The overall game is short, about 10 or 11 hours, but gameplay is so sharp that it should be regarded as an instant classic.

Let me preface this review by stating for the record, that I am a devoted Castlevania fan. I have played each iteration of this game dating back to 1987, when I was 17 years old. I am now at the ripe old age of 33, so in essence I have grown up with this series.

Previous comments notwithstanding, I still have a responsibility to review this game fairly and without prejudice, so that our readers can determine if the game is worth the price of admission.

Much controversy has surrounded Lament of Innocence since information first began leaking to the public that a next-gen offering was in the works. When Konami announced that the first PS2 installment would not be a side scrolling platformer, many purists immediately panned the game before the development cycle was even complete.

Although sometimes I myself fall into that trap, I was actually excited that the team who brought us Symphony of the Night was going to be responsible for development of the new title. If nothing else, we can commend Konami on their bravery to make this a 3D action game after the well known Castlevania N64 debacle. By the way, the team that developed this game was not the same team who developed the N64 title.

Castlevania: LOI actually pre-dates every other title in the series by warping us back in time to the 11th century. Our hero and as we now know, patriarch of the Belmont clan, is Leon Belmont. He is portrayed as a valiant warrior whose nobility equals his strength. When his best friend Mathias fall mysteriously ill and his love Sara is kidnapped, Leon knows that something in the kingdom has gone terribly awry.

The situation decays even further as hideous monsters began attacking the kingdom and Leon is told that Sara is being held captive in a castle by an evil vampire. This is where Leon begins his quest to vanquish the evil doer and rescue his beloved Sara.

As discussed earlier, game play in Castlevania: LOI unfolds from a third person perspective. You begin with only a leather whip, and as you progress through the game, Leon’s attacks are continually enhanced. Now, there have been a few publications who have drawn comparisons of this game to Devil May Cry and Rygar: The Legendary Adventure.

In my opinion, the similarities are cosmetic in nature. It’s true that the action in LOI is similar to the fast paced style of DMC, with the camera system reminiscent of Rygar, but once you put a good two or three hours into this game you will begin to see that LOI is a distinct experience.

The major complaint that I have with this game is that the camera is always in a fixed position. Therefore, you cannot rotate it manually. This is an irritant when fighting in small rooms or hallways, as you can’t always see the enemy’s attack.

To give you a brief synopsis of game play, you enter one of the castle’s numerous rooms with multiple enemies and dispatch them in typical Castelvania style. As you continue to defeat foe after foe, Leon begins to acquire upgrades that allow him to combo his enemies, as well as use some of the other traditional weapons associated with the series. At certain points in the game you will encounter a traditional “boss” enemy who will test your wit and gaming skills.

The action feels rock solid, and is as tight as any game of this genre. In fact, I was beginning to believe that this title was going to be a cake-walk, until I began exploring more of the castle. There does come a point when the enemies you face become incredibly difficult and can only be defeated with certain weapons or potions.

There are some platforming elements to contend with, but surprisingly they make up a very small percentage of the overall game. When faced with this aspect of the title, the camera again becomes a source of tension. Some of the multiple jumps and leaps appear much more difficult than they really are, and most players will have to retry several times before successfully navigating through to the next area.

Everything considered though, the game play is solid and more than acceptable for a Castlevania title. I have to give credit where it’s due because Konami did an admirable job considering LOI is the PS2 rookie offering in the Castlevania saga.

From a graphical perspective, this game is sublimely brilliant. I had resigned myself to the fact that Splinter Cell and Devil May Cry would always be the two best looking PS2 games, but LOI has beaten both of them.

The overall environment is huge compared to other titles of this kind and although large, they are not lacking in artistic touch. I don’t know what the 11th century was like, but this game makes me believe that I’m there each time I play. Also, every room and texture screams a gothic style that will constantly keep the player mesmerized.

Lighting effects are of Ubi Soft quality and there is hardly any hint of slowdown. This includes the multiple on-screen enemies and the dazzling effects of Leon’s attacks. If there is a PS2 title with better graphics and artistic flair, I haven’t played it.

The musical score and sound effects are fantastic. Michiru Yamane is as brilliant as ever, and although the purists will undoubtedly scoff at some of the modern industrial sounding tracks, I felt that this was perfect timing for her to inject some new excitement into the tried and true Castelvania melodies.

Sound effects are what you would expect from this series. There’s nothing really new and exciting on this front, but there is not a drop off in quality from previous titles either. Obviously, the music is what has carried the series in the past (from the sound perspective), and LOI is no exception to this tradition.

The game’s production values are for the most part excellent. The English voice-overs are a bit over the top and seem a little on the cheesy side. If you prefer, you can change the spoken dialogue to Japanese if it’s too much of an irritant.

Another extra goodie is the limited edition music sampler that comes with pre-ordering the game. I had hoped that Konami would follow the path of the earlier released Silent Hill III, and include the soundtrack bundled inside each jewel case sold. Unfortunately, only those that had the forethought to pre-buy will get to experience this treasure trove of heavenly symphonic tunes.

There are 13 tracks from LOI, three from the Gameboy title Aria of Sorrow, and 12 tracks from Symphony of the Night.

This entire package is as solid as they come. Still, I left feeling that the old Castlevania magic was not as evident as it has been in past games. I have to chalk that up to tradition, as over the last 16 years all but a couple of games have been side scrolling masterpieces, rather than the new fangled 3D approach.

If you loved Devil May Cry and Symphony of the Night you will more than likely love Castlevania: Lament of Innocence. The overall game is short, about 10 or 11 hours, but gameplay is so sharp that it should be regarded as an instant classic. I have no doubt that most fans will revisit just like they do with Symphony of the Night.

Review by Michael Harris.