• Review: Soul of Darkness

    by
    Sol
    Published on 08-25-2011 10:44 AM
    2 Comments Comments


    Soul of Darkness

    Developer: Gameloft
    Publisher: Gameloft
    Platform: Nintendo DSi/3DS (Dsi ware), Mobile Phones
    Genre: Adventure, Action
    Rating: Teen
    Release Date: July 5, 2010 (DSi)

    Being primarily a developer for Mobile Gaming alike, Gameloft has proved itself to demonstrate a great library of download-able titles for the "On the Go" Gamers. Recently porting some of their high rated games to the DSi market, including Soul of Darkness, has been given praise for a detailed atmosphere and game play.

    Presentation
    For years, Darkness has plagued the world with it's rule among Vampires, and after experiencing the death of his parents, Kale has stepped forward their end dominance. With impressive acrobatics and a Spear capable of absorbing the souls of his enemies, Kale has become a force to be reckoned with. A few years have passed, he also saves the life of a young girl that due to her shock and fear, has suffered amnesia with only remembering Lydia as her name.

    Despite her amnesia, the two have fallen in love and have since became inseparable, that is until sudden visions and nightmares began to surface Lydia. With only a vision of a castle being their only clue, Kale and Lydia journey together hoping it would lead to the answer of her nightmares.

    Unfortunately, their arrival would be welcomed by the mastermind of it all, and his Undead army waiting for them.

    Graphics
    While it borrows some atmosphere from the successful Castlevania DS Titles, it doesn't come off entirely as a bad thing to judge. Granted, Kale does resemble a human like version of Alucard in some memorizing ways, but it shouldn't be a reason not to experience the nice touches it has done to the levels and background. However, sightseeing will be interrupted by enemies, sneaky traps and dozens of platforming trails so best be on Kale's toes to press on forward. Character artwork during Dialogue reminisces the first glance gamers might have experienced from Aria of Sorrow, and with the DSi Camera, the player is given the option to replace Character portraits to their own photo, a nice gimmick but it's better to leave it as is.

    Sound
    One of the surprising factors was how even though most DSi Ware titles have had a poor attempt to demonstrate something other than two repeated chip tunes, Soul of Darkness was an exception. Aside from the common grunting and explosion effects, it was greeted with some impressive soundtracks to slash the way through, however for such a title, it could have been given a more Gothic approach.

    Gameplay
    While the play controls once again resembles a lot of Castlevania, it still offers it's own unique ways as well, with Kale's Elemental Spear, his fire and Ice attributes offer some impressive combo attacks to defeat his foes. Although later on, elements play a role to solve puzzles to get further ahead, whether its lighting up torches or making ice platforms, it requires the player to put on their thinking cap as well. Throughout the game, defeating enemies allows the player to obtain Crystal Shards to upgrade their weapons to be stronger, offer up more combos, and enhance magic. While the purpose is mostly getting from Point A to B, some tricky platforming tasks may be required to accomplish as well, but the nice map feature ensures the player doesn't get lost either. Along the way, Kale is given the ability to Shapeshift, from entering narrow passages as a Beetle or submerging deep into water as a Jaw Biting Fish, it offers something new to the plate each time.

    While the game can get difficult later on, the checkpoint feature doesn't completely force the player to start over, but it does make the challenge a little too easy once the pattern becomes more recognizable to overcome. Upon the end of certain levels, Kale is greeted with a boss battle that offers powerful attack patterns, so mindlessly rushing in won't get the player anywhere but to their own defeat.

    Lasting Appeal
    Soul of Darkness can offer up to Four to Six hours to complete at most, but it does offer an unlockable Hard Mode to retry those levels, incase something hidden was missed along the way. While the storyline attempted to rush it's way completely, it does give the player a slight feeling of suspense over the course in the story.

    Conclusion
    The important lesson here is, if a company was going to borrow elements of a game to make another, Gameloft successfully did so and with a 500 point label, it's surprising how much work can be placed in small data when done properly. In all honesty, It's really been a few years since such a game as surfaced, nevertheless, a great game to try out for such a bargain.


    Score:
    7.0/10
    Comments 2 Comments
    1. Emily "Darkcamllama" Hatcher's Avatar
      Emily "Darkcamllama" Hatcher - 08-25-2011
      A helpful review! This was one of the titles I was thinking about getting but just never took the time to read about it.
    1. Beatboxtaun's Avatar
      Beatboxtaun - 08-30-2011
      Did you review it cuz it had your name in it? ~.0

  • Review Scale

    Score 10- Flawless Victory: A score not handed out to every game. Games earning this rare score sit at the very pinnacle of excellence. These games act as the examples for which all others should be measured with. They are instant classics from the beginning. These games not only deliver what was expected of it, but also exceed the player’s expectations. The game’s features are innovative and original. No game is without its absolute flaws, but the finished product you bring home surpasses the anticipation the game has formed. A day one buy is a must. The game you hold in your hands with this score is a video game jackpot.

    Score 9 - 9.5- Outstanding: Games earning scores such as these absolutely must be played. Games that achieve this high ranking do so because they define the genres that they are in. Flaws are few and barely noticeable. Features seen in the game have been renovated to provide something new and fresh. The story, gameplay, graphics, and lasting appeal are all fantastic and is reason enough to bring the game home and to enjoy with family and friends. Every penny you spend on the game is so worth it.

    Score 8 - 8.5- Great: Any flaw the game may possess is overshadowed by its fun factor. These games would be great for gamers to play. These great games appeal to gamers more and more outside its normal player base because of what it brings to the table.

    Score 7 - 7.5- Good: Flaws do exist in these games, but the positive features of the game can counterbalance the flaws. Additionally, players who are predisposed to liking a game of a particular series or genre with this score should enjoy the game. These are in no way bad games, and much fun can be had with them. An overall good game is worth taking a look at, whether you are willing to buy the game or rent it first. That or you can also wait for the game to reach a good price.

    Score 6 - 6.5- Decent: Games falling into this category may suffer from numerous flaws (for example, graphics or gameplay), but are still worth playing. Granted, the player should be aware that a game with these scores may not guarantee them full satisfaction.

    Score 5 - 5.5- Average: An average game is one in which a game’s features are neither good nor completely terrible. Instead, the finished product is manageable. Little has been done to hold the player’s interest. If anything, rent this game before you consider buying it so that you can at least get a feel for the game’s overall experience.

    Score 4 - 4.5- Poor: Games falling into this category may only keep gamers entertained for a short while. While the game may seem enjoyable for moments at a time, it can quickly grow old and may never be revisited again. The game’s overall function is lacking in quality and may not hold the player’s attention for long. The game leaves little or nothing else to return back to.

    Score 3 - 3.5- Bad: If any positive qualities about a game in this category exist, it is not enough to redeem the game for its shortcomings. Sure you may find yourself playing it, but for how long? You will wind up not giving the game a second glance.

    Score 2 - 2.5- Horrible: Games such as these may not be totally unplayable, they nearly are. Additionally, they may lack, or greatly suffer in, the fundamental functionality of the software as a whole. The game simply does not come close to meeting industry standards at the time of its release.

    Score 1 - 1.5- Appalling: Gamers should avoid this game at all costs. The game was clearly not ready to make its way to store shelves in its status. Save your money and find something else. See it in the bargain bin? No! Stay away! Keep moving and look for something else.

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