Castlevania makes its way to the NintendoDS system and comes out very well! DoS is the sequel to the GBA's Aria of Sorrow. Soma returns after one year in his previous adventure. A strange cult is out to resurrect Dracula. You as Soma, being a victim to almost becoming the dark lord, look into it. The game's format is just like the in previous Castlevanias. Explore the castle, find new powers, explore further into the castle and until ultimately, finish to your goal. The game is in 2d format side scroller format. You would think this would be a bad thing, considering the power the DS can offer (To me it's a N64 that's shrunk down power wise :)). However, it is well applied.

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The games graphics are wonderfully well done. All the basic stuff is in this version just like the last Castlevania. Soma can collect weapons, new armor, buy/get potions, and most importantly, collect souls of your enemies. Overall this the same Castlevania with alot more elements applied to it. One thing that is added, is that you can synth weapons to become stronger with the souls you've collected. The feature of two screens lets you easily access your map or your current stats of Soma by simply hitting the select button. I love how the dual screen is applied! Where as in the previous castlevanias, you had to hit the select button to stop action, study the map, then head to your location. This tedious feature is removed in this castlevania.

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Most games that have come out for the DS, the main action is on the top screen, not the bottom screen. In DoS, all action is on the bottom screen. Some players may not like this and there isn't an option to switch the screens. It would have been nice if they would have given you the option of choosing which screen to use. Your doodling comes in handy in this castlevania. In order to defeat a boss, you must draw a seal to kill the boss. When the boss is about to die, you have to draw a seal on your touch pad to defeat the boss. Draw it incorrectly or waste too much time, the boss will regain some of its hp back and you'll have to fight it a bit more and try again. The game is forgiving on drawing the seals.

Near the end, you might need your stylus for more complex seals. It's an interesting concept. Other powers you'll learn is by touching the screen and destroying ice blocks needed to goto the next area. Overall, the touch screen is not applied in DoS. Upon finishing the game, you'll unlock a boss rush mode and a sound test. Theres also a feature of adding a challenge room for yourself and other players but its not that overall good. There is also one other mode called Julius mode, where you can play as him and two other characters. Very well done and its worth playing through again. Overall, Cvania DoS is a great castlevania game. Any fan of the series should give it a try!

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Graphics: 1.000/1.000 (Wonderfully well done and colorful.)

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Sound: 1.000/1.000 (Music is great and goes with the vania series)

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Control: 0.800/1.000 (Control is good and touchpad response is clear)

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Storyline: 1.000/1.000 (As good as it gets for a vania game, can't complain)

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Gameplay: 0.700/1.000 (Game isn't very long, the option of picking the top screen for action would be nice, bosses put up a good fight. Numerous of souls and enemies to fight.)

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