Get ready for more 2D action from the Castlevania series.
The latest issue of Electronics Gaming Monthly reveals the first information on Konami's Castlevania sequel for the Nintendo DS. The game, which will probably receive a subtitle in the coming months, is due by fall 2005. It is a direct sequel to Aria of Sorrow, the last Castlevania title released for Game Boy Advance.
Castlevania DS retains the gameplay and graphical style of its predecessor; that is to say, it is a strictly 2D action game with level designs heavily influenced by the Metroid series. Konami is harnessing the sprite-pushing abilities of the DS, which the developer claims are superior to those of the original Playstation, where this style of Castlevania game got its start with Symphony of the Night.
The story of Castlevania DS takes place in 2036 A.D., one year after the events in Aria of Sorrow. The hero, Soma, is being pursued by a death cult who want him to embrace his supressed identity as Dracula. All of the supporting characters will return, including Arikado (Alucard, son of Dracula and star of Symphony of the Night).
The main action in Castlevania DS will take place on the lower screen, but the game will be controlled primarily with the face buttons. The stylus is only used during boss battles, in which the player must draw a certain symbol on the screen in order to finish off the boss. The top screen is used to display the castle map at all times, which should prove useful in a game with so much exploration and backtracking.
We'll have more information and screenshots of this highly anticipated game as soon as possible!