Konami

The GBA games were high-quality titles, and on the DS, Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow is no exception. I definitely agree with Brad in this regard. Yet, for all the quality of the work, I feel Castlevania has finally—for now—run out of steam.

I strongly suspect that the gameplay of Lost in Blue, which has a lot of hidden depth and open-ended options, can be radically different depending on how a player approaches the game. I can't say for sure that Brad and other critics that made similar complaints would feel any differently had they shared an experience closer to mine.

According to the ESRB, this game contains: Mild Cartoon Violence, Mild Language

Ah, Suidoken. When is this series ever going to get back on its feet? Pound for pound, I would say that the first two games in the series can hold their own against any other role-playing games (RPGs) out there. Suikoden II in particular still ranks as one of the best RPGs I've ever played, period. With such a strong start, I seriously don't understand how it's possible that the developers behind the more recent installments keep dropping the ball. III was painfully slow and IV was a bizarre seagoing deviation leaving most fans with a bad taste in their mouths. Striking out in a different direction and hoping to revive this flagging series, Konami brings us Suikoden Tactics.

Game Description: Suikoden Tactics takes you into the world of the popular role-playing game Suikoden, for incredible strategy and combat simulation gaming. See this world through the eyes of Kyril, a young adventurer who investigates the sudden appearance of hideous creatures in the Island Nations. As you explore and battle with him, you'll discover the secrets of the legendary Rune Cannons—and try to destroy them before they destroy the world.

I loved it. I hated it. I still can't make up my mind. Lost in Blue is a rare game: one that has brilliant vision and dismal design choices in perfectly equal amounts. Its good and evil halves are so finely balanced, in fact, that I can't decide whether I should celebrate or revile it.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Mild Violence

Game Description: Lost In Blue is an innovative role-player where you'll have to struggle to stay alive on a deserted island. After a disastrous incident at sea, you awake on a desert island. After meeting another survivor, a 17-year old girl who has also drifted ashore, you two must work together to survive. While planning their escape, the two will learn survival skills, such as hunting, searching for food and building tools while uncovering the island's many mysteries

Game Description: Continuing the storyline from the critically-acclaimed Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow follows Soma Cruz who finds himself at the center of a mysterious cult's plan to resurrect their evil lord and master, Dracula. Players will find themselves in the role of Soma, the game's protagonist, as they infiltrate the enemy's lair, a towering replica of Dracula's castle, and battle against gruesome creatures and the franchise's signature oversized bosses. Drawing inspiration from the past Castlevania titles and their role playing roots, players can, through an enhanced Tactical Soul System, collect more souls than ever before to upgrade abilities and skills. Completing this compelling gaming experience are its stunning graphics, special effects as well as an all-new musical score.

The latest entry, Dawn of Sorrow, comes courtesy of the Nintendo DS. For those not familiar with the games (what, all four of you?) the action consists of taking the current main character, Soma Cruz, and exploring a large, intricate castle. Along the way, Soma collects various weapons and items, steadily gaining in strength and ability. Presented in glorious 2D, its colorful and attractive graphics are a good match for the handheld.