The visuals are on par with Dawn of Sorrow, except the colors really pop. That's because some levels actually take place during the daytime, which is a nice change of pace from wandering around in the middle of the night. Portrait of Ruin's stunning visual effects, most notably during boss encounters and launching spectacular magic spells, make excellent use of the DS hardware. One encounter with a large stone god is very noteworthy, if only because he tries throwing everything at you (including himself) while you try and bring him down. There is some slowdown, but nothing seriously distracting. The animation is very fluid, although Jonathan jogs slowly about. Finally, the anime-themed intro looks incredible.
The audio offers mixed results. The music is outstanding, right up there with the other superior Castlevania soundtracks. The sound effects aren't bad either, with some of the better effects we've heard in a while and some stellar voice work. However, was it really necessary to have each character announce their arrival when players are switching between them? Having to hear "Jonathan!" and "Charlotte!" during each transfer can get old rather quickly.
Unfortunately, Portrait of Ruin can be beaten in just a few hours. However, there's more to the game than just following the straight-and-narrow. Those who explore within the castle's depths will find more challenging levels and bosses, as well as numerous items to add to their collection. The power-up system can also go a number of directions, depending on which items or spells are equipped.
One other noteworthy feature for this game is the ability to play online with a friend, either through the WiFi Connection or locally. Here, players can work together through a series of stages in Boss Rush Mode and take part in buying and selling items in a virtual marketplace. It is a thoughtful addition to the game, but it's flawed by two small mistakes. The three Boss Rush stages are too short, and there's no option to join a friend in the main game. As for the marketplace, it's fun to tinker around with, but most of the items being sold there can be picked up over the course of the game without having to spend any money. It's like stopping at a bank for an ATM withdrawal after you find a thousand bucks in the street.
Despite the WiFI shortcomings, Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin keeps the series riding high in its twentieth year. The dual-player component is an exquisite addition, and the graphics, music and boss battles are amongst the best in the series.
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