Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3396 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Konami America Inc.
• Released on: 2005-06-30
• ESRB Rating: Mature
• Platform: PlayStation2
• Dimensions: .50" h x 5.25" w x 7.25" l, .37 pounds

From the Manufacturer
From the creators of the renowned Castlevania Symphony of the Night, the legendary series makes its next-gen debut with Castlevania Lament of Innocence. Castlevania's enchanting storyline and legendary gameplay are now experienced through an exciting full 3D environment, combined with incredible graphics and a mesmerizing orchestral soundtrack. Discover the true origins of Dracula and the Belmont family in this exciting first episode of the saga.

Customer Reviews

Excellence despite flaws . . .
Who wouldn't like the idea of exploring a haunted castle and killing a few monsters? Personally, the idea has appealed to me since the first entry to the series back in the 80s. (Although that first game literally had me screaming in frustration when the Grim Reaper killed me AGAIN! That little b*****d was harder than Dracula, in my humble opinion.)

But then, this isn't supposed to be a review of the whole series, is it? My apologies.

All the elements that made those 2-D games so great are back in "Lament of Innocence", with a few added elements and a few drawbacks, too. And they are ... ("Drumroll, please.")

--I was disappointed that the whip is not upgradeable to a chain whip. Sure, you can get fire and ice and that cool purple glow for the "Vampire Killer", but I wanted a big-@$$ chain to wave around. I mean, how much damage can a leather whip (I don't care how much "alchemy" was involved) do against a creature made of stone? Oh, well.

--The ability to combine the spheres with the sub-weapons was really cool. Holy Water was always my favorite, and it still is.

--I'm glad that the platforming aspect of this game was toned down. 3-D games are notoriously hard when it comes to leaping about and landing on small platforms. The fact that Leon will not automatically walk off edges helps a lot, too.

--Why can't I destroy the Skull Pillars in this game? That bites.

--Visually, this game is at once beautiful and disturbing. All the lighting effects are nice, but zombies with venomous vomit? What mind thought that up? . . . The juvenile still in residence in my mind just says "Uh, that was cool," and chuckles.

--Yes, the cut-scenes and voice-acting are cheesy. But it's a video game, for cryin' out loud! Don't expect a fine work of art, here. Just something to waste a few hours on.

--OK, this is important. If this is a prequel, how did some guy named Walter somehow become Dracula? What happened to Vlad? The Castlevania games have always, ALWAYS been about hunting down Dracula. The fact that he's missing from this game draws a little away from the tradition. And yet I find myself thinking that this is probably the best game in the series. The only thing that would make it cooler would be if there was an upside-down castle waiting for you when you THINK you've beaten the game. (That was one of the best gaming surprises ever, by the way.)

If your gaming skills are really good or if you aren't the hugest fan of the series, just rent this one. But if you like the Castlevania franchise, pick it up. I found mine for relatively cheap. Possible Greatest Hits title?

Who would have known...
As a backdrop to the entire history of the already world reknown Castlevannia series, this game lives up to its predecessors. Only lacking in game length and depth of the story, the game mechanics are challenging at first, but after a short adjustment time, it can be easily mastered. While lacking in length, the difficulty of the game is one of its strong points since it escalates while you advance in the game, offering the player a variety of options with regards to the approach of the same.

Overall, this game is a must for Castlevania fans everywhere in order to read about the humble beginnings of the Belmont Clan, and most of all, brush up a bit on Castlevania Vampire lore.

The best in the Castlevania series.
Castlevania:Lament of Innocence is by far the best in the Castlevania series. This story is about Leon Belmont an eleventh-century nobleman, knight of the clergy and vampire hunter who is on an epic journey to bring back his fiancee Sara Trantoul who's been captured by a powerfull vampire, Leon will stop at nothing to bring her back. This game is excellent with a good story, great character design and some pretty sweet graphics. Most people will like this game because of the things i talked about above and also because this game tells how the Belmont clan began. I recomend it to fans of the series and to eneyone who loves video games.