While we sit patiently waiting for the next 3D Castlevania adventure, Never Know Tech claims to have the scoop on the next big side-scrolling thing -- Castlevania: Harmony of Despair.
Said to be an Xbox LIVE Arcade title, the game supposedly brings back the classic "Metroidvania" gameplay with a twist -- six-player cooperative play. Yes, six people on one map at one time. Players are said to be given a boss target that they must work together to destroy. Playable characters are reported to be Soma Cruz, Alucard, Jonathan Morris, Shanoa, and Charlotte Aulin.
The name "Harmony of Despair" was trademarked awhile back, so that's not the huge surprise. The style of game and platform, however, is. We've contacted Konami to verify the information, which until then, remains a rumor. More screens can be found over at Never Know Tech. Additional screens and information have been pulled from the Never Know Tech site.
First Screens of Castlevania HD [Never Know Tech]
[Update: Minor change here, it looks like the screens posted by Never Know Tech indicate that this is a six player game, not an eight player title. You know, if it's a real game.]
Contest:
11:20 AM on 04.30.2010
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Also, it would be interesting to see if they implement some sort of drop-in/drop-off mechanism, so that the game can continue and be saved by a "host" (since even if you find 8 friends interested, God knows if you can get all 8 in at the same time every time you play). It would be nice to have 8 people going, but if 5 can play, continuing along, and letting people jump in when they can.
Seriously, fuck other people. Give me an awesome single player game over this shit any day.
And if there is...commence fapping.
Multiplayer has no place in this style of game, co-op or otherwise. I'm am sick and tired of "just because" multiplayer games. Its not going to be a Metroidvania game, its going to have to become something else to work.
Not to mention the ways that each character functions is going to make this game too complex. Shanoa is rocking the glyph system, Soma has the tactical souls, Alucard has magic, Johnathan is all muscle and Charlotte all subweapons/magic.
That and its should be a DS game.
Also, dibs on Soma.
Better co-op than everything having to have a deathmatch mode. Though I am tired of great games being called crap for lack of multiplayer.
Also
OMG CASTLEVANIA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH WANT.
Left 4x2 Appogiatura of Melancholy!
Anyway, I'm super excited about this. :D
Okay, this either has a zoom function (and the ability to play zoomed-out), or the game does this automatically. I'm thinking there is a zoom function, to give the game a huge map view without interrupting the action. It's possible, anyway.
I'm thinking it's entirely possible to just go through the entire castle with up to eight people scattered about. There may be a waypoint system so people can warp to where everyone else is.
What would be most mind-blowing: Randomly-generated castle. :O
This might be the straw that breaks the camel's back as far as buying a 360 is concerned.
And really, when has there ever been a co-op game that has forced you to play with other people?
Please, just bring back IGA to make another DS game.
Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth.
unlike the 360 which only supports 4 locally.
Right?
like others said, you can do the zooming out thing like with Explosion Man.
or it could be an entirely different game all together.
but since those links dont work and i cant see the screen shots i have no idea.
Also, dibs on Soma Cruz.
Then it could be fun and bitch'n hard.
I got dibs on Trevor Belmont. I seriously hope they just straight up import his low rez ass sprite into the game. It would be funny to see these HD characters next to blocky old trevor belmont.
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?s=3d0208e59cd73d6804338d2faa2b8d24&p=21046536&postcount=240
That looks hilariously fake or hilariously unfinished.
Not to mention no mention of a playable Belmont? Not even Simon? Richter? ...Christopher?!
I don't seem to care either way as I'll never get to play it, but I guess I'll follow the story to see what happens.