Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin

Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin
The front artwork of a square box. Two cartoon characters drawn in anime-style stand in the middle of the cover. The teenage girl on the left holds a large grimoire while the young adult male holds a coiled bullwhip. In the background is a large castle darkened by a large full moon behind it.
North American box art depicting the main protagonists Charlotte Aulin (left) and Johnathan Morris (center)
Developer(s)Konami
Publisher(s)Konami
Director(s)Satoshi Kushibuchi
Producer(s)Koji Igarashi
Programmer(s)Shutaro Iida
Writer(s)
  • Koji Igarashi
  • Hiroto Yamaguchi
  • Shutaro Iida
Composer(s)
SeriesCastlevania
Platform(s)Nintendo DS
Release
  • JP: November 16, 2006[1]
  • NA: December 5, 2006
  • EU: March 9, 2007
  • AU: March 22, 2007[2]
Genre(s)Action role-playing, Metroidvania[3]
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin[a] is a 2006 action role-playing game developed and published by Konami for the Nintendo DS handheld system.[4] The game is the first in the Castlevania series to feature a cooperative multiplayer gameplay mode and the first handheld entry to have English voice-overs, outside of its original Japanese release.

The game is a continuation of the events from Castlevania: Bloodlines, a 1994 Sega Genesis title. Set in Europe during World War II, the story follows Johnathan Morris, the son of John Morris from Castlevania: Bloodlines, and Charlotte Aulin as they attempt to stop a vampire from resurrecting Dracula.[5] The game expands on the two character gameplay found in Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow and adds more mechanics involving the Nintendo DS touch screen alongside new cooperative online functionality.

Portrait of Ruin received an overall positive critical response and several awards. Critics praised the game's soundtrack, story and cooperative mechanics while some criticism was directed towards the gameplay. The game's two protagonists later appeared in the 2010 multiplayer focused title Castlevania: Harmony of Despair. In 2024, Portrait of Ruin was re-released as part of the multi-platform Castlevania Dominus Collection alongside Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow, Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia, and Haunted Castle Revisited.

Gameplay

[edit]
A composite image of two horizontal rectangular video game screenshots. The top screenshot depicts various pink rectangular shapes connected together in the side view of a building layout. The bottom screenshot is a digital representation of an interior stone castle bridge where two characters attack a winged monster from both sides.
The top screen displays the in-game map, which records the player's progress. In the bottom screen, the main characters Jonathan (right) and Charlotte (center) attack an enemy together.

Similar to previous Castlevania games, Portrait of Ruin is a 2D Metroidvania that features side-scrolling action with an emphasis on exploration and combat. Players traverse Dracula's castle with the end goal of defeating Dracula.[6] Aside from the castle, the main protagonists, Jonathan Morris and Charlotte Aulin, explore other environments such as Egyptian-like deserts and London-like towns via painting-like portals dispersed throughout the castle.[7] During the adventure, the heroes encounter 155 different enemies, which are kept track in a bestiary;[8] many of which have appeared in previous Castlevania titles as standard monsters or bosses.[9] As they progress, the duo learn new skills and acquire equipment and items that allow further exploration in the game.[9]

One of the main gameplay features the ability to switch freely between two characters, similar to the "Julius mode" from Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow. Jonathan and Charlotte can combine their powers to perform a powerful attack together known as "Dual Crush".[10] Their combined abilities are needed in certain parts in order to solve puzzles and progress through the story. For example, the player must have both characters board two motorcycles and dodge obstacles while alternating between the two characters.[7] Like previous games in the series, Portrait of Ruin has more than one ending that is determined by the player's actions during the story. The "bad" ending involves Jonathan and Charlotte only preventing Dracula from being resurrected and finishes as a game over. The other ending sees all the vampire antagonists defeated and is considered the game's canonical ending.[8]

Alternate modes

[edit]

Portrait of Ruin features four single player modes and a "Boss Rush Mode" that can be played with either one or two players. Initially, the main story is playable only with Jonathan and Charlotte.[8] After obtaining the canonical ending, the player will unlock a prologue to the main story, "Sisters Mode", and additional stages in the Boss Rush Mode.[11] Completing the game also gives the player the option to increase the difficulty, add level caps on new games, and start a game with all previously obtained items and skills. In Sisters Mode, the player controls Loretta and Stella Lecarde with the DS stylus rather than the traditional inputs. If the player meets additional requirements in the game, two other versions of the main story mode are made available: "Richter Mode" and "Old Axe Armor Mode". Richter Mode allows the player to control Richter Belmont and Maria Renard from Castlevania: Rondo of Blood. In Old Axe Armor Mode, the player controls only the eponymous Old Axe Armor enemy without the ability to switch characters.[8]

