LogFAQs > #967376199

#48 Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/6/1/4/AABIPnAADkqm.jpg

The combat variety is sooo fun here. Players can really find their own style, because of the two-character Jonathan/Charlotte system. I used to play 95% Charlotte, but more 50/50 in recent years. Yet, some people use 95% Jonathan and barely use Charlotte at all.

The game plays sooo differently based on that, but also you've still got a billion weapons and subweapons for Jonathan, and a ton of spells for Charlotte. Turns out, trying lots of weapons is really fun!

The charged-up spells are neat: a fun risk/reward of how much to charge up, before unleashing it and getting the heck out of the way. Realtime action RPGs rarely have charged up huge spells like this, it's more of an MMORPG thing. These spells are also an opportunity to strategize, and pick a good spell for each boss.

BUT, besides combat, the game has a lot of annoyances, bringing it down. The level design within the "Portrait" areas are kinda tedious, kinda predictable, *especially* the circus ones since they're 4-way-symmetrical! Ew. Also the quest system is annoying.

BEST LEVEL: "Sandy Grave", mostly for the novelty of exploring a pyramid in a desert, a fresh thing for Castlevania. Really cool enemies in here, love the various giant enemies that pop out of various sand. Also the song is very good.