So I'm going to start a little something different with my reviews. A one-sentence break down right at the head to give you a quick hit "what I thought of it" write-up. Then if you want more details, read the rest. Respek!

So here it goes, Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin has everything you love about 2D Castlevania games, and a little bit extra just to make it better.

Let it be said... nay, screamed from the mountaintops. I LOVE me some 2D Castlevania. A perfect mix of the old school and the new. Castle explorin, Item collectin, boss battlin, level-uppin, and monster killin'. That's actually a recipe for a damn good game right there.

The last Castlevania game on the DS (Dawn of Sorrow) was probably the best since the now classic "Symphony of the Night" for the PS1, a game that brought the 2D genre back. Not to discount the Gameboy iterations, which were damn good. Portrait of Ruin is pretty much more of the same as Dawn, with a few additions that make it a must-play for fans of the series.

The biggest change is that now there's 2 characters to play as, though they simplify the juggling of the characters to keep the pace at the action/adventure level. John Morris and Charlotte something-or-other. One's a stronger fighter, the other's strength is magic. They both share hit points and level up equally. On an RPG this would never work, but here it's a welcome change. The last thing I want to do in a game like this is spend time in sub menus managing character stats. There's a hint of managment here, mostly around equipping the 2 characters with armor and weapons, but it's simple. You equip the more powerful item and move on. Switching is simple, one button press and the other either joins the fight or tags the other out. (Though for most of the game I found myself favoring Charlotte the magician chick).

Moving throughout the castle feels like second nature at this point, though this castle is nothing like the layout of past games. But you have you same basic areas, out front, dining, depths, tower, etc. But this time around, the game adds in a new wrinkle that ends up adding alot. You get the chance (via the portraits) to exit the castle and explore some other lands. It's a chance to see some totally new areas and it's a very welcome addition to the formula.

The story is lackluster and really not important in the least. You're a vampire hunter with some tenuous connection to the Belmonts and your stopping someone from bringing Dracula back yadda yadda yadda. Suffice to say it gives you a reason to go on a whip-weilding rampage, and that's all that matters.

I miss 2D adventure games like hell on my home consoles, so luckily my handhelds are there to fill the void. Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin is an excellent addition to anyone's collection of 2D adventure games. It's almost a perfect execution of what it aims to be.

8 out of 10

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