In-Game Story Description

Research introduction--

Returning to life time and again since the ancient middle ages, the evil lord Dracula has driven people to terror. Each time Dracula returned from the dead, the Belmont clan fought him in shadows, wielding the holy whip.

Through their efforts, humanity avoided darkness, securing prosperity.

But early in the 19th century, having lost their ability to resist the darkness, those in positions of power at the time began to search for new ways to counter Dracula.

Our organization, Ecclesia, was born then as one of those countermeasures.

Many organizations were established with the same goal, and day after day they conducted their studies diligently, but each was dissolved when they failed to produce satisfactory results.

But that was when Barlowe, the leader of Ecclesia, finally made a surprising breakthrough that could stand up against Dracula.

Objective/Overview

Castlevania titles seem to come in threes, which makes the creation and release of Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia a surprise to no one. Continuing the theme of titles that fill gaps and lend the series greater storyline depth, Ecclesia , the third and purportedly final Nintendo DS title, puts the player in control of the hero Shanoa, a member of the Dracula-preventing organization Ecclesia (the game's namesake). In abandoning Portrait of Ruin's "partner" system, Ecclesia's is the more traditional RPG-adventure.

The task at hand is to guide Shanoa, who due to a certain event has lost her memory, through multiple areas of Transylvania in tracking down fellow Ecclesia member Albus, who by using his glyph-channeling ability stole from the organization the power of Dominus, which the group believes to be the only means of countering Dracula. Shanoa will carve out the path to her target by first clearing an available location, which will reveal a new area and so on in a natural progression as dictated by the game's overarching story. The gameplay is a creature of formula: Plow through rooms with their hordes of enemies, battle impressive bosses, gain levels and equip armor in typical RPG fashion, and earn the skills necessary to tackle an increasing amount of obstacles. Exclusive to Ecclesia is the "Glyph System," using which Shanoa can channel the magical energy of certain enemies; these new powers, separated into three categories, can be assigned to one of three corresponding attack buttons--this for a potential triple assault and also the combining of these powers via the devastating but heart-consuming Glyph Unions. By using these Glyphs, Shanoa can work to acquire her target and by fully exploring the landscape save kidnapped villagers whose rescue may contribute to the ongoing story.

While not as packed with extras compared to Portrait of Ruin, Ecclesia has in its cache a hefty amount of modes as trademark to the current formula. There are the (1) local wireless and Wi-Fi connection modes, which allow for the player to race through a series of short levels and trade items via the Shop Mode. (2) The Boss Rush Mode, this time featuring two challenge-levels. (3) Practice Mode, where you can test your character's overall skillset in earning a high score. (4) The Sound Mode, for easy listening. And the (5) "Record," where all of the best racing times and high scores are displayed. Additionally, in reward for earning the game's best ending, you can select to play as the aforementioned Albus in the usual unrelated, straight-action mission.

Japanese/European Differences

The Japanese version of Ecclesia comes in two flavors: The regular retail version and a special edition available online through Konami's "Konami Style" website. The Konami Style Special Edition is named as such because the package is bundled with bonus material that includes an original soundtrack, a special notebook with specially made book cover, and a bonus poster. (Thanks to JPCVFAN for this information.)

