1. I really don't care as long as the game is fun.

Posted at 8:23PM on Apr 21st 2006 by Crazylink

2. they will likely move the series away from the "realistic" look for the DS. This way they'll pull in the kiddies, and they know people like you and me will buy it anyways. I expect we won't be seeing this style on the console versions. (but they're such garbage anyways so who really cares?)

Posted at 8:39PM on Apr 21st 2006 by Nik

3. Uhhhh...are you NOT looking at the screenshots? The style is different, but not "saturday morning" as you so cleverly spew. And that knight thingy looks at bad as any badguy in the GBA/DS games.

The screens are right there, and they're fine! Good god, get over it.

You point has been debunked, move on.

Posted at 9:10PM on Apr 21st 2006 by Artimus

4. It looks like shit. Don't flame me, I'm still buying it, but I prefer the old Style.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Posted at 9:41PM on Apr 21st 2006 by boots

5. Hey Artimus, if you look at the character portraits and official art, you'll see what he was talking about. It did irk me in DoS after playing AoS. Here, see for yourself:
http://namerehwon.no-ip.info/SomaAoS.gif
http://namerehwon.no-ip.info/SomaDoS.jpg

Posted at 11:54PM on Apr 21st 2006 by MoeWong

6. Can we stop with the "CASTLEVANIA ART STYLE WHAT DO YOU THINK????" stuff? This question might have been valid months ago when DoS came out, but now? And everyone is making a fuss about how they hate it so much...didn't any one of you people see DoS? I don't even care about the artwork. I liked the unoriginal anime opening to AoS a little bit. The single thing that has me on this game? WORLD WAR II + Castlevania. Genius that has been long overdue.

Posted at 1:39AM on Apr 22nd 2006 by alraydius

7. http://dsmedia.ign.com/ds/image/article/702/702709/castlevania-portrait-of-ruin-20060421023244333.jpg

There is absolutely nothing wrong with this art style, especially for in-game. It looks just as good as any handheld game, and honestly, WHO CARES? Dawn of Sorrow is among the greatest portable games in history, and your complaining about the god-forsaken graphics?

Don't sit there and claim to be a DS Fanboy (that WAS the name of the site last I checked) while mocking one of the best game franchises of all time because it's DS sequel has a, heaven-forbid, ANIME look to it. In fact, don't even claim to be a gamer with talk like that. Newsflash: anime is very popular, and some people believe it or not LIKE IT. If you don't, GET OVER IT and remember that having fun with the gameplay is really all that matters.

Graphics-whores are by far the most shallow-minded gamers of all...

Posted at 1:57AM on Apr 22nd 2006 by Nmaster

8. "Dawn of Sorrow is among the greatest portable games in history, and your complaining about the god-forsaken graphics?"

Is Portrait of Ruin among the greatest portable games in history? Have you played it? No. The ONLY thing we can discuss and evaluate right now is the artwork. We don't like it. It's called an opinion, and we shared it. You don't have to like it.

"In fact, don't even claim to be a gamer with talk like that."

Ha!

"Don't sit there and claim to be a DS Fanboy (that WAS the name of the site last I checked) while mocking one of the best game franchises of all time because it's DS sequel has a, heaven-forbid, ANIME look to it."

Where do we mock Castlevania? We've said again and again that we don't like the art direction the series is going into because we loved and respected the way it was before. Just read the last paragraph of this post and you'll see it, clear as day. And yeah, the site is called DS Fanboy - that doesn't mean we have to blindly accept and love everything related to the system. It means we hold these companies to even higher standards and we're still very much free to criticize where we feel its appropriate.

"Newsflash: anime is very popular, and some people believe it or not LIKE IT."

I love anime - and not all anime artwork looks the same either. Some art styles I enjoy, others I don't. Same with Castlevania.

"If you don't, GET OVER IT and remember that having fun with the gameplay is really all that matters."

Yeah, but that doesn't mean the other aspects of a game should just be ignored. Castlevania games depend great deal on atmosphere and art is directly related to that. We NEVER criticized the gameplay - not once. You're just having a defensive, knee-jerk reaction.

"Graphics-whores are by far the most shallow-minded gamers of all..."

