The Castlevania Dominus Collection is a must-have for fans of the iconic Castlevania series. This collection brings together four of the most beloved titles in the franchise: Dawn of Sorrow, Portrait of Ruin, Order of Ecclesia, and Haunted Castle Revisited. Available on multiple platforms, including Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, this collection offers enhanced graphics, updated controls, and a range of quality-of-life improvements that make revisiting these classics a joy. In this review, we’ll dive into each game in the collection, providing a full description, review, score, tips, secrets, and the best weapons. We’ll also explore the history of the Castlevania franchise, including sales numbers for each game, and rank them from great to greatest.
A Brief History of the Castlevania Franchise
The Castlevania franchise, developed by Konami, first launched in 1986. Known for its gothic horror themes, challenging gameplay, and iconic soundtracks, the series quickly became a staple in the gaming industry. Over the years, Castlevania has seen numerous sequels, spin-offs, and adaptations, each contributing to its legacy as one of the most influential video game franchises of all time. The games included in the Dominus Collection represent some of the best entries in the series, each with its own unique contributions to the franchise’s history.
Dawn of Sorrow
Platform: Originally released on the Nintendo DS, now available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Description: Dawn of Sorrow is the direct sequel to Aria of Sorrow and follows the story of Soma Cruz, a young man with the power to absorb the souls of monsters. The game features a mix of platforming, exploration, and RPG elements, with players navigating through a sprawling castle filled with enemies and secrets.
Review: Dawn of Sorrow is a fantastic entry in the Castlevania series, offering a perfect blend of action and exploration. The soul system, which allows Soma to acquire new abilities by absorbing the souls of defeated enemies, adds a layer of depth to the gameplay. The game also introduces the Tactical Soul system, which lets players customize their abilities to suit their playstyle.
Score: 8.5/10
Tips and Secrets:
- Best Weapon: The Claimh Solais is widely considered the best weapon in the game, offering high damage and fast attack speed.
- Secret Ending: To unlock the secret ending, collect all the souls and defeat Menace using the Soma Cruz true form.
Sales Numbers: Dawn of Sorrow sold approximately 750,000 copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling games on the Nintendo DS.
Backlinks: Strategy Guide for Dawn of Sorrow, Complete Soul Collection Guide
Portrait of Ruin
Platform: Originally released on the Nintendo DS, now available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Description: Portrait of Ruin is set during World War II and follows Jonathan Morris and Charlotte Aulin as they attempt to prevent Dracula’s resurrection. The game introduces the dual-character system, allowing players to switch between Jonathan and Charlotte, each with their unique abilities and weapons.
Review: Portrait of Ruin is a refreshing take on the Castlevania formula, with its dual-character system providing a new layer of strategy. The game’s use of portraits as portals to different levels adds variety to the environments, preventing the castle from feeling repetitive. The ability to switch between characters on the fly is both fun and strategic, as it allows for different approaches to combat and puzzle-solving.
Score: 8.7/10
Tips and Secrets:
- Best Weapon: The Vampire Killer whip is the most powerful weapon for Jonathan, especially after upgrading it with special skills.
- Secret Character: Unlock Richter Belmont and Maria Renard as playable characters by completing the game and entering the special code at the title screen.
Sales Numbers: Portrait of Ruin sold around 600,000 copies globally, cementing its status as a fan-favorite entry in the series.
Backlinks: Portrait of Ruin Strategy Guide, Complete Weapon Guide
Order of Ecclesia
Platform: Originally released on the Nintendo DS, now available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Description: Order of Ecclesia follows Shanoa, a member of a secret organization tasked with defeating Dracula in the absence of the Belmont clan. The game features a unique Glyph system, allowing players to absorb magical symbols that grant new abilities and weapons.
Review: Order of Ecclesia is one of the most challenging entries in the series, with a steep difficulty curve that will test even the most seasoned Castlevania veterans. The Glyph system is a welcome addition, offering a variety of ways to approach combat. The game’s atmosphere is also a standout, with dark and moody environments that perfectly capture the gothic horror vibe of the series.
Score: 9/10
Tips and Secrets:
- Best Weapon: The Nitesco Glyph is one of the most powerful, offering a beam attack that can obliterate enemies from a distance.
- Hidden Boss: Defeat all the villagers’ side quests to unlock a hidden boss battle with Albus, providing a unique challenge and reward.
Sales Numbers: Order of Ecclesia sold around 500,000 copies, praised for its difficulty and unique gameplay mechanics.
Backlinks: Order of Ecclesia Glyph Guide, Complete Boss Strategy Guide
Haunted Castle Revisited
Platform: Available exclusively on the Castlevania Dominus Collection for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Description: Haunted Castle Revisited is a remake of the original arcade game Haunted Castle, offering modernized graphics, improved controls, and enhanced gameplay. Players take on the role of Simon Belmont as he battles through Dracula’s castle to rescue his fiancée.
Review: Haunted Castle Revisited is a nostalgic throwback to the early days of Castlevania, offering a more arcade-like experience compared to the other games in the collection. The updated graphics and controls make the game more accessible to modern players, while still retaining the challenging gameplay that the series is known for. The remake also adds new levels, bosses, and secrets, making it a must-play for fans of the franchise.
Score: 9.3/10
Tips and Secrets:
- Best Weapon: The Holy Water is incredibly effective against most bosses, particularly in the later stages of the game.
- Secret Room: In Stage 3, jump into the left wall near the second staircase to find a hidden room filled with power-ups and extra lives.
Sales Numbers: As a part of the Dominus Collection, Haunted Castle Revisited doesn’t have individual sales numbers, but its inclusion has been praised by fans and critics alike.
Backlinks: Haunted Castle Revisited Strategy Guide, Complete Weapon Guide
Ranking the Games from Great to Greatest
- Haunted Castle Revisited: This remake revitalizes a classic with modern touches, earning it the top spot in the collection.
- Order of Ecclesia: With its challenging gameplay and atmospheric design, Order of Ecclesia is a standout entry in the series.
- Portrait of Ruin: The dual-character system and diverse environments make Portrait of Ruin a memorable and engaging experience.
- Dawn of Sorrow: While still an excellent game, Dawn of Sorrow ranks last in this collection due to its slightly more repetitive gameplay compared to the other titles.
Quality of Life Improvements
The Castlevania Dominus Collection features several quality-of-life improvements across all games, including:
- Enhanced Graphics: Each game has been remastered in HD, providing sharper visuals and more detailed environments.
- Updated Controls: Controls have been updated to be more responsive, with options to customize button layouts.
- Save States: Players can now save their progress at any point, making it easier to tackle difficult sections of the games.
- In-Game Guides: Each game includes a built-in guide with tips, tricks, and strategies to help players succeed.
Backlinks: Complete Castlevania Series Guide, Official Castlevania Website
The Castlevania Dominus Collection is a must-have for any fan of the series. With its mix of classic titles and modern enhancements, it offers both nostalgia and fresh experiences for new and old players alike. Whether you’re revisiting Dracula’s castle or exploring it for the first time, this collection is sure to provide hours of gothic horror and thrilling gameplay.
