Castlevania: Lament of Innocence
by VGLN Staff

Sunday, May 18, 2003

Playable at E3, this game showed lots of promise.

Konami of America, Inc announced today that the legendary Castlevania® franchise will make a long-awaited next-generation console debut with the November 2003 release of Castlevania®: Lament of Innocence™ for the Sony PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. Castlevania®: Lament of Innocence™ marks the first 3D Castlevania® game to be developed by the series’ luminary producer Koji Igarashi.

Set in the 11th Century, Castlevania®: Lament of Innocence™ thrusts players ten centuries into the past and casts them in the role of Leon Belmont, the forefather of the legendary Belmont Clan and the first in the family’s long line of vampire hunters. With social and political activities operating under the oppressive grip of clergy during the Crusades, Leon is a nobleman about to be engaged to his beloved Sara. However, when his young lover disappears one fateful evening, Leon sets out to rescue her. Armed with only a dagger, it is not until an unexpected ally, an alchemist, offers him a protective whip that Leon is ready to begin his hunt. The rich story of Castlevania®: Lament of Innocence™ follows Leon through the perilous forest and into Dracula’s foreboding gothic Castle.

Upon entering the castle, players will step into an ethereal world that is guarded by blood thirsty guards and ruled by Dracula’s wicked whimsy. Players will face five doors – each one leading into a dark area of the castle – the Cathedral, the Theatre, the Garden, the Alchemist Laboratory and the Dungeon. Trekking through hundreds of rooms, players will battle over 35 different kinds of enemies before facing the final boss. Fighting tooth and nail in each monster battle, Leon must combine his whip and five sub-weapons (Holy Water, Dagger, Cross, Axe and Crystal) to defeat the monsters. Additionally, seven orbs can be combined with 10 action relics in order to create powerful attacks and stunning special effects. Featuring a fixed camera and intuitive controls, Castlevania®: Lament of Innocence™ delivers a groundbreaking action/adventure experience that is designed to satisfy core Castlevania® fans as well as players that are new to the series.

--- Kit