And those that claim graphics aren't important are often the most pretentious gamers of all. Besides, a graphics-whore judges a game based on its graphics alone. This is DS Fanboy's stance on Portrait of Ruin so far:

"We're looking forward to it, but we don't like the art style."

Right.

Posted at 4:55AM on Apr 22nd 2006 by Ludwig Kietzmann

9. Huh. It takes place during WWII and is made by the japenese...0.0 I wonder if the bombing of Heroshima will get mentioned.

Posted at 8:02AM on Apr 22nd 2006 by Colin

10. #9 - colin - .. what bombing? I don't remember any bombing?

To quote .. I think family guy - "We were all on vacation!!! Nothing happened!"

Posted at 11:43AM on Apr 22nd 2006 by zverg

11. I think it's ironic. You guys whine and bitch about the "new" anime style, then turn around and start praising Rondo of Blood as the best game in the series that they need to port over here.

Funny how you can pre-judge an anime-based game you've never played so highly, then look at this new one and pre-judge it so harshly.

Seriously... stop looking for a reason to bitch and just be glad that they're making a new Castlevania game period.

Posted at 3:46PM on Apr 22nd 2006 by WhiteTigerShiro

12. Man, quite a few people with strung-up nerves in this thread.

Look, nobody is harping on the gameplay of your beloved series. We all like the portable Castlevanias as much as the next guy (or girl). But seriously, there's no reason Ayami Kojima shouldn't still be doing the portraits.

Don't even start on the "but graphics don't even matter!" tirade, unless you live in a bleak white room with no posters and post on a computer with a plain one-color background on the desktop, the one that sits next to your wardrobe of plain white t-shirts and blue jeans.

While gameplay first and foremost comes first, the human eye loves beauty, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Christ. Next you're going to tell me I'd have no reason to complain if they replace Symphony of the Night's soundtrack with audio clips of cats in heat.

Posted at 4:12PM on Apr 22nd 2006 by TxdoHawk

13. Castlevania + 2D = usually a game purchase
Castlevania + 3D = usually a soundtrack purchase

Agreed with Txdo on the graphics. Beauty is good, though when that is the first focus, the flavor doesn't last long, and there lies a renter. Gameplay first, then music, then the rest (differs for everyone, music vs. art order).

I think the portable systems have the least loss of profits from piracy, but maybe that's just my a.d.d. mind. I would rather have the great portability of a DS Lite with E-books, music, wi-fi, and such without lugging a laptop or sitting at a pc, regardless the resolution and sound quality I could attain with a $1200 gigabyte videocard. Nintendo is working well again, as I haven't been this excited about their lineup (Revolution and DS Lite) since the days of the snes.

Yes, shall buy castlevania, although I was not thrilled with the soundtrack to the last DS release, nor the gba releases...they were o.k at best, with a few somewhat memorable tunes.

Posted at 5:30PM on Apr 22nd 2006 by Lao jia = famicom

14. yes, the art direction stinks of rotten rancid fish meat and moldy eggs, here's one point in favor of the author's opinion

Posted at 6:12PM on Apr 22nd 2006 by James

15. "Is Portrait of Ruin among the greatest portable games in history? Have you played it? No. The ONLY thing we can discuss and evaluate right now is the artwork. We don't like it. It's called an opinion, and we shared it. You don't have to like it."

If all we can evaluate is the artwork, then why do I keep getting the feeling your trashing the entire game, gameplay included, JUST due to the artwork? You don't like the artwork? That's your opinion? Fine, great. It's not your opinion I wholly disagree with, it's how you bring it to the forefront of the posts and give off the feeling this game is gonna stink because of it. Maybe I'm interpreting you wrong, but when I read the posts that is the message I, and I'm sure many other readers, recieve. You even suggest you may not even play the game the art is just SOOO "horrific". Why not revel in the fact they are making the game rather than simply looking at the negative? If you simply said something like, "we're not big fans of the artwork, but it's good to see the series continuing," that would have fit better, and nobody would have any problems. You could present the readers "did you enjoy Dawn of Sorrow? Did you feel the art style affected your gameplay?"

"Where do we mock Castlevania? We've said again and again that we don't like the art direction the series is going into because we loved and respected the way it was before. Just read the last paragraph of this post and you'll see it, clear as day."