Soundtrack and Credits

Soundtrack
Opening and Ending Themes: 1 - An Empty Tome | 2 - Oncoming Dread | 3- Heroic Dawning | 4 - Welcome to Legend | 5 - Ecclesia | 6 - Requiem of Star-Crossed Nights
Stage Themes: 1 - A Prologue | 2- Sapphire Elegy | 3 - Chapel Hidden in Smoke | 4 - Serenade of the Hearth | 5 - Emerald Mist | 6 - A Clashing of Waves | 7 - Rhapsody of the Foresaken | 8 - Jaws of a Scorched Earth | 9 - Tragedy's Pulse | 10 - Unholy Vespers | 11 - Wandering the Crystal Blue | 12 - Edge of the Sky | 13 - Hard Won Nobility | 14 - Riddle | 15 - An Empty Tome | 16 - Ebony Wings | 17 - Malak's Labyrinth | 18 - Tower of Dolls | 19 - The Colossus
Battle Themes: 1 - Symphony of Battle | 2 - Dissonant Courage | 3 - Sorrow's Distortion | 4 - Lament to the Master | 5 - Chamber of Ruin | 6 - Order of the Demon
Miscellaneous Themes: 1 - Destiny's Stage | 2 - Passing into the Night | 3 - Armory Arabessque | 4 - Gate of the Underworld | 5 - Enterprising Mercantilism | 6 - Rituals | 7 - Former Room 2 | 8 - Deliberate Blink | 9 - Vanishing | 10 - Trace of Rage | 11 - Stones Hold a Grudge | 12 - Cantus Motetten -1 | 13 - Cantus Motetten -2 | 14 - Dark Holy Road | 15 - Suspicions | 16 - Shadow's Stronghold | 17 - Lone Challenger | 18 - Riddle | 19 - Consummation | 20 - Reunion | 21 - Vampire Killer | 22 - Stalker | 23 - Wicked Child | 24 - Walking on the Edge | 25 - Heart of Fire | 26 - Out of Time | 27- Nothing to Lose | 28 - Black Knight | 29 - Game Over | 30 - Beginning | 32 - Consummation

Links
Music Files: MP3
Soundtrack Release: Official Soundtrack, Sample CD and Castlevania Best Music Collections Box
Game Credits: Available

Other Characters

Lesser Enemies: Bat, Zombie, Skeleton, Ghost, Banshee, Bone Scimitar, Sea Stinger, Nominon, Axe Knight, Une, Merman, Necromancer, Bone Archer, Spear Guard, Invisible Man, Gelso, Needles, Demon, Fishhead, Dark Octopus, Killer Fish, Forneus, The Creature, Black Crow, Skull Spider, Scarecrow, Sea Demon, Winged Guard, Nightmare, Rock Knight, Fire Demon, Bitterfly, Specter, Grave Digger, Werebat, Black Fomor, Enkidu, Bone Pillar, Skeleton Frisky, Skeleton Hero, Dullahan, Skeleton Rex, White Dragon, Saint Elmo, Lorelai, Edimmu, Decarabia, Merman, Ladycat, Ectoplasm, Curse Diva, Miss Murder, Automaton ZX26, Skeleton Beast, Balloon, Arachne, Lizardman, Armored Beast, Yeti, Thunder Demon, Owl, Werewolf, Altair, Mandragora, Jersey Devil, Owl Knight, Chosen Une, Stone Rose, Mad Butcher, White Fomor, Evil Force, Flea Man, Ghoul, Peeping Eye, Gargoyle, Blood Skeleton, Black Panther, Mimic, Draculina, Tin Man, Polkir, Nova Skeleton, Gashida, Devil, Gurkha Master, Red Smasher, Cave Troll, Blade Master, Lilith, Lizardman Blade, Hammer Shaker, Rebuild, Imp, Bugbear, Spectral Sword, Automaton ZX27, Medusa Head, Gorgon Head, Mad Snatcher, Great Knight, King Skeleton, Winged Skeleton, Final Knight, Jiang Shi, Demon Lord, Double Hammer and Weapon Master
Bosses: Giant Skeleton, Arthroverta, Brachyura, Maneater, Rusalka, Goliath, Gravedorcus, Albus, Barlowe, Wallman, Blackmore, Eligor and Death
Dracula Forms: Dracula
Supporting Cast: Albus, Barlowe, Nikolai, Jacob, Abram, Laura, Eugen, Aeon, Marcel, George, Serge, Anna, Monica, Irina and Daniela

Character Lists

Lesser Enemies | Bosses | Dracula Forms | Supporting Cast