Boss Rush Mode is a time attack mode separate from the main story that features three stages. Although only one stage is initially available, two more become available after obtaining the canoncial ending. Each stage is a series of rooms with a boss or collection of monsters that the player must defeat. Rewards are determined by how quickly a player completes each stage.[8] Portrait of Ruin is the first game in the Castlevania franchise with cooperative multiplayer.[7][b] Players can interact through the Co-op mode or a Shop mode via either local wireless or Nintendo Wi-Fi.[10] The online cooperative mode allows two players to complete Boss Rushes together. The online shop allows players to sell their items to other players at reduced prices.[12]

Plot and setting

[edit]

Portrait of Ruin takes place in the fictional universe of the Castlevania series. The series' premise is the conflict between the vampire hunters of the Belmont clan and the immortal vampire Dracula. The game is set in 1944 Europe during World War II, and its story unfolds in Dracula's castle.[10] In addition to the castle, the main characters explore various paintings that have been constructed by the villain Brauner. The paintings act as portals to new areas that feature appearances distinct from the main castle.

Characters

[edit]

The game features both returning characters from previous titles as well as those new to the series, such as the two main protagonists: Jonathan Morris and Charlotte Aulin. Jonathan wields the legendary whip, "Vampire Killer", which was passed down to him by his father, John Morris from Castlevania: Bloodlines. As he is not a direct descendant of the Belmont clan, he is unable to unlock the Vampire Killer's full power without the assistance of a member of the Lecarde family. Charlotte is a mage and distant descendant of the Belnades clan. Assisting Jonathan and Charolette is a priest named Vincent Dorin, who acts as a merchant selling weapons, potions, and magic spells, as well as a ghost who introduces himself as "Wind" and provides the duo new skills and equipment after completing quests.[10] Wind's identity is eventually revealed to be Eric Lecarde, who once fought alongside John Morris to slay Dracula in Bloodlines.

Similar to other Castlevania games, the main villain is Dracula who serves as the game's final boss. Portrait of Ruin introduces three new vampires who have taken control of Dracula's castle. Leading them is Brauner, who recreated Dracula's castle using the souls of the dead from World War II in order to draw power from the castle to destroy humanity.[13] During World War I, Brauner's daughters were killed, igniting a disdain towards humanity. Brauner is able to construct paintings containing pocket dimensions that harness the castle's power for his own purposes. He is joined by twin vampire sisters Stella and Loretta. Although the two are vampires, they are Eric Lecarde's daughters who were turned into vampires by Brauner, who they believe is their father.

Story

[edit]

Prior to the start of the game, the two sisters, Stella and Loretta travel to Dracula's castle in search of their father, Eric Lecarde. After finding their father defeated in Brauner's lair, Brauner turns the sisters into vampires.[14] At the beginning of the game, Jonathan and Charlotte encounter an enigmatic blue figure at the castle entrance. After the figure transforms into a humanoid male, he introduces himself as "Wind", who before his death, had cast a magical barrier to keep himself conscious within the castle.[15] Shortly after, Jonathan and Charlotte find one of Brauner's magical portraits and travel into the world within to destroy the painting.[16] Later, when entering the second portrait, they find the three vampires; Brauner laughs at the notion of reviving Dracula, as he has failed too many times to control humanity, but concedes his power is too great to ignore. Both sisters desire to kill the two heroes, but Brauner sees Dracula's servant Death as a greater threat. While exploring the castle, the duo encounter Death, who then leaves to destroy Brauner and revive Dracula.[17]

Jonathan and Charlotte encounter Stella, and after being defeated, she loses her locket while fleeing. Opening the locket, Charlotte finds a photo of the twins with Wind. When questioned, Wind confesses he is Eric Lecarde and that the twins are his children.[18] When Jonathan and Charlotte reach the tower spire, they find Dracula's throne room sealed off and conclude that Brauner is delaying Dracula's revival to siphon his power.[19] After searching the castle, Jonathan and Charlotte obtain the Sanctuary spell, a magical attack that dispels curses and allows the dead to rest in peace. During the battle with the twins, Charlotte cures the sisters of their vampirism, after which they regain their identities. The twins subsequently perform a ritual that allows Jonathan to utilize the Vampire Killer whip's full power.[20] Stella and Loretta then grant access to a portrait leading to Brauner's studio.[21]

The two heroes confront Brauner and defeat him. However, Death swoops in and kills Brauner, which breaks the seal to the Throne Room. Jonathan and Charlotte then go to battle with Dracula. Before they can engage Dracula, Death enters the room to aid Dracula.[22] During the battle, Death and Dracula merge into a more powerful form, but they are eventually defeated by Jonathan and Charlotte. Afterward, everyone flees the castle and watch it collapse from a distance. Later, the twins, Jonathan and Charlotte are visited in the fields outside by Eric's ghost, who advises his daughters and thanks Charlotte and Jonathan for destroying the curse before his spirit finally fades from existence.