Oh yeah, I see it. "I really can't take any more of these androgynous characters that look like they were ripped from an episode of Yugi-Oh." Very clear. Ignoring this series large history of amazingly fun gameplay because the art. That's not at all disrespectful of the franchise. It's great you loved and respected the art of old, but the developers deserve respect themselves for continuing the series tradition of great gameplay. That is what's MOST important.

"And yeah, the site is called DS Fanboy - that doesn't mean we have to blindly accept and love everything related to the system. It means we hold these companies to even higher standards and we're still very much free to criticize where we feel its appropriate."

Of course not. That would make you a one in a million Nintendo fansite, and I wouldn't keep reading the Joystiq/Fanboy network if it were that shallow. And generally I value a writer's input, as I think most due, for better or worse. That said, I still think you would be able to give the benefit of the doubt in a situation such as this. That doesn't mean ignore the art, that doesn't mean lie and say you like it. It means don't bash the game for it, don't make that what's important. It means recognize this game announcement is a GOOD thing and your critique on the art should take a major backseat to that (especially in the case of art, which is something that is so HIGHLY opinionated and arguable from person to person).

"Yeah, but that doesn't mean the other aspects of a game should just be ignored. Castlevania games depend great deal on atmosphere and art is directly related to that. We NEVER criticized the gameplay - not once."

I definitly agree with you on the first part. Graphics can be an important part of any game, and while gameplay and fun factor and without-a-doubt the MOST important aspects, the other factors of game development cannot be ignored. However, I would disagree a bit with the second part, and immensly with the third. I don't feel myself the 2D games are drastically affected by the art. The in-game graphics certainly play a huge role, and do create a good atmosphere for the game, which is important. However, the art style, which in reality only applys to box art, maybe one or two animated scenes, and the still-image cutscenes, really plays a small role in the overall game, IMO. And while you never DIRECTLY criticized gameplay, it is my implication that feels you alluding to the game greatly suffering, possibly even to the point you'd be unwilling to play the game, due simply to it's art style. I take that as criticizing gameplay.

"You're just having a defensive, knee-jerk reaction."

I wouldn't disagree with that. I can't help but defend a series who's last iteration (DoS) pulled me in like few games have in my lifetime. I enjoyed it immensly, and it should be noted I've never truly been a serious Castlevania fan. Thus, it holds that I become defensive when the sequel that may provide me with that wonderful gaming experience again is put under negative critique that I cannot agree with or understand. I may have come across more volatile than I normally would like to due in fact to my "knee-jerk reaction", but my opinions still hold firm regardless of my initial hot-headed reaction (which I do submit my apologies for).

"And those that claim graphics aren't important are often the most pretentious gamers of all. Besides, a graphics-whore judges a game based on its graphics alone."

The claim graphics AREN'T important may be pretentious, but the claim they are of LITTLE importance relatively is justifiable, which represents my personal stance. I may have jumped the gun on brandishing the graphics-whores term, but I think in this specific case you are if nothing else certainly being very nitpicky.

"This is DS Fanboy's stance on Portrait of Ruin so far: 'We're looking forward to it, but we don't like the art style.' "

Now there's a stance I can totally swallow, even go so far as to agree with (I personally would say I don't "prefer" the art style though). If you left your conflict with the art to a mere couple sentences, or even a slightly less passionate paragraph, I would have no quarrel. I just wish you could focus away from that negative and more on the joy that this is the announcment of this sequel. It feels like an injustice to me to proclaim to the world (you guys do realize the Joystiq network is one of the most popular gaming sites around, right?), that a coming game will likely be a disappoint due to it's art and/or graphics.

I hope you can see where I'm coming from. I definitly understand your distaste, I just feel you should give at least equal space to the success of Dawn of Sorrow and the gameplay legacy Castlevania has left over the years.

Posted at 9:53PM on Apr 22nd 2006 by Nmaster

16. By the way, for those looking for the reason WHY the Castlevania series moved away from the old look, here's your answer...

