"Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia" mixes up the series formula a bit and is an improvement over the last game, "Portrait of Ruin." Players control Shanoa, a woman with the ability to absorb and manifest glyphs as weapons and spells. She can use up to three at a time, and in combination they produce powerful special attacks.
The game is structured differently from most recent "Castlevania" titles. Instead of a single large castle to explore, Shanoa can visit different locations at will by selecting available places on a map of the game's world. Each area is self-contained.The graphics are in gorgeous 2-D, with exceptional animation and effects. Players may also notice that "Ecclesia" is tougher than the series has been in years — a welcome return to form in a series known for its challenge.
Nintendo DS; $29.99
Age rating: Teen
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uEJleG_2mMiiRmcsUQr4ULk-MqCx2kemFqoC1G1ogGOA7ODjEh5pABPJqSk-LNR808CI8PXYItpNprDbteC1uoPgwvUNbmqW_sv4j9vcYYeFD8U_4ocJBqSoV-dl6KAxcB2ELfdpx1RbvGscW00-Kj=s0-d)