Development

[edit]
Close up photograph of a handheld electronic video game system. The blue device consists of two flat rectangular pieces connected by a hinge. Both pieces have a small rectangular screen and the bottom piece has a directional pad and input buttons.
Portrait of Ruin was developed exclusively for the Nintendo DS to take advantage of the handheld system's unique technical capabilities.

Portrait of Ruin was developed by the same team that created Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow and published by Konami.[12] The development team was led by producer Koji Igarashi, who had been a part of the series' development since Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.[23][24] The team also included Shutaro Iida as a programmer.[24] After the success of Dawn of Sorrow on the Nintendo DS, Igarashi decided to continue developing for the handheld console as standard console development required more time. He also aimed to create something different as a challenge. The producer noted that some touch screen aspects of Dawn of Sorrow's gameplay broke the game's action rhythm, specifically drawing the magic seals and breaking blocks with the DS stylus. As a result, the team restricted the touch screen functions to primarily menus.[23]

The two player gameplay was an homage to Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse, which is both Igarashi and Iida's favorite Castlevania game.[24][25] In order to emphasize the two player combat, the developers included the ability to switch between characters as well as simultaneous joint attacks.[25] The team selected the story's hero early in production.[26] As the game was to be released on the series' 20th anniversary, Igarashi wanted the hero to use the Vampire Killer whip.[25] However, because the developers wanted the whip to be an ultimate weapon too powerful and legendary for the player to use, they believed that a character outside the Belmont family was the best choice. After deciding to use Jonathan Morris, the team felt that a World War II setting made sense. Since the series takes place inside Dracula's castle in every title, the designers had grown weary of creating indoor stages and elected to incorporate outdoor settings, which resulted in the stages within Brauer's paintings.[26] To create something different for the series, Igarashi wanted to utilize the Nintendo DS's integrated Nintendo WiFi Connection feature.[23] He felt that Nintendo had created a solid online infrastructure for the handheld console and that because many other developers had utilized it already, it was a necessity for mass appeal.[26] Because the online capabilities were new to the team, however, Igarashi considered this part of production very challenging.[23][26]

The team aimed to improve the visuals from the previous DS game by upgrading the graphics and display more characters and effects on the screen.[26] The anime style of artwork was retained from Dawn of Sorrow, which Igarashi had switched to in the previous title to appeal more to the younger demographics of the Nintendo handheld systems.[12][27][28] Although long-time fans expressed disappointment at the departure from Ayami Kojima's art style, Igarashi decided to retain the anime-style for Portrait of Ruin in order to attract new users to the series.[12] The team, however, decided to tone down the style's vividness to make the characters more "adult-looking" in order to appeal to both younger and older audiences.[12][23] Konami created the game's opening movie first, and afterward, used the movie as a reference to create the packaging materials.[23]

Audio

[edit]
See also: Music in the Castlevania series
Portrait photo of a Japanese man wearing a black suit and a navy tie.
Composer Yuzo Koshiro (shown in 2006) was recruited to the team based on his expertise working with less powerful audio hardware.

Portrait of Ruin features English voice-overs for portions of the game, a first for the handheld games. The original Japanese dialog is included as an easter egg.[26] Michiru Yamane returned to compose the music, with additional songs by Yuzo Koshiro. Other development staff coded the composed music to play on the system's sound hardware. Yamane wanted to try new tunes for the game and integrated more "pop" sound into the music as well as remixes of classic Castlevania songs. Igarashi had considered approaching Koshiro to compose Castlevania music for a while because he felt that Koshiro was talented at creating "fantastic" sound on weaker audio hardware. After the 2005 title Castlevania: Curse of Darkness, Yamane expressed that it was becoming difficult to create original ideas for the series. Igarashi saw this as an opportunity to bring in Koshiro in order to stimulate Yamane's creativity.[12] IGN noted that the style of the music tracks ranged from "hauntingly morose to almost jovially up-tempo".[29] The audio tracks are also accessible via a "Sound Mode" that is unlocked by defeating Dracula. The player can also collect records of certain tracks that can be used to replace the game's default background music. The songs "Sandfall" and "In Search of the Secret Spell" that play in the Forgotten City level are originally from Konami's own King's Valley 2 released on the MSX2 computer, composed by Koshiro.