Reason 1 is Ayami Kojima. Ayami was responsible for the old cool artwork everyone cherishes so much back in Aria of Sorrow. She afterwards however was placed on work for the 3D series. Since Kojima's not working on Portrait of Ruin and Curse of Darkness has been finished for a good while now, it is quite possible there may be another 3D Castlevania in the works, or maybe she's on a different project or even simply taking a break, there's really no way to know for sure.

The second reason, the one so many have guessed, is marketing. For this, I'll quote Dawn of Sorrow's producer:

"...we had [Ayami's] design for the GBA game, [but] we weren't able to make it sell successfully, although the game itself scored high with reviewers and fans. We asked Sales for their thoughts - our conclusion was that GBA hardware demographics did not match the Castlevania target age group. As a developer, I was confident that the game was not only for mature audiences, so we made a bid decision to go with an anime style, to appeal to the younger audience."

To be honest, I think their strategy worked. While many of us may not like it, I certainly can't blame Konami for running a company. If the choice was between anime Castlevania or no Castlevania, I'm certainly content with the result. I would think however, given the DS's ever increasing demographic range as more and more non-games release, that it would be safe for them to return to the old style at some point soon, maybe with a sequel to Portrait of Ruin. As long as the series continues at all however, I know I'll be happy. We can only sit back and pray for the return of Ayami to the 2D realm (I think we can all agree that Curse of Darkness, despite it's great art, didn't hold a candle to Dawn of Sorrow overall).

Posted at 10:14PM on Apr 22nd 2006 by Nmaster

17. "If all we can evaluate is the artwork, then why do I keep getting the feeling your trashing the entire game, gameplay included, JUST due to the artwork?"

I honestly don't know. :)

"You don't like the artwork? That's your opinion? Fine, great. It's not your opinion I wholly disagree with, it's how you bring it to the forefront of the posts and give off the feeling this game is gonna stink because of it. Maybe I'm interpreting you wrong, but when I read the posts that is the message I, and I'm sure many other readers, recieve. You even suggest you may not even play the game the art is just SOOO "horrific"."

Where do we suggest that? I don't see it. All I see is the article's author (that would be Dave, not me) saying we'll be keeping a close eye on it. That's a good thing! :)

"Why not revel in the fact they are making the game rather than simply looking at the negative? If you simply said something like, "we're not big fans of the artwork, but it's good to see the series continuing," that would have fit better, and nobody would have any problems. You could present the readers "did you enjoy Dawn of Sorrow? Did you feel the art style affected your gameplay?""

I understand where you're coming from, but I think if we posted how awesome this news was and how great the game was going to be, it would put is in a suspicious light. Yeah, we like the series, but that doesn't guarantee this game will be brilliant. This sounds silly, but we can't let our personal excitement dictate what we as a site think about a game. It's best we reserve our overly gleeful opinion until we've actually played the game, yes?

"Oh yeah, I see it. "I really can't take any more of these androgynous characters that look like they were ripped from an episode of Yugi-Oh." Very clear."

From that same paragraph: "Where are the inspired concepts and Victorian beauty inherent in the franchise's previous stylings such as Symphony of the Night and Super Castlevania IV? Dracula looked so menacing and evil, yet held an awkwardly graceful and beautiful presence that almost made you want him to win."

" It's great you loved and respected the art of old, but the developers deserve respect themselves for continuing the series tradition of great gameplay. That is what's MOST important."

Sure, but we haven't played it yet. We can't say anything positive or negative about Portrait of Ruin's gameplay yet.

"Of course not. That would make you a one in a million Nintendo fansite, and I wouldn't keep reading the Joystiq/Fanboy network if it were that shallow. And generally I value a writer's input, as I think most due, for better or worse. That said, I still think you would be able to give the benefit of the doubt in a situation such as this. That doesn't mean ignore the art, that doesn't mean lie and say you like it. It means don't bash the game for it, don't make that what's important. It means recognize this game announcement is a GOOD thing and your critique on the art should take a major backseat to that (especially in the case of art, which is something that is so HIGHLY opinionated and arguable from person to person)."

I think the fact that art IS so highly opinionated and arguable makes it perfect for posting on this blog and subsequently discussing. :)

"And while you never DIRECTLY criticized gameplay, it is my implication that feels you alluding to the game greatly suffering, possibly even to the point you'd be unwilling to play the game, due simply to it's art style. I take that as criticizing gameplay."

