire room on the map but there is still a section you need a "travel" skill (like double jump or owl or frog or whatever) to get to.

The music is great.

I can't wait to try multiplayer coop. Might be a few months, though - don't have my DS online yet at all.

[GrandAmChandler]

Addicted to this. 3 portraits finished.

[Kuros]

Yup, great game. 1000% of the map, mastered all subweapons, finished all quests, defeated all monsters, etc.

I did a Richter speed run on normal mode. Took me about 50 minutes.

Didn't die up until Death/Drac, which is extremely hard when you are doing only 50 damage per hit.

[PallarAndersVisa]

I'm a huge Castlevania fan, definately my favorite franchise ever. I just wanted to expend on my two cents on this new game, Portrait of Ruin.

PoR is a good game, there is no doubt about that. However, as a big Castlevania fan I feel this franchise is in serious need of an update. Symphony of the Night is my favorite of the franchise, and is my favorite game of all time, but I constantly feel like I am playing watered down versions of SotN whenever a new Castlevania game is released.

The whole "Metroidvania" thing is getting old. Its a great idea, but it was a great idea 5 games ago. I am really getting sick of the same exploration, the same save rooms, the same teleport rooms, similar maps and similar locales.

We are now 5 2-D Castlevania games from SotN, and we are still seeing the same EXACT enemy character sprites for nearly 80% of the enemies. The same skeletons, the same Axe lord armors, the same skelerangs, the same gypsy snipers, the same god damn bad guys that we have been fighting for ten years now. I know we have had bone throwing skeletons and bats since the beginning, but I really do not want to see these same exact sprites from SotN in a new Castlevania game.

PoR added some new elements, but its really nothing special to me. Like I said, PoR is a great game, but its not a great game to a big Castlevania fan like myself.

I really just want a new 2-D console CV experience to behold. The majesty that is Castlevania just cannot be replicated on a 3.5" screen. I'd also like to see Konami do away with the "Metroidvania" style in favor of something new. Perhaps a traditional "left to right", level by level game is in order?

[Icarus Moonsight]

I thought PoR was an excellent throwback to classic Castlevanias such as Dracula's Curse and Rondo. While the online modes were weaker than I thought they could be, at least mutiplayer boss rush is better than a broken online standard game would have been. It is very playable and even fun, only dissapointed by expectation rather than execution. Sisters mode is a blast. That is the stylus-played Castlevania that DoS missed at. The recycled sprites can grate a bit, but for an A-list 2-D title, handheld or not, in this age of gaming I am willing to overlook this as long as these games keep coming. With only about a year between DoS ond PoR the recycled sprites are less design choice than time saving necessity. I have played PoR alot since christmas. 50 hours alot with multiple passes through and different modes. If that is any indication, Iga is doing something right, at least by my reckoning. Iga seems set on keeping 2-D Castlevanias on handheld systems which for now means the DS. SotN on Live Arcade and PSP will expose other gamers to the metroidvania formula that missed it the first time around. I don't think we will see another new side scroll Castlevania, especially after that. Only way I could see side scrolling games happening is through services such as Live and VC or possibly ports on handhelds. So Iga, how about a little more love here stateside and port Rondo? Pweeease! *puppy dog eyes*

All in all I love PoR. IMHO SotN has finally been topped.
Yuzo Koshiro lives! LOL

Final preorder debacle update.
:( : Still no pre-order bonus... no longer even hope to get it now. Had to buy off the Bay and paid more than I did for the game. Lame.

[PallarAndersVisa]

I went back and replayed SotN yesterday, beat it in 4 and a half hours. No way can that game be topped. There is just way too much to discover, and the soundtrack won't even be duplicated verbatim by another CV game due to handheld cartidge limitations.

SotN is a classic that can't be touched. It came out at the right time, and started a new CV era!

[Daniel Thomas]

I'm a huge Castlevania fan, definately my favorite franchise ever. I just wanted to expend on my two cents on this new game, Portrait of Ruin.

PoR is a good game, there is no doubt about that. However, as a big Castlevania fan I feel this franchise is in serious need of an update. Symphony of the Night is my favorite of the franchise, and is my favorite game of all time, but I constantly feel like I am playing watered down versions of SotN whenever a new Castlevania game is released.

The whole "Metroidvania" thing is getting old. Its a great idea, but it was a great idea 5 games ago. I am really getting sick of the same exploration, the same save rooms, the same teleport rooms, similar maps and similar locales.

We are now 5 2-D Castlevania games from SotN, and we are still seeing the same EXACT enemy character sprites for nearly 80% of the enemies. The same skeletons, the same Axe lord armors, the same skelerangs, the same gypsy snipers, the same god damn bad guys that we have been fighting for ten years now. I know we have had bone throwing skeletons and bats since the beginning, but I really do not want to see these same exact sprites from SotN in a new Castlevania game.

PoR added some new elements, but its really nothing special to me. Like I said, PoR is a great game, but its not a great game to a big Castlevania fan like myself.

I really just want a new 2-D console CV experience to behold. The majesty that is Castlevania just cannot be replicated on a 3.5" screen. I'd also like to see Konami do away with the "Metroidvania" style in favor of something new. Perhaps a traditional "left to right", level by level game is in order?


I have to agree with you on this one. I haven't really touched Portrait of Ruin after the first day or so, and the newness wore off. I think I'm just tired of the whole Symphony rehashing again and again and again. The last one on DS was good because the hard mode was, for once, actually hard. But these games are always such cakewalks, I wonder what the whole point is.

This is a series that holds you by the hands, which is a far cry from the first four Castlevanias, which were brutally hard. I do appreciate that this newest version allows for a number of smaller worlds, but it's still so easy that all you're really doing is walking from point A to point B. There's no challenge, even if we're outdoors for once.

I might still get back into this one, but other things in life are drawing more attention (weblog, podcast, yadda yadda). But my affection for the last Castlevania isn't really pulling through into this one. I'd rather see something new, or something that's moderately challenging. I've still got 20 Sudoku puzzles to solve on Brain Age, and a bigger house on Animal Crossing.

[Icarus Moonsight]

I went back and replayed SotN yesterday, beat it in 4 and a half hours. No way can that game be topped. There is just way too much to discover, and the soundtrack won't even be duplicated verbatim by another CV game due to handheld cartidge limitations.

SotN is a classic that can't be touched. It came out at the right time, and started a new CV era!

Not to pick nits but, with compressed audio the DS can pump out CD quality music - in quasi surround even. :o PoR being > than SotN is just my opinion so there is a way for it to be topped through opinion. It's all POV. :)