Marketing and release

[edit]

Nintendo announced a new Castlevania for the DS on October 5, 2005.[30] Details of the game were not released until April 21, 2006, when Konami revealed the game's title and its World War II setting.[31] Further information was publicized at various trade shows and conventions leading up to the game's release to stores. Konami revealed the game trailer on May 9, 2006, its official E3 press conference.[32] The next day of the trade event, the gaming press was able to play the game and learned more about the two character gameplay.[33] More information concerning online gameplay was released a few months later at the 2006 San Diego Comic-Con, but details on how it would be implemented were still unconfirmed.[34] At the 2006 Games Convention in Germany, Konami presented an updated version of Portrait of Ruin to the gaming press.[35] In August ahead of the Tokyo Game Show, Konami announced the game's Japanese release date and title. [1] At the 2006 Tokyo Game Show in Japan the next month, Igarashi confirmed details about the WiFi modes, stating that Portrait of Ruin would have a cooperative time attack and an online shop mode. [12] [26]

Photograph of a collection of items: a black cardboard case about 5 inches by 7 inces with crimson plastic seal with the Castlevania emblem, a black music CD, a small fold-out vertical poster with a timeline extending from top to bottom, a small white plastic stylus pen for touchscreens, a small white plastic game case, and a black pocket-sized book with the Castlevania logo and emblem on the front cover.
To celebrate the series' 20th anniversary, Konami released an anniversary pre-order bundle.

Several pieces of Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin merchandise were released along with the game. Konami released an official strategy guide in Japan,[36] whereas BradyGames released the official guide in North America.[37] In celebration of the series' 20th anniversary, customers who pre-ordered Portrait of Ruin also received a free "20th Anniversary Pre-order Bundle".[38][39] The bundle includes a variety of Castlevania products contained in cardboard sleeve with a plastic seal of the Castlevania logo: a soundtrack CD of songs from the series, a series timeline poster featuring significant characters and in-game events, a 48-page art book featuring artwork throughout the series, a small DS game case designed to hold both Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow and Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin, and an extendable stylus.[38][39][25][40]

Reception

[edit]

Portrait of Ruin received "generally favorable reviews" from critics, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[46] The audio was well received. GameSpot called the music "excellent" and rated the sound a 9 out of 10.[6] Yahoo! Games rated the sound a 4.5 out of 5.[45] Game Informer called the audio a high point of the game, though complained about Charlotte always shouting the name of her attack.[41] Game Informer also praised the cooperative element and felt that more games should be designed like it.[48] IGN stated that "the dramatic score is enough to send a chill up your spine", though mentioned that amount of vocals was sparse.[42]

The gameplay received mixed reviews, though most were overall positive. GamePro complimented the multiplayer components and noted that the game "not only reaffirms the series' greatness, but is easily one of the best handheld games released this year." They also rated the game a 4.5 out of 5 in all categories.[49] Eurogamer commented that the two-character gameplay was complicated and sometimes awkward. They also compared it to its predecessor, stating that Portrait of Ruin deviated away from Dawn of Sorrow in terms of gameplay.[5] Game Informer called it "one of the best experiences in gaming" and complimented the story, setting, and game play.[50] Yahoo! Games called the game play "addictive" and praised the two character game play. They also complimented the online multiplayer, the setting, and the freedom to play the game with or without the DS's special functions, but criticized some of the dialog.[45] IGN stated that the game was not "the mind-blowing revelation that Dawn of Sorrow was", but still complemented the "solid" game play and called it an enjoyable experience.[42] GameSpot called it a great game because it "stays true to the familiar Castlevania design and delivers a fun, lengthy adventure."[6] Game Informer mentioned the two character play was "done before, but Portrait of Ruin's system is particularly smooth in execution."[41]

Several gaming publications bestowed Portrait of Ruin awards and distinctions. Game Informer awarded it "Handheld Game of the Month" for January 2007,[41] and listed it as one of the "Top 50 Games of 2006".[50] Portrait of Ruin also won "Best Original Score"[29] and was runner-up for "Best Adventure Game" in IGN's Best of 2006.[51] Dracula was listed as the third top villain of 2006 by Game Informer, citing the final boss fight in Portrait of Ruin as the reason.[52] 1UP.com listed it as the "Best DS Game" in their "Best of E3 2006" feature.[53] GameZone ranked it as the ninth best Castlevania game. Robert Workman (an editor for GameZone) complimented it for its changes to the series that came without a sacrifice to quality.[54]

Legacy

[edit]

