Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow [DS]

Though Konami has been working hard on Castlevania 's latest 3D incarnation, the series has always been most at home on 2D platforms. With Dawn of Sorrow, it makes the hop to the DS. A direct sequel to 2003's Aria of Sorrow, the new game continues the story. While Dawn does feature a few new twists, there's not much here you haven't seen before, making it feel more like an upgrade than a brand new title.

Reprising the soul system used in Aria of Sorrow, players are able to power up Soma by capturing the souls randomly left behind by dead demons. Split into four types (bullet, guardian, enchant, and ability), the souls can be used for magic attacks and defense, as well as passive ability upgrades. You also have the option of combining souls with weapons in order to forge an improved item. It's a nice way to get a better blade without having to rely on luck.

Core gameplay is more or less identical to Aria of Sorrow, with players exploring a large, non-linear castle. Navigation is a bit easier this time around, thanks to the DS's second screen which can be used to display a real-time map. It may not sound like much, but having it is a big help.

New to the series is the touch-screen support, which requires players to draw a "magic seal" on the lower screen after defeating a boss monster. There are five different patterns to learn, but since they all consist of basic shapes it's not much of a challenge. You can also use the stylus to break blocks of ice that are blocking your path, but like the magic seals this is more of a novelty than anything else as you won't run into many rooms packed with ice.

Oddly enough, where the game really shines is in the bonus Julius mode. Unlocked once you've completed the main game, Julius mode does away with the item and soul collecting, in favor of some old fashioned, whip snappin' Castlevania fun. Adding a small twist to play, Julius mode allows you to build a team of three characters (Julius Belmont, Yoko Belnades, and Alucard). Switchable on-the-fly, each of the three sports a different play style and magic attacks. Other unlockables include boss rush mode and a music player.

Wireless support allows you to trade souls with other players or challenge them to a custom course designed in enemy set mode. An extremely basic level designer, enemy set mode gives you a series of empty rooms to populate with monsters. You can only place souls that you've collected, so the more you play, the more creative your course can be. It's a neat diversion, but you're not going to spend hours with it.

Where Dawn of Sorrow really shines is in the visual department. The 2D format allows the artists to excel, making this one of the best looking games on the DS. Levels are vibrant, magic spells well animated, and enemy design crystal clear. It's enough to make you long for a true 2D return to the big screen.

All in all, Dawn of Sorrow is a great experience, although it suffers from a lack of innovation. Gameplay is all too familiar, and the new additions feel quite superficial. Having the best part hidden away as an unlockable doesn't help matters. Despite its flaws, the game is sure to please. It may not be an evolution of the series, but it's still a tasty treat.