Castlevania Returns to PS2 in 2005

Konami gives the series another try at 3D success.

The Belmont family has used the Castlevania series as a vehicle for taking revenge on Dracula for nearly two decades, since the series' debut on the NES in 1986. But now it's time for the series to move on.

Konami has announced a new Castlevania game for PlayStation 2 titled Castlevania: Curse of Darkness. The game stars Hector, a one-time apprentice of Dracula who leaves his master to live a normal life. When Dracula is then killed by the Belmonts, Isaac, another apprentice, blames Hector and puts his girlfriend in danger, spurring Hector back into action.

This new storyline forms the backdrop for a game that will feel comfortable to series veterans. While the game is still 3D like 2003's Castlevania: Lament of Innocence, character development will ape the RPG stylings of the PlayStation classic Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. There will also be new gameplay elements, such as the evolving helper-devils that aid Hector's survival in the mutated world of Vallachia.

"Castlevania: Curse Of Darkness takes the series in a fresh new direction - complete with new heroes and villains," says Konami's Hans-Joachim Amann. "The conflict between Hector and Isaac will allow players to explore Dracula's inner sanctum from a different perspective and provide fans of the Castlevania series plenty of new gameplay experiences to enjoy."

Castlevania: Curse Of Darkness will be released for PlayStation 2 this autumn.

Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo Games