I honestly don't see that being conveyed by this post. Certainly not that we'd be "unwilling to play the game."

"I wouldn't disagree with that. I can't help but defend a series who's last iteration (DoS) pulled me in like few games have in my lifetime. I enjoyed it immensly, and it should be noted I've never truly been a serious Castlevania fan. Thus, it holds that I become defensive when the sequel that may provide me with that wonderful gaming experience again is put under negative critique that I cannot agree with or understand. I may have come across more volatile than I normally would like to due in fact to my "knee-jerk reaction", but my opinions still hold firm regardless of my initial hot-headed reaction (which I do submit my apologies for)."

I'm as big a fan of the series as you are. I even believe that Lament of Innocence and Curse of Darkness are quite underrated. :) The thing is, as much I would like to post that yeah, Portratit of Ruin is gonna be an awesome game, I can't do that based on so little evidence. It would be a disservice to you guys. The fact that I'm a huge fan exacerbates my feelings on the art style.

"The claim graphics AREN'T important may be pretentious, but the claim they are of LITTLE importance relatively is justifiable, which represents my personal stance. I may have jumped the gun on brandishing the graphics-whores term, but I think in this specific case you are if nothing else certainly being very nitpicky."

Possibly, but I think artwork is possibly at its most important in a 2D game.

"Now there's a stance I can totally swallow, even go so far as to agree with (I personally would say I don't "prefer" the art style though). If you left your conflict with the art to a mere couple sentences, or even a slightly less passionate paragraph, I would have no quarrel. I just wish you could focus away from that negative and more on the joy that this is the announcment of this sequel. It feels like an injustice to me to proclaim to the world (you guys do realize the Joystiq network is one of the most popular gaming sites around, right?), that a coming game will likely be a disappoint due to it's art and/or graphics."

We never say it'll be a disappointment. Just to reiterate that. :)

"I hope you can see where I'm coming from. I definitly understand your distaste, I just feel you should give at least equal space to the success of Dawn of Sorrow and the gameplay legacy Castlevania has left over the years."

We'll give more space to Portrait of Ruin's gameplay in a few weeks time. Then everyone will be happy. Err...unless the game play horribly. Unlikely, but you never know, right? :)

Posted at 8:35AM on Apr 23rd 2006 by Ludwig Kietzmann

18. I think it's hilarious that some DS fanboys are so fanboyish that they can't accept criticism from fellow fanboys about the art style of an upcoming game.

I agree, it DOES look more anime-cartoony, and the naysayers are correct, this isn't a good look for this game. Castlevania isn't supposed to be bright with primary colors and clean lines, it's supposed to be dark and gothic, an artistic achievement that's somewhat rare on a Nintendo platform.

Are other good games also cartoony, even moreso? Absolutely. That doesn't have a thing to do with whether the look fits CASTLEVANIA, though. And admittedly, the game could still be great, it's just that the art style is a fairly big part of what makes this particular game franchise so highly anticipated. When that aspect looks to be in question, people, well, QUESTION it.

Hardcore fanboy apologists need to get over it. The change in aesthetic isn't good. Even the Japanese developers are human and they can make bad choices with the direction of their products just like anyone else. This looks like one of them, sadly.

Posted at 4:19PM on Apr 23rd 2006 by pixelator

19. Must you cut and paste every single word of a post when some of your replies are simply, "I honestly don't know. :)"? I understand wanting to stick up for your peer, but you would be better served to keep it short(er) and sweet.

I don't mind successive posts on the same game if it's different news. This post only mentioned the art style at the end, yet that's all most of you have focused on. Thanks for the update, David.

Posted at 6:34PM on Apr 23rd 2006 by jV

20. Ok....heres the jig......it makes the game more enjoyable as long as it contains kick ass graphics and sound....that makes the style of art very important....think about it...what would you rather play.....kirby style graphics(good for kids)....or mouth wattering noir art which gives the game a better look and it would feel better...
BUT HEY!!!!! thats just my opinion...im gettin the game ...are you????

Posted at 6:48PM on Apr 24th 2006 by M-BOT