Portrait of Ruin was followed by Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia in 2008 on the Nintendo DS. Developed by the same team, the game features a female protagonist and online multiplayer modes.[55][56] Jonathan and Charlotte along with an ensemble of Castlevania characters appear in the 2010 multiplayer-focused Castlevania: Harmony of Despair.[57] Konami also released a Pyramid level, based on Portrait of Ruin's Egyptian-theme stage, as downloadable content for Harmony of Despair.[58] On August 27, 2024, the game was re-released as part of the Castlevania Dominus Collection for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S alongside Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow, Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia, and Haunted Castle Revisited.[59][60]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Known in Japan as Akumajō Dracula Gyararī obu Rabirinsu (Japanese: 悪魔城ドラキュラ ギャラリー オブ ラビリンス, lit. 'Demon Castle Dracula: Gallery of Labyrinth')[1]
  2. ^ The 2005 title Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow features a competitive online multiplayer mode and is the first in the series to feature any type of multiplayer.

References

[edit]
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  14. ^ Loretta: Father! / Eric: S-Stay back! / Stella: But you're hurt so badly! / Eric: !! Brauner! / ... / Brauner: Have no fear. I shall grant you a world of peace, my beloved daughters... Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Limited (2006-12-05). Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (Nintendo DS). Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Limited.
  15. ^ Jonathan: !! Something's here?! / Charlotte: It's not human. / Johnathan: A Monster?! / Charlotte: No, wait! I sense no evil from him. / ... / Charlotte: I find it very odd to find a ghost not controlled by Dracula's castle. / Wind: A smart girl, compared to this foolish boy. Just before I died, I cast a magic barrier on myself, binding my soul to this place. I'm free from the castle's control, but I'm trapped here. Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Limited (2006-12-05). Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (Nintendo DS). Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Limited.
  16. ^ Charlotte: In short, think of it as a series of walls that surround the magic controlling Dracula's Castle. The painting itself is just the outermost wall. As soon as you break it, it'll regenerate. It's unbreakable. / Jonathan: How convenient. So now what? / Charlotte: I'll align my magic with the painting's so we can enter it. That'll be the best way to circumvent the castle's magic. The risk is quite high though. Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Limited (2006-12-05). Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (Nintendo DS). Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Limited.
  17. ^ Jonathan: Dracula isn't this castle's master anymore! Why are you here? / Death: My, what an odd thing to say. This castle belongs to Lord Dracula. To him and no one else. / Charlotte: I get it. You've joined forces with Brauner because you're thinking of resurrecting Dracula, aren't you? / Death: Brauner... Who are you talking about? / Jonathan: There's no point in playing dumb! We already know the current master of this castle is a vampire by the name of Brauner! / Death: Vampire Brauner... Even with my power, I didn't sense that. It seems I have been dormant for far too long. Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Limited (2006-12-05). Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (Nintendo DS). Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Limited.
  18. ^ Wind: ... Ah, indeed, I do. Let me tell you my real name. It's Eric. Eric Lecarde. / ... / Charlotte: Then what's your relationship with the two girls in the photo? / Eric: They're my daughters. Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Limited (2006-12-05). Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (Nintendo DS). Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Limited.
  19. ^ Jonathan: What the? I can see the way ahead but I can't move forward! / Charlotte: Hold on a minute... This is the way to the throne, but it's spatially segregated. / ... / Charlotte: Simply put, there's something like an invisible wall here. Brauner said he had separated Dracula from the castle. This is what he was talking about. Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Limited (2006-12-05). Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (Nintendo DS). Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Limited.
  20. ^ Jonathan: The vampire's control seems to be fading. It's a success! / Charlotte: Well, of course. "No problem", as you would say. / Loretta: We... What have we been doing? / Stella: ... The heir to the Vampire Killer. Jonathan Morris, correct? I apologize for all that we have put you through. / Jonathan: Huh? Oh sure. N-No problem. / Stella: And Miss Charlotte, thank you so much for setting us free. / ... / Stella: One more thing. It's about the Vampire Killer. / Loretta: We can perform a ritual to unlock the power of the whip. Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Limited (2006-12-05). Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (Nintendo DS). Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Limited.
  21. ^ Stella: The studio painting is sealed by four paintings surrounding it. / Charlotte: Meaning we need to break the seal to enter the painting. / ... / Loretta: The door to the inner room can only be opened by either Brauner or ourselves. Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Limited (2006-12-05). Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (Nintendo DS). Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Limited.
  22. ^ Jonathan: Oh, so you're ignoring me? Turn and face me! / Death: You will not touch Lord Dracula! This time, let's fight for real! / Dracula: Enough with this sideshow. Why don't we show him our combined power? Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Limited (2006-12-05). Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (Nintendo DS). Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Limited.
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