The other game I'm reviewing this week is Castlevania Judgement, a game I was sure would be shit. The whole concept of a Wii-exclusive Castlevania fighter just screams "cheap cash-in", and that's the last thing Wii owners need at this point. Or so I thought, until I actually played the final build of CJ. This game is a cheap cash-in, but it's also a well crafted one. It's arguably a better one-on-one brawler than the original Power Stone, and the online features are generally better than those found in Brawl.
Here's a quick run down of my impressions thus far-
*The games cut scenes have little to no animation, and are the stupidest looking thing I've seen in a videogame since Time Stalkers. I love them.
* The game plays a lot like a 3D version of Castle Crashers. Blocking, breaking the guard of your opponent, using items, and scoring combos via the almighty button mash all factor heavily into the second-to-second proceedings. Too bad this is (for the most part) a one-on-one fighter and not a beat 'em up.
* Online is smooth. No lag. There is also the option to add random people you meet to a "rivals" list so you can find them for future fights.
* All the characters play vastly different. Most of them feel like the Castlevania characters they are based on. Dracula teleports around and shoots fireballs at you. Simon kicks ass at throwing bommerangs, etc.
* The game looks almsot as good a SC2 on the GC.
* The motion controls are actually a little better than the GC or CC controls.
* The super moves do about 50% damage, but are blockable and have huge start up times.
* Camilla has bigger boobs than Ivy
In closing, CJ is a game many will like, and a few will love. If Soul Calibur and Street Fighter are too tame for you, it's not impossible to think you could actually prefer CJ to either of those series. This is a game that's probably best appreciated by those who got sick of fighting games when they got too hard to control. The game isn't easy, as it takes experience to develop effective, game winning strategies, but it doesn't take much technical skill. Anyone from your 3 year old little brother to you 90 year old Grandma could pull of combos and super moves in CJ. It's your head that wins matches in this game, not your hands.
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(# 0) on 11/20/2008 07:32
(# 1) on 11/20/2008 07:52
(# 2) on 11/20/2008 08:19
If they had stuck the camera in a fixed position and made this a side scroller, it would really feel like a Castlevania game, more so than most other 3D Castlevanias.
(# 3) on 11/20/2008 08:37
(# 4) on 11/20/2008 08:40
(# 5) on 11/20/2008 08:42
(# 6) on 11/20/2008 08:47
$2 for a BJ
$5 for a CJ
Whats a CJ? Honey, if you hafta ask, you can't afford it.
Sorry couldn't resist
(# 7) on 11/20/2008 09:05
The E3 build of the game really, really sucked. I met IGA right after playing it, which made for more than a couple awkward moments.
@ Random- You are right, sir. Trust me, CJ wont be getting a 10/10 from me. That being said, the fact that its fun enough that I want it to have more modes is a sign that the game is worth something.
I was not pining for Soul Calibur Legends to have more modes, because that game was inherantly crappy. After E3, I was expecting CJ to be a similar shit. So far, it aint.
(# 8) on 11/20/2008 09:10
Clearly Castlevania because... he has a whip... ?
(# 9) on 11/20/2008 09:12
Maybe I'll rent it and try it out myself.
(# 10) on 11/20/2008 09:29
(# 11) on 11/20/2008 09:32
But in motion, they all look a lot better. Some of the moves in this moves are pretty clever, and almost all of them are fun to look at.
@ Bullseye- Renting is the perfect way to go. I can't think of anyone on the planet who I would tell to buy this game without playing it first.
And I do love Castlevania, at least, 2D Castlevania.
(# 12) on 11/20/2008 09:41
(# 13) on 11/20/2008 10:00
Throwing holy water or a cross for example. Always has that weird arm pump I love, hehe. Or when you do a super spell of some sort and you float in the air, clenched fists drawn back and chest pumped forward. Always fun to see. Hell, the whip attack alone in some of the games has a very iconic feel to it.
(# 14) on 11/20/2008 10:07
I'm genuinely relieved that this is turning out decent, as I feared it'd be another Killer Instinct Gold fiasco all over again. I swear I was the only person on the entire planet that liked it.
(# 15) on 11/20/2008 10:42
@ Funky- Yeah, Cornell is pretty kick ass. Now I want Legacy of Darkness 2, which is something I thought I'd never say.
(# 16) on 11/20/2008 10:46
(# 17) on 11/20/2008 11:45
And why do fighting games still sell at $50-$60?
(# 18) on 11/20/2008 11:57
(# 19) on 11/20/2008 12:26
@ Vest and Tiger- I hear you 100%. Rent this sucker then tell me what you think.
(# 20) on 11/20/2008 12:35
I'll probably pick it up. :)
(# 21) on 11/20/2008 13:48
A LIKELY STORY.
I won't believe your lies Mr. Jonathan.
(# 22) on 11/20/2008 14:18
(# 23) on 11/20/2008 14:22
If I had a Wii, I'd play and buy this game.
(# 24) on 11/23/2008 18:57
Is that a problem in the final game? Is it a big enough problem that you want to stab your eyes out, or is it manageable?
(# 25) on 11/24/2008 10:54
As for the camera, it's all over the place. You can get used to it after awhile, but it's never really all that great.